2013 Subaru Outback steering problems
This is a safety-related system. If you notice symptoms, stop driving and have it inspected.
Related recalls
- 13V194000 · Steering
Subaru is recalling certain model year 2013 Outback and Legacy vehicles manufactured from February 15, 2012, through June 15, 2012. In the affected vehicles, the inner and outer shafts of the steering column assembly may become disengaged from one another.…
Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Confirm by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“* I detected a noise in the front end and an instability in the handling. My independent service mechanic found the cradle on the right front severely rusted out at the point where the control arm attaches. He had to condemn the vehicle. * My mechanic says that it could have resulted in a total loss of ability to steer. He says that he is unable to order the part from the manufacturer because so many are on back order. He is also unable to find any used ones. Finally, he says that in the la…”
NHTSA complaint · filed 05/29/2024
“Power steering failed while driving. Power steering fluid had all leaked out. Luckily car was at a very low speed as steering was quite difficult. Repaired at Subaru dealer who discovered a leak in a metal high pressure line. There was no evidence of external damage to pressure line. Photo showed a hairline crack at the outside of a 90° bend, thus probably a manufacturing defect. Dealer replaced entire steering rack.”
NHTSA complaint · filed 07/10/2021
“DIRECTIONAL STABILITY; DIFFICULT TO KEEP CAR CENTERED IN LANE; WANDERS OFF FROM WHERE STEERING IS SET; STEERING WILL NOT CENTER, BUT WILL STAY IN A GENTLE CURVE BY ITSELF UNTIL CORRECTED, THEN WILL WANDER OFF CENTER AGAIN. CONTRIBUTING TO PROBLEM IS TOO MUCH FORCE IS REQUIRED IN A STEERING ACTION TO CORRECT A WANDER CAUSING A SLIGHT OVERSHOOT WHICH NO MATTER HOW CAREFULLY CONTROLLED, CANNOT KEEP THE CAR GOING IN THE CORRECT DIRECTION, WHETHER IN A CURVE OR KEEPING STRAIGHT. THE FASTER THE CA…”
NHTSA complaint · filed 03/27/2020
“WHEN DRIVING OVER 40MPH THE CAR SEEMS TO JERK OUT OF THE BLUE IT EVEN SEEMS LIKE ONE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE LIFTS OR TILTS AS IF IT HAS HYDRAULICS MAKES IT HARD TO CONTROL CONTINUOUSLY GRIP THE STEERG WHEEL IN ORDER TO KEEP CONTROL IS UNBEARABLE. THERE IS SOMETHING SERIOUSLY WRONG AFTER READG ONLINE&ON THIS WEBSITE OBVIOUS SOMETHINGS WRONG. WHY R U WAITING FOR CRASHES& POSSIBLE DEATHS TO RAISE THIS ISSUE? WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT NORMAL HIGHWAY SPEEDS ALL OF A SUDDEN YOU FEEL A QUICK PULL …”
NHTSA complaint · filed 08/04/2019
“FROM THE DAY WE BOUGHT IT, THE CAR WANDERS LEFT AND RIGHT, NOTICEABLY AT SPEEDS ABOVE 40 MPH, REQUIRING CONSTANT STEERING WHEEL CORRECTIONS IN BOTH DIRECTIONS.”
NHTSA complaint · filed 02/22/2019
“MY ORB WAS WORKING FULL TIME THAN JUST QUIT WITH WHEELS STRAIGHT, BUT WOULD WORK WITH QUARTER TURN AND NOW WON'T WORK AT ALL”
NHTSA complaint · filed 01/14/2019
“STEERING WHEEL VISIBLE VIBRATES AT 70+ MPH ON THE HIGHWAY DESPITE MULTIPLE REALIGNMENTS AND MECHANIC VISITS TO VARIOUS DEALERS. CAR SOMETIMES FIGHTS DRIVER TO VEER LEFT/RIGHT. IT IS DIFFICULT TO DRIVE (SOMETIMES EVEN EXHAUSTING). HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE FOR LAST 5 YEARS, PROGRESSIVELY GETTING WORSE. CAR HAS NEVER BEEN INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND HAS BEEN MAINTAINED PROPERLY.”
NHTSA complaint · filed 09/04/2018
“OUR 2013 SUBARU OUTBACK WAS TWO YEARS OLD WHEN THE TILT STEERING FEATURE WOULD NOT STAY LOCKED INTO PLACE. THE STEERING COLUMN FOR THE TILT STEERING WOULD NOT STAY LOCKED AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD DROP WHILE THE CAR WAS IN MOTION. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR WHERE WE WERE TOLD THAT INTERNAL LOCKING MECHANISM HAD BROKEN AND THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WHICH IT WAS REPLACED AND HAD HELD IN PLACE. IN MARCH OF 2018 THE TILT STEERING WOULD ONCE AGAIN NO…”
NHTSA complaint · filed 04/11/2018
Unverified owner reports from NHTSA's public complaint database.
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- How common are 2013 Subaru Outback steering problems?
- 34 owners reported steering issues to NHTSA for the 2013 Subaru Outback, 1 involving a crash. Counts scale with how many were sold.
- Is there a recall for 2013 Subaru Outback steering problems?
- Yes — campaign 13V194000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; confirm by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.