This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
Without warning and while driving on a city street, my power steering went out. The steering wheel is not only more difficult to turn now, but it does not turn smoothly or consistently. At highway speeds this could easily result in an overturn and serious vehicle accident. This is an electric power steering unit (not hydraulic) so there is no way to maintain the system. The repair is about $1900 and requires a complete replacement of the power steering unit, rack and pinion. Subaru has not been helpful as I've discussed the safety concern with them.
While I was backing the vehicle out of my driveway I became aware the I had no power steering. I parked the car in front of my house and took my second car to a scheduled appointment. Upon returning home I moved the Subaru Impreza to the front of the driveway. It still didn't have power steering. I called the local Subaru dealership and scheduled a service appointment for the following Wednesday 1/8/2020 and left the car parked in the driveway. Fortunately the closest Subaru dealership is approximately 2.3 miles from my home. I woke up at 5:30 am to avoid traffic and I carefully (slowly) drove the car to the dealership on local streets. The vehicle was inspected and the mechanic concluded the power steering control module had to be replaced. The parts had to be ordered so I opted to leave the car until it was repaired. The total cost of the repair was $839.95. The car is a 2013 Subaru Impreza with only 17,450 miles on the odometer. The car remained at the dealership for two days and I picked it up on 1/10/2020. After this incident I researched various websites to determine whether other Subaru owners have experienced the same issue. My internet search proved to be enlightening. I discovered that there are/were enumerable complaints on the internet regarding Subaru Impreza power steering failures. Go to the auto recall for consumers website (arfc) for confirmation of my assertion. The complaints go back to 2009, 2010, 2011, ....every year through 2019, there are enumerable complaints recounting power steering failures for the Subaru Impreza. I also came across a Subaru service bulletin number: 04-21-18 dated 07/24/18 subject uneven steering effort. I can't fathom how this potentially dangerous design failure has not resulted in a national recall by the NHTSA.
2013 Impreza with approximately 50,000 miles has steering problems. At low speeds steering wheel turns left on its own. At other speeds you have to hold wheel so it doesn't pull left. Much harder to turn right at any speed. Told by dealer has leaking steering rack.
2013 Subaru Impreza has 67,000 miles. Steering pulls to the left when driving and then all the way to the left when stopped or turned off. Very hard to keep straight. Subaru dealer told me I needed a new steering rack and electronic steering module. Replacement would be $2000. They told me to call 1800subaru3. I did not have it fixed.
- East Haddam, CT, USA
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The contact owns a 2013 Subaru Impreza. While driving various speeds, the electronic steering shifted the direction of the vehicle without warning. As a result, the contact had to apply force to the steering wheel to correct the steering. The contact took the vehicle to quirk auto group (293 hogan rd, bangor, me 04401, (866) 413-4706) where it was diagnosed that the electronic steering gear box needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 48,000.
Car has 55,000 miles. Steering box cracked and driving assist sensor pulls car abruptly to the left when driving. Need to hold wheel tight and fight it to not pull car into oncoming traffic. When parking and braking car wheel will turn several times to left until completely left.
The steering became uneven and "sloppy" when not moving. When moving, it was easier to turn one direction than the other. The problem is described in Subaru service bulletin number 04-21-18. The steering rack assembly was replaced by the dealer. I retained the part and found that the steering gear box had cracks as described in the service bulletin.
Steering wheel very noise and it pulling to the right.the steering wheel is hard to control on highway speed.I had this problems 2 weeks now.is there any recall on this vehical.(2013 Subaru Impreza)
3 X in 10 days, I start the car and the steering immediately feels wrong and continues until I turn it off. I have to grip the wheel more firmly, the tires almost feel like they want to pull away from me; turning the steering wheel feels bumpy, like something is clicking over knuckles, or cogs. No leaking fluid has been seen, or noise, although this evening when I turned into my drive, there was briefly a low, rubber and agn rubber sound (no metal sound, no squeak) the dealer said they drove my car this morning, checked everything, saw nothing wrong, said it was safe to drive, but to come in again when it happens next....but they aren't open 24/7 and are 15 minutes away on hills and in traffic. In between the 3 incidents, the car has driven normally. The car was purchased in July 2013, , and has a bit over 112,000 miles on it. Can someone suggest something for me to pass on to the dealership's repair department- they seem sincere in their efforts to help.
Brake failure at low speed coming to stop at traffic light, traction control light came on, brake light came on and check engine light on. Returned to dealer to repair. Dealer took 2 days to repair. At witch it lasted till today(12/30/2013). The same thing has happened again. Very scary you wonder if the car is reliable and always afraid to travel now. Have grandchildren and cannot trust this car. I hope someone can help. Have to return to dealer (again) to have them look at it (again). Wonder if they know how to fix it.
The malfunction described in the following always occurs under the conditions described. This is a potentially life-threatening malfunction that in many cases would result in the total loss of steering control while the vehicle is in motion. 1. car is parked, with the engine off. 2. driver enters car, depresses clutch pedal, and releases parking brake. 3. vehicle rolls (even slightly) before engine ignition is turned on and engine starts. 4. engine starts and the steering malfunction light illuminates and the electric power steering servo powers on and actively locks the steering wheel in position, preventing the driver from turning the steering wheel. This condition continues to exist when the clutch is released and the vehicle is in motion under engine power. This condition lasts 4-10 seconds, and then the vehicle begins operating normally. In order to turn the wheel, the driver must overpower the power steering, something many drivers would be unable to do. This is not a case of "dry steer" (engine off steering) or attempting to steer without power steering. The vehicle can be steered (with increased steering effort, as expected) under "dry steer" (engine off) conditions, the first time this malfunction occurred, the vehicle was moving at approximately 10 mph before the driver (myself) noticed the inability to steer. I narrowly missed crashing into a curb/divider by performing a "panic stop" with the brakes. I was unable to steer to avoid the curb, I was forced to come to a rapid stop using the brakes.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Brunswick, ME, USA