10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
5,892 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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.

2018 Subaru Outback steering problems

steering problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2018 Subaru Outback:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2018 Subaru Outback Owner Comments (Page 2 of 2)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #13

Jun 202018

Outback

  • 3,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Our Outback started to pull to the right at around 3000 miles. Currently (at 9000 miles) the car still does that. It feels as if there is strong side wind pushing the car. The car also started making knocking sounds when turning the wheel in both directions while at stop or moving slowly. We are currently scheduled for an inspection at the dealership. The second major issue is the tire pressure monitor. The tire pressure that it displays does not match the actual one measured with several external instruments (constantly 2 psi lower on all four wheels). Additionally, the monitor sometimes switches the front tire pressure with the rear ones, I.e. the monitor displays the front tire pressure as if it is the rear tire pressure. Very confusing!

- Orem, UT, USA

problem #12

Mar 122018

Outback

  • 200 miles
I have had steering issues with this car since day one, the dealer told me I had to get use to it. Car pulled to the right and at higher speeds you feel like you were hydroplaning-no control then steering would come back. Brought the car back to dealer and they made adjusts to the alignment and doesn't pull to right as bad. But the feeling of hydroplaning still exists and the dealer can not duplicate problem.they tell me its within Subaru's specifications there is a real problem with this car since date of service 3-12-18

- Torrington, CT, USA

problem #11

Oct 292018

Outback

  • 4,700 miles
At least 10 times in the past week we have almost crashed due to the steering. We went off the road twice. The car is seriously veering off to the right, almost like you are hydroplaning on dry land. You can't even steer the car back into the lane. It just goes by itself. I did take it to the dealer today. They are saying that it is the lane assist being on and to turn it off. We've had the car for 5 months and now all of a sudden this is happening. It is not right and someone is going to be killed. Please investigate these complaints and please do a recall before innocent people are killed. This is happening on the highway as well as smaller streets

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #10

Sep 302018

Outback

  • 6,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Steering was great until 6000 miles. The car now has a definite problem with either the front end or steering. The steering is irregular and feels as though you will not be able to control the vehicle. While turning the steering feels stuck and there is not road defect to be stuck in. While driving forward the car will jerk the front end and it feels like you will loose control of the vehicle.

- San Martin, CA, USA

problem #9

Apr 252018

Outback

  • 250 miles
I have always wanted a 3.6L and this is my first 3.6L 6 cylinder 2018 Subaru Outback! am disappointed with few problems: The front seating is not comfortable and not supportive at all, especial in hard turns the seats will not hold you in place, the seat bed is to short and does not support long legs if you are over 5 feet tall. For some reason this is my 3rd Subaru 2nd Outback that has wheel alignment problem right out of the box!!! I always seem to be pulling the steering-wheel/vehicle to the right and my steering is always on a 15-20 degree off and if I don't steer and pull to the right the vehicle drifts way to the left lane and this dangers and a major problem. Also while driving on highways with speed over 60 the vehicle vibrates I took it in for 4 tire wheel balancing and I hope this will fix the problem, mind you this is a new car. 2018 Outback has a problem while driving on highways and speeds over 60 the vehicle drifts or sways dangerously left and right out of control as if something is pushing or pushing the vehicle left and right, I don't know if the highway vibration with speeds exceeding 60 is associated with the sway or its a wheel balancing problem. Previously owned Subaru's 2011 Outback, 2011 legacy, 2014 Outback, 2018 Outback with only 290 miles on the vehicle with a full gas tank I drove it till it displayed and the gas light is on that I only have 40 miles to go before running out of gas so I drove it to be precise another 12 miles then stated that I only have 30 miles to empty and parked it while I went to work, 6 hours later to go home and the vehicle will not start, unfortunately I ran out of gas! I don't know if this was a glitch or its going to be a problem but I will keep my eyes on it.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

problem #8

Apr 252018

Outback

  • 500 miles
Traded in a 2016 for a 2018.there is a problem with the steering. While driving, particularly at higher speeds, the steering seems to have a mind of it's own. The car will sway or veer to one side or the other. It feels to me as if a gust of wind has pushed the car and I have to adjust the steering. My husband describes it as if the car is hydroplaning. This is an intermittent. It feels very unsafe especially while driving on the highway at higher speeds. The car has at this time approximately 500 miles.

- East Amherst, NY, USA

problem #7

May 072018

Outback

  • 1,300 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Driving our new 2018 Outback we experience periodic steering irregularities that are flat scary. Especially at 65mps and above the car seems to self correct.by example a lane change the car starts to 'float" and over compensates on directional change. Troubling also is the experience of stability at times as if driving in high winds-when there is no wind. When we turn "off" driving assistance lane system-still same problems. Wheels seem to have a 'mind of their own" and were not always in control. Took the car into dealership- there service person said they had also had the experience(s)..but we just need to get use to. Not acceptable!

- Minturn, CO, USA

problem #6

May 012018

Outback

  • 200 miles
Subaru better take notice on this steering issue! it is a danger!!! when pedestrians are walking on the road and you need to swing a little wider around them, the lane keep pushes you towards the pedestrian!!! in addition to this, when driving at 55 and above, it constantly feels as if the wind is blowing you around! there is no wind! this is a danger and there have been several times now, that I have almost went off the road!!! should I turn off my lane keep assist to stop this from happening!"!" I have had this car for 2 weeks, and so far I feel like I made a huge mistake getting this car!!!!! I would like to add that this is my 4th Subaru. I am loyal to the brand. If I knew it was going to be like this, I would not have bought another!! or I would have bought a lower model. I have the 2018 limited Outback. I my opinion buyer beware!! or get a lower model without these options!!!!

- Grahamsville, NY, USA

problem #5

Apr 302018

Outback

  • 394 miles
Mostley at higher speeds.70 mph.the steering reacts erratically.mutiple symptions concerns.on a consistent basis, the feeling of control leaves, it feels as though it hydroplaning in deep waterwhen your tires temporanily lose contact with pavement.this can happen during any condition.all control seems to leave, then control comes back.in high winds, when U need to correct the steeing angle this sisation happens a lot.any movement from a straight line will cause this to happen.sometime straight line driving, the steering wheel just momentarily attempts to turn on its own.in the rain afraid to dive Outback 65 mph because the the steerin keeps leaving, again like its hydro plaining, and no I wasent hydroplaning as every other car was passing me 70+ mph.this is a consistent and constant problem.its vey scarey and I quite alarmned at tis proble.there is something major wrong with the 2018 Subaru Outback limited.need help.afraid to drive car.bought car on 4/24/2018, owned it 8 days.(394 mils on car.taking it to home town Subaru, beckley for evalueation(drive car) on steering. Issue.ill need a signed dockument from service rep before I drive car again.

- Mthope, WV, USA

problem #4

Apr 212018

Outback

  • 1,800 miles
Mostly at higher speeds, 70+, the steering reacts erratically. Multiple symptoms of major concern. On a consistent basis, the feeling of control leaves, it feels as though you are hydroplaning into deep water when your tires temporarily lose contact with the pavement, this can happen during any driving condition. All control seems to leave. Then control comes back. In high wind, when you need to correct the steering angle this sensation happens a lot. Any movement away from a straight line will cause this to happen. Sometimes in straight line driving, the steering wheel just momentarily attempts to turn on its own. Last night in rain, I was afraid to drive over 65 mph because the steering kept leaving, again like it was hydro planing, and no it wasn't hydroplaning as every other car was passing me at 75+ mph. This is a consistent and constant problem. It is very scary and I am quite alarmed at this problem. There is something major wrong here.

- North Newton, KS, USA

problem #3

Jan 272018

Outback

  • 4,500 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Most occurrences were at high speed on interstates. I thought it was wind related but probably wasn't. car would seem to move slightly with no steering effort and then the steering would push back severely on curves sometimes it would push from side to side setting up a swerving motion. No warning lights ever came on this continued for four days and then has not been experienced again. Service could not duplicate. I consider this serious enough that if it continues I will trade the car. The movements are severe enough in my opinion to be dangerous. These events occurred on 1-27,28,29,30-2018.

- Hendersonville, NC, USA

problem #2

Jan 122018

Outback

  • 2,500 miles
While driving 70 miles per hour: On most curves to the left the car seems to "grab" to the left and then I correct the swing. Sometimes it seems to almost over correct. And I have experienced the same issue while on the straight way and the car will seem to pull to the right. Not enough that I am in danger of crashing but is unsettling

- Galva, KS, USA

problem #1

Dec 182017

Outback

  • 4,900 miles
The vehicle pulls to the left. The dealer addressed the problem twice in two weeks by doing a four wheel alignment. The vehicle is still pulling to the left. A more concerning issue just started. The vehicle has applied the right front brake at highway speeds. Not hard, just enough to feel the steering wheel jump to the right. I was traveling approximately 65 to 70 mph on a straight interstate highway when this happened.

- Saint Louis, MO, USA

Not what you are looking for?