2012 Subaru Legacy Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 8%of 90 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 48,250miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the steering of the 2012 Subaru Legacy, 8% of the 90 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 48,250 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Power steering stopped working. I was in the parking lot at work trying to leave at the end of the day. It drove fine over lunch and then when I started the car at 5pm the steering made a whining noise (typical, from my understanding, of a power steering failure) and was very difficult to turn. The steering wheel also did a harsh vibrating thing a little as I was trying to turn as if it was struggling. I knew something was up, so I put it right back in the parking space so that it could be towed. There was zero indication that this was going to happen. …”
NHTSA complaint #11186212, filed 2019-03, 75,000 miles“When braking, the car often stalls and all requires a shift into park, and a restart of the entire engine before being able to proceed. When it stalls, steering is also affected. This frequently happens on city streets, but also happens when pulling into parking spaces and when slowing for turning. This has been happening with increasing frequency.”
NHTSA complaint #11206445, filed 2019-05, 93,000 miles“Steering wheel nearly locked - became impossible to turn. Happened while making a very slight right turn at about 5mph from a small side road onto a four lane highway. Was able to continue a very very wide turn to get off the road into a parking lot.”
NHTSA complaint #11091439, filed 2018-05, 125,009 miles“I own a 2012 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle became difficult to keep aligned, causing it to veer from left to right. The contact also stated that when attempting a turn in either direction, the steering wheel would seize and would not return to the default position once the turn was completed in city driving and hwy driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer multiple times for the failure and was test driven by a technician, who stated that there was no failure present within the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. …”
NHTSA complaint #10817586, filed 2016-01, 17,200 miles“Vehicle vibrates and pulsates every time you apply the brakes while driving at speeds above 50 MPH- vibrations are felt throughout the vehicle and the steering wheel. On march 11th; Subaru dealership technicians took a look at the problem and drove the vehicle and confirmed the steering wheel vibrations while braking on speeds above 50 MPH, they also found all brakes at 7mm and front rotors with added material to it measuring above 0.0008 - technicians recommended a simple resurface of rotors (charged at owners expense) or to wait until the condition worsen ??? …”
NHTSA complaint #10583494, filed 2014-04, 21,500 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11032035Apr 20, 2026This Bulletin provides the diagnostic procedures to be followed when addressing customer concerns of steering wheel/vehicle body vibration when driving at highway speeds when…
- 10192926May 25, 2017This bulletin announces a new steering column assembly designed to address a limited number of customer concerns involving the tilt mechanism portion not staying locked. This…
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 17% |
| 2022 | 1 | 3% |
| 2020 | 1 | 1% |
| 2019 | 3 | 2% |
| 2018 | 4 | 3% |
| 2017 | 9 | 8% |
| 2016 | 16 | 11% |
| 2015 | 1 | 1% |
| 2014 | 2 | 4% |
| 2013 | 4 | 6% |
| 2012 | 7 | 8% |
| 2011 | 16 | 10% |
| 2010 | 12 | 8% |
| 2009 | 1 | 2% |
| 2007 | 1 | 3% |
| 2006 | 2 | 2% |
| 2005 | 3 | 2% |
| 2003 | 1 | 2% |
| 2001 | 1 | 1% |
| 2000 | 3 | 3% |
| 1999 | 2 | 2% |
| 1998 | 8 | 7% |
| 1997 | 7 | 5% |
| 1996 | 3 | 2% |
| 1995 | 5 | 3% |
| 1994 | 4 | 7% |
| 1993 | 2 | 3% |
| 1992 | 1 | 2% |
| 1990 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2012 Subaru Legacy
34 complaintsEngine
23 complaintsOther or unknown
13 complaintsAir bags
11 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaintsSuspension
4 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaintsFuel system
2 complaintsTires
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Subaru Legacy
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology