2016 Subaru Legacy Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 16about this part
- Share
- 11%of 147 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 19,250miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 16 complaints about the steering of the 2016 Subaru Legacy, 11% of the 147 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 19,250 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“May of 2017 I was driving north bound on 294. As I was going through the curve the power steering light came on the car wouldn't turn back. I stop and was able to pull the car off the road with no incident. I called sis it's a d asked if was a safety recall. I was told no. I then had them to the car to Subaru of america in orland park il. When the car was frosted told I was told the car would be fix it was common problem with the power steering motor. Subaru of america then contacted me saying the car was involved in accident so it wouldn't be fixed. Once they found out I was black. …”
NHTSA complaint #11193110, filed 2019-04, 18,000 miles“Experienced difficulty removing key from ignition after vehicle is stopped and engine turned off. Issue recurs frequent but randomly. Sometimes it require several attempts to restart and shut-off engine before key would release from ignition. Vehicle was returned to dealer for repair and faulty part in shifter assembly replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #11385364, filed 2020-12, 58,814 miles“Am able to shift into park and turn off the ignition but not able to remove key. It takes several tries to shift gears until able to turn the key to release it. This was happening for a while and stopped and has started doing it more consistently now.”
NHTSA complaint #11330179, filed 2020-06, 34,000 miles“Having difficulty removing key from ignition when vehicle is in park - car will turn off but cannot remove the key without much difficulty, restarting jiggling with force - fear of key breaking in ignition”
NHTSA complaint #11279802, filed 2019-11, 31,000 miles“Unable to remove key from ignition when vehicle is in park-engine/car turns off except radio/lights. Have to restart car put into reverse, back into park, then turn off car.”
NHTSA complaint #11287462, filed 2019-12, 55,000 milesRelated recalls
- 16V292000May 11, 2016DO NOT DRIVESubaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Legacy and Outback vehicles manufactured February 29, 2016, to May 6, 2016. The…Covers: Subaru Legacy 2016–2017, Outback 2015–2017
Related 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…
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 2016 Subaru Legacy
51 complaintsOther or unknown
42 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
18 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
13 complaintsVehicle speed control
9 complaintsBrakes
8 complaintsEngine
7 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaintsFuel system
3 complaintsWheels
3 complaintsAir bags
2 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 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