2003 Subaru Outback Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 3%of 93 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 73,250miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the steering of the 2003 Subaru Outback, 3% of the 93 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 73,250 miles.
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.
“The contact owns a 2003 Subaru Outback. While the contact was driving, the steering wheel just kept turning around, but the wheels did not move. The vehicle needed to be towed. The VIN was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 146,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10249090, filed 2008-11, 146,000 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…
- 10153183Nov 13, 2018This post was revised in error. It has been corrected back and removed from the posting list. The message was corrected on 04-13-14R posting dated 11/14/2018.
- 10093117Sep 18, 2015If you encounter a vehicle that has a groaning type noise coming from the power steering pump when the wheel is turned to the full right or left position when the vehicle is…
- 10140549Jun 17, 2015If you encounter a vehicle that has a groaning type noise coming from the power steering pump when the wheel is turned to the full right or left position when the vehicle is…
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 10% |
| 2025 | 6 | 7% |
| 2024 | 5 | 5% |
| 2023 | 2 | 2% |
| 2022 | 4 | 1% |
| 2021 | 5 | 2% |
| 2020 | 14 | 2% |
| 2019 | 36 | 3% |
| 2018 | 36 | 4% |
| 2017 | 24 | 3% |
| 2016 | 24 | 4% |
| 2015 | 13 | 3% |
| 2014 | 17 | 8% |
| 2013 | 34 | 11% |
| 2012 | 9 | 3% |
| 2011 | 36 | 6% |
| 2010 | 41 | 11% |
| 2009 | 3 | 3% |
| 2008 | 5 | 2% |
| 2007 | 6 | 5% |
| 2006 | 12 | 4% |
| 2005 | 13 | 5% |
| 2004 | 2 | 2% |
| 2003 | 3 | 3% |
| 2002 | 2 | 1% |
| 2001 | 4 | 2% |
| 2000 | 4 | 2% |
| 1999 | 2 | 2% |
| 1998 | 3 | 2% |
| 1997 | 2 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2003 Subaru Outback
19 complaintsEngine cooling
14 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
13 complaintsSuspension
9 complaintsVehicle speed control
9 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsElectrical system
7 complaintsEngine
5 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaintsTires
5 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsWheels
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Subaru Outback
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