2004 Subaru Outback Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 2%of 90 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 85,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the steering of the 2004 Subaru Outback, 2% of the 90 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 85,000 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.
“I was pulling into my driveway when I stepped on the brakes the car lunged forward and struck a boat on a trailer in my driveway sending it into the side of my home the more I stepped on the brake the faster the engine accelerated I eventually ended up crashing into a tree which finally stopped the car.”
NHTSA complaint #10610527, filed 2014-07, 90,000 miles“The contact owns a 2004 Subaru Outback. While driving various speeds, the steering abnormally reverts to the right as if the steering column is locked. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer, but they could not duplicate the failure and provide a remedy. The failure mileage was 80,000 and current mileage was 99,500.”
NHTSA complaint #10268730, filed 2009-05, 80,000 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 2004 Subaru Outback
25 complaintsVehicle speed control
20 complaintsEngine cooling
13 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
10 complaintsElectrical system
8 complaintsFuel system
6 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaintsSuspension
4 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsEngine
2 complaintsEquipment
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 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