2005 Subaru Outback Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 5%of 273 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 88,260miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the steering of the 2005 Subaru Outback, 5% of the 273 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 88,260 miles. 2 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.
“While driving on snowpacked dirt roads to town, I reached a straightaway where, unknown to me, ice had formed over the snow. Driving straight at 30-35 MPH, the back end suddenly began to track to the right. I turned the steering wheel to the right and pressed the gas pedal to correct, but this had no effect. I was unable to regain control, and the vehicle slid into the ditch, resulting in damage to the vehicle and minor injury to myself.”
NHTSA complaint #10369138, filed 2010-12, 67,000 miles“I am a very experienced driver in snowy and icy conditions. My Outback 2005 2.5i started wiggling out of control (especially felt the back end wiggle left to right) on a straight road with approx 1/2 inch ice and packed snow causing me to slow down from approximately 40 MPH to 20 MPH . Other 2 wd vehicles passed us at much higher speeds with no apparent problem to keep straight. Our car had 2 adults and 2 small children in it with skiing gear. Changed our winter tires immediately after. …”
NHTSA complaint #10442804, filed 2012-01, 15,000 miles“I have a 2005 Subaru Outback. On several occasions, driving on hard-packed snow and/or ice/glaze on the highway I have found it nearly impossible to drive the car at traffic speeds without the rear end losing grip and sliding side to side. It feels like it's very windy, and you're about to lose control. Except that it's not windy. The car just seems to lose traction in the rear wheels. We've had to slow down to around 30 MPH while semi-trucks, regular fwd and even rwd vehicles blew by us. I've driven in these wintry conditions for 35 years without this sort of issue. …”
NHTSA complaint #10492143, filed 2013-01, 50,000 miles“While driving on slippery surfaces like ice and snow, the vehicle will begin swaying left and right uncontrollably. The sensation, also known as ghost walking could easily cause an accident if the driver can not control the swaying, and spinning out. Conditions of problem: driving during winter conditions, on snowy roads and highways. The vehicle is fine under dry/normal conditions. I believe the issue stems from the awd system.”
NHTSA complaint #11184192, filed 2019-03, 170,000 miles“I was pulling into a parking space and put on the brake. Vehicle didn't respond to braking and kept going, over the,curb, across the median and hit 5 parked cars before it stopped.”
NHTSA complaint #10861039, filed 2016-04, 110,000 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…
- 10235894Oct 23, 2014Revision to Troubleshooting Information for VDC DTC C0071
- 10093509Oct 23, 2014Revision to troubleshooting information for vdc dtc c0071
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 2005 Subaru Outback
56 complaintsVehicle speed control
40 complaintsAir bags
38 complaintsBrakes
31 complaintsExterior lighting
30 complaintsElectrical system
28 complaintsFuel system
19 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
17 complaintsEngine cooling
16 complaintsOther or unknown
13 complaintsEngine
10 complaintsWheels
9 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 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