2006 Subaru Outback Steering Problems

“While driving vehicle in snow covered, slush covered roads conditions varied during day. The vehicle kept feeling like it was washing out side to side. I had 5 passengers in vehicle and they all could feel it and it scared them and I had to slow down to a dangerously slow speed on interstate, that was causing disruption to traffic flow. On way home took secondary roads so as to not disrupt traffic. This was my first experience in taking this vehicle for drive in snow conditions since it is new to me. …”

“While traveling thru the adirondack region of ny on a sunday afternoon returning home from vt I proceeded to pass a vehicle from the center lane into the left lane. Speed was 65mph accelerating to 69mph to pass, not more than 250 ft later our vehicle started to fishtail then head right into numerous 360 spins taking out 35 ft or so of guard rail and crunching and damaging almost every side and corner of our Outback. Both hands were on the wheel, I did not hit any snow or ice that I am aware of and I was not speeding excessively. Not one of our airbags deployed either!! …”

“I am in my third season driving my 2006 Subaru Outback to lake tahoe for winter ski season. I've always felt confident driving on snowy or icy roads until my last two trips--christmas 2008, and new year's 2009. On these trips, I experienced very disturbing fishtailing that everyone in the car noticed, and I had to fight to compensate for. This occurred even on long straight sections. Each time I had to slow down well below the flow of traffic, and the speed of previous trips. …”

“After slowing to a near stop at the bottom of an interstate highway exit ramp, my car suddenly, and without warning, died and I lost all systems, including engine and power steering. All I was able to do was drift to the side of the road. Subaru initially believed that the ECM had failed. After replacing the ECM, it became apparent that that was not the issue. Subaru ultimately determined that the wiring harness housing had melted against the coolant crossover pipe, exposing wiring which was then shorting out. …”

“Straight line driving on flat concrete highway, rear end of vehicle may start to wander when road is slippery. This occurs generally over 25mph, when all other vehicles are able to travel at a higher rate of speed than the 2006 Subaru Outback 3.0r is able to. Cars will pass while I am white knuckled, concerned the rear end is going to break loose and cause complete control failure. I have found other instances of this issue from other Subaru drivers, and this is being referred to as ghost walking - this is a very good description as this is what it feels like. …”