2008 Subaru Outback Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 2%of 226 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 44,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the steering of the 2008 Subaru Outback, 2% of the 226 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 44,000 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.
“I bought my 2008 Subaru Outback new. I have driven it in almost every road and weather condition possible. It is driven 90% of the time with just me or me and my wife in the car. Just a few days ago I was driving with a full load of luggage, and 3 adult passengers in the car. Road conditions became icy on the interstate. There was a fairly rapid onset of the car kind of jerking side to side almost like the back end of the car was being blown from side to side even though there was not much wind. I was driving very slowly at about 40-45 MPH while other cars and semi trucks were passing me. …”
NHTSA complaint #10447699, filed 2012-02, 44,000 miles“The contact owns a 2008 Subaru Outback. While driving 30 MPH and greater, the vehicle would tend to pull to the right. The contact did not notice any differences in the vehicle prior to the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for an alignment, but the failure continued to occur. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealer. The VIN was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 21,000. Updated 07/29/08 updated 08/05/08.”
NHTSA complaint #10233493, filed 2008-07, 21,000 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…
- 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 2008 Subaru Outback
104 complaintsElectrical system
34 complaintsBrakes
31 complaintsExterior lighting
15 complaintsEngine
14 complaintsSuspension
12 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
12 complaintsOther or unknown
10 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
8 complaintsEngine cooling
6 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaintsVehicle speed control
6 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2008 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