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SteeringPart report

2012 Subaru Outback Steering Problems

Complaints
9about this part
Share
3%of 294 total for the year
Median mileage
1,750miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the steering of the 2012 Subaru Outback, 3% of the 294 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 1,750 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.

“This 2012 vehicle presented issues from the first day of ownership. After 4 repair attempts I worked out a replacement with Subaru of north america by sharing the depreciation loss out of desperation. We replace it with a 2013 Outback identical to the 2012 except for color.. The problem with the steering in the 2012 and the 2013 is that both the vehicle wander all over the road. You need to keep all your attention on keeping it following the road causing extreme fatigue. …”

NHTSA complaint #10490846, filed 2013-01, 300 miles

“I was driving on a interstate highway when the rear of the car started to wander from right to left, it acted like it was floating on the highway. I took the next exit to check for a tire losing air pressure or loose lug nuts. They were fine. I slowed down to 50 -55 MPH for the rest of the trip. Every bridge and overpass I slowed down to 50 MPH and yet the rear of the vehicle would jump side ways. The highway was wet from a recent snowfall, apparently there was some ice on the road. Other cars/trucks were going at 65 MPH+. . …”

NHTSA complaint #10490664, filed 2013-01, 19,000 miles

“Steering wheel locked-up while attempting to turn left in an intersection. The light turned green and my wife pulled forward about 10 to 15 feet and began turning the wheel for a left turn. However, the wheel would not budge to the left. She screamed out (to me) that the car would not turn left and we found ourselves perilously in the center of the intersection with cars blowing their horns. She did move the wheel to the right and we sort of circled in the intersection. Following this the car did resume normal steering and the problem did not repeat since. …”

NHTSA complaint #10592113, filed 2014-05, 23,000 miles

“While driving the car on a major highway the car was out of control. We had only 2 inches of snow during the day, the hwy. Was mostly clear except for some packed snow because of cold temps. But it was mostly clear. We could not keep the car going straight, it was constantly swerving. We could not go more than 45 MPH. All the other traffic was going at normal speed. Nobody was swerving or spinning out. We were definitely a safety hazard on the hwy because everybody had to slam on the brakes behind us and then go around. We had to exit at the next off ramp. …”

NHTSA complaint #10445646, filed 2012-01, 2,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2012 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, while driving over a bump the steering wheel would shake violently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection and they stated that there was nothing abnormal. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who decided to send a technician to test drive the vehicle. The technician stated that the vehicle was fine. The failure mileage was 100.”

NHTSA complaint #10482232, filed 2012-10, 100 miles

Related service bulletins

Steering: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2026210%
202567%
202455%
202322%
202241%
202152%
2020142%
2019363%
2018364%
2017243%
2016244%
2015133%
2014178%
20133411%
201293%
2011366%
20104111%
200933%
200852%
200765%
2006124%
2005135%
200422%
200333%
200221%
200142%
200042%
199922%
199832%
199723%

Other parts of the 2012 Subaru Outback

Transmission and drivetrain
108 complaints
Engine
50 complaints
Brakes
40 complaints
Air bags
39 complaints
Electrical system
37 complaints
Other or unknown
24 complaints
Exterior lighting
18 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
9 complaints
Vehicle speed control
8 complaints
Body and structure
5 complaints
Electronic stability control
4 complaints
Fuel system
4 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2012 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