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 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…
- 10192926May 25, 2017This bulletin announces a new steering column assembly designed to address a limited number of customer concerns involving the tilt mechanism portion not staying locked. This…
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 2012 Subaru Outback
108 complaintsEngine
50 complaintsBrakes
40 complaintsAir bags
39 complaintsElectrical system
37 complaintsOther or unknown
24 complaintsExterior lighting
18 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
9 complaintsVehicle speed control
8 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaintsElectronic stability control
4 complaintsFuel 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