2013 Subaru Outback Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 34about this part
- Share
- 11%of 297 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 1,500miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 34 complaints about the steering of the 2013 Subaru Outback, 11% of the 297 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 1,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Car does not track straight during highway driving. Car veers to one side or the other needing constant correcting. When you do make a correction it normally over corrects. This is incredibly dangerous! I thought it was just me but my husband has also had the same problem and I see many complaints on the internet. Subaru must be made to fix this. This is an expensive car.”
NHTSA complaint #10508172, filed 2013-04, 1,000 miles“Vehicle tracking issues same or similar to all the other complaints about this issue. The vehicle wanders from side-to-side at speeds of 40-70 MPH requiring constant correction. It sometimes seems that it takes more effort (only slightly) than should be required to get it to correct at first but then goes quickly and easily. I noticed it the first time I had it on the highway and it has been the same ever since, 10 months later.”
NHTSA complaint #10532722, filed 2013-07, 1,000 miles“Steering was making a noise (as if steering wheel was turned all of the way to one side) with only slight movement but it worked. This noise occurred with every turn. After running an errand with approximately 5 miles of use, I returned to the parked car and backed out of parking to find that the steering wheel was turning but the wheels were not! I had the vehicle towed to dealership. Note: a recall of the steering was done by the dealership in oct 2013 and no issues had occurred with that repair until now.”
NHTSA complaint #10723646, filed 2015-06, 58,600 miles“Driving 55-60 MPH car continually drifted off of center when driving, most noticeable on a straight stretch of road. Constant correction and recorrection needed to keep vehicle in its own driving lane. Dealer inspected vehicle and claimed there are no mechanical issues however many online complaints exist about this problem. I took a big loss but I immediately traded this brand new car in - I was terrified to drive it and consider this lack of steering control will get someone killed.”
NHTSA complaint #10483494, filed 2012-11, 250 miles“Wonders from side to side. Took back to dealer they check alignment. Said everything was in spects. There was no charge this time for alignment but would not do it again for free. We purchased extended warranty at time of purchase. What a waste! My daughter and son-in-law borrowed it last summer. Put 8000 miles on it driving across country. Had a terrible time keeping it on the road. They where going to buy a Outback but quickly changed their mind. Called dealer again and the service manger told me to change tires and cross rotate them. …”
NHTSA complaint #10700978, filed 2015-03, 5,000 milesRelated recalls
- 13V194000May 13, 2013Subaru is recalling certain model year 2013 Outback and Legacy vehicles manufactured from February 15, 2012, through June 15, 2012. In the affected vehicles…Covers: Subaru Outback 2013, Legacy 2013
Related 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…
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 2013 Subaru Outback
67 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
60 complaintsAir bags
42 complaintsBrakes
31 complaintsVehicle speed control
26 complaintsOther or unknown
25 complaintsElectrical system
23 complaintsFuel system
15 complaintsSuspension
15 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
14 complaintsBody and structure
11 complaintsSeats
9 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2013 Subaru Outback
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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