2016 Subaru Outback Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 24about this part
- Share
- 4%of 643 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 8,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 24 complaints about the steering of the 2016 Subaru Outback, 4% of the 643 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 8,000 miles. 3 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.
“Currently at least a couple times a week, my key gets stuck in the ignition while shutting off vehicle to park. You can turn the vehicle off, but you can't remove the key. If I fiddle with the shifter and rotate the steering wheel, restart the vehicle, and shift it into drive, and then slam it back into park, then I can turn the vehicle off and the key will come out. . But sometimes I have to repeat the procedure a few times. …”
NHTSA complaint #11360433, filed 2020-09, 8,000 miles“I was trying to leave a parking space in a wet saturday night at a neighborhood shopping mall. After I backed up the car, I switched the gear to d trying to leave the space. However, the car simply doesn't move. To regain control, I turned off the engine and restarted the car.”
NHTSA complaint #10864887, filed 2016-05, 1,500 miles“I tried to make a left turn at a traffic night leaving a school parking lot on a saturday morning. The car was at a full stop before making a left turn. The speed was about 10-15 miles/hr, just very slow. My Subaru didn't response to my steering. Instead of making a 90 degree turn, I was stuck at 30, 45 degrees angle. To avoid hitting something, I turned off the engine. After I restarted the engine, I then can regain my control.”
NHTSA complaint #10864883, filed 2016-05, 1,000 miles“I was traveling on i49 at ~60 MPH, in light rain, and non freezing temperature. I was on a straight stretch of road with cruise control off. The tires were in good condition. I was approaching brush creek bridge and holding the steering wheel steady and straight. The car started to drift left and steering was not responding. The rear of the car started to get ahead of the front and the car was going sideways. As soon as the car stared to drift, I took my foot off the gas and tried to regain steering. …”
NHTSA complaint #11153488, filed 2018-11, 35,000 miles“I was unable to remove the key from the ignition switch with the car stopped and the car was in park position. The car remained in the accessory ignition position (electrical accessories remained on) because the key would not go to the ignition lock position. I was therefore unable to lock the car steering or leave the vehicle unattended unless I had a separate set of keys with me. Even with another set of keys, the car's electrical system remained on and the car would easily be stolen or driven by an unauthorized user. …”
NHTSA complaint #11082005, filed 2018-03, 23,000 milesRelated recalls
- 16V292000May 11, 2016DO NOT DRIVESubaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Legacy and Outback vehicles manufactured February 29, 2016, to May 6, 2016. The…Covers: Subaru Outback 2015–2017, Legacy 2016–2017
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 2016 Subaru Outback
309 complaintsOther or unknown
124 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
91 complaintsEngine
53 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
45 complaintsVehicle speed control
22 complaintsBrakes
19 complaintsBody and structure
19 complaintsFuel system
13 complaintsAir bags
10 complaintsForward collision avoidance
7 complaintsElectronic stability control
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 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