2017 Subaru Outback Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 24about this part
- Share
- 3%of 919 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 19,966miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 24 complaints about the steering of the 2017 Subaru Outback, 3% of the 919 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 19,966 miles. 2 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.
“My Outback was purchased new in april 2017. My concern is that steering is imprecise, particularly at highway speeds. The vehicle wanders/requires nearly constant centering and does not tend to return to center after turning. I have sometimes felt a fear that a gust of wind or road anomaly at the wrong time will cause this vehicle to leave the road surface unexpectedly.”
NHTSA complaint #11033352, filed 2017-10, 300 miles“While driving at highway speeds on clear dry roadways, the steering feels as if I have a brief loss of control. I liken it to hitting a patch of ice and having a slight loss of steering control. I've noticed it twice while entering a curve and decelerating from 55 MPH to 45 MPH (the reduced speed limit of the curve). This issue happens only intermittently and is only noticeable at highway speeds. We had the Subaru dealer look at it and they said nothing was wrong.”
NHTSA complaint #11291749, filed 2019-12, 30,000 miles“Key get stuck in the ignition lately when I turn off the engine and it takes awhile before it's released from the ignition. I have 52k plus miles now on my 2017 Subaru Outback.”
NHTSA complaint #11391143, filed 2021-02, 7 miles“While traveling through michigan's upper peninsula and northern wisconsin during snow fall with a fully packed car on the highway I experienced the rear end ghost walking or steering or pulling to the left and to the right. I had to drive 40mph while two-wheeled drive camrys, civics, vans, etc. Passed us by. Growing up in northern michigan, I'm no stranger to winter conditions and all wheel drive vehicles. I don't think all-wheeled drive vehicles make me invincible, but they do make driving in wintery conditions better. …”
NHTSA complaint #11385757, filed 2020-12, 37,000 miles“Not able to take key out of the ignition, key is being stuck 50% of the time. Second issue is the engine is making bird chirping noise, it comes and goes but it gets loude!! Took it to dealer a year ago by the time I got there the noise stopped so they could not figure out the issue, took in the second time about 8 months ago the service tech heard it and booked me for an appointment. By the time mechanic got to it next day it stopped. This was all under warranty and now I am out of warranty and have no support from a local dealer from where I bought the car. …”
NHTSA complaint #11186826, filed 2019-03, 51,000 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 2017 Subaru Outback
392 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
233 complaintsOther or unknown
178 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
47 complaintsEngine
44 complaintsVehicle speed control
28 complaintsBody and structure
26 complaintsBrakes
25 complaintsForward collision avoidance
23 complaintsAir bags
16 complaintsFuel system
16 complaintsLane departure
9 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2017 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