This Bulletin provides the diagnostic procedures to be followed when addressing customer concerns of steering wheel/vehicle body vibration when driving at highway speeds when tire/wheel balance is suspected.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2005 Subaru Outback steering problems
severe 13 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
13
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
2crashes
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 13 steering complaints filed for the 2005 Subaru Outback, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 100,000-125,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 10 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This post was revised in error. It has been corrected back and removed from the posting list. The message was corrected on 04-13-14R posting dated 11/14/2018.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗IF YOU ENCOUNTER A VEHICLE THAT HAS A GROANING TYPE NOISE COMING FROM THE POWER STEERING PUMP WHEN THE WHEEL IS TURNED TO THE FULL RIGHT OR LEFT POSITION WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED, IT MAY BE CAUSED BY THE RELIEF VALVE VIBRATING WITHIN THE PUMP. IN LIEU OF REPLACING THE POWER STEERING PUMP, THE RELIEF VALVE IS NOW AVAILABLE AS A REPLACEMENT PART.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗If you encounter a vehicle that has a groaning type noise coming from the power steering pump when the wheel is turned to the full right or left position when the vehicle is parked, it may be caused by the relief valve vibrating within the pump. In lieu of replacing the power steering pump, the relief valve is now available as a replacement part.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗REVISION TO TROUBLESHOOTING INFORMATION FOR VDC DTC C0071
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2005 Outback steering complaints center on a rear-end stability issue owners call "ghostwalking"—the rear sways or fishtails side-to-side, especially on slippery surfaces. This happens most often on ice, packed snow, or after hitting bumps or wet patches, typically at 35–55 mph. Owners report the vehicle feels uncontrollable in these conditions while performing normally on dry roads. Some note the problem worsens with cargo in the rear. Replacement of rear struts and tire changes have not resolved it; dealers often suggest wheel alignment, though alignment checks sometimes show no problems. One owner reported the steering wheel seized at 35 mph after a battery warning light appeared, later traced to a fractured alternator bolt. Another reported total brake failure in a parking lot. These are unverified consumer allegations spanning approximately 36,000 to 190,000 miles. Owners with decades of winter driving experience describe the instability as abnormal and dangerous, making them reluctant to drive in winter conditions or keep the vehicle.
Same Subaru Outback steering reports on nearby years: 2006
Failure modes owners describe
Rear-end ghostwalking / fishtailing on slippery surfaces
Rear end sways or fishtails uncontrollably side-to-side when driving on ice, packed snow, wet patches, or over bumps. Owners report loss of directional control and the sensation the vehicle will cross into other lanes or slide. Occurs at 30–55 mph, improves when vehicle is slowed to ~20–30 mph. Problem does not appear on dry pavement.
When: 36,000 to 190,000 miles; primarily during winter / slippery road conditions
Symptoms owners cite: Rear end sways side-to-side on ice and snow; Vehicle fishtails or 'ghostwalks' when crossing icy patches or bumps; Driver loses directional control momentarily; Sensation vehicle will drift into adjacent lane; Vehicle becomes uncontrollable at normal highway speeds; requires slowing to 20–30 mph; Problem worsens with cargo weight in rear; Does not occur on dry pavement
Repairs/costs cited: Rear struts replaced with no improvement. Wheel alignment attempted multiple times with inconsistent results. Dealers report no known cause or solution. No recalls issued by Subaru.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru stated no recalls apply to this vehicle. Dealers unable to identify cause or remedy. Some dealers suggested wheel alignment without resolving the issue.
Steering wheel seizure with battery warning
Steering wheel became difficult to turn (required excessive force) after battery warning light illuminated. Recurred once. Cause traced to fractured alternator bolt.
When: 120,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Battery warning indicator illuminated; Steering wheel seized, required excessive force to turn
Repairs/costs cited: Alternator bolt was fractured and replaced by dealer. Vehicle was repaired.
Brake failure in parking lot
Vehicle did not respond to braking and continued forward, crossed curb and median, and struck five parked cars before stopping.
When: <UNKNOWN>
Symptoms owners cite: No response to brake application; Vehicle continued moving uncontrolled
Synthesized from 13 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
My 2005 outback is very unsafe to drive under certain conditions. After extensive research online, I have discovered people use the term "ghost walking" to describe the issue. After driving over a bump or slick spot on the road, the driver momentarily loses control of the vehicle. The back end sways side to side and the car can jump several feet to the left or right. I have noticed this problem…
While driving on straight, flat and level ice-covered northern indiana road at 35 MPH, my 2005 Subaru outback xt ltd fishtailed (rear over-steer) repeatedly. This felt as if the rear of the vehicle was being quickly pushed from side to side. (this is often referred to as "ghostwalking" and is unmistakable once experienced.) there were two average weight adults in the front seats and one young…
Had steering trouble with your 2005 Subaru Outback?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2005 Subaru Outback?
It's a meaningful issue. 13 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 12 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 50,000 and 169,500 miles, with the median around 106,521. A quarter of owners report trouble before 50,000; a quarter make it past 169,500. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2005/Subaru/Outback.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.