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 ↗2007 Subaru Outback steering problems
severe 6 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Complaints
6
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
4crashes
When does it fail?
Of the 6 steering complaints filed for the 2007 Subaru Outback, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 125,000-150,000 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 7 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.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
On 11/23/2018, I was driving westbound down a hill in the inside lane of a highway in light drizzle, speed approximately 50 MPH. The highway was wet but no standing water. Suddenly the front wheels began alternately pulling to the left, then right, then left, then right, causing the vehicle to weave uncontrollably. After just a few seconds the car swerved across the right lane, spinning to…
Had steering trouble with your 2007 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 2007 Subaru Outback?
It's a meaningful issue. 6 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Based on the 6 complaints filed, steering issues most often appear around 95,461 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
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/2007/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.