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 ↗2011 Subaru Legacy steering problems
moderate 16 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
16
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
When does it fail?
Of the 16 steering complaints filed for the 2011 Subaru Legacy, 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
Among the 9 model years of Subaru Legacy in our records for steering problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 5 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 bulletin announces a new steering column assembly designed to address a limited number of customer concerns involving the tilt mechanism portion not staying locked. This condition can only occur during the process of adjusting the steering column?s tilt position if the tilt lever is not pushed up all the way back up when completed. Once the column is fully locked (the tilt lever is pushed all the way up), there is no concern of possible release.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗THIS BULLETIN ANNOUNCES AVAILABILITY OF A DESIGN CHANGE TO THE POWER STEERING PUMP TO ADDRESS CUSTOMER CONCERNS OF INCREASED STEERING EFFORT, ESPECIALLY IN COLD TEMPERATURES. REVISED TO SPECIFY H4 MODELS ONLY.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SUBARU: IN ORDER TO ADDRESS THE CONCERNS OF INCREASED STEERING EFFORT, A DESIGN CHANGE TO THE POWER STEERING PUMP HAS BEEN MADE.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗THIS BULLETIN ANNOUNCES AVAILABILITY OF A DESIGN CHANGE TO THE POWER STEERING PUMP TO ADDRESS CUSTOMER CONCERNS OF INCREASED STEERING EFFORT, ESPECIALLY IN COLD TEMPERATURES.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2011 Subaru Legacy consistently describe a side-to-side sway or wandering at highway speeds above 60 mph. The vehicle drifts between lanes and requires the driver to actively fight the steering wheel to maintain control. One owner had a chase vehicle follow to confirm it wasn't wind or road conditions—the chase vehicle did not exhibit the problem. Dead-band (steering play) in the wheel increases noticeably at highway speeds to around 1 inch, and the issue begins as early as 1,000 miles of driving. Multiple owners report the problem persists despite four-wheel alignments, tire pressure adjustments, new tires, and road force balancing. One owner reports Subaru stated all 2011 Legacy models ride this way due to vehicle design.
Steering wheel vibration and shimmy at 60–75 mph is also widely reported, causing hand and arm discomfort on long drives. Attempts to fix it—tire pressure adjustments, road force balancing, steering wheel replacement per a Subaru technical service bulletin, and new tires—have not resolved the problem. Owners describe these repairs as temporary band-aids. Additionally, some owners report the steering feels very loose at highway speeds and during turns, causing wandering. A few complaints describe horn activating on its own when turning the wheel, accelerating, or even striking the steering wheel rim. Strut vibration on rough road surfaces and front subframe rust-through have also been reported, though less frequently.
Same Subaru Legacy steering reports on nearby years: 2010
Failure modes owners describe
Highway wandering and lane drift at 60+ mph
Vehicle exhibits continuous side-to-side sway, wander, or pull at highway speeds above 60 mph, even in straight-line driving and normal road conditions. Dead-band (steering wheel play) increases to about 1 inch at highway speeds, causing the vehicle to drift between lanes. Owners report needing to actively fight the steering wheel to maintain lane position. Severity increases with speed. Some owners report the car can be difficult to control and make passengers feel unsafe.
When: Begins as early as 1,000 miles; persists at 54,000 miles and 149,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Side-to-side sway or wander at speeds above 60 mph; Excessive dead-band in steering wheel at highway speeds; Vehicle drifts between lanes; Pulling from side to side requiring driver correction; Problem worsens with speed; Occurs even in normal weather and road conditions
Repairs/costs cited: Four-wheel alignment performed multiple times without resolving the issue; wheel alignment alone does not correct the problem. Tire pressures checked and adjusted to manufacturer specifications without effect. New tires do not resolve the issue. Road force balancing attempted without success.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer advised that all 2011 Subaru Legacy vehicles ride the same in heavy winds due to vehicle design
Steering wheel vibration and shimmy at 60+ mph
Owners report vibration or shake felt through the steering wheel at highway cruising speeds (60–75 mph). Described as a persistent oscillation at road speed, with some owners experiencing severe steering wheel and front-end shimmy. Long-distance driving causes hand and arm discomfort from the vibration.
When: Observed at highway cruising speeds; mileages include early ownership and extended ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Vibration or shake through steering wheel at 60–75 mph; Severe steering wheel shimmy; Front-end shimmy; Persistent oscillation at road speed; Hand and arm discomfort during long drives
Repairs/costs cited: Tire pressure adjustment, road force balancing, steering wheel replacement (per Subaru TSB), and new tires all attempted without resolving the issue. Owners characterize these repairs as temporary band-aids.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru issued a TSB for steering wheel replacement
Steering sensitivity and responsiveness issues
Owners report the steering is very loose at highway speeds and turns, causing the vehicle to wander and not maintain its track. In lower-speed ranges, steering is described as considerably stiffer. Steering is also reported as very sensitive at high speeds in one case where the vehicle exhibits drifting behavior.
When: Present at 54,000 miles after 6 years of ownership; occurs during highway driving and turns
Symptoms owners cite: Steering very loose at highway speeds and during turns; Vehicle wanders and does not maintain track; Requires jerking the wheel to correct course; Steering is considerably stiffer at low speeds (45 mph and below); Steering very sensitive at high speed with drifting
Repairs/costs cited: Strut mounts checked and found tight; however, owner suspects mounts may be cracked or broken despite passing visual inspection
Horn activation without driver input
Steering wheel horn activates independently without the driver pressing the horn pad. Occurs while turning the wheel and accelerating, when starting from a stop or going uphill, during harder acceleration, occasionally when driving straight (especially over speed bumps), and even when the rim of the steering wheel is struck with a fist.
When: Mileage at failure approximately 149,000 miles; also reported early in ownership for another owner
Symptoms owners cite: Horn sounds when turning steering wheel and accelerating; Horn sounds when starting from a stop or going uphill; Horn sounds during harder acceleration; Horn sounds occasionally when driving straight over speed bumps; Horn sounds when steering wheel rim is struck with fist
Repairs/costs cited: Steering wheel electrical connector replaced to resolve the issue
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Similar to NHTSA campaign 10V283000 (steering); steering wheel electrical connector replacement performed
Steering wheel remote control intermittent or non-functional
Remote radio volume control buttons on the steering wheel become intermittent or completely non-operational. Problem began while the vehicle was parked and running after adjusting the steering wheel to full extension (closest to driver position).
When: Problem initiated after adjusting steering wheel to full extension
Symptoms owners cite: Volume buttons on steering wheel not working; Intermittent to non-operational steering wheel controls
Repairs/costs cited: Brought to dealer multiple times to fix; issue persisted
Steering vibration on rough surfaces
When driving over rough road surfaces (not potholes or large bumps, but slightly rippled or rough pavement), the struts shake and cause loud vibrating noise as if loose. Owner suspects cracked or broken strut mount based on similar experiences in other vehicles, but dealer inspection and tightness checks have not revealed the problem.
When: Ongoing for approximately 4 years of the 6-year ownership period; vehicle has 54,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Struts shake on rough road surfaces; Loud vibrating noise from struts on rough pavement; Noise occurs on rippled or slightly rough surfaces, not large bumps; Recently developed drifting and very sensitive steering at high speed
Repairs/costs cited: Strut mounts checked and found to be tight; no repair completed. Owner believes mounts may be cracked or broken but visual tightness checks are insufficient to detect damage
Front subframe corrosion and rust-through
Front subframe has rusted through, creating a safety risk. Local mechanic determined the vehicle is unsafe to drive due to the corrosion. Subaru dealership confirmed the safety risk and quoted repair cost over $3,000. Insurance declined to cover the claim, classifying it as a pre-existing issue rather than accident-related damage.
When: Identified during ownership; current mileage information not provided
Symptoms owners cite: Visible rust-through on front subframe; Safety concern confirmed by independent mechanic and dealership
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership repair estimate exceeds $3,000; insurance claim denied
Synthesized from 16 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Subaru legacy. The contact stated while driving at approximately 60 MPH, the horn activated independently without warning. The contact stated that the symptom was like NHTSA campaign number: 10v283000 (steering). The vehicle was driven to webster groves Subaru (7982 big bend blvd, webster groves, mo 63119, (314) 476-9638) to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that…
Had steering trouble with your 2011 Subaru Legacy?
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 2011 Subaru Legacy?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 16 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $700 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 10 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 1,500 and 86,000 miles, with the median around 40,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 1,500; a quarter make it past 86,000. 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/2011/Subaru/Legacy.
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.