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 ↗2013 Subaru Impreza steering problems
moderate Owners of the 2013 Subaru Impreza have filed 14 NHTSA complaints about the steering, typically surfacing around 51,100 miles at roughly $700 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
14
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
| Model year | steering complaints |
|---|---|
| 2012 Impreza | 10 |
| 2013 Impreza (this page) | 14 |
| 2014 Impreza | 4 |
| 2015 Impreza | 7 |
| 2016 Impreza | 5 |
When does it fail?
Of the 14 steering complaints filed for the 2013 Subaru Impreza, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 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
Of the 8 model years of Subaru Impreza we track for steering problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 14.
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 12 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.
As part of Subaruâs dedication to customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is announcingan extension to the Basic New Car Limited Warranty for the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) GearBox Assembly for certain 2012-2018 MY vehicles.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗As part of Subaruâs dedication to customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is announcing an extension to the Basic New Car Limited Warranty for the Electronic Power Steering Gear Box Assembly for certain 2012-2018 MY vehicles.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗As part of Subaru of Americaâs dedication to customer satisfaction, this letter is to inform you of an extension to the Basic New Car Limited Warranty for your vehicleâs Electronic Power Steering Gear Box Assembly.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗IMPORTANT: This Service Bulletin has been as been replaced by TSB 04-24-18 dated 11/9/2018 entitled ?Increased Steering Effort when Cold, DTC C2532?. Please refer to this new bulletin for the latest information regarding this condition.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe five distinct steering problems on 2013 Impreza models. The most dangerous is a steering lock-up that occurs when the vehicle rolls slightly before the engine starts—the power steering servo actively locks the wheel solid for 4–10 seconds, leaving the driver unable to steer. One owner barely avoided hitting a curb at 10 mph.
Complete power steering failure happens without warning while driving, forcing owners to manually steer the vehicle. Some cases show the system fails and restarts intermittently. One owner drove 17,450 miles before the power steering module failed; another faced a $1,900 repair.
Electronic gearbox cracks appear around 50,000–67,000 miles, causing the steering to pull hard to one direction (usually left) whether moving or parked. Owners report the wheel turns on its own when stopped or braking, and steering becomes asymmetrical—harder to turn one way, easier the other. A few mention audible noise during steering inputs.
Uneven steering effort and a bumpy or clicking sensation during turns plague some vehicles; one owner experienced three incidents in 10 days, though a dealer could not reproduce the issue.
Subaru issued Service Bulletin 04-21-18 in July 2018 for uneven steering, and internal documentation refers to cracked gearbox housings. No national recall has been issued.
Same Subaru Impreza steering reports on nearby years: 2012
Failure modes owners describe
Power steering loss or failure
Complete loss of power steering assist, requiring manual steering effort or temporary shutdown and restart to restore function.
When: 17,450 miles (complaint #1); variable timing, some intermittent (complaint #14)
Symptoms owners cite: No power steering assistance while driving; Power steering assist fails and then restarts intermittently; Heavy steering effort required to turn wheel; Power steering indicator light illuminates
Repairs/costs cited: Power steering control module replacement ($839.95, complaint #1); complete power steering unit, rack and pinion replacement ($1,900, complaint #4)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Service Bulletin 04-21-18 (07/24/18) subject 'Uneven Steering Effort' (complaints #1, #8)
Steering wheel lock-up on cold/low-RPM start
Power steering servo actively locks steering wheel when vehicle rolls slightly before engine ignition, preventing normal steering input for 4-10 seconds. Occurs when driver depresses clutch before engine starts.
When: At vehicle start when rolling before ignition
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel becomes immobilized and cannot be turned; Steering malfunction light illuminates; Condition lasts 4-10 seconds before releasing; Requires driver to overpower servo to regain steering control; First incident occurred at ~10 mph
Electronic power steering gearbox cracking
Cracks develop in the electronic power steering gearbox housing assembly, potentially compromising steering function and safety.
When: 50,000-67,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Visible cracks in EPS gearbox housing; Uneven or sloppy steering feel when stationary; Directional bias when turning; Pull to the left when steering or parked
Repairs/costs cited: Steering rack assembly replacement by dealer; original cracked gearbox retained for inspection (complaint #8)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Service Bulletin 04-21-18 describes this issue (complaints #8, #9)
Steering pulls or lurches to one direction
Steering system pulls or drifts toward the left or right without driver input, or requires excessive force to maintain straight-line driving. Can occur at various speeds and may worsen when parked.
When: 48,000-67,000 miles; some cases progressive over time
Symptoms owners cite: Steering pulls to the left (most common) or right when driving; Wheel turns on its own when parked or braking; Requires constant steering correction to maintain straight course; Harder to turn in one direction, easier in the other; May involve driving assist sensor malfunction
Repairs/costs cited: Electronic steering gearbox replacement recommended (complaint #6); steering rack and electronic steering module replacement quoted at $2,000 (complaint #9); leaking steering rack noted (complaint #11)
Uneven steering effort and noise
Steering effort varies inconsistently, with bumpy or clicking sensations during turning. Audible noises reported during steering inputs.
When: 112,000 miles; intermittent over 10-day period
Symptoms owners cite: Steering feels bumpy or has clicking sensation when turning; Uneven steering effort requiring firmer grip; Low rubber sound heard briefly during turning (complaint #3); noisy steering wheel reported (complaint #13); Occurs intermittently, 3 times in 10 days in one case
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer inspection found no visible faults (complaint #3)
Synthesized from 14 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Brake failure at low speed coming to stop at traffic light, traction control light came on,brake light came on and check engine light on. Returned to dealer to repair. Dealer took 2 days to repair . At witch it lasted till today(12/30/2013). The same thing has happened again. Very scary you wonder if the car is reliable and always afraid to travel now. Have grandchildren and cannot trust this…
Had steering trouble with your 2013 Subaru Impreza?
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 2013 Subaru Impreza?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 14 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 9 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 17,450 and 67,000 miles, with the median around 51,100. A quarter of owners report trouble before 17,450; a quarter make it past 67,000. 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/2013/Subaru/Impreza.
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.