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severe Owners of the 2013 Subaru Outback have filed 34 NHTSA complaints about the steering at roughly $700 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of September 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See steering across all vehicles →
| Model year | steering complaints |
|---|---|
| 2009 Outback | 3 |
| 2010 Outback | 41 |
| 2011 Outback | 36 |
| 2012 Outback | 9 |
| 2013 Outback (this page) | 34 |
| 2014 Outback | 17 |
| 2015 Outback | 13 |
| 2016 Outback | 24 |
| 2017 Outback | 23 |
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.
If the shafts become disengaged, the driver would lose the ability to steer the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
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 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 ↗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 dominant complaint across these 34 narratives is lane wandering and directional instability at highway speeds. Starting within the first 500 miles of ownership and worsening above 35 mph, the vehicle drifts side to side unpredictably, forcing constant steering correction. Owners say minor corrections overshoot, creating a hunting motion where the car swings left, then right, then left again—a cycle that becomes exhausting on long drives and genuinely unsafe at interstate speeds. Multiple dealers have checked alignment, balance, and tires and found nothing wrong; a few owners saw slight improvement from inflating tires 5 psi above spec, but the fundamental problem persists.
Heavy steering effort is the second major complaint. The steering requires excessive force to turn, does not return to center after turns, and causes wrist, elbow, and hand pain within a few thousand miles. Owners report Subaru service departments refuse to adjust the steering tension, claiming it is within specifications.
A third concern is steering wheel vibration at highway speeds (70+ mph) that persists despite multiple realignments and wheel work. One owner reports the vibration has progressively worsened over five years. Additionally, tilt steering columns have failed twice on at least one vehicle, causing the steering wheel to drop while driving. Power steering leaks and complete system failures are documented, including one case traced to a manufacturing defect—a hairline crack in the high-pressure line. One mechanic reported condemning three 2013 Outbacks in three months due to severe rust on the front-suspension cradles, threatening steering control.
Subaru has not issued service bulletins for the wandering problem and claims affected vehicles operate normally within specifications.
Same Subaru Outback steering reports on nearby years: 2010 · 2011 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016
Steering does not track straight at highway speeds. Vehicle wanders left and right unpredictably, requiring constant corrective steering input. Owners report the car will not stay centered in its lane even on smooth, straight roads, and minor corrections frequently cause overcorrection. The problem worsens at speeds above 35-40 mph and becomes severe at highway speeds (50-70 mph). Some owners report side-to-side pulling strong enough to feel like the vehicle is being pulled by a magnet or will lift on one side as if rolling.
When: Begins within first 500 miles of ownership for most; affects vehicles across their service life. Most noticeable above 35-40 mph, worst at 55+ mph.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle wanders left and right in lane requiring constant steering correction; Will not track straight on smooth, straight roads; Steering corrections cause overcorrection and hunting; Continuous directional instability at highway speeds; Vehicle pulls to one direction unexpectedly; Front end feels like it lifts or tilts on one side during highway driving; Excessive driver fatigue from constant attention required; Over-correction occurs no matter how gentle the steering input; Wind gusts significantly worsen the problem
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer alignment checks find nothing wrong. Some owners report tire pressure adjustments (5 psi above spec, or raised to 34/32 psi) provide slight improvement but do not resolve the issue. One owner reported success with gearbox backlash adjustment to less than 3 lbs on online forums. No dealer service bulletins exist for this issue.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru service departments claim the vehicle operates within specifications and is normal for Outbacks. Recall 13V194000 (steering column) covers some 2013 Outbacks built Feb 2012–Jun 2015 but does not address wandering. Some owners' VINs fall outside the recall scope despite experiencing identical symptoms.
Steering requires excessive force to operate, particularly at low speeds for parking and at highway speeds for lane corrections. Steering wheel does not return to center after turns; driver must manually steer it back. The heavy drag is so high that it causes physical pain and orthopedic strain on wrists, elbows, and hands after extended driving. Heavy steering may mask underlying steering instability.
When: Present from early ownership; after 3000 miles owners report wrist and elbow pain.
Symptoms owners cite: Steering requires excessive effort to turn; Steering wheel does not return to center automatically after turn; Driver must manually steer wheel back to center; Wrist, elbow, and hand pain after short driving periods; Carpal tunnel-like symptoms develop; Difficult to maneuver vehicle at low speeds for parking; Parallel parking causes pain; Steering effort particularly difficult during highway lane corrections
Repairs/costs cited: Subaru service departments refuse to adjust steering tension even when driver reports safety concern and pain, citing specifications. One owner measured steering effort should not exceed 6.6 lbs; another reported gearbox backlash adjustment below 3 lbs helped on forums.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru states the steering is within specifications and tells owners it feels like every other Outback, refusing adjustment. No recalls or TSBs address heavy steering effort.
Steering wheel shakes or vibrates noticeably at highway speeds (70+ mph). The vibration persists despite multiple realignments, wheel balancing, and tire replacements. One owner reports the vibration has progressively worsened over years of ownership.
When: Occurs at 70+ mph highway speeds; progressively worsens over time in at least one case.
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel visibly vibrates at 70+ mph; Vibration occurs despite multiple realignments; Vibration persists after wheel balancing and tire service; Vibration becomes progressively worse over years; Vehicle sometimes fights driver to veer left or right; Difficult and exhausting to drive
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple dealer visits, realignments, and wheel balancing have not resolved the issue. One owner notes heavy steering effort may be masking this problem.
The tilt steering column internal locking mechanism fails, allowing the steering wheel to drop while the vehicle is in motion. This has occurred twice on the same vehicle, each time requiring complete steering column replacement.
When: First failure at 2 years of age; second failure approximately 5 years after purchase (March 2018). Dealer attributed both to 'normal wear and tear from using the tilt feature too much.'
Symptoms owners cite: Tilt steering will not stay locked in selected position; Steering wheel drops while car is in motion; Steering wheel position changes unexpectedly during driving
Repairs/costs cited: Complete steering column replacement required each time. Owner had steering column replaced at dealership for first failure; same failure recurred approximately 3 years later requiring second replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer explanation: 'normal wear and tear from using the tilt feature too much.' No design defect acknowledged.
Power steering fluid leaked completely from the system, causing loss of power steering assist. Steering became extremely difficult. Investigation revealed a hairline crack in the high-pressure line at a 90-degree bend, likely a manufacturing defect with no evidence of external damage.
When: Failure occurred while driving at low speed; total fluid loss.
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering fluid completely leaked out; Loss of power assist; steering became very difficult; Hairline crack visible at 90-degree bend in high-pressure line
Repairs/costs cited: Entire steering rack replaced by Subaru dealer. Hairline crack in metal high-pressure line was manufacturing defect, not impact damage.
Front-end suspension cradle on the right side severely rusted at the point where the control arm attaches, resulting in loss of steering control. Independent mechanic condemned the vehicle as unsafe. Mechanic reports seeing three other 2013 Outbacks with identical cradle rust failure in the last three months, suggesting a systemic issue.
When: Timing not specified by owner; cradle rusted to failure point.
Symptoms owners cite: Noise in front end; Handling instability; Severe rust on right front cradle at control arm attachment point; Total loss of steering control possible
Repairs/costs cited: Cradle requires replacement. Mechanic unable to order replacement from manufacturer due to back orders. Unable to source used parts. Mechanic reports three other 2013 Outbacks condemned in last three months with same failure.
Steering wheel suddenly becomes inoperative; wheels do not respond to steering input when wheels are in straight position, but steering works with slight wheel turn. After a recall repair (steering recall Oct 2013), this failure developed later.
When: Occurred after recall repair had already been completed; after short errand (approximately 5 miles).
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel turns but wheels do not respond; Steering inoperative only when wheels are straight; Steering works when wheels are turned slightly; Steering made noise (as if turned all the way to one side) with only slight movement prior to failure
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle towed to dealership for repair. Prior recall (steering, Oct 2013) had been completed without issues until this failure.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 13V194000 (steering) was performed by dealership in Oct 2013; failure occurred later.
Power steering system quit completely with wheels in straight position, rendering steering inoperable.
When: Timing unclear from narrative.
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering quit completely; Steering inoperative with wheels straight
Synthesized from 34 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
Shortly after I purchased vehicle I noticed difficulty keeping it centered in lane. Continuously having to correct steering and hard steering. I drive on interstate often and I have checked tires continuously and no difference in the handling of the outback. On first service I told the service rep about it and said they would check it out, I believe they checked the alignment, when picked up the…
It's a meaningful issue. 34 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
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.
Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover steering issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.