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 ↗2014 Subaru Outback steering problems
severe Owners of the 2014 Subaru Outback have filed 17 NHTSA complaints about the steering, typically surfacing around 11,967 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
17
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
| Model year | steering complaints |
|---|---|
| 2010 Outback | 41 |
| 2011 Outback | 36 |
| 2012 Outback | 9 |
| 2013 Outback | 34 |
| 2014 Outback (this page) | 17 |
| 2015 Outback | 13 |
| 2016 Outback | 24 |
| 2017 Outback | 23 |
| 2018 Outback | 35 |
1crash
When does it fail?
Of the 17 steering complaints filed for the 2014 Subaru Outback, 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
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 11 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 2014 Subaru Outbacks report a persistent steering problem: the vehicle pulls to one side—usually right—and refuses to maintain a straight line without constant correction. This starts immediately after purchase or first drive and does not resolve reliably. Owners describe exhausting, dangerous weaving as they fight to keep the car in its lane. Dealership alignment checks happen repeatedly; the car temporarily improves or stays broken. Some technicians call this normal Subaru behavior; others offer no explanation.
A separate but related defect: the steering wheel fails to return to center after right turns, remaining offset by about 15 degrees, while left turns return normally. The car continues drifting right even with slight input, creating genuine accident risk.
Power steering failures are also reported—intermittent loss of assist at low speeds and during turns, with no warning lights. One owner's power steering quit entirely at 38,000 miles; another experienced it sporadically for a week, requiring restart to restore function. Dealerships have replaced power steering systems and wheel bearings without success.
Steering heaviness and stiffness plague some units, making the car exhausting to drive. One owner's replaced power steering system remained stiff; the dealer said that's normal.
A known secondary issue: the roll connector harness fails, disabling the horn. Subaru acknowledged this design flaw by changing it in 2016 but has not recalled 2014 models. Repair runs $400-plus.
Same Subaru Outback steering reports on nearby years: 2011 · 2013 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017
Failure modes owners describe
Vehicle pulls to one side (usually right); requires constant steering correction
Car drifts left or right and does not maintain a straight line down the road without constant driver intervention. Owners report the vehicle will overcorrect when adjusted, causing weaving across lanes. Multiple owners report alignment checks at dealerships either resolved the issue temporarily or were deemed within spec without fixing the problem.
When: From day one / immediately after purchase; reported at 3,000 miles and throughout ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle pulls consistently to the right or left; Requires constant steering wheel corrections to maintain lane position; Car will not drive straight without major intervention; Overcorrection when driver adjusts, leading to weaving; Lane drifting when driver looks away (checking mirrors/blind spots)
Repairs/costs cited: Tire rotation, pressure checks, and four-wheel alignment performed; tires replaced in some cases; suspension cap procedures attempted; dealers report alignment within specification but problem persists
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru service representatives suggested loosening suspension caps, bouncing car, and reinstalling; dealers stated this is normal for Subaru Outback and is by design
Steering wheel does not return to center after turning right
When turning right, the steering wheel remains offset (approximately 15 degrees) and does not return to center, unlike left turns where it returns normally. Car continues pulling right after turns, potentially causing the vehicle to track off the road.
When: Observed shortly after purchase
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel does not return to center after right turns; Wheel returns to center normally after left turns; Car continues to go right even with slight steering input; Vehicle continues drifting right after turns; may drive off road if bumped
Power steering loss or failure; intermittent or complete
Power steering either fails completely or drops out intermittently, most commonly at low speeds, during turns, or in city driving. Occurs unpredictably; can happen multiple times or sporadically. One case had power steering fail to function until car was restarted; pattern repeated over about a week. Another case involved complete power steering failure at 38,000 miles. One owner replaced power steering system but steering remained stiff and heavy.
When: Intermittent; low speeds, city driving, turning; one case at 38,000 miles; one case at 55,000 miles with intermittent pattern over a week
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of power steering ability without warning; Power steering works intermittently—fine one moment, non-functional the next; Occurs most often at low speeds or during turns; No warning lights or squealing; Steering becomes very hard to turn manually; After restart, power steering may work again temporarily
Repairs/costs cited: One dealership replaced passenger-side rear wheel bearing; one dealership replaced entire power steering system, but steering remained too hard and exhausting; dealers unable to locate cause in multiple visits
Steering wheel stiff, heavy, or difficult to turn
Steering wheel feels stiff or heavy, requiring excessive effort to maneuver. One owner reported difficulty exiting a parking space due to hard steering. Another reported stiff and heavy steering alongside pulling issues. One case involved power steering replacement that did not resolve stiffness; dealer stated it is normal.
When: 38,000 miles (one case); ongoing in other cases
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel difficult or very hard to turn; Steering feels stiff and heavy; Exhausting to drive due to steering effort; Difficulty maneuvering in parking situations
Repairs/costs cited: One power steering system replacement did not resolve the issue
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer stated heavy steering is normal for this model
Roll connector harness failure; horn disabled
Roll connector harness (part of the mechanical steering assembly) fails, disabling the horn. Owner states this is a known issue with 2014 Subarus due to mechanical steering design. Subaru changed the design in 2016. Repair cost is high (~$400+) due to part location. Owner notes many 2014-2015 owners do not repair due to cost, creating a safety issue (inability to warn other drivers or animals).
When: Failure occurs over time; reported as common in 2014 and 2015 models
Symptoms owners cite: Horn becomes disabled; No warning capability
Repairs/costs cited: Repair cost $400+; high cost due to part location
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall issued; Subaru changed design in 2016 models; dealer confirmed this is one of the more common issues for this year and 2015
Electrical steering malfunction; power steering works after restart
Power steering becomes non-functional on startup; no warning lights illuminate. Restarting the vehicle restores function temporarily. Pattern repeats over several days or weeks. Owner suspects electrical issue. Battery and alternator tested good.
When: 55,000 miles; intermittent over approximately one week
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering non-functional on startup; No warning lights illuminated; Steering works after vehicle is restarted; Problem recurs after car sits for a while
Repairs/costs cited: No fluid leaks; no squealing
Steering and brake system failure with electrical component loss
Car stops suddenly with clicking sound; front display panels go blank; steering and brakes become non-functional. No warning indicators. Event is unpredictable with no identifiable cause. Has occurred approximately 10 times. Dealership unable to diagnose or repair despite two visits.
When: Unpredictable; no pattern identified
Symptoms owners cite: Car stops without warning; Clicking sound heard; Front display panels become blank; Steering non-functional; Brakes non-functional; No warning lights or predictable factors
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership unable to find and repair problem
Synthesized from 17 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Date complaint filed: 10/18/2014 component(s): steering date of incident: 10/17/2014 NHTSA id number: 10648531 dear NHTSA concerning odi complaint number 10648531. This issue has been resolved. After filing the complaint I took the car to the dealership on 10/23/2014. They test drove the car and performed a 4 wheel alignment which corrected the problem. . So if others are experiencing…
Had steering trouble with your 2014 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 2014 Subaru Outback?
It's a meaningful issue. 17 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 10 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 8,000 and 55,000 miles, with the median around 11,967. A quarter of owners report trouble before 8,000; a quarter make it past 55,000. 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/2014/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.