EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY REMOVING KEY FROM IGNITION AFTER VEHICLE IS STOPPED AND ENGINE TURNED OFF. ISSUE RECURS FREQUENT BUT RANDOMLY. SOMETIMES IT REQUIRE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO RESTART AND SHUT-OFF ENGINE BEFORE KEY WOULD RELEASE FROM IGNITION. VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO DEALER FOR REPAIR AND FAULTY PART IN SHIFTER ASSEMBLY REPLACED.
2016 subaru Legacy steering problems
severe 16 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700
Complaints
16
Recalls
0
Crashes
1
Avg fix
$700
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
KEY WILL NOT REMOVE FROM IGNITION WHEN TURNING OFF CAR. PROGRESSIVELY GOT MORE FREQUENT. ONLY WAY TO REMOVE THE KEY IS TO MOVE THE CAR OR TO SHIFT BACK IN FORTH FROM PARK TO DRIVE. PART HAD TO BE REPLACED
UNABLE TO REMOVE KEY FROM IGNITION WHEN VEHICLE IS IN PARK-ENGINE/CAR TURNS OFF EXCEPT RADIO/LIGHTS. HAVE TO RESTART CAR PUT INTO REVERSE, BACK INTO PARK, THEN TURN OFF CAR.
HAVING DIFFICULTY REMOVING KEY FROM IGNITION WHEN VEHICLE IS IN PARK - CAR WILL TURN OFF BUT CANNOT REMOVE THE KEY WITHOUT MUCH DIFFICULTY, RESTARTING JIGGLING WITH FORCE - FEAR OF KEY BREAKING IN IGNITION
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2016 subaru Legacy?
It's a meaningful issue. 16 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
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.
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.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. 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.
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