WHILE TRAVELING THROUGH MICHIGAN'S UPPER PENINSULA AND NORTHERN WISCONSIN DURING SNOW FALL WITH A FULLY PACKED CAR ON THE HIGHWAY I EXPERIENCED THE REAR END "GHOST WALKING" OR "STEERING" OR "PULLING" TO THE LEFT AND TO THE RIGHT. I HAD TO DRIVE 40MPH WHILE TWO-WHEELED DRIVE CAMRYS, CIVICS, VANS, ETC. PASSED US BY. GROWING UP IN NORTHERN MICHIGAN, I'M NO STRANGER TO WINTER CONDITIONS AND ALL WHE…
2017 subaru Outback steering problems
severe 21 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700
Complaints
21
Recalls
0
Crashes
2
Avg fix
$700
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ON CLEAR DRY ROADWAYS, THE STEERING FEELS AS IF I HAVE A BRIEF LOSS OF CONTROL. I LIKEN IT TO HITTING A PATCH OF ICE AND HAVING A SLIGHT LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. I'VE NOTICED IT TWICE WHILE ENTERING A CURVE AND DECELERATING FROM 55 MPH TO 45 MPH (THE REDUCED SPEED LIMIT OF THE CURVE). THIS ISSUE HAPPENS ONLY INTERMITTENTLY AND IS ONLY NOTICEABLE AT HIGHWAY SPEED…
WHEN LANE KEEP ASSIST IS ON AT NIGHT (USES EYESIGHT TO KEEP YOU IN YOUR LANE) THE CAR STEERING WHEEL HAS ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS SUDDENLY JERKED TO THE RIGHT. THE FIRST TIME THERE HAD BEEN SOME ROAD REPAIRS WITH SOME PARTS OF THE ROAD HAVING NEW ASPHALT AT SOME NOT, AND THE ROAD WAS STILL WET FROM A PREVIOUS RAINSTORM. THE MOST RECENT TIME THE ROAD WAS DRY AND THIS HAPPENED WHEN THE CAR REACHED…
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2017 subaru Outback?
It's a meaningful issue. 21 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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