Subaru Forester steering lock-up problems

Filed Jun 12, 2026 · Steering · 119,000 miles · OR

The contact owns a 2014 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while his wife was driving and stopped in traffic, the steering wheel locked up. The contact stated the steering wheel warning light illuminated and the vehicle was towed. The dealer was contacted and notified of the failure, and the failure was diagnosed with rack and pinion and electrical power steering failures. The contact stated that the failure was a recurring failure after the repair. The contact stated that the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 119,000.

Filed Sep 4, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · CT

driving on [XXX] in NJ on [XXX] at approximately [XXX] my car just stopped in traffic and steering locked up and all lights came on dashboard along with a constant beeping sound-I was in the middle of a four lane highway traveling south-I could not get out of my car and feared someone would hit me as I was a "sitting duck" while cars were swerving around me-my only saving grace was that my flashers worked after I turned them on-I called roadside assistance as I was starting to panic and was told they could not help me as I was on a private road-I saw a helicopter overhead and at the same time a police office weaving in and out of traffic behind me to slow and stop the traffic-he then proceeded to push my car off the road with his car to the shoulder and called a tow truck-car was towed to nearest Subaru dealer where they performed a diagnostic test and found NOTHING WRONG WITH MY CAR!! How could that BE?? I was then charged for the test and the tow-have called Subaru customer care several times but they say they cannot help me because the test result showed nothing-Please help me as I no longer have peace of mind driving this vehicle and I am [XXX] who needs to drive long distances several times a month- there were no previous warnings in my car it just stopped INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Feb 18, 2025 · Brakes, Electrical · PA · crash · 1 injury

1. The car shut off several times, with the steering wheel locking up and becoming stiff, the brakes failing to respond, and loud, erratic sounds emanating from the vehicle. The car is available for inspection. 2. Yes, the car crashed resulting in damage to the car, driver, and other driver (e.g. car in front). 3. This is the second time the car has been brought to the dealership (the second time being Subaru South Hill in Pennsylvania) and they cannot identify the problem. 4. The vehicle was not inspected by police, or insurance, as far as I am aware. 5. There were no warning signs before the failure.

Filed Feb 3, 2025 · MA

Good evening. My claim number for reported issues to Suburu USA is [XXX]. Issue; On 5 or 6 occasions our 2020 Suburu Forester vehicle stalled while we were driving it. The stall has happened both when we are stopped at a traffic light or slowing down for traffic or a traffic light or in one case, at a drive through. This is a safety issue as when we start to drive; the vehicle shuts down and the steering wheel locks up along with all dashboard lights coming on. Also, on at least 2 occasions a message came up to restart the car for our safety. Other cars around us were moving or had to wait for us which creates anger towards us and danger for other drivers if they try to drive around us. The issue has been ongoing since approximately July 2024. I am not able to add a MPH range below, but generally we are traveling 0-10 mph because we are usually braking or going from stop (at a light) and then trying to drive when the stall happens. The vehicle has been brought to XXXX XXXX in Hanover, Massachusetts each time and thus far, they have not been able to resolve the issue. Tonight, we dropped the vehicle off again due to the most recent stall that happened on Saturday [XXX] I have brought this to Suburu USA’s attention and other than the dealership trying to find the issue, not much has been done that I know of. I am hoping your office can inquire with Suburu because it is either an issue specific to our vehicle, or if not, there may be other suburus stalling out there which can lead to serious situations for other drivers. I feel compelled to report this because if there is a wider issue, it should be reviewed to protect others, INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Mar 8, 2023 · Driver assistance, Steering · NJ

Steering wheel locking intermittently, without warning. white car symbol appears between lanes, followed by green car symbol as the wheel locks. Took the car to Liberty Subaru, my dealer, Emerson, NJ. First two times garage unable to replicate the problem, no repairs done. Third time this happened to me, the car started rocking from side to side on the road as the wheel remained locked, terrifying. I called the dealer, they told me to turn off the safety system (lane assist) which I did. Back to the same garage, same outcome. Could not replicate the problem. 4th time this happened to me, I had not reset the lane assist and the same warning symbols appeared as the wheel locked. Back to garage, told me they were not going to give me a loaner car as they cannot replicate the problem. Reported to Subaru of America, no response to first email. Second email acknowledged receipt and gave me a case number: Case# 230306-0200125. Car remains at Liberty Subaru, it is dangerous to drive. I will end up in an accident as I cannot control the car when the wheel is locked, and I will endanger others on the road at the same time. Dates are approx, occurred 4 different days over two weeks approx. Speed ranged from 41 miles per hour to 60 miles per hour when it occurred,

Filed Jan 27, 2023 · Acceleration, Brakes · CA

I was the first car stopped at a red light of an intersection coming off the freeway, in far right lane. When the light turned green, as I released my foot off the brake and not even stepping on the gas the RPM surged with full force accelerating without my foot on the gas. I stepped on the brake but it would not engage - it locked. The steering wheel locked and only had minimal movement, as much movement as you would get in a parked position. There was no way to stop the car. Given the lane position and obstructions ahead (freeway on ramp), the car ran over a median and scraped along side the curb and on top to damage the front passenger wheel enough for it to pop. Only when the wheel broke did the car’s brake re-engage and I was able to put it into park. The vehicle has not yet been inspected and is available in my driveway for inspection. There was no warning or indicators leading up to this. In fact, the vehicle had just been inspected for an oil change at the dealership three weeks prior. This accident would have caused a fatality, mine, if not many others if there had been cars ahead of me or cars had been in the intersection or if the wheel did not break in time before merging with the freeway traffic. I am fearful to drive this car again. There were absolutely NO indicators leading up to this or right before it happened. The car simply took over and there was no control of it.

Filed May 15, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · IL

While driving on highway using cruise control at 70 mph my car suddenly stalled …. I was able to get to apron of road , but my steering locked and I had no brakes.. I could put car into neutral but had to “jam” it into park , trying to get it to stop rolling . It would not restart . I had it towed to an auto repair center as there was no Subaru dealer in the area. Because I had kept trying to restart it , my battery was dead . They recharged my battery and the car then started . I took it to a Subaru dealer where I was told they could find nothing wrong …. Except I needed a new battery . This was NOT the reason that my car suddeney lost power ! It had happen once before while on the highway but I was able to restart it at that time . This could have caused a serious accident and I worry that it will happen again. I warning was indicated prior to episode . I have receipts from auto repair shop (In Lincoln, Illinois) and Subaru dealer ( in Columbia Missouri)

Filed Jul 14, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · FL

Key stuck in switch when car is put into park. Steering locks up and then can not restart or remove key. This happens almost daily at this point

Filed Sep 5, 2020 · Steering · 51,000 miles · TN

Power steering failed with no warning. Vehicle was driven and parked. When restarting the vehicle power steering would not work. There are many reports of power steering locking up or just not working with no previous warning.

Filed May 4, 2020 · Body, Steering · 38,000 miles · VA · crash · 1 injury

Steering wheel locked while car was being driven on highway, causing car to crash into guardrail on median, causing extensive bent frame of car and extensive body damage, causing car to be declared a total loss, and causing nerve damage in the neck of driver.