Subaru Impreza power steering loss problems

Filed Sep 13, 2026 · Steering · OH

Vehicle Information: 2018 Subaru ImprezaVIN: [XXX] Affected: Steering (Electronic Power Steering / EPS Gear Box Assembly)Description of the Safety Defect:I am reporting a severe safety defect regarding a sudden and total loss of power steering assist while driving my 2018 Subaru Impreza.The Electronic Power Steering (EPS) gear box assembly experienced a catastrophic failure, resulting in an immediate, heavy steering condition that severely impacted my ability to control the vehicle safely. Upon inspection, the EPS gear box housing was found to have suffered structural failure/cracking due to environmental corrosion.This is a well-documented safety hazard for this vehicle generation. Subaru previously issued a voluntary 10-year warranty extension for 2012–2018 models (TSB 04-27-21R) to address this exact housing defect. Additionally, Subaru was forced to issue a mandatory safety recall (the federal safety agency Campaign 19V065000) for 2019 Imprezas due to an immediate loss of power steering assist.My vehicle is an early-production 2018 model, making its manufacturing timeline and parts sourcing highly contiguous with the recalled 2019 fleet and the vehicles covered under the 10-year extension. Subaru of America is currently using a strict internal VIN boundary to deny coverage for my vehicle, even though it suffered the exact same dangerous structural steering failure.I request that the federal safety agency log this failure to track if Subaru's current VIN exclusion limits are overly narrow, leaving structurally defective and unsafe steering components on the road without proper remedy. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Dec 16, 2025 · Brakes, Suspension · CA

On 12/12/2025, Subaru Orange Coast (Santa Ana, CA) service advisor stated via text: "Breaks feel fine, no issues there," "Tires no issues there," "Struts no leaks or issues," and "Car is ready for pick up." On 12/16/2025, Service Director confirmed: brake rotor defects, weak struts causing tire wear, and replaced both rear struts, tires, and "the other 2" components under warranty/customer satisfaction. CRITICAL SAFETY CONCERN: During a prior service visit, dealership performed tire rotation moving a compromised tire from rear axle to FRONT STEERING AXLE — where failure would cause loss of steering control. On 12/12/2025, technicians REFUSED to rotate tires because "wire was showing" — confirming visual identification of exposed steel cord as safety hazard. Dealership then attempted to SELL me replacement tires (profiting from condition their service created). Despite actual knowledge of exposed steel cord on steering-axle tire, service advisor texted "no issues" and attempted to release vehicle for highway operation. SEQUENCE OF DEALER CONDUCT: Rotated compromised tire to front steering axle (prior visit) Identified exposed steel cord on 12/12/2025 Refused rotation due to safety hazard Attempted to sell replacement tires Represented "no issues" via text Attempted release for public road operation DOCUMENTATION: Demand letter delivered to Subaru of America (tracking: [XXX] , received 12/16/2025). Text messages from service advisor preserved. Service Director's 12/16 acknowledgment of defects preserved. VEHICLE LOCATION: Subaru Orange Coast, Santa Ana, CA (not operated due to safety concerns) CONSUMER: [XXX] | [XXX] | [XXX] is AI and can make mistakes. Please double-check responses. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Feb 3, 2025 · Brakes, Electrical · 164,964 miles · PA

The contact owns a 2012 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30-40 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality and was driven with manual steering. The failure occurred while driving at various speeds. The contact stated that approximately four days after the first failure, the steering wheel failed to move. Additionally, the vehicle was losing oil and one quart of oil had to be added every month. The contact stated that the power steering, ABS, TPMS, transmission automatic transmission fluid (ATF), and 4-WD failure warning lights were illuminated. The passenger occupant sensor chimed for the passenger to secure the seat belt consistently even though the occupant was seated with the seat belt buckled securely. The contact who is a certified mechanic had replaced the rack and pinion. The contact noticed that the threads on the tie rods were close in proximately risking the chance of damaging the tie rods. The ABS module had been replaced. The contact believed that the engine needed to be replaced but the engine was not replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The manufacturer confirmed there was no recall for the failure. The manufacturer referred the contact to the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 164,964.

Filed Mar 1, 2023 · Steering · NH

Power Steering failed, extremely hard to turn steering wheel, EPS Light on dash illuminated. Luckily happened in driveway. Thinking back steering seemed odd last week was less effort to turn left as opposed to turning right.

Filed Jul 2, 2022 · Steering · 77,000 miles · ME

power steering fails and then begins working again, happened while driving and lost power steering while getting off the highway.

Filed Jan 13, 2022 · FL

Recently, when trying to park and turn off the vehicle, the key gets stuck in the battery position. The engine will turn off, but the car doesn't fully turn off so you can remove the key. The shifter is in park and there is no steering wheel lock or anything else that might ordinarily prevent the vehicle from being turned off. This process is no different from every other time I've turned the vehicle off previously. To finally retrieve the key, the car needs to be restarted numerous times (often 1-3 more times) while trying a combination of moving the steering wheel, putting the shifter into drive and back into park, and/or releasing the brake pedal and reapplying it firmly. My car is only lightly used and judging by internet research, this is a common issue with Subaru vehicles around this age due to a faulty part, not normal wear and tear.

Filed Oct 23, 2020 · Steering · 1 miles · TX

Without warning and while driving on a city street, my power steering went out. The steering wheel is not only more difficult to turn now, but it does not turn smoothly or consistently. At highway speeds this could easily result in an overturn and serious vehicle accident. This is an electric power steering unit (not hydraulic) so there is no way to maintain the system. The repair is about $1900 and requires a complete replacement of the power steering unit, rack and pinion. Subaru has not been helpful as I've discussed the safety concern with them.

Filed Jan 12, 2020 · Steering · 17,450 miles · NY

While I was backing the vehicle out of my driveway I became aware the I had no power steering. I parked the car in front of my house and took my second car to a scheduled appointment. Upon returning home I moved the subaru impreza to the front of the driveway. It still didn't have power steering. I called the local subaru dealership and scheduled a service appointment for the following wednesday 1/8/2020 and left the car parked in the driveway. Fortunately the closest subaru dealership is approximately 2.3 miles from my home. I woke up at 5:30 am to avoid traffic and I carefully (slowly) drove the car to the dealership on local streets. The vehicle was inspected and the mechanic concluded the power steering control module had to be replaced. The parts had to be ordered so I opted to leave the car until it was repaired. The total cost of the repair was $839.95. The car is a 2013 subaru impreza with only 17,450 miles on the odometer. The car remained at the dealership for two days and I picked it up on 1/10/2020. After this incident I researched various websites to determine whether other subaru owners have experienced the same issue. My internet search proved to be enlightening. I discovered that there are/were enumerable complaints on the internet regarding subaru impreza power steering failures. Go to the auto recall for consumers website (arfc) for confirmation of my assertion. The complaints go back to 2009, 2010, 2011,....every year through 2019, there are enumerable complaints recounting power steering failures for the subaru impreza. I also came across a subaru service bulletin number: 04-21-18 dated 07/24/18 subject uneven steering effort. I can't fathom how this potentially dangerous design failure has not resulted in a national recall by the federal safety agency.

Filed Aug 12, 2019 · Body, Steering · CA

After owning the car for a month, I noticed the hood had become uneven where it meets the front end. I also began to notice a wider gap between the hood and the right fender than on the left side. This gap has widened. When I took the car back to albany subaru, the service manager made some adjustments that made minimal improvements to the hood where it meets the front end, though it is still uneven. The rubber gasket still doesn't fill the gap. This made the gap between the right fender and hood even wider. I took the car back to albany subaru. The service manager raised the hood pad on one side and lowered it all the way on the other side and documented the car is within subaru specs. I contacted subaru. They want me to take the car to another dealer for a second opinion. I am waiting for the second dealer to call me back to schedule an appointment. I have already sent subaru photos of the problems and my concern that the gap is continuing to get wider as I drive. The other issue is the steering. There have been four times where the steering seems to momentarily disappear. By this I mean I get the feeling the steering wheel is completely loose, no normal tension while holding the steering wheel straight. By the time I can react, the normal tension returns to the steering wheel. The service manager told me this is the lane drift monitoring of the car. I told him I experience a quick vibration of the steering wheel when drifting lanes, not a complete loss of steering. He ignored me and said the steering is fine. The federal safety agency web site only let me upload one photo. I have five photos to show measurements on all sides of the hood gaps

Filed Jun 12, 2019 · Steering · NY

Partial loss of electronic power steering affecting ability to steer right. Car naturally pulls to the left (into oncoming traffic) due to power steering assist being stronger that direction. Dealer indicates there is a service bulletin for this issue (cracked eps gear box), so it is known. But there has not yet been a recall for this issue.