2010 Subaru Outback steering problems

Filed Sep 20, 2021 · Steering · WA

We experienced a steering failure which could have led to a very serious accident. Returning on a freeway after purchasing groceries we heard a kind of rattle rhat seemed to come from behind the hub of the steering wheel. We made it home but as we pulled into our driveway the steering failed completely. The steering wheel spun around like a pinwheel, no resistance whatsoever and absolutely no effect on the car’s steering. If this had happened on the freeway I hate to think what might have happened. The car had to be towed to the local Subaru dealer where it took 17 days to repair the vehicle. We were lucky. It could well have been a disaster.

Filed May 28, 2019 · Steering, Suspension · 150,000 miles · WI

Extreme shimmy / vibration in front end cause steering wheel to shimmy aggressively. This experience started about 2 months ago, the car has aprpoximately 150k miles. When driving car over 40 miles an hour the entire front end shakes like a very out of balance tire or the feeling of a warped rotor when braking. The shimmy can be seen in the steering wheel bouncing, and felt through the floor and seats.tires and brakes have been inspected and there is no problem. Upon searching the internet I see this is common problem. Why is this no a recall? I am fearful of driving this vehicle.

Filed May 21, 2019 · Steering, Suspension · 142,000 miles · PA

My 2010 subaru outback k-frame and a-frame rotted out, affecting my steering, my breaking and my ability to control my steering. This caused a very dangerous safety issue. I notified subaru and they informed me there were no recalls on the k-frame of this year's vehicle, although there had been for the rear sub-frame on this vehicle. Also, subaru wanted $1400 to repair the sub-frame, so I went to a salvage yard and discovered that all but two of the sub-frames in the salvage yard were all rotted in the same areas. This leads me to believe that the sub-frame should be reported as a safety issue; as if the sub-frame fails at the a-frame, you will lose steering and braking ability. My father was the first and only other owner of this vehicle and it was undercoated by the manufacturer when it was bought--yet it still rotted out.

Filed Nov 27, 2017 · Steering · 125,000 miles · IN

The steering has a shake to it on the highway speeds of 45 MPH and up . Getting worse. I have 125,000 in it, its in great shape-cant afford another car. Now it is getting worse and when turning off the highway on the off ramps it jerks the steering wheel from my hands. Almost gone off the ramp twice now.... Bare white knuckle driving. New tires, balanced three times, rotors turned, new bushings (which were not needed but suggested as a fix) etc.... No mechanic knows what is happening. I am getting scared to drive it, but I love the car over all I just want an answer to gt it fixed or have subaru to find a fix and put out a recall soon. Now I see so many other people have the same thing---please, please help.

Filed Dec 13, 2016 · Steering · 76,415 miles · PA

Power steering failed while backing up slowly on a city street. Hydraulic line corroded and broke.

Filed Aug 3, 2014 · Steering · 1,000 miles · NJ

Since delivery, car has had slight shimmy of steering wheel at most speeds especially when turning the wheel. Now steering wheel has developed noticeable shake above 60 miles per hour. Dealer says car steering is working normally, possibly a tire issue but I disagree. I now see many others complain of same problem so I am reporting mine as well.

Filed Apr 16, 2014 · Airbags, Steering · 93,000 miles · NY · crash · 1 injury

Was driving on what appeared to be a clear, clean road at about 8 am the day after a snowstorm. My car started skidding off to the right side of the highway, when trying to turn wheel towards the left to straighten the car out, the car then started spinning around 360 degrees a few times until the car then rolled over to the left down the 100 foot ditch about 3 or 4 rolls before stopping. The drivers side airbag never deployed despite severe frontal and side damage. The car was totaled by the insurance company. I still have no explanation as to why this all happened. In searching the internet for answers, I found 2 recalls one dated 6/24/2010 which could involve the airbag, and one dated 5/11/2010 which involved the CVT cooler hose leading to a crash. If something failed in the car leading to my crash, I have the right to know. I have some injuries and am still not back to work. Are there any other cases similar to mine?

Filed Nov 23, 2013 · Steering, Transmission · 1,000 miles · TN

Subaru outback steering wheel shimmy and vibration. I purchased my 2010 subaru outback new in october of 2010. After driving the vehicle home and spending a few miles getting used to the feel and sensation of a new car, I noticed that the ride of the car was somewhat unsettled, vibrating and shaking at highway speed. I initially attributed this to the new tires and slightly overly inflated tire pressure. I precisely adjusted the tire pressure and spent the next few months waiting for the tires to "settle in" and smooth out. My wife started driving the car regularly and did not mention any issue about the ride. I drove the car several times afterwards and on each trip found the car very very uncomfortable to drive. The ride is noticeable leaving the driveway but is most apparent at highway speed, most especially in low power situations like coasting down descents at greater than 60mph. The steering wheel shakes dramatically in this situation. Thinking that the cause of the shaking was the oem tires, I removed the conti contisport tires and replaced them with michelin defender xt's from costco. Almost immediately, I noticed that the tires were no smoother than the oem's. I had costco remove and rebalance the tires. The steering wheel shake and vibration remained even after the rebalance. I was about to return the car to costco when I found the link on the subaru forum about "shaky subarus" and that the problem was so widespread that a technical service bulletin (tsb) had been issued about the problem, mandating that major modifications be made to the car. I have not been notified by soa about the tsb.

Filed Jul 22, 2013 · Electrical, Steering · 28,000 miles · WA

Followup to the federal safety agency id number: 10525592 the effected lot number is 0423sd (year 2010, april 23, location sd) this is different from the original effected location of 9x13a or earlier (oct 13, 2009, location a and earlier). Exhibits the same symptoms. Original complaint: vehicle paddle shifter function, cruise control, horn control are intermittent and vol up and mute radio functions do not work on the steering column. This is very similar to the federal safety agency campaign number 10v283000. I will have the dealer provide the steering roll connector lot number to determine if my VIN has an older steering column on tues. My VIN is outside of the effected range of a*310001 to a*377827.

Filed Jul 18, 2013 · Steering · 27,000 miles · WA

Vehicle paddle shifter function, cruise control, horn control are intermittent and vol up and mute radio functions do not work on the steering column. This is very similar to the federal safety agency campaign number 10v283000. I will have the dealer provide the steering roll connector lot number to determine if my VIN has an older steering column on tues. My VIN is outside of the effected range of a*310001 to a*377827.