2011 Subaru Outback steering problems

Filed May 30, 2023 · Airbags, Steering · CA

Loss of steering wheel electronic functions including paddle shifters radio volume and Airbag light illuminated. Looked up faults and found the federal safety agency campaign ID 10V283000 which describes cable damage from Subaru manufacturing. According to Subaru and the federal safety agency, our vehicle was manufactured 2 months after "Affected" vehicles. Subaru unwilling to work on problem as it is not listed in affect vehicles, yet clearly the problems found are exact match to campaign list. I will seek outside confirmation of failure and then request the federal safety agency to update the affect vehicles list so Subaru can fix a safety issue for all affected vehicles.

Filed Apr 17, 2023 · Engine, Steering · WI

The front lower subframe cracked where the driver's side front wheel attaches to it in our 2011 Subaru Outback. This resulted in loss of steering control of vehicle. The issue has been confirmed by independent mechanic. Vehicle has not been inspected by manufacturer, police, or insurance agent. It is available for inspection at [XXX]. There were no warning lights when this failure occurred. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

Filed Sep 23, 2022 · Steering, Suspension · NY

Front control arm bolt pulled out of the subframe due to extreme corrosion.

Filed Sep 13, 2022 · Body, Steering · NY

In May, returning from VA, we noticed an odd noise coming from the right front side of the car. Then the noise stopped. Driving a week later, at about 40 mph, I again heard the noise and as I approached a yellow light and began to slow to a stop, the vehicle pulled sharply to the right. I was able to regain control, drove slowly home, called our repair shop and brought it in for evaluation. The front subframe had rusted out due to the air conditioner condenser dripping onto it. Our mechanic would not let us drive the car without repair, it was too dangerous. The subframe could have dropped at any moment. No inspections other than that of our mechanic were done. I took photos of the subframe that had been removed which are attached. It is not available for inspection as far as I know. The car sat at the mechanic's for a month waiting for parts from Subaru before being repaired.

Filed Aug 5, 2022 · Engine, Steering · IN

A/C Compressor locks up, and serpentine belt flies off and stops power steering. Stalls due to this locking up.

Filed Jul 20, 2022 · Brakes, Steering · IL

Upon application of the brakes approaching a stoplight, the vehicle pulled sharply to the right, entering the right lane from the left and was rendered unsafe to operate due to this condition. Had a vehicle been present at this time in the right lane, a collision would have likely occurred. Upon inspection by the mechanic, the front engine frame had broken on the right side. The broken area has two (2) large rust holes on the top and bottom sides of the box frame. Directly above the two (2) rust holes the drain for the air conditioning condenser is located. Illinois, like 22 other states in the U.S., uses road salt to combat icy road conditions. The combination of road salt with the location of the air conditioner drain tube directly above the frame failure point leads ut to reasonably conclude that this model has a design defect that led to the failure. A remedy for this issue would be to simply extend the drain tube approx. 5" so the water dripping from the air conditioning condenser does not drop onto the top, flat portion of the engine frame where road salt may accumulate over time. In addition, 1. I have possession of the original frame for inspection by the federal safety agency. 2. At the time of the repair, the mechanic ordered the replacement dram from the local Subaru dealership. Our mechanic was informed that he was ordering the last remaining subframe assembly that Subaru of North America had in stock at that time.

Filed Jun 6, 2020 · Acceleration, Engine · 94,467 miles · NY

I have been reporting problems with my transmission since 2012 to my regular dealership, star subaru when the car had just 23,472 miles on it. At this point, I believe that I have been wrongfully denied warranty coverage. Then again, in 2017, while still under warranty, I brought my outback to star subaru complaining that while driving slow, the car tends to 'jump' mid-drive, almost like someone rear ended you. The car at this point was at about 94,467 miles, under the 100,000 mile warranty limit. After numerous complaints I finally received a test drive with a subaru mechanic at star subaru in bayside, queens, ny. He concluded that it needed transmission parts, a torque converter/valve body. At that point I was set to have it replaced once the parts came in. Weeks went by and I heard nothing. I contacted subaru of america who was able to set me up with east hills subaru. The soa person was very helpful with the transition. They performed their own diagnostic, and the condition at the time would not replicate. Unfortunately, when this 'jump/slam' happens, it does spontaneously. We cannot make it happen, nor do we even know when it is going to happen. It was always very sporadic. Sometimes it would happen on the highway going 65, or sometimes less than 5mph. On a long trip back from vermont, there would be a large revving sound, and then it felt as if someone hit us from behind. Once again, I took the car to subaru, only to be told they simply couldn't 'replicate the problem', and therefore would not do anything to help us. On april 3rd 2019, I bring my car in again to east hill subaru. Check engine light on. They do recall. They also troubleshoot the check engine code, which now comes up clearly as p1710 torque converter turbine 2 speed signal circuit malfunction. Now it's not covered under warranty.the price tag is very high, almost $6,000!

Filed Feb 17, 2020 · Brakes, Steering · 180,000 miles · NY · crash

On 2/11/20 around 12:30pm et, I was approaching the highway via an onramp, and my speed was barely 25 MPH. Suddenly, as I was on the approach-road, I suddenly felt that the steering was locked and turning on the right side only (either steering or anti-lock malfunction). It hit the fence and then turned (flipped) on its driver side as can be seen in the picture. I believe this is a safety issue, so please make a proper investigation. My car was totaled. My damaged car is in 'county towing' in 49 fullerton ave, yonkers, ny 10704, phone: (914) 423-1101

Filed May 9, 2019 · Brakes, Steering · 100 miles · FL

The traction, oil temp, brake sign turns on in my vehicle. The vehicle brake sign is a safety isssue.

Filed Jan 17, 2018 · Steering · 101,000 miles · NY

Steering failed completely while in motion on city street. Warning light appeared on dash briefly, then steering failed - car was not able to be steered. Car was rolled into parking lot and tow truck called. Vehicle was on it's way to interstate highway when this happened. Dealer determined power steering hose connections to "junction" had completely rusted, causing all fluid to leak out of system. Subaru of america was contacted and states that "since the vehicle is driven in an area where salt is used on roads in winter, this is not unexpected". It should be noted that less than 12 months prior, this same vehicle's brake system totally failed, from rusted hoses. Subaru of america gave the same reason for that failure.