SUBJECT: Formal Safety Defect Complaint: 2016 Subaru Outback – Manufacturing Nondisclosure of Latent "Day 1" Design Flaw Causing Ignition Key Entrapment, Uncommanded Steering Column Lockout, and Severe Family Safety Risk I am writing to formally report a severe, unaddressed safety defect and a deceptive corporate practice by Subaru of America, Inc. affecting my 2016 Subaru Outback. This vehicle suffers from a "Day 1" latent engineering flaw that causes the physical ignition key to become permanently trapped in the ignition cylinder, triggering an uncommanded, rigid locking of the steering column assembly. Subaru has possessed documented knowledge of this failure for years, cataloging it under Technical Service Bulletin TSB 16-112-18R. Rather than fulfilling its statutory obligation to issue a comprehensive federal safety recall, Subaru deployed a voluntary, time-bound 8-year warranty extension. Subaru conveniently did not notify me of this warranty extension. By doing so, the manufacturer unconscionably ignored this defect, placing its customers at direct peril. They capitalized on asymmetric information to shift both the financial burden and the severe physical safety risks of a known factory flaw onto my family, the moment an arbitrary time threshold expired. My family and I have been at active, continuous risk in this vehicle since the day we purchased it due to an engineering error that was present when the car rolled off the assembly line. The root cause of this failure is a fundamental engineering defect within the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) shifter assembly, specifically, the premature degradation of the electrical contacts within the select lever park-range switch.
2016 Subaru Outback steering problems
24 complaints (4% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 8,000. 3 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 24
- of this car's complaints
- 4%
- typical mileage
- 8,000
- crashes
- 3
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
Owners did not name a specific part.
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Subaru Outback steering problems in other years
Related recalls
Steering: column
- What is wrong
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Legacy and Outback vehicles manufactured February 29, 2016, to May 6, 2016. The steering column on the affected vehicles may have been improperly machined, and as a result, turning the steering wheel may have no effect on the direction of the wheels.
- Risk
- The loss of steering ability would increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the lot number on the steering column, replacing the steering column, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 13, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1‑800‑782‑2783 or by visiting http://www.wtd65.service-campaign.com. Subaru's number for this recall is WTD-65. Note: Until the vehicles have been inspected, owners are advised not to drive their vehicles.
Recall number 16V292000 · Recall details
What 2016 Subaru Outback owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Brake light comes on while driving and power steering also locks up..
The steering warning light came on and my steering wheel stiffened. Luckily I was able to make it home, but when I went back to crank it. The light was still on and it would only move forward of backwards; because I wasn't able at all to turn the steering wheel.
I was turning around a bend, going approximately 35mpg, when the wheels no longer were turning as if not responding to the direction of the wheel, almost like it was operating independently of the steering column. The automobile slammed into the curb on the left of the road, damaging the alignment.
When trying to put the vehicle in park, the key will not release from the engine. After 10-15 minutes of trying, finally it will release, but in reading forums, thousands of customers have had similar issues. It seems to be a very known problem.
Key does not come out of ignition after turning car off. Gets stuck frequently (almost everytime I drive the car).
Key gets stuck on ignition switch when I turn car off and put it in park. Key will not release from the steering column. It takes several minutes, some times up to 20 minutes for the key to release from the column. Vehicle needs to be started and turned off several times before key releases. This has been happening for a few weeks now, very frustrating and dangerous as having to start and stop the vehicle has drained the battery twice now and I have had to get the vehicle jump started. Hopefully this does not happen in the middle of no where.....
Currently at least a couple times a week, my key gets stuck in the ignition while shutting off vehicle to park. You can turn the vehicle off, but you can't remove the key. If I fiddle with the shifter and rotate the steering wheel, restart the vehicle, and shift it into drive, and then slam it back into park, then I can turn the vehicle off and the key will come out. . But sometimes I have to repeat the procedure a few times. This started when vehicle was approx a year old and I thought that maybe I had the steering wheel not in the correct location for the key to be removed as time passed the problem gradually got worse. I then did some research and found that a lot of others have experienced this same issue.
Difficulty turning the cars ignition into the off position to remove key. Key stocks in ignition and car stays turned on in accessory mode. Often takes up to 6 times restarting and stopping to get key to release. Dealer claims it is the computer relay that isn't recognizing that the car has been put into park. This is when the car is stopped.... This has been going on since approximately may of 2019 to current. At first it was only occasionally but reached the point where it happened 9 times out of 10.
Ignition key gets stuck everytime and I have to jam it into park to ge it out
Questions about the 2016 Subaru Outback steering
Does the 2016 Subaru Outback have steering problems?
Owners have filed 24 complaints about the steering of the 2016 Subaru Outback, 4% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2016 Subaru Outback steering problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 8,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2016 Subaru Outback steering?
Yes, 1 recall: 16V292000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Subaru Outback have bad steering?
The Subaru Outback model years with the most steering complaints are 2010 (41 complaints), 2011 (36 complaints) and 2018 (36 complaints).
Other 2016 Subaru Outback problems
Electrical 309Visibility 91Engine 56Transmission 45Acceleration 22Body 19Brakes 19Driver assistance 17Fuel system 13Airbags 10Lights 5Seat belts 5Wheels 3Locks 1Seats 1Suspension 1
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