2018 Subaru Outback: pulls to one side

Filed May 20, 2023 · Steering · IL

While driving under normal conditions, (no hazardous weather or speeding), the steering will suddenly pull to the right, for only a moment, feeling as though a strong gust of wind had blown it, but there is no wind, it just does it on its on. A warning light comes on, and makes a pinging sound, then it turns off; it does not stay on long enough to be able to see which symbol lights up. This happens approximately once every 10 miles or so, more often when driving above 45 mph; occurring most often on the highway. It happens on every type of rode and in every lane. We've bought the car to be examined buy a Subaru dealership twice and was told both times that the wheels were out of alignment and we paid to have the alignment corrected, but this does not actually solve the problem. There has not been any incidents yet, but we fear that if the car pulls on its own in slick or icy weather, it may cause an accident.

Filed Oct 21, 2019 · Steering · 15,000 miles · PA

Subaru outback 2008 pulls to the left or right by itself intermittently. When it happens, car speed is always > 45 MPH and the issue is the most obvious on highways with a speed > 60 MPH. It feels like the steering has its own idea. Sometimes when I want to curve to the right, the steering turns by itself to the right and sometimes even stays there. Sometimes when I don't want to turn, it turns. This is not related to lane assistance. The feature is turned off and the issue happens when I drive in the lane. I strongly feel unsafe and a bit nervous driving on the highway recently. At the high speed, a slight turn may lead to serious consequences. Hope subaru could solve the issue. A google search today showed that many other owners of the same model are experiencing the same, potentially damaging issue.

Filed Sep 24, 2019 · Steering · 13,000 miles · WA

At 13,000 miles car steering pulled to the right and left without driver performing this act. Feels like car is hydroplaning or affected by high winds when neither condition is present. Presents danger as driver has no control as to when this happens or what direction it will go. Occurs at all speeds but worsens after 50mph. Research shows there are other complaints of this same situation with other subaru cars. My dealership claimed they had not heard of the problem but suggested to manual turn off lane assist. I performed this action to no avail - the problem continues . Happens on city streets at 25 MPH as well as on highways. While first incident was august 5, 2019 it never stopped.

Filed May 29, 2019 · Steering · 7,630 miles · VA

The steering wheel of this car randomly takes over, for no obvious reason, at high speeds (over 45 MPH). I have no control over the steering wheel when this happens. Driving this car has been terrifying! While passing a tractor trailer, the steering wheel pulled me towards the truck 3 times!!! I thought I would be killed! This is a loaner car from the dealership. I called the dealership, colonial subaru, in colonial heights, va, to tell them there is something wrong with this car. I was instructed to take it out of lane assist mode. This, however, did not solve the issue. The car randomly pulls to the right or to the left, when lane drifting isn't an issue. Why isn't something being done about this? I see there are already documented cases of this with the 2019 vehicle model.

Filed Jan 16, 2019 · Electrical, Steering · 3,000 miles · UT

Our outback started to pull to the right at around 3000 miles. Currently (at 9000 miles) the car still does that. It feels as if there is strong side wind pushing the car. The car also started making knocking sounds when turning the wheel in both directions while at stop or moving slowly. We are currently scheduled for an inspection at the dealership. The second major issue is the tire pressure monitor. The tire pressure that it displays does not match the actual one measured with several external instruments (constantly 2 psi lower on all four wheels). Additionally, the monitor sometimes switches the front tire pressure with the rear ones, I.e. The monitor displays the front tire pressure as if it is the rear tire pressure. Very confusing!

Filed Nov 7, 2018 · Steering, Suspension · 200 miles · CT

I have had steering issues with this car since day one, the dealer told me I had to get use to it. Car pulled to the right and at higher speeds you feel like you were hydroplaning-no control then steering would come back. Brought the car back to dealer and they made adjusts to the alignment and doesn't pull to right as bad. But the feeling of hydroplaning still exists and the dealer can not duplicate problem .they tell me its within subaru's specifications there is a real problem with this car since date of service 3-12-18

Filed Aug 16, 2018 · Electrical, Seats · 250 miles · NY

I have always wanted a 3.6l and this is my first 3.6l 6 cylinder 2018 subaru outback! Am disappointed with few problems: the front seating is not comfortable and not supportive at all, especial in hard turns the seats will not hold you in place, the seat bed is to short and does not support long legs if you are over 5 feet tall. For some reason this is my 3rd subaru 2nd outback that has wheel alignment problem right out of the box!!! I always seem to be pulling the steering-wheel/vehicle to the right and my steering is always on a 15-20 degree off and if I don't steer and pull to the right the vehicle drifts way to the left lane and this dangers and a major problem. Also while driving on highways with speed over 60 the vehicle vibrates I took it in for 4 tire wheel balancing and I hope this will fix the problem, mind you this is a new car. 2018 outback has a problem while driving on highways and speeds over 60 the vehicle drifts or sways dangerously left and right out of control as if something is pushing or pushing the vehicle left and right, I don't know if the highway vibration with speeds exceeding 60 is associated with the sway or its a wheel balancing problem. Previously owned subaru's 2011 outback, 2011 legacy, 2014 outback, 2018 outback with only 290 miles on the vehicle with a full gas tank I drove it till it displayed and the gas light is on that I only have 40 miles to go before running out of gas so I drove it to be precise another 12 miles then stated that I only have 30 miles to empty and parked it while I went to work , 6 hours later to go home and the vehicle will not start, unfortunately I ran out of gas! I don't know if this was a glitch or its going to be a problem but I will keep my eyes on it.

Filed Jul 11, 2018 · Transmission · 100 miles · NY

2018 subaru outback has 12000 miles on the car. Hesitation wandering,bucks,shake,solw down very quick when coasting. Went to dealer 3 times dealer could not duplicate the problem and customer service can not resolve the issue.

Filed Jan 16, 2018 · Driver assistance, Steering · 2,500 miles · KS

While driving 70 miles per hour: on most curves to the left the car seems to "grab" to the left and then I correct the swing. Sometimes it seems to almost over correct. And I have experienced the same issue while on the straight way and the car will seem to pull to the right. Not enough that I am in danger of crashing but is unsettling

Filed Dec 20, 2017 · Brakes, Steering · 4,900 miles · MO

The vehicle pulls to the left. The dealer addressed the problem twice in two weeks by doing a four wheel alignment. The vehicle is still pulling to the left. A more concerning issue just started. The vehicle has applied the right front brake at highway speeds. Not hard, just enough to feel the steering wheel jump to the right. I was traveling approximately 65 to 70 MPH on a straight interstate highway when this happened.