8.8

pretty bad
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
2,813 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #12

Jun 152019

Outback

  • 500 miles
Engine does not brake when going downhill as the manual says it should. My previous Outbacks (2006, 2011, 2017) did have engine braking. Regional service office suggested I place the car in cruise control in order to control the speed. Car picks up speed quickly, so using the brake pedal is the best option. However, the problem is no engine braking when there should be at least some. This is dangerous on any hill. Second, steering is problematic. First, there is to much play in the steering wheel. Second, when in cruise control, the steering wheel seems to have a mind of its own, especially on curves. I am constantly having to work at controlling the steering wheel. It's very tiring. The third issue is in regard to the navigation system showing inaccurate speed limits. I noticed this problem had been reported as early as February 2019. I have had this vehicle since May 31, 2019.

- Hermantown, MN, USA

problem #11

May 012019

Outback

  • 5,000 miles
When driving on highway from 40-70 mph, and making a turn to right or left, the steering will suddenly over steer towards the direction of the turn, giving a feeling of loss of connection between steering wheel and the car's wheels. Feels like too much play in steering wheel. Have to over correct the other direction to get steering feel and correct direction for the car back. Dangerous.

- Beverly, MA, USA

problem #10

Jun 292019

Outback

  • 500 miles
On freeway - traffic moving at about 45 mph on corner - the car veered sharply towards the freeway inside wall. No control of steering when I tried to gently correct - when the car finally responded it veered sharply I tot he lanes to my right. The steering was out of my control. I have only had the car for a week - it is brand new and the steer assist was on. The Subaru Outback 2019 steering was out of my control on a corner going approx 45 mph - dangerous. There is something seriously wrong with the steering. My 1998 and 2016 Outbacks drive and cornered excellent rly - the Subaru Outback 2019 has a seriously dangerous steering problem.

- Scappoose, OR, USA

problem #9

Jun 262019

Outback

  • 6,933 miles
The steering seems to float. You lose road feel and the steering seems to catch. There is also a single beep heard when this occurs.

- Delaware, OH, USA

problem #8

May 042019

Outback

  • 754 miles
Based upon the Subaru review in the consumer reports April auto issue, I purchased a 2019 Outback. There is a problem with the steering. It has about thirty degrees of play. It takes constant adjustment to keep the vehicle in the center of the lane. The service department told me that there is nothing wrong with the steering. I just had to get used to driving with the Subaru 'eye sight'. driving on the interstate is stressful to say the least. On a trip to tampa on I-275 I almost side swiped another car.

- Pinellas Park, FL, USA

problem #7

Jun 062019

Outback

  • 60 miles
Steering wobbles veers in and out of lane at random! best way to describe it is that it feels like 'engaging and disengaging' feels like I am losing control while driving! needs a total recall. Accidents will happen!

- New Hope, PA, USA

problem #6

May 022019

Outback

  • 3,600 miles
Beginning in March of 2019, I began noticing that the steering felt "wobbly" above 40 mph, as if the car hit a patch of ice or was struck by a sudden gust of wind. Driving feels very unsafe. This is our third Subaru Outback, going back to 1998, so we are familiar with driving this car (or at least older model years). Further, by turning off the new "lane departure switch" this problem is minimized. We just moved from Florida to Connecticut and I am not looking forward to driving this car in the winter. These cars need to be recalled and fixed before someone has a serious accident!!!

- Canton, CT, USA

problem #5

May 012019

Outback

  • 1,800 miles
Above 50-60 miles an hour the steering began to wander (it felt like I had no control and the car wanted to steer itself) very dangerous! on an interstate where speed limit was 70mph.

- Davenport, FL, USA

problem #4

Mar 282019

Outback

  • 130 miles
Loose control of the steering wheel when driving faster than 50 mph on highway, or turning on curves. The steering wheel tends to wander that the driver does not have the control of the steering wheel. The driver feels unsafe.

- Walnut Creek, CA, USA

problem #3

Feb 112019

Outback

  • 300 miles
Car has less than 400 miles on. When driving at highway speeds it feels like I do not have any control, no feedback from a steering wheel. It feels like driving on ice. Went to a dealer and they said that nothing is wrong with it. It feels extremely dangerous when driving, and I feel totally exhausted after. Had multiple Outbacks in the past and never had an issue like this. They need to fix it asap, too dangerous.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

problem #2

Jan 042019

Outback

  • 5,000 miles
Steering unexpectedly nudges you to one side. Car seems to take control temporarily from the driver and makes a correction to the left or the right.

- Jamestown, RI, USA

problem #1

Sep 112018

Outback

  • 100 miles
I took delivery of this new vehicle on 10 September 2018 after short test drive on urban streets. By the time I had driven on about 100 miles on rural and 4 lane roads I was really disturbed by the way the vehicle "wandered" from side to side and seemingly without any steering wheel input except enough to correct the drift to right or left. It seems when the wheels are centered the steering wheel appears to have "dead zone". I called the service manager and he said "we get a lot of complaints about that". took it to dealer on 30 Oct 2018 as(3341 miles) and said it was alright. I have not "gotten used to it" and is exhausting to drive. It is like driving in strong cross winds when there is no wind or hydroplaning on dry roads.

- Abbeville, LA, USA