2013 Subaru Outback steering problems

The 2013 Subaru Outback has 34 steering complaints filed with NHTSA — 8% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

Steering complaints

Share of year

Crash-involved

Related recalls

Steering complaints by year

Outback steering complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

13V194000SteeringMay 13, 2013 · 5,379 units

Defect

Subaru is recalling certain model year 2013 Outback and Legacy vehicles manufactured from February 15, 2012, through June 15, 2012. In the affected vehicles, the inner and outer shafts of the steering column assembly may become disengaged from one another.

Consequence

If the shafts become disengaged, the driver would lose the ability to steer the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering column assembly with a new one, free of charge. The recall began on May 14, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's recall campaign number is WQI-45.

What owners report

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLIDE WHILE DRIVING DOWNHILL. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO CONTROL THE STEERING, BUT IT WOULD NOT MOVE. THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND AND STRUCK A DELINEATOR POST, SLID IN THE…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · November 16, 2015 · crash

Common questions

How many steering complaints does the 2013 Subaru Outback have?

NHTSA has 34 complaints about the 2013 Subaru Outback steering — 8% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2013 Subaru Outback steering?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the steering: 13V194000.

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.