2018 Subaru Outback: Steering pulls to the side
Common wear/failure (not a recall)
Symptoms
Owners of the 2018 Outback report: steering pulls to the side. CarComplaints.com lists 14 owner complaints, average mileage 6,450 miles.
NHTSA has 36 owner complaints for the 2018 Outback in this area. Examples:
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11770420 (filed 10/11/2026): “Summary of safety defect: the vehicle exhibits severe, premature corrosion and rust perforation of the front subframe (crossmember) assembly. this structural component is deteriorating at an accelerated rate, compromising the vehicle's structural integrity. th…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11697314 (filed 11/04/2025): “While the lane keeping assistance is on the car will follow the exit lane beside the lane i’m in and jerk over into it. there has been a car beside me when has happened but i caught the steering wheel before a crash. also if a car is turning in front of me so…”
Likely causes
Sources do not establish a single root cause; diagnosis is needed. Owner-reported fixes are listed below.
Fix, in plain English
Most common owner-reported solutions on CarComplaints.com: none clearly reported. Check for open recalls and extended warranty coverage with a dealer before paying out of pocket.
DIY difficulty: Pro
Electric power steering faults typically need module diagnosis with a scan tool and calibration. (Our assessment.)
Cost
No sourced cost range: get a written quote after diagnosis.
Typical parts (search links, no affiliate codes)
AutoZone · O'Reilly · Advance · RockAuto
Sources
Page last updated .