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Subaru WRX Steering problems by year

23 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Subaru WRX's steering. Loss of power steering, stiff or loose steering, wandering, column and rack problems.

Steering complaints by model year

YearSteering complaintsCrashesInjuriesRecalls
20211000
20191000
20187520
20176310
20162000
20152110
20121000
20032110
20021000

Latest WRX steering complaints

2019 Subaru WRXSteeringSuspensionElectrical system

I'm driving down the road and unexpectedly the power steering completely goes out and the car is almost impossible to steer. When I shut the car off it usually resets sometimes for only a couple seconds, sometimes longer before the power steering fails again. It has happened in the middle of multiple turns, highways driving, city driving and is very dangerous. If you look online it is a very common issue amongst other Subaru models with the same steering system, as well as the wrx but not for my year. If you look...

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online you will see multiple people complaining about it. Messaged Subaru and they said they weren't concerned with the safety issue, they were only concerned about it not being covered under warranty anymore. I did take it to a Subaru dealership and they even said it was very common and didn't even really look at the car to diagnose and its around 3000 to repair. This is going to cause an accident at some point if not in my car someone else's. It doesn't matter either what speeds you are going if it happens. It has happened multiple different days so I'm only putting today in since it happened today as well.

Filed Incident Steering · Suspension · Electrical systemNHTSA 11715651
2017 Subaru WRXSteeringElectrical systemEngine & cooling

The current issues with my recently purchased used vehicle are as follows: Clutch, odometer tampering, steering rack, 2 axle leaks, electrical issues, inspection issues. I tried to see if the dealership that I bought the car from is willing to fix these issues they keep going back and forth with me on these issues even though I just recently purchased the car stating that I have to pay for it. I purchased this car [[redacted]]. There were several issues with this car prior to purchase that were not disclosed when...

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I purchased it. The dealership that I bought the car from, highline car connection/Yankee Auto sales, insisted we buy an extended warranty. Upon inspection at Dan Perkins Subaru, one of the biggest safety issues with this vehicle is the clutch, I was informed that the clutch cover was missing and there were aftermarket bolts used, I was informed that the clutch is a normal wear and tear item such as an oil change and because of these two issues my warranty will not cover fixing the clutch. As you can see in my documents I just recently purchased this vehicle and had it for 28 days. I also noticed that there was odometer tampering, I reviewed the paperwork the dealership gave me for the carfax report and I went online to retrieve my own carfax report, there are several discrepancies in which I included with my documents. My vehicle has been in the shop since December 6th 2024 it is not safe to drive on the road in the condition it is which is the same condition the car was sold to me in. For the last week I have been going back and forth with the original dealership the insurance company Allstate with the warranty and Dan Perkins Subaru trying to figure out a way to get my car safe on the road and no one is willing to assist me properly. Please review the documents and get back to me at your earliest convenience thank you for your assistance with these issues. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Incident Steering · Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11630702
2017 Subaru WRXSteeringElectrical systemVisibility & wipersCrashFire

1, At about 12000 miles the car's windshield wipers stop working. And did not ever work again for the past several years. Wipers which was checked the motor was replaced to admission to the key was replaced and wiper still don't work. 2, About 24000 miles Was turning the vehicle around on a inclined road in the mountains went to pull forward and the steering wheel would not work anymore which resulted in me crashing into a ravine dropping about 10 feet off the side of the cliff. 3, 33000 miles time issue...

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occurred I was doing 75 on the Kansas turnpike and a curb came up as I entered the term for the curve that wheel would not turn and I kept going straighitting the guard railBut just only grazing it for I regained power to my steering at the last moment. And now currently again. dealership still cannot fix issue Instead they just charge me outrageous prices for not fixing anything and then threatened to call the cops on me if I don't pay it or agree to the service department's terms this has happened at 2 different dealerships.

Filed Incident Steering · Electrical system · Visibility / wiperNHTSA 11561589
2021 Subaru WRXSteeringSuspension

Hello my name is [[redacted]], I'm the first time owner of this vehicle, purchased this vehicle new of the dealer with 5 miles, ever since I bought it the car has an issue that it steers to the right at any speed, road, condition very dangerous. Over the past months and years I told Subaru dealers, service department, sales guy and Subaru corporate about the issue, long story short I've gone to the service department to fix this issue at least 8 times, the last time an engineer from Subaru worked on the car but the...

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car is not fixed and it continues to have this issue, I open a claimed with the Texas department of motor vehicle for a lemon claimed but Subaru has denied it as a lemon and they constantly ruined my lug nuts, studs, my alignment and now I need new tires. I need help to resolve this, I have multiple repair orders, video's and pictures to prove it all. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

Filed Incident Steering · Suspension · Unknown or otherNHTSA 11490528
2018 Subaru WRXSteering

Unknown. I am unsure of the issue. However, there is an issue. & it is very dangerous... This has happend about 5, or 6 times now. Sometimes when I am making a turn (I believe it is related to the braking), My steering wheel locks up (as if the key isn't in the ignition). It only lasts for a second, or two. But again, it is very dangerous. & I am at my wits end trying to figure out what the issue is. I am unsure of the issue. But, there is an issue. & it is dangerous for myself, & others. I am trying to limit my driving, but I still have bills to pay, & jobs to do. So please get back to me at your earliest convenience. Thank You, & God Bless.

Filed Incident SteeringNHTSA 11485364
2016 Subaru WRXSteering

My power steering one day lost all fluid out of no where. I have this awful sound and go buy new power steering fluid. It's continuing to leak. I joined a Subaru Wrx/STi group on Facebook and found that this is a reoccurring problem for many Subaru sti owners around the year I have. It sounds faulty and defective and sucks that the customer is stuck paying for these issues instead of Subaru fixing their reoccurring issue with many customers. I baby my car to the highest extent and the power steering should not have...

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just gone out after I parked in my drive way. There is a massive stain now due to the leakage, which is fine. But it's inconvenient knowing I'll have to fork up hundreds to over a thousand to get this properly fixed instead of a DIY where it has to do with such an important compartment of the car.

Filed Incident SteeringNHTSA 11475251
2015 Subaru WRXSteering

When I take sharp turns (like parallel parking or backing out of my driveway) my steering column clunks. Mainly left turns ... But it does happen time to time with right turns.

Filed Incident SteeringNHTSA 11413825
2017 Subaru WRXSteeringSuspension

I have issues with surging, ac system, suspension, extreme tire wear, tires wear unevenly, steering assist, inability to align steering, windows roll down for no reason and won't roll back up unless you roll them all the way down and then up but they usually just roll back down half way again (it's a battle!) Windows scratch just from dust so they look hazy and windshields cost almost $2000 with all safety camera junk. Only one aircon vent blows cold air while all others just blow air. This car was a lemon before...

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2018 ended. Subaru refused to acknowledge problems while under extended bumper to bumper warranty. I tried to file lemon law and lost because they didn't save my complaint visits in computer system. Im certain that was intentional since they are the lemon kings! Subaru is a terrible company now and I recommend you don't own one. The surging is very dangerous as the car literally hops and sometimes you push accelerator and nothing happens for way too long. Dangerous when pulling into traffic. Fighting with windows while driving is also dangerous. Led lights are the wrong color so it's hard to see many things at night. The battery is junk open top and leaks acid everywhere rotting out the battery tray. For $42,000 you would expect a much better car.

Filed Incident Steering · Suspension · Unknown or otherNHTSA 11407791
2017 Subaru WRXSteeringElectrical systemEngine & coolingCrash

Tl* the contact owns a 2017 subaru wrx. The contact stated that while driving 70 mph, the steering wheel seized, the contact stated that he then steer the wheel to the right, the steering wheel was ok, then the steering wheel became difficult to steer. The contact stated that he jerk the wheel a little bit to the right, the vehicle hit a pothole, the vehicle brushed a little of the godrail and run into cones and hit a concrete barrier, the vehicle came to a stop. The power steering warning light illuminated. The...

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contact did not sustained injuries. The vehicle was able to drive normal. The vehicle was taken to subaru of wichita, 11610 e kellogg dr n, wichita, ks 67207, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer informed the contact that the vehicle needed an alignment. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that while at a drive thru, the vehicle lost power, all the warning lights illuminated. The windshield wipers stop functioning. The contact called the same dealer and informed them of the failure and was advised to schedule an appointment for a diagnostic testing. Vehicle was not taken to the dealer due to the diagnostic and repaired fees. The contact also mention that the check engine warning light illuminated. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

Filed Incident Steering · Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11383639
2017 Subaru WRXSteering

I recently experienced a steering rack failure due to leaking seals on the gear assembly on my certified pre-owned 2017 subaru sti. The power steering failed to operate both in motion on the highway and at slow speeds in a parking lot and local streets. The loss of power steering assist makes it extremely difficult to safely control and change of direction for the vehicle. Based on my experience and that of many others I know in the subaru community this is a common failure point on the last two generations of these cars. I would like to know why subaru continues to ignore this potentially dangerous part failure and has done nothing to help owners like myself when the issue occurs.

Filed Incident SteeringNHTSA 11297868
2018 Subaru WRXSteeringElectrical systemDriver assistanceCrash

In january 2019 around 10pm pst my 2018 subaru wrx experienced a serious malfunction. At the time of this incient I was in a sucluded, wooded area without cellphone service, as well as being atleast 30minutes to the nearest store. This could have been deadly. I was going down a hill at 35mph, it was very rainy and difficult to see. At the bottom of this hill was a sharp right turn, at this time the safety system actived taking over all control of the vehicle. This caused steering to lock up, turning to the far...

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left. At the right was a 15-20foot drop into a lake. The turn I was supposed to take was a sharp right. Still unable regain control and was driving straight towards the fast approaching lake. Shortly before dropoff I was able to force the sterring wheel to the right. But steering again locked up and forced me to the far right. Off the road to the right was heavly wooded. Narowly able to regain control of sterring I crashed through bushes. Causing minor damage to the following; passenger side mirror, scratches to whole passenger side, deep dent on lower rear door and quarter panel. Rear passenger tire collided with a tree stump with impact at 35mph stopping the car instantly. Tire was separated from the rim by a tree branch, lower control arm was bent and cracked, entire rear drive axle was push to the right causeing alignment of the driver side rear tire to be pushed out. The airbags did not deploy and I hit my head on the driver's side window. The car was 100% undrivable tire wouldn't move. Taking damage tire off and putting on donugt took over an hour, I couldn't get the damaged tire off. A lot more to this as well. I have complained about this issue many times and dealership did nothing. I am scared of this car and will never own a subaru again. This is one of dozens of issues I have with this car. Its getting worse but the dealer wont care until I get hurt

Filed Incident Steering · Electrical system · Electronic stability control (ESC)NHTSA 11205605
2018 Subaru WRXSteeringBody, doors & structureWheels & tiresCrash

In january 2019 around 10pm pst my 2018 subaru wrx experienced a serious malfunction. At the time of this incient I was in a sucluded, wooded area without cellphone service, as well as being atleast 30minutes to the nearest store. This could have been deadly. I was going down a hill at 35mph, it was very rainy and difficult to see. At the bottom of this hill was a sharp right turn, at this time the safety system actived taking over all control of the vehicle. This caused steering to lock up, turning to the far...

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left. At the right was a 15-20foot drop into a lake. The turn I was supposed to take was a sharp right. Still unable regain control and was driving straight towards the fast approaching lake. Shortly before dropoff I was able to force the sterring wheel to the right. But steering again locked up and forced me to the far right. Off the road to the right was heavly wooded. Narowly able to regain control of sterring I crashed through bushes. Causing minor damage to the following; passenger side mirror, scratches to whole passenger side, deep dent on lower rear door and quarter panel. Rear passenger tire collided with a tree stump with impact at 35mph stopping the car instantly. Tire was separated from the rim by a tree branch, lower control arm was bent and cracked, entire rear drive axle was push to the right causeing alignment of the driver side rear tire to be pushed out. The airbags did not deploy and I hit my head on the driver's side window. The car was 100% undrivable tire wouldn't move. Taking damage tire off and putting on donugt took over an hour, I couldn't get the damaged tire off. A lot more to this as well. I have complained about this issue many times and dealership did nothing. I am scared of this car and will never own a subaru again. I want this car gone!!!! Something of this nature happens everyday with my car. Just once it caused an accident

Filed Incident Steering · Structure · WheelsNHTSA 11205600
2018 Subaru WRXSteeringElectrical systemAirbagsCrash

In january 2019 at around 10pm pst my 2018 subaru wrx experienced a serious malfunction. At the time of this incient I was in a secluded, wooded area without cellphone service, as well as being at least 30minutes to the nearest store. This could have been deadly. I was going down a hill at 35mph, it was rainy and difficult to see. At the bottom of this hill was a sharp turn, at this time the safety system actived taking over all control of the vehicle. This caused the steering to lock up, pulling to the far...

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left, towards a 15-20foot drop into a lake. The approaching turn I was supposed to take was a sharp right. Still unable to regain control I was driving straight into the fast approaching lake. Shortly before the endge of the road I was able to force the vehicle to the right. Again steering locked up, now forcing me far right. At the right was dense trees, bushes, and shrubs. Narrowly able to regain control before going head-on into a tree, I forced the steering wheel back to the left. I ended up striking some bushes and a tree stump. Causing minor damage to the passenger side mirror, scratches to both passenger doors, and a deep dent on the lower rear door and quarter pannel. This is when the rear passenger tire collided with a tree stump, taking the 35mph brunt impact that stopped the car instantly. The tire was separated from the rim by a tree branch, the lower control arm was bent and cracked, the entire rear drive train was push to the right causing the alignment of the driver side left tire to be pushed out as well. The airbags did not deploy. The car was 100% immobile at this point as the rear tire wouldn't move. After spending an hour I was able to remove the old tired and put on the dought. I have complained about the issues that casued this many times and nothing has been done. I am scared of this car and will never own a subaru again.

Filed Incident Steering · Electrical system · Air bagsNHTSA 11205591
2017 Subaru WRXSteeringAcceleration & cruise controlBrakesCrash1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 2017 subaru wrx. While driving 30 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to turn and was uncontrollable. The brake pedal was applied, but the vehicle failed to respond. As a result, the vehicle accelerated and crashed into a ditch. The driver and passenger side air bags deployed and all the warning indicators flashed and illuminated on the instrument panel. Also, "eyesight" not available was displayed. The passenger sustained hand injuries, but medical attention was not received. A police...

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report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 37,000.

Filed Incident Steering · Vehicle speed control · Service brakesNHTSA 11205234
2018 Subaru WRXSteeringWheels & tires1 injury

The wheels locked while driving on a clear december day (i don't have exact day) on a winding mountain road full of cliffs. 38 Mph and feet from going off a cliff subaru say electronic module failed then in another statement from hak at subaru america they say the two occurrences not related even though they happened simultaneously. We took the car in because of the wheel locking up while moving and they discovered the electronic failure. They maintain the car is safe to drive "because they can't recreate the...

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problem". Subaru fairfield has promised us help but have done nothing but issue threats when no one from subaru america even calls us! The cars have a serious safety issue and no one wants to drive it including the service technician. They drove it 20 miles when they were supposed to be testing it. We have date/time stamped photos! We were told this is a "rare" safety failure yet they treat us like normal and lie about even test driving it. This is so unsafe that a car wheel stops moving like the engine is off yet the car is runningt!!! She decided try and jerk the wheel super hard and fortunately it finally moved and she did not go over the cliff and fortunately there was no traffic coming in the opposing lane as she crossed the yellow lines etc. She had a sore back for many days from the force of jerking the wheel and was left shaken and disturbed with no where to pull over. Subaru america regional service manager requested the details and was supposed to contact us but no one has. We naively beloved the dealer that they were trying to help us instead today I get an email saying the will now charge us storage of $175 x day if we don't collect the car. I sent them notification that we are surrendering the lease as we will never get in this car again. Dont buy a wrx!!!!!

Filed Incident Steering · Wheels · Unknown or otherNHTSA 11170277

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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