Car-and-Safety.com
Subaru Outback Steering Safety Report | May 11, 2013
Reported on May 11, 2013
| THE VEHICLE DOES NOT TRACK WELL AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. IT WANDERS SIDE TO SIDE IN THE LANE OF TRAVEL REQUIRING CONSTANT CORRECTION TO STAY IN THE CENTER OF THE LANE. ON SMOOTH ROAD SURFACES, THE WANDERING IS RELATIVELY MILD. HOWEVER, I BECAME ALARMED WHILE CROSSING A BRIDGE WITH A GRATED DECK. THE VEHICLE SWERVED SIDE TO SIDE DRAMATICALLY REQUIRING SIGNIFICANT STEERING CORRECTION AND IMMEDIATE REDUCTION IN SPEED TO MAINTAIN THE LANE OF TRAVEL SAFELY. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND REPORTED THE PROBLEM. THEY INSPECTED THE STEERING, WHEEL ALIGNMENT, WHEEL BALANCE, AND TIRES. THEY DIDN'T FIND ANY PROBLEMS EXCEPT THEY RECOMMENDED THAT WE INFLATE THE TIRES 5 PSI ABOVE MANUFACTURER'S RECOMMENDATIONS. THE EXTRA PRESSURE IMPROVED THE STEERING SOMEWHAT, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. I HAVE NOT YET DRIVEN THE VEHICLE IN CHALLENGING WINTER CONDITIONS SUCH AS STANDING WATER OR SLUSH ON THE HIGHWAY. HOWEVER, AFTER MY EXPERIENCE ON THE GRATED BRIDGE, I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT THIS CAR WOULD POSE A SAFETY HAZARD IN THESE CONDITIONS. I FEEL THIS VEHICLE HAS A SIGNIFICANT DESIGN OR MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT DIRECTLY AFFECTS MY SAFETY. *TR | |
| Make: | Subaru |
| Model: | Outback |
| Manufactured by: | Subaru of America, Inc. |
| Year: | 2013 |
| Was a crash reported? | N |
| Was an injury reported? | 0 person(s) were injured. |
| Was a death reported? | 0 person(s) died. |
| Was a fire reported? | N |
| Location: | EUGENE OR |
| Vehicle Identification Number (VIN): | 4S4BRBSC6D3 |
| Mileage: | 2200 miles. |
| Speed: | 25 MPH |
| Number of cylinders: | 4 |
| Vehicle type: | |
| Vehicle fuel: | GAS |
| Was a police report filed? | N |
| Tire size: | |
| Dealer name and location: | |
| Previous Report:Steering | Next Report:Structure Body Hatchback/liftgate |