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2010 Outback steering wheel shaking and hesitation

145 messages,  Last post on Aug 17, 2012 at 7:34 PM

You are in the Subaru Legacy & Outback Forum.

What is this discussion about? Subaru Outback, Sedan, Wagon

Messages Page 5 of 16

#33 of 145 Re: Advice [thor14] by priggly

Aug 08, 2010 (12:07 pm)

Replying to: thor14 (Aug 07, 2010 3:00 pm)
I have been following the shaky Outback issue for months. I, too, have been considering the acquisition of a new Outback until this problem reared its ugly head.
 
According to an informal poll on the other site you mentioned, 30% of owners of the new Outback have encountered the shake issue. It is a real issue.
 
Many, many "fixes" have been tried by Subaru but none has consistently worked to resolve the issue.
 
Therefore, I have delayed my decision to acquire a new Outback until such time as the problem has been definitively diagnosed and resolved. No one knows when that will be.
 
As to whether to buy the Toyota, that is a personal decision and depends upon your unique circumstances and desires. In my view Toyota has a past history of quality and dependability but I have looked into a number of Toyota vehicles lately and have not been impressed with what I have found. Many of their models have been cheapened and I don't think they now possess the overall quality or dependability they once did.
 
Having said that, however, I did drive a 2010 RAV4 V-6 and thought it was a great ride. What's its reliability and quality will be going forward I don't know. I have no experience with the Highlander.
 
As I am not in urgent need to acquire a new vehicle at this juncture, I personally am going to wait a little longer to see if Subaru addresses and truly resolves its shaking Outback issue.
 
Good fortune, Thor, in your own decision.

#34 of 145 Re: Advice [priggly] by thor14

Aug 08, 2010 (2:58 pm)

Replying to: priggly (Aug 08, 2010 12:07 pm)
Thanks for the feedback Priggly.
 
I test drove a Highlander and it was very boring, BUT it handled fine, was roomy enough for my family of 4, comes with a decent engine, and it has slightly better mpg than the Pilot and CX9.
 
Compared to what I have been reading about the Outback lately, maybe boring isn't such a bad thing when your spending $25,000.

#35 of 145 Re: Advice [thor14] by priggly

Aug 08, 2010 (5:54 pm)

Replying to: thor14 (Aug 08, 2010 2:58 pm)
I hear ya!
 
In Canada, where I hail from, the cost of the 3.6R Limited Outback is $45,000, taxes and fees in and the US and CDN dollars are almost at par.
 
Can you imagine buying a car at that price and getting a shaker??!
 
You can see why I'm waiting for the bugs to be worked out.
 
You are correct. Maybe boring is not be such a bad thing!

#36 of 145 Re: Advice [thor14] by priggly

Aug 08, 2010 (6:03 pm)

Replying to: thor14 (Aug 08, 2010 2:58 pm)
Just noticed this from the Edmunds Consumer Review thread on the 2011 OB. It's the most recent review:
 
Major Defect
 
Written by: Bill on 07/28/2010
 
Detailed Ratings
 
Overall Rating
Performance: 10 Fun-to-Drive: 6 Build Quality: 3
Comfort: 9 Interior Design: 6 Reliability: 3
Fuel Economy: 9 Exterior Design: 7
 
Vehicle
 
2011 Subaru Outback 3.6R Limited 4dr Wagon AWD (3.6L 6cyl 5A)
 
Review
 
Did a lot or research and test driving, and found the Outback met all my needs as far as comfort, performance,style and supposedly build quality. Shortly after delivery noticed a vibration/shake in the steering wheel at various speeds. Took back to the dealer and they road forced balanced the tires and said that would take care of the problem. It didn't and made it worse at highway speed. Back to the dealer, told them that problem was still there and even worse, car left with them for more testing. Did some research and found numerous complaints about this on NHTSA and on a Subaru Outback forum. I called Subaru and was told that they were aware of problem but as yet had no fix.
 
Favorite Features
 
Comfortable seats, good stereo, good performance.
 
Suggested Improvements
 
Should have corrected steering problem for the 2010 models before releasing the 2011's with the same problem. First and last Subaru unless they can correct steering. Will update if and when car gets fixed. 500 miles on the car and 2 trips to the shop. Suggest you wait for a fix before buying.
 
http://www.edmunds.com/subaru/outback/2011/consumerreview.html
 
Yep, Subaru needs to get its house in order BIG TIME.
 
The word is out now about the many flawed vehicles and if this is not rectified pronto, sales will definitely suffer if they are not already doing so.

#37 of 145 Re: Advice [thor14] by ateixeira

Aug 09, 2010 (6:29 am)

Replying to: thor14 (Aug 08, 2010 2:58 pm)
If boring describes the alternative I'd keep shopping.
 
We ended up in a 2007 Sienna because the large crossovers are indeed boring, and if that's the case you may as well get the benefit of acres of interior space. Plus, vans are cheaper than crossovers.

#38 of 145 Test Drove a 2011 OB, 2.5 CVT this morning by john_mu

Aug 10, 2010 (1:06 pm)

In the not to distant future I intend to order a 2011 OB, 3.6, Ltd, 5 sp. auto. Was also concerned about steering wheel vibration and a few other minor issues. Drove the demo vehicle 65 to 80mph for a few miles-then slowed down fearing an onslaught of flashing lights.
 
This demo vehicle drove and rode extremely well-even better than I had expected. I experienced a reassuring road feel from the rack and pinion steering but there was no vibration in the steering wheel or the car seat. Overall, a very satisfying test drive experience.
 
Some days luck just happens. When we returned to the showroom, two corporate officers from Subaru America were visiting the dealership and having a discussion at a desk in the showroom. They overheard me talking to the salesman about the oil-like smoothness of the ride and my initial concerns about the steering wheel vibration. They asked if we would mind their joining our conversation.
 
They said Subaru of America was aware of this annoying and infrequent problem in the 2010 OB and that the problem has been resolved for all 2011 Outbacks. Both men were identical and certain in their remarks and very knowledgeable about even the smallest of details in the Outback.
 
I was impressed with my test drive and reassured of SOA's desire to manufacture vehicles to the highest standards and solve problems as quickly as possible.
 
John_Mu
 
Edit: I do not know why my post contains two sizes of type. Sorry!
This info about the steering vibration being cured in the 2011 Outback does not jibe with the experiences of some who purchased this vehicle. I'll still wait a while longer before making my purchase.

#39 of 145 Re: Test Drove a 2011 OB, 2.5 CVT this morning [john_mu] by priggly

Aug 10, 2010 (2:18 pm)

Replying to: john_mu (Aug 10, 2010 1:06 pm)
Hello, John.
 
I found your comments very interesting. You are right: when the new Outback works, it works exceedingly well with a smooth, fluid ride and a rock-steady steering wheel. I had one for a long (overnight) test drive and there was no steering problem at all on the 2010 sample that I had.
 
The problem is that, according to some buyers, the shake does not show up for perhaps a thousand miles or more, which, of course, could not be determined by taking the car one was hoping to buy for a test drive.
 
I am also puzzled by the comments you report from the Subaru representatives to the effect that the defect would not involve the 2011 cars as there have been reports by some buyers of the 2011s that they also experienced shaking steering wheels.
 
I am in the market for a new Outback but am postponing it until this steering/suspension issue is definitively diagnosed and reproducibly resolved.

#40 of 145 Re: Advice [thor14] by clarkkent

Aug 20, 2010 (8:22 pm)

Replying to: thor14 (Aug 07, 2010 3:00 pm)
If you don't need a 4X4 (AWD) then the Toyota is for you. If you need or want a 4X4 (AWD) the Toyota SUCKS compared to the Subaru.
 
If you do get the Toyota, you might want my cell # so I can come pull you out of the 2" snow drifts you will be getting stuck in.

#41 of 145 TSB on 2010 Legacy/Outback Steering Shudder by efti

Aug 29, 2010 (2:18 pm)

I have been following this issue closely because I am interested in purchasing a new Subaru Legacy or Outback. However, it is not clear to me how well the "fix" prescribed in the TSBs work and I am wondering if there is any one out there who has had their car modified in accordance with the bulletins and can report on the result. For example, has the problem been fully corrected, does the car drive differently and in what way, are they satisfied with the result and any other comments that may be useful.
 
I talked to a local service manager and asked him to tell me just what is the problem. Why are "x" number of cars OK and a smaller number "y" are not when they came off the same production line? Also, why did it take so much time to finally issue a bulletin that supposedly fixes the problem? He told me it was a non-issue because Subaru would take care of the problem.I am suspicious that the manufacturing process at Lafayette has infrequently gone out of control and, as a result, some of the cars come off the line with the built in steering problems that owners have reported. And, those problems are not a matter of simply replacing a part but apparently may require a modification to the vehicle which makes it a modified Legacy/Outback and not the one the owner purchased. I am holding off on any purchase until I am fully confident that the steering problem has been solved and, hopefully, no more 2011's will have it.

#42 of 145 Re: TSB on 2010 Legacy/Outback Steering Shudder [efti] by thor14

Aug 29, 2010 (2:54 pm)

Replying to: efti (Aug 29, 2010 2:18 pm)
I continue to be confused by this whole steering shudder as well.
 
I did test drive one the other day, and I briefly got it up to 65 mph and I did notice a vibration in the steering wheel. It wasn't bad, but enough to notice, especially if your keen to it.
 
If thats all it is, I do not think such a vibration would keep me from purchasing the vehicle, but in light of all the attention being paid to it lately and some of the stories I have reading, I am still hesitant to purchase.
 
And yes, the dealer also told me its really not that big a deal and Subaru is very loyal to its customers and if there was a problem they would do everything they could to fix it.
 
Thor

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