What 65 owners told NHTSA about the 2025 Subaru Outback Wilderness

I bought a brand new 2025 subaru outback in April of 2025. At first service (oil change and tire rotation) in Jan 2026, I complained that the vehicle keeps swerving left and right and Subaru of Ann Arbor said they will diagnose the i-Sight vehicle system and correct it. But right after delivery , i realized the steering had to be held at ~5 degrees to the right (off centered) to get the car go straight. I complained and I was made to bring the car in 3 times to Subaru of Ann arbor - only to go without a fix. The car fishtailed, the traction control system malfunctioned in normal roads and highways due to the steering angle error. I was asked my Subaru of Ann Arbor to not come there anymore and take it to a different dealership. I complained to Subaru of America (Customer advocacy) and they asked me to pick a different dealer - Lafontaine Subaru. Even there the technicians argued that the car is good and just did an alignment without fixing the steering angle error issue. The steering angle sensor is tied to the vehicle safety software controls, traction control system and safety systems such as lane keep. I have to keep the steering tilted to keep the vehicle in lanes and I am struggling to keep it safely within lanes since January 2026. Subaru of America has not intervened even after the 6th repair in 3 months as the problem is not fixed. the lives of my family including a [XXX] infant for whom I got the car is being threatened on a daily basis. I keep telling the urgency and grave danger and the last response from the second subaru dealer was this is the maximum we can do. I am feeling threatened as I paid a fortune for a new car and wanted to secure my infant and my family. Our safety has been disregarded despite multiple complaints and repairs in the first year of ownership. Mileage now is 6100 miles total. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11748229

The contact owns a 2025 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the wheels skidded and the steering wheel seized. In addition, the contact stated that the engine seized. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle started. The contact stated that the vehicles behind the contact's vehicle had to drive around the contact's vehicle. The vehicle was driven to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 16,000.

NHTSA ODI 11736330

April 3, 2026: my 2025 Subaru Outback Premium (VIN [XXX] , 2,052 miles) suffered simultaneous failure of multiple safety-critical systems due to corrosion on a CAN bus pin in the driver door wiring harness (Subaru part #XXX) at its dash harness connection, caused by water intrusion into the cabin. Trip start: EyeSight, collision avoidance, blind spot, and lane assist all offline; BRAKE indicator illuminated with no brake engagement. Minutes later, airbag warning activated. Dealer service advisor described the dash as "lit up like a Christmas tree." While reversing through a 3-point turn on a commercial drive used by heavy trucks, I LOST STEERING at single-digit speed. 60 seconds further would have placed me on an inclined high-traffic road near a freeway interchange. Vehicle was towed by Subaru from the failure location. Confirmed by authorized dealer Driveway Subaru of Moon Township (Invoice #680646, warranty claim). Subaru SSM4 scan recorded 17 unique DTCs across 10 control systems, including C1460 Brake Booster Abnormality; U1131 Lost Comm Power Steering Control Module; U0151 Restraints Control Module; U0122/U1122 VDC; U0126 Steering Angle Sensor; plus multiple EyeSight faults. Dealer documented moisture on both A-pillars, driver kick panel, standing water in cupholders and center console. Prior intermittent symptom: passenger seatbelt alarm on empty seat, two occasions in prior months, consistent with past-status U0151 on scan. Dealer cleaned the corroded pin but did NOT identify or seal the original water ingress point. Vehicle remains in dealer possession. Subaru of America Customer Advocacy Case #XXX-XXXhas declined repurchase/replacement, stating vehicle is "operating safely as designed." I dispute this conclusion: the ingress source is unremediated and recurrence risk has not been addressed. Repair invoice, full DTC scan, SOA correspondence, and owner statement available on request. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11732342

See attached document for complaint.

NHTSA ODI 11700418

The contact owns a 2025 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the vehicle oversteered, almost causing the contact to crash several times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the alignment was out of spec, and an alignment was needed. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 44.

NHTSA ODI 11668907