2010 Outback steering wheel shaking and hesitation
2010outbacker
Member Posts: 5
in Subaru
Hi Guys,
I just placed an order for a 2010 Outback 3.6R limited. I came across some posts on another forum. Some owner of 2010 Outback (especially 3.6R) complain about the following two issues.
1. Shaking steering wheel when driving on 65-75mph
2. Hesitation when accelerating from low speeds
I wonder if any of you guys have experienced similar issues or you are happy with your all new OB?
Thanks a lot!
I just placed an order for a 2010 Outback 3.6R limited. I came across some posts on another forum. Some owner of 2010 Outback (especially 3.6R) complain about the following two issues.
1. Shaking steering wheel when driving on 65-75mph
2. Hesitation when accelerating from low speeds
I wonder if any of you guys have experienced similar issues or you are happy with your all new OB?
Thanks a lot!
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Is there a TSB out yet on the 3.6R hesitation fix? Do you happen to know if it was a reprogramming of the ECU (engine control unit), or the TCM (transmission control module)? I have heard speculation on both sides of the question of whether it has more to do with engine or transmission programming.
With my own car the issue seems pretty minor, but when I have it in for its first oil change in a month or so, I want to get whatever updates there are.
(I also have not experienced the steering wheel vibration issue, but my sense of that issue is that it may be a combination of out-of-balance or out-of-round issues with the wheels/tires, coupled with a steering system that is more sensitive to (or revealing of) vibration issues than it should be.
There is a lot of discussion of this issue on the www.subaruoutback.org forum. Dealers have been doing a lot of wheel re-balancing as at least part of the solution, and have just recently been doing the so-called "spring" fix, for people who have complained of the vibration. This appears to involve replacement of a small spring that is inside of the steering rack assembly, with a somewhat heavier/stiffer spring. As far as I can tell from the info I've seen, this spring is providing some pressure that holds the sliding/moving part of the steering rack, up against the fixed housing of the steering rack. It is inside of the rack assembly itself, but apparently is fairly quick/easy to replace.
But the earliest reports on this spring replacement are that it seems to reduce the vibration felt through the steering wheel, but doesn't necessarily eliminate it. My own guess is that re-balancing the wheels/tires remains part of the fix.
It is also not clear how many cars have this issue. I don't experience it at all, but maybe that is just due to luck in having well-balanced wheels and tires. It also MAY be the case that the issue doesn't apply to cars with the base 16" steel wheels. But I don't think that's been firmly established. In any case, it applies to both engine versions.
Has anyone else had this problem? I am growing increasingly frustrated with dealer.
2010outbacker: To reinforce the other response above -- Where did you learn this information? No TSB has been issued as far as I know (searchable at techinfo.subaru.com).
This is very exciting news and I want to make sure it is credible and that you didn't misunderstand someone telling you that this is what is going to happen if they can fix it.
Thanks!!!
Elliot
I also registered for an account on www.subaruoutback.org but it hasn't been activated yet.
Basically, I heard it from the dealership that I placed an order for my 3.6R limited OB. I haven't got the car yet. The sales manager told me that he got this info from his service manager
BTW, the dealer has indicated that I am one of many so far to come back with this issue.
will be interested if they solve your problem or how they comp you if they cannot get it fixed. '10 Outback is a great looking product, sat it one and loved it but would have concerns about getting one if steering issues cannot get fixed.
Any other things about the car you are having difficulties with or subtle things you wish you could change about the car?
Thanks,
Elliot
Service Bulletin #11-94-09
Pages: 1
Bulletin Description: This is to announce that ECM reprogramming files are now available to rectify a "delay" feeling after depressing the gas pedal. The usual customer description is a "hesitation". It is most noticeable when attempting to accelerate after a slow "rolling stop" (very slow speed / not quite fully stopped), and sometimes may be accompanied by a harsh shift as the transmission shifts at the same time of acceleration.
taking it back next week for the steering but be warned because the service technician claims others are having the same issue.
I agree the car looks great and it has some positives such as gas mileage, room for 5 adults, good breaking. On the picky side the speaker for the blue tooth looks like it is 1970's style and unless u go premium model u dont get a lot of nice things like fogs, leather, sirius, climate control.. If you are set on an AWD I also test drove the cx7 and loved it, and the new audi a4 is supreme/ i went subaru becuase the forester got high ratings so figured the legacy would also be quality, very disappointing.
Mike
The only noticeable issue I felt with the 3.6 (base) was a slighly "nose heavy" sensation driving on the surface roads and slight "nose heavy" steering on the bumps on the inter-state concrete road surfaces. In short, both darn cars run perfectly.
Well at least I wish I had something sinister to report... For the record, both my Honda Pilot & my F150 Lariat SuperCrew are much tougher to drive than the "outlaw's" 2.5i by a long shot!
After following this problem on several threads I have the strong impression it is an isolated issue, that SOA will fix it if you have such a problem, and that anyone considering purchasing a 2010 OB should take it on the highway for 5-10 miles between 60 & 80 mph before signing any papers.
After we test drove the stick, CVT, and 6-cyl, we decided on the CVT. The dealer located one with all our options, we showed up today and on the test drive, on the interstate, there it was. the wobble.
It started at around 55mph, and stuck around all the way up to 75 (didn't go faster). The car drifted to the left and right. steering wheel input to correct the drift resulted in a feeling of over-control, and the need to correct the other direction. Taking my hands off the wheel showed a slow, consistent drift to the right. the vibration was noticeable in the steering wheel, but also was noticeable to the passenger.
We didn't sign on the dotted line. They're going to force balance the wheel and we'll try again tomorrow but I'm skeptical based on what I've read. This car was manufactured in December, don't recall the date.
The first five we tested were fine, no wobble problems at all, by the way.
If the mechanic felt it he should have a better idea.
that is strange as you say he specializes in subaru"s
More details can be found here:
http://www.subaruoutback.org/forums/104-2010-2011-subaru-outback/20843-slight-st- eering-wheel-shake-288.html
In the meantime, I have the guy from Toyota calling me weekly to sell me a 2010 Highlander at a great price, with great financing, that will supposedly end this month as the 2011s come in.
Obviously, Toyota has had their problems, but I have some confidence that they have been corrected and I still believe Toyotas are reliable/long lasting vehicles. The postings related this steering shimmy are bewildering and confusing. Plus, there seems to be no solution as of yet.
What do you all think? Is this steering shimmy on the Outback a real issue that warrants looking at other vehicles?
I would sure feel like an idiot if I spent $25,000 on an Outback next month and the think starting shaking every time I got on the highway.
I would appreciate any thoughts.
Thor
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Go to subaruoutback.org where there are many threads and literally hundreds of pages of posts on the various shake issues experienced by buyers of the new Outback.
See the Forum entitled "Steering Wheel Shake Issues."
It is unfortunate you were not aware of this before you bought the car.
But in addition to that issue there have been a few posts on www.subaruoutback.org about a pulsing at very low speeds, or even when turning the steering wheel while standing still. If I recall right, the person (or maybe more than one) who posted about this separate issue ended up having something fixed that was related to their power-steering pump. You might have to search that forum using carefully-chosen key words, to NOT include the hundreds and hundreds of posts related to the high-speed issue....
(As an aside, the "fix kit" for the high-speed issue involves road-force wheel balancing, then suspension bushings, the change of a small spring inside of the steering rack, and a damper/weight being added to the steering wheel.)
Lovin the car and hope it continues to be that way.
Thor
I'd be interested to know if you are still "lovin" it then.
Ralph
After months of hesitation and research, I test drove one, and it did not shake, so I bought it right then and there. Mine is a 2.5i and I love it. After 1000 miles it still does not vibrate or shake. Its a great car. No regrets.
Its been hard to get a real sense of the vibration problem. There are no accurate numbers out there, but it does seem to impact some Outbacks. I just figured if it test drove okay, I would go home with it, and thats what worked for me