2012 Subaru Impreza Steering Problems

The contact owns a 2012 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30-40 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality and was driven with manual steering. The failure occurred while driving at various speeds. The contact stated that approximately four days after the first failure, the steering wheel failed to move. Additionally, the vehicle was losing oil and one quart of oil had to be added every month. The contact stated that the power steering, ABS, TPMS, transmission automatic transmission fluid (ATF), and 4-WD failure warning lights were illuminated. The passenger occupant sensor chimed for the passenger to secure the seat belt consistently even though the occupant was seated with the seat belt buckled securely. The contact who is a certified mechanic had replaced the rack and pinion. The contact noticed that the threads on the tie rods were close in proximately risking the chance of damaging the tie rods. The ABS module had been replaced. The contact believed that the engine needed to be replaced but the engine was not replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The manufacturer confirmed there was no recall for the failure. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 164,964.

NHTSA ID

11640376

Incident

Jan 31, 2025

Mileage

164,964 mi

The contact owns a 2012 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, upon pressing the horn, he became aware that the horn was inoperable. The contact stated that the failure had previously been intermittent. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the steering roll connector. The vehicle was repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related it to NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V283000 (Steering) but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 80,000.

NHTSA ID

11546090

Incident

Sep 1, 2022

Mileage

80,000 mi

POWER STEERING COMES ON 20 MINUTES AFTER I START THE ENGINE AND DRIVE A FEW MILES. HAS GIVEN ME APT OF CLOSE CALLS WITH HITTING CURBS OR AWKWARD TURNS. TRY TO FIND THE PART TO REPLACE IT, BUT MOST WEBSITES SAY THAT MY CAR HAS A GOOD CHANCE OF BEING RECALLED. TOOK TO A SUBARU DEALERSHIP THEY SAID IT'S NOT RECALLED. BUT NOBODY WILL FIX OR SELL ME PARTS DUE TO 'RECALLS' PRECAUTIONS.

NHTSA ID

11361766

Incident

Sep 16, 2020

Mileage

96,000 mi

MY POWER STEERING PUMP WENT OUT AT 57000 MILES. I HAD IT REPLACED AND MY STEERING RACK IS MESSED UP.

NHTSA ID

11310677

Incident

Dec 7, 2019

Mileage

57,000 mi

PARTIAL LOSS OF ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING AFFECTING ABILITY TO STEER RIGHT. CAR NATURALLY PULLS TO THE LEFT (INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC) DUE TO POWER STEERING ASSIST BEING STRONGER THAT DIRECTION. DEALER INDICATES THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THIS ISSUE (CRACKED EPS GEAR BOX), SO IT IS KNOWN. BUT THERE HAS NOT YET BEEN A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA ID

11219492

Incident

May 1, 2019

HARD LEFT STEERING SUDDEN LOSS OF CONTROL TO RIGHT WHILE IN MOTION 97K MILES FAULTY RACK AND PINION MECHANIC VERIFIED 12/31/2018 860-774-4514 (RON-OWNER) *DT CONSUMER STATED DESIGN DEFECT. *JB

NHTSA ID

11164222

Incident

Dec 31, 2018

Mileage

97,000 mi

DEALER ROAD TESTED VEHICLE AND NOTED: "VERIFIED STEERING PULLING TO THE LEFT AND STEERING WHEEL PULLING. TECH FOLLOWED RECOMMENDED DIAGNOSTIC TREE. TECH FOUND (STEERING) GEARBOX CRACKED."

NHTSA ID

11103726

Incident

Jun 5, 2018

Mileage

73,557 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRYING TO FUEL THE VEHICLE, THE FUEL VENT WAS FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE FUEL TO LEAK OUT. THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED CONTINUOUSLY FOR MONTHS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,500.

NHTSA ID

10701929

Incident

Sep 15, 2014

Mileage

21,500 mi

CAR WAS DRIVEN TO A GROCERY STORE AND WAS PARKED FOR APPROX. 15 MINUTES. UPON STARTING THE CAR AND PLACING IT IN REVERSE, THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED AND THE POWER STEERING CEASED TO FUNCTION ACCOMPANIED BY AN EPAS WARNING LIGHT DISPLAYED ON THE DASH. THE LIGHT EXTINGUISHED AFTER TWO RESTARTS, BUT RE-LIT UPON SLIGHT MOVEMENT OF THE STEERING WHEEL WITH MOMENTARY VIBRATION AND LOSS OF POWER ASSIST. WE DROVE THE CAR .7 MILE TO THE SUBARU DEALER WITH NO POWER STEERING ASSIST. A SERVICE ADVISER STARTED THE CAR MINUTES LATER AND THE STEERING FUNCTIONED NORMALLY WITH NO MALFUNCTION LIGHT DISPLAYED. THE SERVICE ADVISER SAID IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE TO LOOK FOR A STORED CODE TO DETERMINE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE WAS ABOUT 40 DEG F. THE CAR WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER WITHOUT POWER ASSIST AT LOWER SPEED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10660224

Incident

Nov 21, 2014

Mileage

46,500 mi

POWER STEERING FAILED UNEXPECTEDLY, DEALER VERIFIED IT WAS DUE TO A CRACKED WIRING HARNESS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10464297

Incident

Jul 5, 2012

Mileage

5,100 mi