Car and Driver: Subaru Recalls 48,500 Legacy, Outback Models for Steering Failure

Subaru is recalling 48,500 Legacy and Outback models for total steering failure, according to filings with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Steering shafts on the 2016–2017 Legacy and Outback, plus one 2015 Outback brought in for service, may have been manufactured using a faulty machine. The result isn’t a lack of power assist but a total loss of all steering connection to the front wheels. A spokesman told us that the defect does not have anything to do with Subaru’s latest EyeSight upgrade for 2016 models, which adds lane keeping assist that moves the steering wheel automatically when the car’s cameras detect that it’s crossing lane markings.

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Subaru first discovered the problem on May 3 when a customer reported it on a 2016 Outback. It’s unusually swift for any automaker to approve a recall within one week, but Subaru did just that and warned owners not to drive their cars until dealers can replace the steering columns. No injuries or accidents have been reported related to the potential defect.

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