Forester's Power Steering Nightmare: Solutions Needed

I had a very similar issue with my 2010 Subaru Legacy diesel last year. Having some experience with basic car maintenance, I initially thought it was a power steering pump problem, but it turned out to be the steering sensor failure. The symptoms were exactly like yours, heavy steering and vibrations through the wheel. After the steering column sensor started acting up, the power steering would sometimes cut out completely, especially during low-speed turns. The workshop diagnosed it as a faulty coding in the steering angle sensor. The repair involved recalibrating and reprogramming the sensor system. Total cost was 195€, which included diagnostic time and the actual sensor replacement. The fix took about 2 hours and solved the problem completely. Before giving more specific advice, could you share: Does the steering feel worse when the engine is cold? Are there any warning lights on the dashboard? Have you had a recent wheel alignment? Did the problem start suddenly or develop gradually? These details would help determine if your issue matches what I experienced with the sensor failure. The steering angle sensor problems can sometimes be confused with other steering column issues, so getting the right diagnosis is important.

Having gotten the sensor replacement done at 44205 KM during my last service, I can confirm your diagnosis seems spot on. The electronic stability warning light came on intermittently before the steering issues started. The problem developed gradually over 2-3 weeks. The steering feels equally bad whether cold or warm. No recent wheel alignment done. The traction control light also flickers occasionally when making tight turns. My mechanic initially suspected the power steering pump but after connecting to the diagnostic system, the steering angle sensor showed irregular readings. For those interested, these sensor failures are apparently quite common in our model year Foresters, especially affecting the electronic stability system.

Thanks for those additional details. Yes, that matches exactly what happened with my Legacy. The irregular sensor readings you mentioned are a classic sign, I had the same diagnostic results. The flickering traction control light is also very telling, as these sensors are integrated with multiple vehicle systems. The steering angle sensor replacement on my Legacy actually fixed both the electronic stability and traction control issues. It makes sense since these systems rely on accurate steering input data to function properly. After my repair, I learned that regular calibration of the steering angle sensor during routine maintenance can prevent these problems. The workshop mentioned they see quite a few Subarus from our era with similar sensor-related steering issues. Just monitoring the repair costs, my sensor replacement at around 50000 KM was a bit pricier at 250€, but that included a full alignment check. Given your symptoms and diagnostic results, sounds like you caught it at the right time before it could affect other components of the stability control system. Make sure the workshop performs a complete calibration after the sensor work. In my case, they had to reset and recalibrate both the electronic stability control and traction control systems to get everything working properly together.

The issues have been fully resolved after getting the sensor replaced. The electronic stability system now works perfectly, with no more warning lights or steering problems. Total repair cost came to 195€, exactly as quoted. For others experiencing similar symptoms, here are the key warning signs I noticed: Heavy steering requiring extra force, Steering wheel vibration, Electronic stability warning light coming on intermittently, Traction control issues during turns, Gradual worsening over 2-3 weeks The wheel alignment was also checked during the repair, though no adjustments were needed. The mechanic confirmed these steering sensor failures are a known issue with our model year. Getting prompt repairs when these symptoms appear can prevent damage to related systems. The entire electronic stability control system now functions as intended, and the steering feels like new again. Regular maintenance checks of the steering angle sensor calibration are recommended to catch potential issues early. Just a note of appreciation to those who shared their experiences, it helped confirm my suspicions about the sensor being the root cause rather than the power steering pump. Proper diagnosis saved both time and money in this case.