Dealer or local shop? Subaru Forester electric power steering fail

In My Humble Opinion
1

My 2017 Forester’s power steering system just failed, and I don’t think I can drive it – I’m really not strong enough to turn the steering wheel in traffic, even just to take it to a shop. Besides, I don’t know how stable the behavior is. It was fine last time, and today I started it and began backing up, and I could barely turn the wheel, and a big red warning came up for the power steering system.

Is this appropriate for the local small town shop to fix? They’ve been OK for smaller repairs before and have been there at least 15 years or so. It’s only about 7 miles away.

Or is it wiser to take it to a dealer? The closest one is 20 miles away and they’ve done most of the work on the car before.

I’m going to have to have somebody haul it there in either case.

BTW this power steering system is entirely electrical, not hydraulic. There’s no fluid or belt or anything else to maintain or check.

2

I’d try the local shop first. It might be just a loose/broken connection or fuse.

3

I’ve driven Subaru’s since '81, currently a 19 Forester, and I’ve always had the dealer work on them. But running coach’s suggestion about fuses is an excellent idea. Do that first. There’s a list of what fuses service which circuit in your manual.

Looking here there’s nothing listed specifically for the power steering

4

Hey, thank you to both of you, that’s an excellent idea!

5

Another option: try these guys if they’re in your area. They come to you, saving you a tow and can quote a price on line. I’ve used them a couple times and been happy with their work.