Severe Issues

2013 SUBARU LEGACY Problems

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2013 Subaru Legacy. This model year has 66 NHTSA complaints β€” top issue: Engine Problems.

66
Complaints
6
Crashes
β€”
Fires
5
Injuries
β€”
Deaths
12
Recalls

Before you buy β€” check the actual VIN

This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about the specific car β€” accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls.

Worst 2013 Subaru Legacy Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#1
20
complaints

Engine Problems

#2
14
complaints

Airbag Malfunctions

Crash-related:4
Injuries:5
#3
12
complaints

Transmission / Drivetrain

Considering a 2013 Subaru Legacy?

This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car β€” accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).

All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2013 Subaru Legacy. A single complaint may appear in multiple categories.

ComponentComplaintsCrashesFiresAvg MileageVolume
Engine Problems20β€”β€”β€”
Airbag Malfunctions144β€”β€”
Transmission / Drivetrain12β€”β€”β€”
Electrical Faults6β€”β€”β€”
Structural Problems52β€”β€”
Uncategorized Issues51β€”β€”
Brake System4β€”β€”β€”
Steering Defects4β€”β€”β€”
Unintended Acceleration41β€”β€”
Seat Belt Issues3β€”β€”β€”
Seat-Related Issues2β€”β€”β€”
Headlight/Taillight Failures1β€”β€”β€”
Visibility/Wiper1β€”β€”β€”
Fuel/Propulsion System1β€”β€”β€”
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)1β€”β€”β€”

Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2013 Subaru Legacy. Type a keyword (e.g. β€œtransmission”, β€œstalling”, β€œbrakes”) to filter.

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Showing 66 most recent complaints

Headlight/Taillight FailuresJul 2, 2025

I am the original owner since purchased new on the dealer lot in 2013. Within the first year, the drivers side headlight prematurely burned out (low beam). I have had to replace four bulbs (so far) since owning vehicle. The first two incidents I payed over $100 to have the bul…

Structural ProblemsAug 3, 2024

The passenger side frame rusted through. The bolt holding the frame collapsed through the rusted frame while I was driving on the highway and I lost control of my car as I was entering an exit off the highway. My mechanic said the air conditioning system drips on this area of t…

Engine ProblemsApr 17, 2024

I want to add my report of oil loss in the hope a recall is made. I found out after purchase that 2012-2014 or 2015 has a known problem with piston rings. With normal local driving I need to top off the oil every couple of weeks. With longer trips, say a couple hours of driving o…

Uncategorized IssuesSep 21, 2023

While driving the vehicle, there was a loud "clunk" from the front-end. After that, during turns there is a lot of scraping, banging and popping noises. During braking, the car veers toward the right. The car is very unstable going around bends and on/off ramps. I took it to …

Transmission / DrivetrainOct 18, 2022

Faulty transmission, erratic gear shifting and now it seems the transmission is no longer working, mileage on vehicle is not even 130,000.

Engine ProblemsSep 7, 2022

The contact's son owns a 2013 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that while her son was driving at an undisclosed speed and approaching a traffic light, the vehicle stalled. The contact's son was able to restart the vehicle and continued driving. However, the failure reoccurred on…

Engine ProblemsJun 28, 2022

Transmission failed. Began to make bad noises then failed to accelerate in an intersection. Was almost hit by another car. Dealer indicated that the Subaru transmissions were only lasting 90, 000 to 100,000 miles before requiring replacement. Contracted Subaru who said they had a…

Transmission / DrivetrainJan 13, 2022

The contact owns a 2013 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35 MPH, there was an abnormal noise coming from the transmission. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the technician informed the contact that the failure was the tran…

Engine ProblemsOct 19, 2021

I received a recall letter about problem with the Engine, They did to Tess at 1200 miles each but the car runs out of oil between 25 and 3000 mile every time but they did nothing about it

Transmission / DrivetrainAug 4, 2021

When driving on interstate, all at once, dashboard lit up with lights, one of the lights being the check engine light. Towed car to dealership and found there was a problem in the CVT valve body which was replaced. I think this should be a recall because it's dangerous to be dr…

Engine ProblemsJun 22, 2021

Oil is consumed excessively. I had an oil change done at around 120K miles and my oil light is popping on to let me know that I need another oil change. I have only driven it 2,000 miles since my last oil change and my oil level is low. Looking back at the Carfax, the previous ow…

Transmission / DrivetrainFeb 17, 2021

THE TRANSMISSION VALVE BODY FAILED ON THIS SUBARU LEGACY AT 83874 MILES. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL AND THREE ENGINE LIGHTS CAME ON. THIS WAS COVERED UNDER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AS THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. I HAVE THREE COMPLAINTS / CONCERNS WHERE I BELIEVE THE …

Transmission / DrivetrainSep 9, 2020

TORQUE CONVERTOR CLUTCH SOLENOID WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 75MPH. ENDED UP HAVING IT REPLACED AT 138,000 MILES ON 2013 SUBARU LEGACY. COST $1,700 AT SUBARU DEALERSHIP.

Transmission / DrivetrainAug 6, 2020

THERE WAS A HORRIBLE WHINING THAT STARTED VERY QUIET ON AND OFF IN 2017 AND BECAME LOUDER THIS YEAR. WE DROVE INTO A CITY INTERSECTION TO TURN, AND THE CAR STALLED. WE WERE LUCKY THAT WE DIDN'T GET HIT BY ANOTHER CAR. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AS WE DO ALL RECOMMENDED MAINTEN…

Transmission / DrivetrainJul 28, 2020

WHILE TRAVELING ON A BUSY INTERSTATE. MY CAR SUDDENLY JERKED AS IF I HAD PUT INTO NEUTRAL. I WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH. NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT TRYING TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY. IT WOULD NOT ENGAGE IN MANUAL OR AUTOMATIC MODE. AFTER HAVING IT TOWED TO A MECHANICS SHOP, …

Transmission / DrivetrainFeb 15, 2020

CAR HAS EXTENDED CRANKING ISSUE - IT ACTS LIKE THE STARTER IS BAD OR THE BATTERY IS DYING. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND TOLD THEM THAT THE CAR HAS A HARD TIME STARTING. IT HAS DIED A COUPLE TIMES SO I REPLACED THE BATTERY WITH AN INTERSTATE BATTERY AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE BATTE…

Transmission / DrivetrainSep 25, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BE SERVICED AT HEUBERGER SUBARU (1080 MOTOR CITY DR, COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80905, 719-475-1920) FOR TRANSMISSION FAILURE. INITIALLY, THE DEALER WOULD NOT COVER THE COST OF THE REPAIR DUE TO THE WARRANTY EXP…

Transmission / DrivetrainAug 16, 2019

I BOUGHT THIS 2013 SUBARU LEGACY LIMITED ON JUNE 12,2019 AND A WEEK LATER THE EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHT AND CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT WORK AND THE LIGHTS WERE ON THE DASHBOARD. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO A SUBARU DEALER IN WILMINGTON, NC AND WAS TOLD THAT IT NEEDED THE CONTROL PANEL FOR THE…

Electrical FaultsJun 24, 2019

DRIVER FRONT WINDOW REGULATOR GETS REALLY HOT. DOES NOT MOVE THE WINDOW UP OR DOWN. BEFORE THAT I HAD TO KEEP RE-SYNC THE WINDOW TO THE MASTER SWITCH FOR SOME REASON. IT WILL LOSE IT'S MEMORY RANDOMLY.

Electrical FaultsJun 15, 2019

WE JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR AND 2 DAYS LATER THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON AND THE BRAKE ICON WAS BLINKING AND THE CRUISE CONTROL DIDNT WORK. A SUBARU DEALER TOLD ME THAT IT NEEDS THE PARKING BREAK ELECTRICAL CONTROL PANEL. I FIND THIS STRANGE AS THE CAR IS ONLY 6 YEARS OLD. PL…

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Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2013 Subaru Legacy.

Recalls for 2013 Subaru Legacy

12 campaigns

NHTSA recall campaigns for the 2013 Subaru Legacy. Recalls are free to fix at any authorized dealer. Run a VIN check below to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.

19V009000Sep 1, 2019
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

19V007000Sep 1, 2019
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

18V626000Invalid Date
PARKING BRAKE

19V008000Sep 1, 2019
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

19V297000Nov 4, 2019
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

18V012000Sep 1, 2018
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

16V694000Invalid Date
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

13V061000Invalid Date
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

13V194000Invalid Date
STEERING

20V001000Feb 1, 2020
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

20V002000Feb 1, 2020
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

20V003000Feb 1, 2020
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

2013 Subaru Legacy β€” FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2013 Subaru Legacy reliable?β–Ύ

Severe Issues. The 2013 Subaru Legacy has 66 NHTSA owner complaints, 6 crash-related, and 12 recall campaigns. The most reported issue is Engine Problems (20 complaints). Source: NHTSA via VinSpector AI.

What are the most common problems with the 2013 Subaru Legacy?β–Ύ

#1: Engine Problems (20 complaints). #2: Airbag Malfunctions (14 complaints). #3: Transmission / Drivetrain (12 complaints)

At what mileage do problems start on the 2013 Subaru Legacy?β–Ύ

Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.

How safe is the 2013 Subaru Legacy?β–Ύ

The 2013 Subaru Legacy has 6 crash-related complaints and 0 fire reports out of 66 total NHTSA complaints. 5 injuries were reported. For NCAP lab crash test star ratings, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Does the 2013 Subaru Legacy have any recalls?β–Ύ

Yes β€” 12 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2013 Subaru Legacy. The largest issue: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.

Should I buy a 2013 Subaru Legacy?β–Ύ

The 2013 Subaru Legacy has severe issues β€” review the top problems before buying. Pay particular attention to Engine Problems issues. Always run a VIN check on the specific car you're considering to check for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.

Wider context: See the full Subaru Legacy reliability report with year-by-year comparison.

Check Your Specific 2013 Subaru Legacy

Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car β€” accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99.