Severe Issues

2013 SUBARU OUTBACK Problems

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2013 Subaru Outback. This model year has 293 NHTSA complaints β€” top issue: Engine Problems.

293
Complaints
17
Crashes
6
Fires
13
Injuries
1
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 Outback Problems

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

#1
68
complaints

Engine Problems

Crash-related:1
Fires:1
#2
58
complaints

Transmission / Drivetrain

#3
40
complaints

Airbag Malfunctions

Crash-related:9
Fires:1
Injuries:11

Considering a 2013 Subaru Outback?

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 Outback. A single complaint may appear in multiple categories.

ComponentComplaintsCrashesFiresAvg MileageVolume
Engine Problems6811β€”
Transmission / Drivetrain58β€”β€”β€”
Airbag Malfunctions4091β€”
Steering Defects341β€”β€”
Unintended Acceleration267β€”β€”
Brake System252β€”β€”
Uncategorized Issues2421β€”
Electrical Faults231β€”β€”
Suspension Failures15β€”β€”β€”
Fuel/Propulsion System124β€”β€”
Visibility/Wiper11β€”1β€”
Structural Problems1021β€”
Seat-Related Issues912β€”
Headlight/Taillight Failures8β€”β€”β€”
Parking-Brake Issues6β€”β€”β€”
Wheel Issues5β€”β€”β€”
Seat Belt Issues41β€”β€”
Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB41β€”β€”
Visibility3β€”β€”β€”
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)3β€”β€”β€”
Fuel System3β€”β€”β€”
Gasoline3β€”β€”β€”
Hydraulic2β€”β€”β€”
Door Lock Issues2β€”β€”β€”
Equipment2β€”β€”β€”
Tire Issues2β€”β€”β€”
Traction Control System11β€”β€”
Back Over Prevention1β€”β€”β€”
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility1β€”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 Outback. Type a keyword (e.g. β€œtransmission”, β€œstalling”, β€œbrakes”) to filter.

πŸ”

Showing 293 most recent complaints

Airbag MalfunctionsMar 11, 2026

The vehicle has had the seat belt replaced twice in one year for it dinging and now Subaru dealer says the ODS sensor is bad and does not detect a passenger in the seat therefore the air bag system is not functioning properly. The dealership strongly recommend that I contact Suba…

Structural ProblemsπŸ”₯ FireJan 28, 2026

The vehicle caught fire while driving along the interstate. It's a total loss.

Transmission / DrivetrainJan 6, 2026

I purchased this car may 28th 2025 and had it over the weekend and check engine light came on and took it Monday once shop opened and came back for catalytic converter and o2 sensor I letted the dealership know about it and said its not much that i can fix it but I figured would …

Suspension FailuresSep 4, 2025

I purchased a car from Middletown Nissan on May 24, 2025. The car was assured to have all these different safety checks so far it had to have the power steering pump replaced twice the power steering lines replaced all new control arms a new bearing brand new back brakes which in…

Unintended AccelerationπŸ’₯ CrashFeb 25, 2025

I was pulling into a parking spot, without any warning the car accelerated through a fence and hit a tree. There were no injuries and the airbags did not deploy. A man was waving me to stop and I could not. Fortunately the small tree stopped the car. At first I thought maybe the…

Brake SystemDec 19, 2024

The contact owns a 2013 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the brakes failed to engage. The contact stated that eventually, the brakes would return to normal operation. No warning light was illuminated…

Engine ProblemsDec 4, 2024

According to my mechanic, the Engine Cradle is severly corroded and needs to be replaced. According to Subaru, today December 4, 2024, Subaru inspected my vehicle and determined it was badly corroded. I have pictures to show this and the report from Subaru showing they did look …

Structural ProblemsNov 6, 2024

The subframe has deteriorated beyond repair. This is our sixth Subaru Outback, either owned or leased, all in the same geographic area, housed 90% of the time in a covered garage. This is not normal wear and tear. The vehicle is dangerous, as inspected by a local independent serv…

Seat Belt IssuesπŸ’₯ CrashOct 31, 2024

The contact owned a 2013 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving at approximately 35 MPH, he lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a metal guard rail on the driver's side along the length of the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle had bounced off of the r…

Parking-Brake IssuesSep 16, 2024

The contact owns a 2013 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the parking brake warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that several other unknown warning lights illuminated, and the vehicle lost motive power. The contact st…

Engine ProblemsJul 20, 2024

We bought this around June 2018 with ~96,000 miles. I change oil every 6 months or 6,000 miles with OEM filters and Mobil 1 0w-30 oil. This car has burned 1/2 to 3/4 of oil initially. After 140,000 miles it climbed to over 1 1/2 quarts between changes. I had repeated O2 sensor co…

Engine ProblemsπŸ”₯ FireJul 1, 2024

The contact owned a 2013 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in the contact's residential driveway, the contact noticed the smoke exiting from the hood area of the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle was on fire. The fire department arriv…

Steering DefectsMay 29, 2024

* I detected a noise in the front end and an instability in the handling. My independent service mechanic found the cradle on the right front severely rusted out at the point where the control arm attaches. He had to condemn the vehicle. * My mechanic says that it could have r…

Engine ProblemsMay 16, 2024

Piston rings are defective heavy oil consumption caused my engine to seize with only 150,000 miles

Uncategorized IssuesMar 4, 2024

Strapped kayak to roof rack. Roof rack ripped off car while in traffic. Kayak went flying and was hit by a truck.

Transmission / DrivetrainJan 8, 2024

I was driving on a highway when my car started to suddenly stutter, hesitate, and jerk after about an hour on the road. I pulled over on the shoulder immediately and tried to better position the car further off the highway with the same vehicle behavior. Initially I thought a tir…

Seat-Related IssuesDec 26, 2023

Electronic seat recliner motor (outer bushing) noise when reclining, but Kendall Subaru in Eugene saying motor can not be fixed (defective design), only replaced with another (defective) motor @ cost near $1,000. Seat then stuck all the way back; even with seat headrest behind my…

Transmission / DrivetrainNov 28, 2023

At all speeds vehicle shudders when letting off accelerator then nearly stalls. This is extremely dangerous when entering expressways or crossing oncoming vehicles. Dealer identified transmission as the problem and could reproduce, but not determine reason. Said drive until Check…

Seat Belt IssuesOct 25, 2023

middle seatbelt continues to tear in multiple placed . very disturbing

Airbag MalfunctionsπŸ’₯ CrashOct 4, 2023

I was pulling into a parking space very slowly when the car went into overdrive and suddenly accelerated at a high speed. It plunged down a slight decline and hit a large tree. My airbag failed to deploy although I was thrown violently forward, and the car sustained severe front …

Page 1 of 15

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

Recalls for 2013 Subaru Outback

12 campaigns

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

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

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

18V626000Invalid Date
PARKING BRAKE

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

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

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

20V001000Feb 1, 2020
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

2013 Subaru Outback β€” FAQ

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

Is the 2013 Subaru Outback reliable?β–Ύ

Severe Issues. The 2013 Subaru Outback has 293 NHTSA owner complaints, 17 crash-related, and 12 recall campaigns. The most reported issue is Engine Problems (68 complaints). Source: NHTSA via VinSpector AI.

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

#1: Engine Problems (68 complaints). #2: Transmission / Drivetrain (58 complaints). #3: Airbag Malfunctions (40 complaints)

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

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

How safe is the 2013 Subaru Outback?β–Ύ

The 2013 Subaru Outback has 17 crash-related complaints and 6 fire reports out of 293 total NHTSA complaints. 13 injuries were reported. For NCAP lab crash test star ratings, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

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

Yes β€” 12 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2013 Subaru Outback. 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 Outback?β–Ύ

The 2013 Subaru Outback 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 Outback reliability report with year-by-year comparison.

Check Your Specific 2013 Subaru Outback

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.