2013 Subaru Outback Problems

296 owner complaints filed with the United States safety regulator · top issue: Engine · verdict AVOID 29/100

Source NHTSA public complaint and recall record · methodology

What breaks, by owner reports

Engine67
Power Train59
Air Bags42
Steering34
Vehicle Speed Control26
Service Brakes25

In the owners’ words

“Please contact Carvana and make them take that vehicle off the market. I purchased it and by chance found out that bottom parts like subframe and exhaust pipe were inadequately installed . The mechanic said eventually I was going to flip over myself on the highway in that car. He also stated that this repair cost would be around $8000 - more than half of this used car was offered for on Carvana. I returned the car. H”NHTSA complaint, 2013 Subaru Outback owner
“Not really sure, I don’t remember. It’s a wooded area , lots of deer etc. But I honestly don’t remember I saw my car It it fully intact , all doors , hood,trunk Open, car starts too Only front drivers wheel is bent in and lowest part of front bumper needs repair”NHTSA complaint, 2013 Subaru Outback owner
“The contact owns a 2013 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that after pulling into the driveway, the passenger-side door was opened and the driver-side airbag deployed. The contact stated the airbag had exploded inadvertently. The contact informed their insurance and was waiting for further instructions. The dealer was not informed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed. The fai”NHTSA complaint, 2013 Subaru Outback owner

Recall campaigns

ReportedComponentSummary
09/01/2019Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module SAFETYSubaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Outback, and Legacy vehicles, 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles and 2010-2013 Forester vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, A
09/01/2019Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module SAFETYSubaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Forester, 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Outback, Legacy, and 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, G
13/09/2018Parking Brake SAFETYSubaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Subaru Legacy and Outback vehicles equipped with a manual transmission. The electronic parking brake (EPB) may not engage as intended, allowing the vehicle
09/01/2019Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module SAFETYSubaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles and 2010-2013 Forester vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Col
02/01/2020Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module SAFETYSubaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold,
02/01/2020Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module SAFETYSubaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ev
02/01/2020Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module SAFETYSubaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (STI included), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, o
11/04/2019Electrical System:Ignition:Switch SAFETYSubaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, 2008-2011 Impreza vehicles, 2008-2014 WRX vehicles, 2005-2014 Legacy vehicles, 2005-2014 Outback vehicles and 2006-2008 Tribeca vehicles
09/01/2018Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module SAFETYSubaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Legacy, Forester, Tribeca, WRX and Outback vehicles, and 2009-2011 Impreza vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida,
27/09/2016Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:MotorSubaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Legacy vehicles manufactured November 26, 2008, to June 7, 2013, and 2010-2014 Outback vehicles manufactured January 9, 2009 to June 7, 2013. Du

Questions owners ask

Is the 2013 Subaru Outback reliable?

On the federal record it scores 29/100: 296 owner complaints (22.77 per year on the road) and 12 recall campaigns, 11 touching safety-critical systems.

What is the most common problem with the 2013 Subaru Outback?

The most-reported component in NHTSA complaints is Engine, with 67 of 253 categorised reports.

Share this verdict

The 2013 Subaru Outback scored 29/100 on the federal record.

Full 2013 data pagecosts, verdict, every numberAll Outback yearswhich year to avoid Most complained-about carsthe national ranking