2013 Subaru Legacy

● Typical for this model
2013 Subaru Legacy
RENDERED 2026-11-01T13:34:27.245Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

Complaints
66
Recalls
12

Campaigns on file for 2013

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Engine

27% of complaints

Complaints per year

1987: 1 complaint 1987 1988: 1 complaint 1989: 1 complaint 1990: 81 complaints 1991: 78 complaints 1992: 57 complaints 1992 1993: 78 complaints 1994: 61 complaints 1995: 182 complaints 1996: 123 complaints 1997: 139 complaints 1997 1998: 114 complaints 1999: 94 complaints 2000: 94 complaints 2001: 77 complaints 2002: 54 complaints 2002 2003: 60 complaints 2004: 49 complaints 2005: 184 complaints 2006: 87 complaints 2007: 33 complaints 2007 2008: 65 complaints 2009: 65 complaints 2010: 151 complaints 2011: 167 complaints 2012: 90 complaints 2013: 66 complaints 2013 66 2014: 53 complaints 2015: 160 complaints 2016: 147 complaints 2017: 119 complaints 2018: 117 complaints 2019: 123 complaints 2020: 121 complaints 2021: 31 complaints 2022: 34 complaints 2022 2023: 10 complaints 2024: 17 complaints 2025: 6 complaints
1987: 1 complaint 1987 1988: 1 complaint 1989: 1 complaint 1990: 81 complaints 1990 1991: 78 complaints 1992: 57 complaints 1993: 78 complaints 1993 1994: 61 complaints 1995: 182 complaints 1996: 123 complaints 1996 1997: 139 complaints 1998: 114 complaints 1999: 94 complaints 1999 2000: 94 complaints 2001: 77 complaints 2002: 54 complaints 2002 2003: 60 complaints 2004: 49 complaints 2005: 184 complaints 2005 2006: 87 complaints 2007: 33 complaints 2008: 65 complaints 2008 2009: 65 complaints 2010: 151 complaints 2011: 167 complaints 2012: 90 complaints 2013: 66 complaints 2013 66 2014: 53 complaints 2015: 160 complaints 2016: 147 complaints 2017: 119 complaints 2017 2018: 117 complaints 2019: 123 complaints 2020: 121 complaints 2020 2021: 31 complaints 2022: 34 complaints 2023: 10 complaints 2023 2024: 17 complaints 2025: 6 complaints
1987: 1 complaint 1987 1988: 1 complaint 1989: 1 complaint 1989 1990: 81 complaints 1991: 78 complaints 1991 1992: 57 complaints 1993: 78 complaints 1993 1994: 61 complaints 1995: 182 complaints 1995 1996: 123 complaints 1997: 139 complaints 1997 1998: 114 complaints 1999: 94 complaints 1999 2000: 94 complaints 2001: 77 complaints 2001 2002: 54 complaints 2003: 60 complaints 2003 2004: 49 complaints 2005: 184 complaints 2005 2006: 87 complaints 2007: 33 complaints 2007 2008: 65 complaints 2009: 65 complaints 2009 2010: 151 complaints 2011: 167 complaints 2011 2012: 90 complaints 2013: 66 complaints 2013 66 2014: 53 complaints 2015: 160 complaints 2015 2016: 147 complaints 2017: 119 complaints 2017 2018: 117 complaints 2019: 123 complaints 2019 2020: 121 complaints 2021: 31 complaints 2021 2022: 34 complaints 2023: 10 complaints 2023 2024: 17 complaints 2025: 6 complaints 2025

2013: 66 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19871
19881
19891
199081
199178
199257
199378
199461
1995182
1996123
1997139
1998114
199994
200094
200177
200254
200360
200449
2005184
200687
200733
200865
200965
2010151
2011167
201290
201366
201453
2015160
2016147
2017119
2018117
2019123
2020121
202131
202234
202310
202417
20256

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Engine

27% · 18 reports
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-04-17

Air bags

21% · 14 reports
CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The vehicle slammed into a snowbank due to icy conditions. The front of the car was significantly damaged, but the airbag did not inflate upon…

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-02-01

Also filed under Structure

Subaru Legacy driver side air bag failure. Was pulling forward on a green light when I was t-boned on drivers side door and front wing/wheel.

NHTSA ODI report, 2015-08-04

Power train

18% · 12 reports

Electrical system

9% · 6 reports

Structure

9% · 6 reports

Most commonly citing body and roof and pillars.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

As I drove my vehicle into a parking space with a concrete bumper at the head, just as it was ready to stop, it suddenly lunged forward over the concrete bumper and finally came to a stop when the back wheels made contact with the concrete bumper...

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-10-25

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-08-03

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Subaru Legacy. Upon exiting the vehicle, the driver noticed that the driver's seat was wet. Upon further investigation, the driver found a puddle of water under the driver's seat.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-02-13

Safety timeline

12 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2013-04-22Electrical system, equipment13V061000 Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Legacy and Outback vehicles equipped with an automatic or CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory, certain model year…

    Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the RES key fobs, free of charge. The recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783 for more information.

  2. R
    2013-05-14Steering13V194000 Subaru is recalling certain model year 2013 Outback and Legacy vehicles manufactured from February 15, 2012, through June 15, 2012. In the affected vehicles, the inner and outer shafts of the…

    Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering column assembly with a new one, free of charge. The recall began on May 14, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783.…

  3. R
    2016-10-25Visibility16V694000 Subaru 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.

    Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the windshield wiper motor bottom cover assembly, free of charge. The recall began October 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783.

  4. R
    2018-02-09Air bags18V012000 Subaru of America, Inc.

    Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on February 9, 2018. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783.

  5. R
    2019-01-25Air bags19V008000 Subaru of America, Inc.

    Remedy: Subaru is notifying owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-19.

  6. R
    2019-01-25Air bags19V007000 Subaru of America, Inc.

    Remedy: Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-19.

  7. R
    2019-01-25Air bags19V009000 Subaru of America, Inc.

    Remedy: Subaru is notifying owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614.

  8. R
    2019-05-10Electrical system19V297000 Subaru of America, Inc.

    Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ignition switch, replacing the ignition switch, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 10, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614.

  9. R
    2019-07-19Parking brake18V626000 Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Subaru Legacy and Outback vehicles equipped with a manual transmission.

    Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EPB actuator assembly, free of charge. The recall began July 19, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WTV-81.

  10. R
    2020-01-07Air bags20V002000 Subaru of America, Inc.

    Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614.

  11. R
    2020-01-07Air bags20V001000 Subaru of America, Inc.

    Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators with alternate inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020.

  12. R
    2020-01-07Air bags20V003000 Subaru of America, Inc.

    Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614.

Buy-smart checklist

2013 Subaru Legacy — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Engine: 18 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 14 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 12 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 13V061000 · Electrical system, equipment
  • Recall 13V194000 · Steering
  • Recall 16V694000 · Visibility
  • Recall 18V012000 · Air bags
  • Recall 19V008000 · Air bags
  • Recall 19V007000 · Air bags
  • Recall 19V009000 · Air bags
  • Recall 19V297000 · Electrical system
  • Recall 18V626000 · Parking brake
  • Recall 20V002000 · Air bags
  • Recall 20V001000 · Air bags
  • Recall 20V003000 · Air bags

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2013 Subaru Legacy reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2013 Subaru Legacy is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Subaru Legacy?
The most-reported component is engine, accounting for 27% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2013 Subaru Legacy have?
12 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.