MYRModel Year Report

2013 Subaru Outback

◆ Worse than typical
2013 Subaru Outback
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than 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.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Subaru Outback Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2013 highlighted. 1995: 2 complaints 1995 1996: 46 complaints 1997: 79 complaints 1998: 127 complaints 1999: 111 complaints 1999 2000: 207 complaints 2001: 171 complaints 2002: 143 complaints 2003: 93 complaints 2003 2004: 90 complaints 2005: 273 complaints 2006: 276 complaints 2007: 129 complaints 2007 2008: 226 complaints 2009: 105 complaints 2010: 359 complaints 2011: 649 complaints 2011 2012: 290 complaints 2013: 295 complaints 2013 2014: 208 complaints 2015: 505 complaints 2015 2016: 639 complaints 2017: 917 complaints 2018: 803 complaints 2019: 1029 complaints 2019 2020: 890 complaints 2021: 291 complaints 2022: 453 complaints 2023: 85 complaints 2023 2024: 89 complaints 2025: 65 complaints 2026: 8 complaints 2026
2013: 295 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19952
199646
199779
1998127
1999111
2000207
2001171
2002143
200393
200490
2005273
2006276
2007129
2008226
2009105
2010359
2011649
2012290
2013295
2014208
2015505
2016639
2017917
2018803
20191029
2020890
2021291
2022453
202385
202489
202565
20268

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ENGINE 23%

23% of complaints: engine — 67 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE
POWER TRAIN 20%

20% of complaints: power train — 58 distinct reports on file.

AIR BAGS 14%

14% of complaints: air bags — 41 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20231004

MY FRIENDS' SON AND WIFE HAD A CRASH ON I 55 NORTH NEAR MEADOWBROOK ROAD ON JANUARY 28, 2018.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180206

I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE THE OTHER DRIVER FAILED TO YIELD TO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AT AN INTERSECTION AND SLAMMED INTO MY DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. MY AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY DURING THE ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180122

STEERING 12%

12% of complaints: steering — 34 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

2013 SUBARU OUTBACK 3.6R W/SAP I AM EXPERIENCING A HEAVY STEERING ISSUE. WHERE THE RETURN TO CENTER DOES NOT HAPPEN UNLESS I MANUALLY STEER IT BACK TO CENTER. STEERING IS SO HEAVY THAT AFTER 3000 MILES.

NHTSA ODI report, 20130924

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 8%

8% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 25 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20231004

PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT, I HAD NOTICED SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHERE THE ENGINE WOULD SUDDENLY REV FOR NO REASON WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT A SLOW SPEED OR BRAKING. THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED ON DEC 2, 2014 AT APPROX. 7:40AM EASTERN TIME.

NHTSA ODI report, 20150105

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2013 — complaint volume: 295
R 20130422 — electrical system, equipment

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 20

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.

Campaign 13V061000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20130514 — steering

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 steerin

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. Subar

Campaign 13V194000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20161025 — visibility

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.

Campaign 16V694000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20180209 — air bags

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.

Campaign 18V012000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190125 — air bags

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.

Campaign 19V008000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190125 — air bags

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.

Campaign 19V007000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190125 — air bags

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.

Campaign 19V009000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190510 — electrical system

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.

Campaign 19V297000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190719 — parking brake

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.

Campaign 18V626000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20200107 — air bags

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.

Campaign 20V002000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20200107 — air bags

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.

Campaign 20V001000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20200107 — air bags

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.

Campaign 20V003000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2013 Subaru Outback — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for engine issues (67 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (58 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (41 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 13V061000 (electrical system, equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 13V194000 (steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 16V694000 (visibility) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 18V012000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V008000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V007000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V009000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V297000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 18V626000 (parking brake) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 20V002000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 20V001000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 20V003000 (air bags) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1996 ▲ 2025 ▲ 1997

WORST YEARS

■ 2019 ■ 2017 ■ 2020

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2013 Subaru Outback reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2013 Subaru Outback is rated "worse than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2013 Subaru Outback?

The most-reported component is engine, accounting for 23% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2013 Subaru Outback have?

12 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.