CarBrief

The 2013 Legacy/Outback has 12 recalls on file[1], and the biggest job for a buyer is checking that the air bag inflator recalls were done. NHTSA lists 363 owner complaints[2].

363owner complaints[2]
12recalls[1]
20–27MPG combined (EPA)[3]
5★NHTSA overall rating[4]

Reported problems

NHTSA has 363 owner complaints on file for this model year[2]. Of those, 24 mention a crash, 6 a fire and 18 injuries, and 1 reports a death[2]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name several parts. Group counts are not a split of the total.

Component group Complaints Median mileage at failure
Engine[5] 88 40,000
Power train[6] 72 100,564
Air bags[7] 56 37,500
Steering[8] 38 1,500
Brakes[9] 35 72,000
Speed control[10] 30 15,450

Steering. In a sample of 12 steering complaints we read, 11 describe the car wandering or drifting in its lane at highway speed and needing constant correction. Several owners say the dealer found nothing wrong[8]. The median mileage for this group is only 1,500[8], and several owners in the sample describe a new car.

Engine. In a sample of 12 engine complaints, 6 describe stalling or poor acceleration, and 6 mention an oil light or oil use that came on between changes[5].

Power train. In a sample of 12 power train complaints, most of the ones we read describe hesitation, stalling, lunging or shifting trouble, and 3 mention oil use[6]. (Or use 10 instead of 9.)

Air bags. This group has 14 crashes and 16 injuries among its 56 complaints[7]. In a sample of 12 we read, 7 describe an air bag or passenger sensor warning light, or a passenger air bag that showed as off[7]. Five owners in that sample say the air bags did not deploy in a crash[7]. These are owner statements and NHTSA has not verified them.

Speed control has 30 complaints, with 8 crashes and 4 injuries[10]. We did not read the texts for that group, so we cannot say what owners describe.

Recalls

NHTSA lists 12 recalls for this model year[1]. Newest first:

Air bag recalls depend on where the car was sold or registered. Subaru customer service can be reached at 1-844-373-6614 for the 2019 and 2020 air bag recalls[15].

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and transmission. All versions use regular fuel and all-wheel drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new.

Version City / highway / combined MPG EPA annual fuel cost
Legacy 2.5L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd[23] 21 / 28 / 24 $2,800
Legacy 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios)[3] 24 / 32 / 27 $2,500
Legacy 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic (S5)[24] 18 / 24 / 20 $3,350
Outback 2.5L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd[25] 21 / 28 / 24 $2,800
Outback 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios)[26] 24 / 30 / 26 $2,600
Outback 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic (S5)[27] 18 / 24 / 20 $3,350

The 6-cylinder costs about $850 more per year in fuel than the 4-cylinder Legacy automatic, by EPA's estimate[3][24].

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the 4-door AWD group 5 stars overall, with 5 stars for frontal, side and rollover[4]. Its rollover risk is 10.1%[4]. The SUV AWD group gets 5 stars overall, frontal and side, but 4 stars for rollover, with a rollover risk of 17.4%[28].

Engine and size

EPA lists two engines for this model year. The 2.5L 4-cylinder is rated 173 hp[29]. The 3.6L 6-cylinder is rated 256 hp[30].

Size figures below are Canadian-market specifications for the Legacy sedan and can differ slightly from US models. We have no size data for the Outback.

Legacy sedan Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
2.5i versions[31] 187 in 72 in 59 in 108 in 3,417 lb
3.6R[32] 187 in 72 in 59 in 108 in 3,580 lb

How 2013 compares with other years

1995: 184 complaints, 2 recalls19951996: 169 complaints, 3 recalls1997: 218 complaints, 5 recalls19971998: 241 complaints, 4 recalls1999: 205 complaints, 3 recalls19992000: 301 complaints, 3 recalls2001: 248 complaints, 7 recalls20012002: 197 complaints, 4 recalls2003: 153 complaints, 14 recalls20032004: 139 complaints, 10 recalls2005: 457 complaints, 9 recalls20052006: 364 complaints, 7 recalls2007: 162 complaints, 9 recalls20072008: 291 complaints, 9 recalls2009: 171 complaints, 13 recalls20092010: 510 complaints, 18 recalls2011: 819 complaints, 16 recalls20112012: 384 complaints, 16 recalls2013: 363 complaints, 12 recalls36320132014: 261 complaints, 10 recalls2015: 670 complaints, 5 recalls20152016: 790 complaints, 4 recalls2017: 1,038 complaints, 4 recalls2017
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Legacy/Outback model year. The 2013 is highlighted[1].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
19951842
19961693
19972185
19982414
19992053
20003013
20012487
20021974
200315314
200413910
20054579
20063647
20071629
20082919
200917113
201051018
201181916
201238416
201336312
201426110
20156705
20167904
20171,0384

NHTSA lists 363 complaints and 12 recalls for 2013[1]. Among the 23 model years from 1995 to 2017 in our data, eight have more complaints[1]. Those are 2005, 2006, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2016 and 2017[1]. 2006 is just above, at 364[1]. Five years have more recalls: 2003, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012[1].

The neighbors are 2012, with 384 complaints and 16 recalls, and 2014, with 261 complaints and 10 recalls[1]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so treat them as a rough guide within this one model.

Should you buy a used 2013 Legacy or Outback?

The crash ratings are strong, with 5 stars overall for both models[4][28]. The recall list is the main thing to work through. Seven recalls involve passenger air bag inflators[11][13][12][15][16][17][19], so ask for proof that each one was completed on the car you are looking at. Test drive it on a highway, because owners in the complaint sample describe steering that wanders[8], and ask about oil use, since some owners in the engine sample mention it[5]. This page cannot tell you about price, reliability scores or tire and towing details.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2013 Subaru Outback?
Complaint counts are highest for the engine (88) and power train (72), then air bags (56)[5][6][7]. In the steering sample we read, 11 of 12 complaints describe wandering in the lane[8].
Does the 2013 Subaru Legacy have recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 12 recalls for the 2013 model year, including 7 for passenger air bag inflators[1][11][13][12][15][16][17][19].
What gas mileage does the 2013 Subaru Outback get?
EPA rates the 2.5L Outback at 24 combined MPG with the manual[25] and 26 with the automatic[26]. The 3.6L is rated 20 combined[27].
How does the 2013 Legacy compare with other years?
It has 363 complaints and 12 recalls[1]. 2012 has 384 complaints and 16 recalls, and 2014 has 261 and 10[1].

Facts and sources

  1. Owner complaints and recalls for every Subaru Legacy/Outback model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  2. NHTSA has 363 owner complaints on file for the 2013 Subaru Legacy/Outback (24 mention a crash, 6 a fire, 18 injuries, 1 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. EPA rating for Legacy AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 24 city / 32 highway / 27 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,500. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  4. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 5 stars; rollover risk 10.1%. NHTSA vehicle records
  5. 88 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 40,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  6. 72 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 100,564). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 56 complaints name the air bags component group (14 crashes, 1 fires, 16 injuries, median mileage at failure 37,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 38 complaints name the steering component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 1,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 35 complaints name the brakes component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 72,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 30 complaints name the speed control component group (8 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 15,450). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. Recall 20V001, filed January 2, 2020: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  12. Recall 20V002, filed January 2, 2020: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  13. Recall 20V003, filed January 2, 2020: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  14. Recall 19V297, filed April 11, 2019: Electrical System › Ignition › Switch. NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 19V008, filed January 9, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  16. Recall 19V007, filed January 9, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  17. Recall 19V009, filed January 9, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  18. Recall 18V626, filed September 13, 2018: Parking Brake. NHTSA recall database
  19. Recall 18V012, filed January 9, 2018: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  20. Recall 16V694, filed September 27, 2016: Visibility › Windshield Wiper / Washer › Motor. NHTSA recall database
  21. Recall 13V194, filed May 13, 2013: Steering › Column. NHTSA recall database
  22. Recall 13V061, filed February 25, 2013: Equipment. NHTSA recall database
  23. EPA rating for Legacy AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 28 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  24. EPA rating for Legacy AWD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic (S5), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 24 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  25. EPA rating for Outback AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 28 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  26. EPA rating for Outback AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 24 city / 30 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  27. EPA rating for Outback AWD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic (S5), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 24 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  28. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 17.4%. NHTSA vehicle records
  29. EPA Test Car List, 2013 Subaru Legacy/Outback with 2.5L 4-cylinder: rated 173 hp. www.epa.gov
  30. EPA Test Car List, 2013 Subaru Legacy/Outback with 3.6L 6-cylinder: rated 256 hp. www.epa.gov
  31. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, LEGACY 4DR SEDAN 2.5i/PZEV/2.5i TOURING/2.5i: length 187 in, width 72 in, height 59 in, wheelbase 108 in, curb weight 3,417 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  32. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, LEGACY 4DR SEDAN 3.6R: length 187 in, width 72 in, height 59 in, wheelbase 108 in, curb weight 3,580 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.