The Lemon Index2013 Subaru Legacy.
The 2013 Subaru Legacy is one of the most reliable years by owner complaints: 26 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 48, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about engine, it has 12 recalls, and it gets 20 to 27 mpg combined. The best Subaru Legacy year is 2012.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 66 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Subaru Legacy year. 2013 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 12K to 96K miles on the car (47 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
Recalls 12
- airbags 2020
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- airbags 2020
" These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior.
- airbags 2020
" These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall us.
Show all 12 recalls
- electrical 2019
The ball spring inside the switch may break, reducing the strength of the ignition switch.
- airbags 2019
These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipm.
- airbags 2019
An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- airbags 2019
These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or rep.
- parking brake 2018
The electronic parking brake (EPB) may not engage as intended, allowing the vehicle to rollaway if the transmission is not in the proper gear when parked.
- airbags 2018
An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- visibility 2016
Due to contamination, components within the windshield wiper motor bottom cover may interfere with each other.
- steering 2013
In the affected vehicles, the inner and outer shafts of the steering column assembly may become disengaged from one another.
- electrical 2013
Additionally included are certain model year 2013 Legacy and Outback vehicles that may have received replacement RES fobs.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Subaru told dealers about
Subaru sent dealers 503 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- A change to surface treatment applied to oil control piston rings and if condition remains ,…
- Oil Consumption in Certain Subaru Models
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subaru Legacy 4 DR AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2400–3200 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.5L 4-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
Vehicle burns a quart of synthetic oil every 2800'miles. Dealership says that's normal. I say there is a problem with the oil consumption.
2013 Subaru Legacy owner · NHTSA complaint 10852088
Quick answers
Is the 2013 Subaru Legacy reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew 2.1× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 48; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Subaru Legacy year by this measure is 2012.
What are the most common 2013 Subaru Legacy problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (27%), airbags (15%) and seat belts (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2013 Subaru Legacy have?
12 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2013 Subaru Legacy get?
20 to 27 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2013 Subaru Legacy safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2013 Subaru Legacy problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 12,000 and 96,000 miles. The middle report was at 30,000 miles, from 47 complaints.
Does the 2013 Subaru Legacy have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2013 Subaru Legacy cost in fuel a year?
About $2400 to $3200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2013 Subaru Legacy have?
2.5L 4-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl.
What Subaru Legacy year is better than the 2013?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2012, 2014 and 2013.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works