The Lemon Index2013 Subaru Outback.
The 2013 Subaru Outback is better than average by owner complaints: 101 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 69, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about steering, it has 12 recalls, and it gets 20 to 26 mpg combined. The best Subaru Outback year is 2012.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 297 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Subaru Outback 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 5K to 90K miles on the car (204 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- engine complaints mostly came at 9K–90K miles
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 23K–120K miles
- airbags complaints mostly came at 13K–70K miles
Recalls 12
- airbags 2020
" These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall us.
- airbags 2020
" These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior.
- airbags 2020
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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 rep.
- 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 replacement equipm.
- 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 519 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 Outback SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2450–3200 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.5L 4-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
Vehicle drifts at highway speeds, regardless of how diligent you are it will start drifting off, and requires constant correction.
2013 Subaru Outback owner · NHTSA complaint 10501289
More owner reports
We are experiencing excessive oil loss (over a quart) from a brand new car. A quart of oil magically disappearing. This is not right.
NHTSA complaint 10682374
Using excessive oil. Thi si sthe secon time I had to put oil in approximately 5700 milees after an oil change. Its not leakeing anywhere.
NHTSA complaint 10721200
Quick answers
Is the 2013 Subaru Outback reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.4× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 69; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Subaru Outback year by this measure is 2012.
What are the most common 2013 Subaru Outback problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are steering (26%), engine (24%) and speed control (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2013 Subaru Outback 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 Outback get?
20 to 26 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2013 Subaru Outback 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 Outback problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 5,100 and 90,800 miles. The middle report was at 44,100 miles, from 204 complaints.
Does the 2013 Subaru Outback have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 13% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2013 Subaru Outback cost in fuel a year?
About $2450 to $3200 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2013 Subaru Outback have?
2.5L 4-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl.
What Subaru Outback 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