This bulletin provides information on paint codes for vehicles in the 2026 line up.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 Subaru Legacy body problems
severe 4 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,500 · see body across all vehicles →
Complaints
4
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,500
1crash
When does it fail?
Of the 4 body complaints filed for the 2013 Subaru Legacy, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA body complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 12 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering body on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Front Door Panel? UPDATE 10/5 TO: Parts Managers/Service Managers FROM: Subaru of America, Inc. DEPARTMENT: Parts & Service DATE: 10/05/2017 Please disregard the message below. The supplier has determined there was an error in the inspection process and the door panels listed below meet SIA?s specifications. All Parts Claims have been cancelled. We apologize for any inconvenience caused. Due to a production issue with part numbers: 60009AJ00B9P, 01B9P, 02B9P, & 03B9P retailers are required to scrap their on-hand inventory on site. These will not be returned to the RDCs. All claims were entered for the retailers based on their PartsEye inventory. They do require a DPSM approval. Replacement i
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗MODELS WITH SUNROOFS ONLY. If you encounter a customer complaint of water leaking into the interior of the vehicle from the map light area, the following 2 areas should be inspected closely for a potential source or cause: * The leak could be caused by water leaking past the sunroof cable mechanism. To remedy the condition, silicone sealer will need to be carefully applied to both of the front end caps. * One or both of the sunroof drain tubes may be kinked or restricted causing water accumulated in the frame assembly to overflow and leak into the interior.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗CLICK, POP OR CREEK SOUND FROM LEFT OR RIGHT OUTER COWL CORNER / BASE OF A PILLAR AREA - THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES A REPAIR PROCEDURE TO ADDRESS CUSTOMER CONCERNS OF A CLICK, POP OR CREEK SOUND HEARD COMING FROM EITHER THE LEFT OR RIGHT SIDE AROUND THE REAR CORNERS OF THE COWL / ENGINE COMPARTMENT / BASE OF A PILLAR AREA.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗?Click?, ?Pop? or ?Creek? Sound from Left or Right Outer Cowl Corner / Base of ?A? Pillar Area
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
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 and the ignition was turned off. A very frightening experience. Am not comfortable driving this car for fear of another similar occurrence. *tr
Had body trouble with your 2013 Subaru Legacy?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the body problem on the 2013 Subaru Legacy?
It's a meaningful issue. 4 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,500.
At what mileage does the body typically fail?
Based on the 4 complaints filed, body issues most often appear around 12,962 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,500 for body repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to body?
No active recalls currently cover body issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/Subaru/Legacy.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.