This Bulletin provides the diagnostic procedure for the STARLINK® Remote Engine Start (RES).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 Subaru Legacy engine problems
moderate 17 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
17
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
When does it fail?
Of the 17 engine 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
Among the 14 model years of Subaru Legacy in our records for engine problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
Engine accounts for 26% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 7 categories tracked.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine 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.
This Service Information Bulletin provides the Service Manual Correction to the diagnostic procedure for DTC B2A16 (Immobilizer Key Collation Diagnosis).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗In the interest of customer satisfaction Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is extending the New Car Limited Warranty coverage in the models listed. The extension will address instances of “phantom braking” or the EyeSight/RAB systems causing unnecessary stoppage/slowing of the vehicle.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Bulletin announces the diagnostic procedures to be followed when diagnosing engine oil leakage on FA and FB type engines.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗The purpose of this bulletin is to advise of SOA’s revised Catalytic Converter Recycling Program shipping procedure.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2013 Subaru Legacy's 2.5L boxer engine has a chronic oil-consumption problem affecting a cluster of 17 complaints. Most owners burn through a quart of full synthetic oil every 2,800 to 3,000 miles—some at rates of 11 ounces per 1,000 miles or more. The oil warning light comes on predictably within this window. Owners report needing to top off between scheduled changes or carrying oil on road trips. One owner on a third engine replacement still saw the warning light at 2,300 miles; another with block and piston-ring replacement still lost 3 ounces per 1,000 miles.
Dealerships and Subaru of America tell owners consumption is "normal" for this model year, despite class-action lawsuit proceedings. A technical service bulletin exists (02-157-14R), and a voluntary fix was offered but not applied to many owners. No narratives document a lasting repair.
Beyond oil consumption, owners report engine stalling at low speeds during acceleration (especially around 35 mph), sudden unintended acceleration surges requiring ignition shutdown, and abnormally high RPM at highway speeds that improves only by turning off the heater. Software updates and computer reprogramming have not resolved these drivability issues.
Same Subaru Legacy engine reports on nearby years: 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2015
Failure modes owners describe
Excessive oil consumption
Engine burns or consumes oil at rates far above normal, typically 1 quart per 2,800–3,000 miles of synthetic oil. Owners report needing to add oil between scheduled changes or top off on road trips. One owner reported 10 quarts added in 2 weeks; another recorded 11 ounces consumed per 1,000 miles (about 3.5 quarts per 3,000 miles). Dealership technicians claim consumption falls within spec despite testing; one owner had block and piston rings replaced twice without resolution. A recall letter was issued but dealership testing at 1,200-mile intervals yielded no action. One owner on a third engine replacement still reports oil-warning light activation at 2,300 miles after new engine installation.
When: Typically starts early in ownership, appears at 10,500 miles for some; persists throughout ownership across 24,550 to 169,000 miles; consumption accelerates with longer highway drives
Symptoms owners cite: Oil warning light illuminates after 2,800–3,000 miles of driving; Dipstick shows significant loss within weeks of last change; Black smoke from exhaust pipe (noted in one complaint at 169k miles); Oil level drops a quarter to halfway down dipstick on longer trips
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership replaced engine block and piston rings on at least one vehicle without lasting fix; one owner had third engine installed and light came on again at 2,300 miles. Some owners carry extra quarts in vehicle. No successful repair documented in narratives.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru of America stated excessive oil consumption is 'normal' for new vehicles and they 'eat more oil'; technical service bulletin referenced (02-157-14R) but no recall or mandatory fix applied to complainants; voluntary fix mentioned but owners were outside notification window; class-action lawsuit referenced requiring receipts for reimbursement
Engine stalling during acceleration or low-speed driving
Engine stalls unexpectedly during normal driving, particularly at low speeds or while accelerating, sometimes requiring operator intervention to restart. One owner reported stalling at 35 mph on hills and level roads; another experienced stalling while slowly pulling into driveway and at mailbox. Stalls occur intermittently and engine restarts after losing 5–10 mph. Dealership computer reprogramming did not permanently resolve issue.
When: Reported across various mileages and driving conditions; one case at 169,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden engine stall at low speeds (35 mph and below) or during slow acceleration; Stall occurs on inclines, declines, and level ground without pattern; Engine restarts on its own after losing speed, or operator must restart; Engine compression test was recommended by independent mechanic
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership reprogrammed engine computer; problem returned shortly after; independent mechanic recommended compression test but no repair completed
Sudden unintended acceleration with high engine revs
Engine unexpectedly surges with high RPMs during slow, controlled driving (pulling into driveway, moving toward mailbox). Event triggered three high engine revs followed by forward surge; reoccurred after software update. Operator must turn off ignition to stop surge; after restart, same behavior repeats. Problem resolves after letting vehicle sit minutes.
When: Multiple occurrences within same service interval; one month after initial software update
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden surge forward with high engine revs during slow-speed maneuvering; Three successive high-RPM spikes before surge; Occurs with foot not on accelerator; Requires ignition shutdown to stop; behavior repeats on restart until vehicle cools
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership applied software update but failure reoccurred one month later
Elevated engine RPM at highway speeds with CVT transmission
Engine RPM runs higher than normal when cruising above 40 mph, settling at 1,750–1,800 RPM initially but climbing to 2,000–2,100 RPM. Fuel economy drops correspondingly. RPM can only be reduced to normal range by turning off heater fan or setting temperature to coldest setting. Owner reports this requires unsafe manipulation of climate controls while driving and Subaru confirmed this is not normal when questioned by owner.
When: Ongoing; noticed during normal highway cruising
Symptoms owners cite: Engine RPM elevated at 2,000–2,100 rpm during steady 40+ mph cruising; Fuel economy drops from 37–40 mpg to lower range; RPM returns to 1,750 rpm only when heater fan is off or temperature set to coldest; No other method lowers RPM to normal range
Repairs/costs cited: No repair attempted; Subaru advised condition is 'normal'
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru advised this is normal operation; owner questioned if Subaru representative would consider it normal and she answered 'no'
Synthesized from 17 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
I received a recall letter about problem with the Engine, They did to Tess at 1200 miles each but the car runs out of oil between 25 and 3000 mile every time but they did nothing about it
The issue is with the oil consumption. I purchase a 2013 Subaru legacy limited in january 2014 with just over 12,100 miles on it . I would do a full synthetic oil change regardless but this make/model/year requires full synthetic. The 0w full synthetic is wicked expensive to begin with. I have brought the car in 3 times in the 10 months I have owned it for an oil consumption test and of…
Low oil warning light came on. Took vehicle to dealer. They told me it was normal. At 10,500 miles, same thing happened. Like clockwork, every 3,000 miles the light goes on and I'm down at least a quart of oil. This has happened every 3,000 miles since then. I've been driving for 50+ years and have never had any vehicle, foreign or domestic, use a quart of oil every 3,000 miles no matter how old…
I am on my third engine due to the oil consumption issues. I just had a the third engine put in and the light came on at 2300 miles. I also had to replace the catalytic converter and the clutch. I am still having issues with the clutch as well. It's a 2013 Subaru legacy 2.5l manual transmission and Subaru won't make things right. I spent 80% of my time that I owned it performing oil consumption…
The contact's son owns a 2013 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that while her son was driving at an undisclosed speed and approaching a traffic light, the vehicle stalled. The contact's son was able to restart the vehicle and continued driving. However, the failure reoccurred on two different occasions. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing excessive oil consumption.…
Had engine 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 engine problem on the 2013 Subaru Legacy?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 17 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 11 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 13,000 and 81,000 miles, with the median around 32,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 13,000; a quarter make it past 81,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine 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 engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine 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.