Subaru Outback problems
295 owner complaints with NHTSA, no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
- Steering: 34 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 2,000–37,000 mi
- Reliability score 7.2/10 — around the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Subaru outback. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked inside the garage, a crack formed on the upper passenger's side of the windshield. The contact stated that he checked the security footage around his home where the vehicle was…
In motion driving straight down county route 80 on a good weather day slowed down going to turn into a shop and takata airbag deployed. Was loud bang and horn would not stop going off. Pulled off road in front of a art gallery, called aaa they towed car to a garage called…
Was driving south on I-5 near orland, ca on 12/26/18 when my outback began shaking and attempting to "brake" (I was doing between 65 - 70 MPH). I looked down and the parking brake signal was illuminated. (I had not engaged the brake.) I was able to pull to the side of the road.…
Excessive oil usage, regularly occurs within 6000 miles of oil change burns one quart of synthetic engine oil. Also note bushing in drivers side lower control arm has failed as of 50,000.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2013 Subaru Outback reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.2 out of 10 based on 295 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2013 Subaru Outback is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2013 Subaru Outback?
The 2013 Subaru Outback is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Steering: 34 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 2,000–37,000 mi; Reliability score 7.2/10 — around the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What's the most common problem on the 2013 Subaru Outback?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 56 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 95,059 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 95,059 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Subaru Outback has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2013 Subaru Outback?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 295 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $2,500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.