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moderate Owners of the 2013 Subaru Outback have filed 20 NHTSA complaints about the electrical, typically surfacing around 64,000 miles at roughly $850 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See electrical across all vehicles →
| Model year | electrical complaints |
|---|---|
| 2009 Outback | 23 |
| 2010 Outback | 28 |
| 2011 Outback | 57 |
| 2012 Outback | 32 |
| 2013 Outback (this page) | 20 |
| 2014 Outback | 30 |
| 2015 Outback | 123 |
| 2016 Outback | 293 |
| 2017 Outback | 381 |
The engine turning off unexpectedly can increase the risk of a crash. If a crash occurs under this condition, the air bag may not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
The engine may inadvertently start and run for up to fifteen minutes. The engine may continue to start and stop until the fob battery is depleted, or until the vehicle runs out of fuel. If the vehicle is parked in an enclosed area, there is a risk of carbon monoxide build-up which may cause headaches, dizziness or, in extreme cases, unconsciousness and/or asphyxiation.
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical 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 bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body which incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability. (This is an revised version of the orignal bulletin.)
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body which incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin announces the new procedure and Warranty Fail Code for FirstTime air conditioning (A/C) performance concerns possibly resulting from an undetected A/C refrigerant leak.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin contains information to help when attempting to complete the STARLINK Telematics subscription process, an Error Code 202 and / or 204 may occur preventing the process from completing successfully
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Service Information Bulletin was developed to provide interim guidance for 2026 model year vehicles exhibiting DTC B2A20 with gen 4 Telematics.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
Owners report a wide range of electrical and safety system failures across the 2013 Outback electrical cluster. The most serious are false braking events from the EyeSight pre-collision system, which triggers emergency brakes when no collision threat exists, and an uncontrolled acceleration incident traced to ECM software fault. Complete electrical shutdown while driving—with all warning lights flashing and engine restart refusal—has occurred with no root cause identified even after dealer inspection.
Warning light cascades appear repeatedly: brake light, cruise control, and check engine lights flash together on multiple vehicles, often with conflicting dealer diagnoses (transmission solenoid, catalytic converter, O2 sensor). Backup camera failures come in two flavors: intermittent image dropout when reversing, and navigation system messages that completely obscure the camera view. Lighting circuits show a troubling pattern of repeated bulb failure (some within an hour of replacement) and charred sockets and wiring from electrical spikes, eventually leading to full wiring harness failure.
Electronic parking brake malfunctions strand vehicles; horn failure after Takata airbag recalls is acknowledged as common but not recalled. Airbag warning lights activate without occupants present. One owner reports spontaneous door unlocks during braking accompanied by electrical shock. Transmission engagement problems produce harsh clunking despite dealer fluid flushes and relearning, and dealers consistently fail to reproduce these faults during diagnostics.
Same Subaru Outback electrical reports on nearby years: 2011 · 2012 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016
The EyeSight collision-avoidance system triggers false emergency braking events. Vehicle detects non-existent objects or reacts inappropriately to nearby vehicles during normal passing maneuvers, forcing drivers to disable the safety feature.
When: While driving, especially highway speeds
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden beeping and collision detection warning on dash; Automatic emergency braking applied without imminent collision; False object detection alerts; System triggers during routine passing of other vehicles
Engine suddenly revs to maximum with no driver input, causing uncontrolled vehicle acceleration. Dealer diagnosis points to Engine Control Module (ECM) software malfunction. ECM software update resolves the issue.
When: December 2014 at approximately 7:40 AM, during low-speed braking
Symptoms owners cite: Engine suddenly revs to maximum with no throttle input; Vehicle accelerates uncontrollably while braking; Difficulty starting up (resolved after ECM update); Engine revving at low speeds or during braking on multiple prior occasions
Repairs/costs cited: ECM software update performed by Subaru dealer; no further acceleration issues after repair
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer performed ECM software update
Vehicle suddenly shuts off while in motion with simultaneous flash of all warning lights. Vehicle fails to restart immediately but restarts after approximately one hour. Cause remains undiagnosed; dealer dismissive of diagnostics.
When: June 5, 2021
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle shuts off suddenly while driving; All warning lights flash simultaneously; Vehicle will not restart on first or second attempt; Vehicle eventually restarts after extended period
Codes mentioned: Gas cap code (determined to be false positive by mechanic)
Repairs/costs cited: Local auto repair shop found cracked gas cap code; mechanic confirmed it could not have caused shutdown. Gas cap replaced as precaution.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru dealer service consultant declined to diagnose, suggesting continued driving until next incident occurs
Third brake light bulb blows; inspection reveals both left and right tail light sockets scorched brown/black around bulb contact points. Sockets appear overheated to near-melting point, indicating excessive heat or electrical surge.
When: At 27 months/27,000 mostly city miles
Symptoms owners cite: Blown third tail light bulb; Both tail light sockets scorched brown/black; Sockets appear near melting from extreme heat; Multiple bulb failures (see also narrative #15)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer replaced blown bulb only; no comment on scorched sockets
Backup camera display fails intermittently when transmission placed in reverse. Blue screen and guideline appear but camera image does not, or image cuts out mid-backup. Issue began several years ago; pattern unknown.
When: Several years after ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Blue screen and backup guidelines display but no camera image when in reverse; Intermittent failures occurring both when stationary and while backing; Camera image sometimes returns momentarily or not at all; Image is clear when it does appear, suggesting software or connection issue
Navigation system messages from Bluetooth phone connection display on screen while vehicle is in reverse, completely obscuring the backup camera view. This occurs every time driver starts the car and begins backing.
When: Occurs every start and backup
Symptoms owners cite: Navigation system messages overlay backup camera display during reverse; Backup camera becomes completely obscured while backing up; Bluetooth phone messages display on top of camera feed
Dashboard warning lights (brake light, cruise control, check engine) flash simultaneously on multiple occasions. Dealer provides conflicting diagnoses across multiple incidents, including transmission solenoid failure and emissions system failures.
When: Multiple incidents over time
Symptoms owners cite: Brake light, cruise control, and check engine lights flash together; Cruise control becomes inoperative during light flashing; Vehicle runs normally otherwise but lights continue
Repairs/costs cited: First incident: Dealer diagnosed body valve failure inside transmission ($1,500 dealer + $300 customer paid). Ten days later same lights returned; dealer quoted catalytic converter and O2 sensors ($1,800) but customer declined.
Electronic parking brake fails to engage on first attempt, then becomes stuck in engaged position and will not disengage. Vehicle immobilized with brake light blinking. AWD system prevents wheel movement, complicating towing.
When: Shortly after taking vehicle from dealer
Symptoms owners cite: Electronic parking brake fails to turn on initially; Brake light blinking; Parking brake suddenly engages and becomes stuck in locked position; Brake will not release despite multiple attempts; Vehicle completely immobilized
Horn becomes intermittent and stops working completely, often following Takata airbag recall. Diagnosis indicates faulty clock spring. Dealers acknowledge this is a common failure on Subaru vehicles but no TSB or recall exists.
When: Post-airbag recall; owner has 2013 model
Symptoms owners cite: Horn becomes intermittent; Horn stops working entirely; Vehicle fails state inspection due to inoperative horn
Repairs/costs cited: Clock spring replacement required; costs range $237–$665 depending on dealer
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru customer service denies warranty assistance citing vehicle age and mileage; dealers note this is common failure post-Takata recall but no TSB or recall available
Vehicle engine auto-starts twice without driver action or key insertion. Owner reports this as first occurrence. This is distinct from unintended acceleration but suggests electrical/software control anomaly.
When: First noticed the morning owner submitted complaint #1
Symptoms owners cite: Engine auto-starts without driver input; Occurs twice in one morning; No warning lamps or error messages associated
Transmission fails to engage 2nd gear smoothly on three separate occasions over five months. Vehicle revs high with no power transfer, then lurches forward with loud clunk. Issue persists even after transmission fluid flush and relearning procedure.
When: At 40,000 miles, three occasions over five months
Symptoms owners cite: Cannot catch 2nd gear; Engine revs high without corresponding vehicle acceleration; Heavy jolt felt by occupants with loud clunking noise; Problem not reproducible during dealer diagnostic sessions; Issue recurs immediately after transmission relearning service
Repairs/costs cited: Subaru service performed transmission fluid flush and transmission relearning; problem persists despite service
Repeated bulb failures across multiple lighting circuits (low beam H7, tail lights, high beams) with bulbs failing within an hour of dealer replacement. Fixtures show charring from extreme electrical spikes. Entire passenger-side wiring harness has failed.
When: Within past 12 months; low beams replaced 5 times this year, tail lights 3 times in 8 months, high beams 3 times in 12 months, fixtures replaced twice, now entire passenger wiring harness out
Symptoms owners cite: Low beam H7 bulbs fail repeatedly, sometimes within 1 hour of dealer installation; Tail light bulbs fail 3 times in 8 months; High beam bulbs fail 3 times in 12 months; Light fixtures charred from extreme current spikes in wiring; Entire passenger-side wiring harness now inoperative
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple bulb replacements and fixture replacements by dealership; passenger wiring harness failure requires replacement
Airbag indicator light and alarm activate intermittently regardless of whether passenger is present in seat. Light flashes at startup then remains lit; alarm sounds at speeds above 25–30 mph even with no occupant.
When: Intermittent; occurs at startup and during operation
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger airbag indicator light flashes and remains lit at startup; Alarm sounds at speeds over 25–30 mph without passenger present; Occurs intermittently with no clear pattern; Light and alarm activate whether or not passenger sits in seat
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru service unable to troubleshoot
Backup camera in liftgate suffers corrosion and stops functioning, eliminating rearview safety when reversing. Water ingress or environmental exposure leads to camera failure.
When: After extended ownership period
Symptoms owners cite: Camera in liftgate corrodes and stops working; Loss of backup camera safety feature
When driver applies brakes while vehicle is in motion, all car doors unlock automatically. Passenger reports receiving electrical shock when exiting vehicle after braking event.
When: During normal braking while in motion
Symptoms owners cite: All car doors unlock spontaneously when brakes are applied; Passenger experiences electrical shock upon exiting vehicle; Occurs during routine braking events
Transmission control solenoid circuit locks up, triggering check engine, ABS, and oil warning indicators. Part requires replacement to restore function.
When: At approximately 108,610 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illuminated; ABS warning light illuminated; Oil warning indicator illuminated; Vehicle not repaired; cause identified as locked-up duty solenoid circuit
Repairs/costs cited: Part replacement required but not performed by owner
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified of failure
Synthesized from 20 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 20 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $850 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
Across the 14 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 12,000 and 90,000 miles, with the median around 64,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 12,000; a quarter make it past 90,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical 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.
Yes — 2 active recall(s) cover electrical issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.