Oil consumption problem. Oil light comes on before recommended oil change. Did 1200 mile oil consumption test with no oil burned. At about 5,000 miles oil light comes on again. I believe there is a tsb out but I believe Subaru should fix problem regardless of expense. Still under warranty. Still working with dealer who have been very good about this problem so far. *tr
2013 Subaru Outback engine problems
moderate 47 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
47
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
1fire
When does it fail?
Of the 47 engine complaints filed for the 2013 Subaru Outback, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 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
Of the 18 model years of Subaru Outback we track for engine problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 47.
Owners have filed 47 engine complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
Engine is burning oil into atmosphere. Getting less than 800 miles before oil light comes on. Consumes over a quart of synthetic motor oil every two weeks. Subaru has been replacing motors for only when people complain and only if they are in warranty, I was outside of warranty when I experienced this, thankfully I bought some extended insurance, however they only replace the motor with a…
According to my mechanic, the Engine Cradle is severly corroded and needs to be replaced. According to Subaru, today December 4, 2024, Subaru inspected my vehicle and determined it was badly corroded. I have pictures to show this and the report from Subaru showing they did look at this corrosion. I had wanted Subaru to replace the Engine Cradle because of the damage. They claimed the car was…
Severe burning oil issue. Releasing toxic smoke into atmosphere. This is a wide spread issue with Subaru 2.5 motors. They are only offering a fix for anyone in warrantee. This is preventing many vehicles from being repaired due to cost of repair. This happens mainly on highway driving for me. I had my engine replaced out of warranty and now the junkyard motor they gave me is doing the same…
Had engine trouble with your 2013 Subaru Outback?
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 Outback?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 47 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 33 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 20,000 and 87,145 miles, with the median around 52,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 20,000; a quarter make it past 87,145. 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/Outback.
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.