2013 Subaru Outback: common problems and reliability

The 2013 Subaru Outback has 295 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 12 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are engine and power train. Owners most often flag cvt transmission concerns: long-term reliability doubts, specific reports of torque converter and clutch pack failures requiring replacement under warranty, fluid migration issues in turbo models (tr690 transmission). "lifetime fluid" claim is disputed. frequency: very frequent.

Safety record for the 2013 model year

295
Owner complaints
12
Recalls
18
Crash reports
6
Fire reports

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2013 Subaru Outback vehicles (US, public record).

Is 2013 a good year for the Outback?

Across the 12 Outback model years we track, complaint volume runs from 95 (2003) to 1,028 (2019). With 295 complaints, the 2013 Outback sits about the same asthe model's median of 290.

These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.

Where owners report problems

engine
67
power train
58
air bags
42
steering
34
vehicle speed control
26

Recalls affecting the 2013 Outback

air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

Campaign 19V008000

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Outback, and Legacy vehicles, 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles and 2010-2013 Forester vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, A

air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

Campaign 19V007000

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Forester, 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Outback, Legacy, and 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, G

parking brake

Campaign 18V626000

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Subaru Legacy and Outback vehicles equipped with a manual transmission. The electronic parking brake (EPB) may not engage as intended, allowing the vehicle

air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

Campaign 19V009000

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles and 2010-2013 Forester vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Col

What owners say across generations

Mixed sentiment with a strong generational divide. Long-term reliability is a core positive, with many owners reporting vehicles reaching 200,000+ miles with proper maintenance, particularly for non-turbo models.

  • Infotainment system failures (6th gen: 2020-2025): Buggy, laggy, unresponsive touchscreen, frequent crashes, screen delamination, connectivity problems with CarPlay/Android Auto. Requires dealership updates or unit replacement. Frequency: very frequent.
  • CVT transmission concerns: Long-term reliability doubts, specific reports of torque converter and clutch pack failures requiring replacement under warranty, fluid migration issues in turbo models (TR690 transmission). "Lifetime fluid" claim is disputed. Frequency: very frequent.

Owner insights cover all generations of the Outback. See the full Outback owner picture and every model year.

Typical used price

Used Outback listings typically run $18,424–$29,686 across 2013 to 2026 model years.

Other Outback model years

Compare every Outback year side by side to see how 2013 ranks against the rest.

Compare the Outback against its rivals