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 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.

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).

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. The Outback is consistently praised for its pra

  • 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.
  • Driver's side window regulator failure — Window sticks open, especially in cold/wet weather, fails to close. Known service bulletin for warped channels/regulators. Frequency: recurrent.
  • Battery premature failure — Batteries dying around the 3-year mark, potentially linked to start/stop system and parasitic drain. Known service bulletin (07-213-22R) for 2020-2023 models. Frequency: recurrent.
  • Oil consumption — Engines, particularly older 4-cylinder models (e.g., 2010-2012), noted for consuming oil. Requires regular level checks. Newer FB engines have cam carrier and oil pan leaks. Frequency: recurrent.

Owner insights cover all generations of the Outback.

Typical used price

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

Other Outback model years

2025 Outback2022 Outback2021 Outback2019 Outback2018 Outback2014 Outback2010 Outback2009 Outback2007 Outback2003 Outback1999 Outback
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