NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode due to propellant breakdown from exposure to high humidity, temperature changes, and heat over time.
What the fix does
This page covers 11 recalls, 66 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2013 Subaru Legacy.
20–27 mpg combined
8.7–11.8 L/100km
Midsize Cars
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 3 tested variants for this model year.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Complaints about the 2013 Subaru Legacy center most heavily on the engine and powertrain. The most widely reported engine issue is excessive oil consumption, owners across multiple reports describe needing to add oil frequently between changes, sometimes dropping a quart or more over a relatively short stretch of driving. On the powertrain side, owners report erratic or harsh gear shifting, delayed engagement, and in some cases transmission failure at relatively modest mileage. A smaller but notable cluster of complaints involves the airbag system, where owners report warning lights illuminating without a clear trigger. Scattered reports also describe front-end noises, clunking, popping, and scraping during turns or braking, along with handling instability. A handful of owners mention accelerated frame corrosion, particularly on the passenger side, which some connect to moisture from the air conditioning system draining onto the frame.
66
Total Complaints
6
Crash-Related
3
With Injuries
By System
The 2013 Subaru Legacy has 11 recalls, the most serious being a passenger-side frontal airbag inflator that can explode and send metal fragments into the cabin, posing a risk of serious injury or death to occupants.
Multiple recalls cover this same airbag inflator defect, and some filings specifically apply to vehicles sold or registered in high-humidity states and territories including Florida, Hawaii, Texas, and others. The steering column is also a critical concern: if assembled incorrectly, it can fail and leave the driver with no ability to steer the vehicle. The ignition switch is subject to a separate recall affecting vehicles where the switch was replaced as a service part; an internal spring can break and cause the engine to shut off unexpectedly, which also disables the airbags if a crash follows. On the visibility side, contamination inside the windshield wiper motor can cause it to overheat and stop working, leaving the driver without wipers in wet conditions. On manual transmission models, the electronic parking brake may fail to engage fully, allowing the vehicle to roll away when parked.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode due to propellant breakdown from exposure to high humidity, temperature changes, and heat over time.
What the fix does
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger air bag inflator may explode due to propellant breakdown caused by prolonged exposure to high humidity, heat, and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator with a different design at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode due to propellant breakdown caused by long-term exposure to humidity, heat, and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The ball spring inside the ignition switch may break, weakening it. Key ring weight or road conditions could then shift the switch from run to accessory position, shutting off the engine.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the ignition switch and replace it if needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode during deployment in a crash. This can happen because the propellant inside degrades over time when exposed to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator can explode during deployment due to propellant degradation from long-term exposure to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode during deployment due to propellant breaking down after long-term exposure to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The electronic parking brake may fail to engage properly, which could allow the vehicle to roll away if the transmission is not in the correct gear when parked.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the electronic parking brake actuator assembly at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode during deployment in a crash. This can happen because the inflator's propellant degrades over time when exposed to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Contaminated components in the windshield wiper motor bottom cover may interfere with each other. If snow or ice buildup prevents the wiper arms from stopping in the parked position, the motor can overheat and the cover may melt.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the windshield wiper motor bottom cover assembly at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The steering column may have been assembled incorrectly and could fail, causing sudden loss of steering control and possible crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the entire steering column assembly.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
