NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
What can fail
This page covers 13 recalls, 294 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2013 Subaru Outback.
20–26 mpg combined
9–11.8 L/100km
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
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
For the 2013 Subaru Outback, engine and powertrain issues make up the largest share of what owners report, with complaints spread fairly evenly between the two systems. On the engine side, owners describe check engine lights, oil consumption concerns, and issues with catalytic converters and oxygen sensors. Powertrain complaints center on transmission and drivetrain behavior, including rough shifting and engagement problems. The third most-reported system is airbags, where owners describe unexpected deployments and a recurring pattern involving the passenger seat occupant detection sensor failing to register a seated passenger, which owners say causes the airbag system to show as inactive or non-functional. The seat sensor issue appears across multiple reports, often surfacing alongside seatbelt warning chimes that persist even with a passenger present.
294
Total Complaints
17
Crash-Related
6
Fire-Related
10
With Injuries
By System
The 2013 Subaru Outback has 13 recalls, the most serious being a passenger-side airbag inflator that can explode and send metal fragments into the cabin, posing a risk of serious injury or death.
The airbag issue is the subject of multiple recalls and prior repair attempts did not fully resolve the problem for all affected vehicles. Beyond that, two other issues affect control of the vehicle: the inner and outer shafts of the steering column can separate, causing a complete loss of steering, and on vehicles where a mechanical key ignition switch was installed as a replacement part, a broken spring inside the switch can allow the engine to shut off unexpectedly, which also disables the airbags in a crash. The windshield wiper motor can overheat and stop working, leaving the driver without wipers in wet conditions.
On the parking and remote-start side, manual transmission models have an electronic parking brake that may not fully engage, leaving the vehicle free to roll. Vehicles with an Audiovox remote engine starter accessory can have the engine start on its own and continue cycling on and off until the key fob battery or the fuel runs out. There is also a recall for EyeSight-equipped vehicles where an error in the French-language owner's manual could lead a driver to misuse the system.
At a glance
What can fail
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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 →
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 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
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 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 French version of the EyeSight Owner's Manual contains incorrect translations that could lead to unsafe operation of the driver assist system.
What the fix does
Subaru will mail corrected French manuals to affected owners and provide additional copies to dealers.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The inner and outer shafts of the steering column assembly may separate from each other, potentially affecting steering control.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the entire steering column assembly with a new one at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The remote engine starter fob may malfunction if dropped, causing it to randomly send an engine start signal without the button being pressed.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the remote engine starter fob at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
