2013 SUBARU OUTBACK

402 complaints filed with NHTSA.

402
Complaints
34
Crashes
7
Fires
24
Injuries
2
Deaths

NHTSA Safety Rating

5/5
Overall
5/5
Front Crash
5/5
Side Crash
4/5
Rollover

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ENGINE67
POWER TRAIN58
AIR BAGS38
STEERING34
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL25
UNKNOWN OR OTHER24
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM23
SERVICE BRAKES23
SUSPENSION15
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM12
VISIBILITY/WIPER11
SEATS8
EXTERIOR LIGHTING8
STRUCTURE:BODY7
WHEELS5

Recalls (12)

16V69400027/09/2016

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Legacy vehicles manufactured November 26, 2008, to June 7, 2013, and 2010-2014 Outback vehicles manufactured January 9, 2009 to June 7, 2013. Due to contamination, components within the windshield wiper motor bottom cover ma

13V06100025/02/2013

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Legacy and Outback vehicles equipped with an automatic or CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory, certain model year 2012-2013 Impreza vehicles equipped with a CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES

18V62600013/09/2018

PARKING BRAKE

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 to rollaway if the transmission is not in the proper gear when parked.

13V19400013/05/2013

STEERING

Subaru is recalling certain model year 2013 Outback and Legacy vehicles manufactured from February 15, 2012, through June 15, 2012. In the affected vehicles, the inner and outer shafts of the steering column assembly may become disengaged from one another.

19V29700011/04/2019

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, 2008-2011 Impreza vehicles, 2008-2014 WRX vehicles, 2005-2014 Legacy vehicles, 2005-2014 Outback vehicles and 2006-2008 Tribeca vehicles equipped with a mechanical key ignition switch installed as a replacement part.

19V00800009/01/2019

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Ma

19V00700009/01/2019

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, Amer

19V00900009/01/2019

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mont

18V01200009/01/2018

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Legacy, Forester, Tribeca, WRX and Outback vehicles, and 2009-2011 Impreza vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, Am

20V00300002/01/2020

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa,

20V00200002/01/2020

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbi

20V00100002/01/2020

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (STI included), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawai

Recent Complaints

20260128FireSTRUCTURE:BODY

The vehicle caught fire while driving along the interstate. It's a total loss.

20250225CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

I was pulling into a parking spot, without any warning the car accelerated through a fence and hit a tree. There were no injuries and the airbags did not deploy. A man was waving me to stop and I could not. Fortunately the small tree stopped the car. At first I thought maybe the gas pedal stuck or in human error I hit the gas to hard. But that was not the case. I could not control the car and my thought "what is happening"!

20250225CrashUNKNOWN OR OTHER

I was pulling into a parking spot, without any warning the car accelerated through a fence and hit a tree. There were no injuries and the airbags did not deploy. A man was waving me to stop and I could not. Fortunately the small tree stopped the car. At first I thought maybe the gas pedal stuck or in human error I hit the gas to hard. But that was not the case. I could not control the car and my thought "what is happening"!

20241031CrashAIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE

The contact owned a 2013 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving at approximately 35 MPH, he lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a metal guard rail on the driver's side along the length of the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle had bounced off of the rail and the front end on the passenger side had crashed into a metal post on the right side of the road. The contact stated that the force of the crash ejected him through the windshield. The contact stated that EMS and

Mileage: 80,000

20241031CrashSEAT BELTS

The contact owned a 2013 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving at approximately 35 MPH, he lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a metal guard rail on the driver's side along the length of the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle had bounced off of the rail and the front end on the passenger side had crashed into a metal post on the right side of the road. The contact stated that the force of the crash ejected him through the windshield. The contact stated that EMS and

Mileage: 80,000

20240701FireENGINE

The contact owned a 2013 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in the contact's residential driveway, the contact noticed the smoke exiting from the hood area of the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle was on fire. The fire department arrived on the scene and extinguished the fire. A fire report was filed. The vehicle remained at the contact's residence. The vehicle was condemned to total loss. The contact stated that as a result of the fire, the contact's

20231004CrashAIR BAGS

I was pulling into a parking space very slowly when the car went into overdrive and suddenly accelerated at a high speed. It plunged down a slight decline and hit a large tree. My airbag failed to deploy although I was thrown violently forward, and the car sustained severe front end damage. The car is considered a total loss and I spent a day at a hospital emergency room. The sudden unexpected acceleration and the lack of airbag inflation is going to be assessed by Subaru on 10/24/23. I understa

20231004CrashFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I was pulling into a parking space very slowly when the car went into overdrive and suddenly accelerated at a high speed. It plunged down a slight decline and hit a large tree. My airbag failed to deploy although I was thrown violently forward, and the car sustained severe front end damage. The car is considered a total loss and I spent a day at a hospital emergency room. The sudden unexpected acceleration and the lack of airbag inflation is going to be assessed by Subaru on 10/24/23. I understa

20231004CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

I was pulling into a parking space very slowly when the car went into overdrive and suddenly accelerated at a high speed. It plunged down a slight decline and hit a large tree. My airbag failed to deploy although I was thrown violently forward, and the car sustained severe front end damage. The car is considered a total loss and I spent a day at a hospital emergency room. The sudden unexpected acceleration and the lack of airbag inflation is going to be assessed by Subaru on 10/24/23. I understa

20220215FireSEATS

The contact owns a 2013 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that after driving for about two hours, she switched seats with her boyfriend. While her boyfriend was driving, there was an abnormal odor present. The contact noticed smoke under the front passenger seat. The driver was able to pull over to the side of the road. There were no warning indicator lights illuminated. The driver attempted to put out the fire. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire and disconnect the battery.

Mileage: 173,400

20210524CrashFUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Upon entering a parking space,my 2013 Subaru Outback went from idle to full acceleration,hitting a parked,unoccupied truck. Braking had no effect on the car,the air bag did not deploy,and the car did not decelerate until I was able to engage Park-within a few seconds it resumed the idle. The police made a report,car was taken to wrecking yard,and is now at repair facility for possible repair. There were no prior warnings or messages. I was unaware of a safety issue with Subaru and when I conta

20210524CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Upon entering a parking space,my 2013 Subaru Outback went from idle to full acceleration,hitting a parked,unoccupied truck. Braking had no effect on the car,the air bag did not deploy,and the car did not decelerate until I was able to engage Park-within a few seconds it resumed the idle. The police made a report,car was taken to wrecking yard,and is now at repair facility for possible repair. There were no prior warnings or messages. I was unaware of a safety issue with Subaru and when I conta

20210524CrashFORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

Upon entering a parking space,my 2013 Subaru Outback went from idle to full acceleration,hitting a parked,unoccupied truck. Braking had no effect on the car,the air bag did not deploy,and the car did not decelerate until I was able to engage Park-within a few seconds it resumed the idle. The police made a report,car was taken to wrecking yard,and is now at repair facility for possible repair. There were no prior warnings or messages. I was unaware of a safety issue with Subaru and when I conta

20180718CrashAIR BAGS

SUDDEN UNWANTED FORCEFUL ACCELERATION (SUSPECT AUTO CRUISE CONTROL GOT ENGAGED VIA EYESIGHT MALFUNCTION), COLLISION AVOIDANCE FAILED TO ENGAGE. BACK HOME SAFELY FROM A LOCAL GROCERY, PULLED THE CAR SLIGHT ON THE DRIVEWAY, STOPPED WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO OPEN THE GARAGE, ABOUT TO HIT THE HOME LINK, MUST REMAIN STOPPED WHILE GARAGE DOOR OPENS BECAUSE DRIVEWAY SLOPES DOWNWARD, HEARD ENGINE ROAR WITH FOOT STILL ON THE BRAKE, CAR STARTED THROTTLE FORCEFULLY, GOT BEWILDERED, PRESSED HARD ON THE BRA

Mileage: 67,000

20180718CrashSTRUCTURE:BODY

SUDDEN UNWANTED FORCEFUL ACCELERATION (SUSPECT AUTO CRUISE CONTROL GOT ENGAGED VIA EYESIGHT MALFUNCTION), COLLISION AVOIDANCE FAILED TO ENGAGE. BACK HOME SAFELY FROM A LOCAL GROCERY, PULLED THE CAR SLIGHT ON THE DRIVEWAY, STOPPED WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO OPEN THE GARAGE, ABOUT TO HIT THE HOME LINK, MUST REMAIN STOPPED WHILE GARAGE DOOR OPENS BECAUSE DRIVEWAY SLOPES DOWNWARD, HEARD ENGINE ROAR WITH FOOT STILL ON THE BRAKE, CAR STARTED THROTTLE FORCEFULLY, GOT BEWILDERED, PRESSED HARD ON THE BRA

Mileage: 67,000

20180718CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

SUDDEN UNWANTED FORCEFUL ACCELERATION (SUSPECT AUTO CRUISE CONTROL GOT ENGAGED VIA EYESIGHT MALFUNCTION), COLLISION AVOIDANCE FAILED TO ENGAGE. BACK HOME SAFELY FROM A LOCAL GROCERY, PULLED THE CAR SLIGHT ON THE DRIVEWAY, STOPPED WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO OPEN THE GARAGE, ABOUT TO HIT THE HOME LINK, MUST REMAIN STOPPED WHILE GARAGE DOOR OPENS BECAUSE DRIVEWAY SLOPES DOWNWARD, HEARD ENGINE ROAR WITH FOOT STILL ON THE BRAKE, CAR STARTED THROTTLE FORCEFULLY, GOT BEWILDERED, PRESSED HARD ON THE BRA

Mileage: 67,000

20180601CrashFatalSEATS

THE HEADREST POINTS AT A HARSH ANGLE FORWARD AND MAY CAUSE SEVERE NECK INJURY. TWO SEPERATE INCIDENTS: 1. MOVING FORWARD AT A LEFT TURN ANGLE, CARS HITTING EACH OTHERS RT FRONT. RESULT BRAIN STEM HEMORRHAGE AND BILATERAL HEMATOMA. APRIL 3, 2018 2. STOPPED IN TRAFFIC HIT FROM THE REAR. RESULT NECK STRAIN. MAY 10, 2018 *TT *TR

Mileage: 55,000

20180601CrashFatalSEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT

THE HEADREST POINTS AT A HARSH ANGLE FORWARD AND MAY CAUSE SEVERE NECK INJURY. TWO SEPERATE INCIDENTS: 1. MOVING FORWARD AT A LEFT TURN ANGLE, CARS HITTING EACH OTHERS RT FRONT. RESULT BRAIN STEM HEMORRHAGE AND BILATERAL HEMATOMA. APRIL 3, 2018 2. STOPPED IN TRAFFIC HIT FROM THE REAR. RESULT NECK STRAIN. MAY 10, 2018 *TT *TR

Mileage: 55,000

20180424CrashSERVICE BRAKES

SUBARU OUTBACK SELF-ACCELERATED (UNINTENDED ACCELERATION) ON MARCH 22, 2018 AS I WAS ATTEMPTED TO PARK THE CAR IN A PARKING LOT. DUE TO THE SELF-ACCELERATION THE CAR HOPPED OVER THE CURB IN THE PARKING LOT AND RAN OVER A BUSH. MY FOOT WAS NO WHERE NEAR THE ACCELERATOR AND EVEN WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKE, I HAD TO PRESS EXTREMELY HARD ON THE BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. WHILE IT SELF-ACCELERATED THE ENGINE MADE A LOUD REVVING SOUND. ON MARCH 23, 2018 THE CAR SELF-ACCELERATED AGAIN WITH MY HUSBAND DRIV

Mileage: 69,000

20180424CrashENGINE

SUBARU OUTBACK SELF-ACCELERATED (UNINTENDED ACCELERATION) ON MARCH 22, 2018 AS I WAS ATTEMPTED TO PARK THE CAR IN A PARKING LOT. DUE TO THE SELF-ACCELERATION THE CAR HOPPED OVER THE CURB IN THE PARKING LOT AND RAN OVER A BUSH. MY FOOT WAS NO WHERE NEAR THE ACCELERATOR AND EVEN WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKE, I HAD TO PRESS EXTREMELY HARD ON THE BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. WHILE IT SELF-ACCELERATED THE ENGINE MADE A LOUD REVVING SOUND. ON MARCH 23, 2018 THE CAR SELF-ACCELERATED AGAIN WITH MY HUSBAND DRIV

Mileage: 69,000