CarRecallWatchThe 2013 Subaru Legacy has 12 safety recalls on file with NHTSA.
Owners have filed 66 complaints with NHTSA, including 6 crashes, 5 injuries.
The most-reported problem area is Engine (18 reports).
2013 Subaru Legacy recalls
Passenger Airbag May Explode, Sending Metal Fragments
The passenger frontal airbag inflator in these vehicles can rupture.
Passenger airbag inflator may explode, sending metal fragments
Some vehicles had their passenger frontal airbag inflators replaced under an earlier recall, but the replacement inflators use the same design.
Passenger airbag inflator may explode, sending metal shrapnel
The passenger frontal airbag inflator in these vehicles can rupture.
Ignition Switch May Turn Off Engine, Disabling Airbags
The ignition switch on these vehicles may have a ball spring inside that can break, weakening the switch.
Passenger airbag inflator may explode in a crash
The passenger frontal airbag inflator in these vehicles may rupture during deployment in a crash.
Passenger airbag inflator may explode, sending metal fragments
Certain Subaru vehicles have a passenger-side frontal airbag inflator that can rupture when the airbag deploys in a crash.
Passenger airbag may explode and send metal fragments into occupants
The passenger-side front airbag inflator can degrade over time from long-term exposure to humidity and temperature changes.
Parking Brake May Fail, Letting Car Roll Away
The electronic parking brake on certain manual-transmission vehicles may not engage as intended.
Passenger airbag inflator may explode, sending metal fragments
The passenger-side frontal airbag inflator in these vehicles can rupture when the airbag deploys in a crash.
Wiper Motor May Overheat and Melt, Risking Fire
Contamination inside the windshield wiper motor's bottom cover can cause its internal parts to interfere with each other.
Most common 2013 Subaru Legacy problems
Problem areas named in the 66 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.
| Problem area | Reports |
|---|---|
| Engine | 18 |
| Air Bags | 14 |
| Power Train | 12 |
| Electrical System | 6 |
| Structure | 6 |
| Unknown Or Other | 5 |
| Steering | 4 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 |
| Service Brakes | 4 |
| Seat Belts | 3 |
What owners report
I am the original owner since purchased new on the dealer lot in 2013. Within the first year, the drivers side headlight prematurely burned out (low beam). I have had to replace four bulbs (so far) since owning vehicle. The first two incidents I payed over $100 to have the bulb changed/replaced by a local mechanic. Since then, I have figured out how to replace the bulbs myself; but unfortunately the remedy is to remove the front driver's tire, remove inner plastic wheel well, and finagle and twist my arm to do this procedure (not easy!). Two main issues: Subaru needs to recall and fix the issue that is prematurely burning out this bulb, and 2; bring back the ability to (engineering de
The passenger side frame rusted through. The bolt holding the frame collapsed through the rusted frame while I was driving on the highway and I lost control of my car as I was entering an exit off the highway. My mechanic said the air conditioning system drips on this area of the frame causing the rust and failure of the frame to hold the bolt. There were no warnings prior to the incident except that I heard a popping sound when I took a right turn out of my driveway before heading onto the highway.
I want to add my report of oil loss in the hope a recall is made. I found out after purchase that 2012-2014 or 2015 has a known problem with piston rings. With normal local driving I need to top off the oil every couple of weeks. With longer trips, say a couple hours of driving one way, the oil gets a quarter to half way down on the dipstick. I carry oil for all roadtrips and can't forget to keep checking the level. My understanding from many sources online is that Subaru is aware they put in bad piston rings and just call it good enough or within spec, but dumping so much oil isn't right. This isn't a wear and tear problem, although it can get worse over time and lead to other problems. The
While driving the vehicle, there was a loud "clunk" from the front-end. After that, during turns there is a lot of scraping, banging and popping noises. During braking, the car veers toward the right. The car is very unstable going around bends and on/off ramps. I took it to a mechanic and was told the front subframe on my vehicle has rusted out to the point he can put his fist through some of the holes. He contacted a dealer to get a price on a replacement and was told they have been waiting over 9 months for that particular part and there is currently no ETA for it. I contacted several other dealers and was told the part has been on backorder since January or February with no ETA. A
Faulty transmission, erratic gear shifting and now it seems the transmission is no longer working, mileage on vehicle is not even 130,000.
2013 Subaru Legacy questions
Does the 2013 Subaru Legacy have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 12 safety recalls for the 2013 Subaru Legacy: Passenger Airbag May Explode, Sending Metal Fragments; Passenger airbag inflator may explode, sending metal fragments; Passenger airbag inflator may explode, sending metal shrapnel; Ignition Switch May Turn Off Engine, Disabling Airbags; Passenger airbag inflator may explode in a crash. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Subaru Legacy?
Based on 66 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Engine (18), Air Bags (14), Power Train (12).
How do I check if a recall on my 2013 Subaru Legacy has been fixed?
Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.