Research · Midsize Cars

2013 Subaru LegacyRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 12 safety recalls and 66 owner complaints for the 2013 Subaru Legacy. Most complaints involve engine (18) and air bags (14). The EPA rates it 20–27 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
20–27mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
12campaigns
Latest Jan 2020
Owner complaints
66
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$2,400est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

12 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

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, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Air bagsReported Jan 2, 2020NHTSA 20V001000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

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 Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Air bagsReported Jan 2, 2020NHTSA 20V002000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

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, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Air bagsReported Jan 2, 2020NHTSA 20V003000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

66 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jun 2013 – Jul 2025
  1. Engine18
  2. Air bags14
  3. Power train12
  4. Electrical system6
  5. Structure5
  6. Service brakes4
  7. Steering4
  8. Vehicle speed control4
  9. Seat belts3

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Legacy model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996129
1997143
1998116
199997
200094
200180
200258
2005184
200687
200733
200865
200965
2010150
2011167
201290
201366
201453
2015160
2016147
2017119
2018117
2019123
2020121
202131
202234
202310
202417
20256
Crashes reported
6
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
5
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine

18 reports
“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 problem goes away when the rings and the engine block is replaced. Scotty Kilmer on Youtube tells a story of a customer that complained enough and after being persistent had it fixed for free (piston rings and block), and still has no oil loss issues after 60k miles. He also recommended reporting it here. This engine is used in various Subaru's, not just the Legacy.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 17, 2024EngineODI 11583674

Air bags

14 reports4 crashes
“I RECEIVED A RECALL FOR PASSENGER AIR BAG AND THE COMPANY SET UP AN APPOINTMENT FOR ME. HOWEVER, I REMEMBER RECEIVING A RECALL FOR THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG A YEAR OR SO AGO, AND WHEN I CALLED THE COMPANY I PURCHASED IT FROM, THEY TOLD ME THE RECALL WAS NOT MEANT FOR MY LEGACY, SO I THREW AWAY THE LETTER. NOW I AM WONDERING - WAS THERE A RECALL FOR THE DRIVERS SIDE AND CAN I STILL GET IT REPLACE BY THAT COMPANY?”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 12, 2019Air bagsODI 11207114

Power train

12 reports
“The contact owns a 2013 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35 MPH, there was an abnormal noise coming from the transmission. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the technician informed the contact that the failure was the transmission. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the CVT transmission needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 117,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 13, 2022Power trainODI 11447295
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl · 3.6L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Manual 6-spd · Automatic (S5)
Drive
All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Legacy AWD
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.5 L · All-Wheel Drive
243227$2,400330
Legacy AWD
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L · All-Wheel Drive
212824$2,700375
Legacy AWD
Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 3.6 L · All-Wheel Drive
182420$3,200443
  • Legacy AWD
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    24 city · 32 hwy · $2,400/yr
    27
    mpg comb.
  • Legacy AWD
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    21 city · 28 hwy · $2,700/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • Legacy AWD
    Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    18 city · 24 hwy · $3,200/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Subaru Legacy 4 DR AWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
3 of 5
Rollover
5 of 5
Rollover risk
10.1%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 27, 2026Vehicle 7188
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2013 Legacy questions

How many recalls does the 2013 Subaru Legacy have?

12 safety recalls as of Oct 27, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2013 Subaru Legacy problems?

Owners filed 66 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (18), air bags (14), power train (12). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2013 Subaru Legacy get?

The EPA rates the 2013 Subaru Legacy at 20–27 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

How safe is the 2013 Subaru Legacy?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2013 Subaru Legacy 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 27, 2026