Is the 2013 Subaru LEGACY reliable?

The 2013 Subaru LEGACY has 84 complaints filed with NHTSA (0.6x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: average. Most common issue: ENGINE problems.

What are common problems with the 2013 Subaru LEGACY?

Top problems: ENGINE (20 complaints, avg repair $500); AIR BAGS (14 complaints, avg repair $500); TRANSMISSION (12 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2013 Subaru LEGACY?

Yes, there are 12 recall(s): AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, PARKING BRAKE, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. Contact any Subaru dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2013 Subaru LEGACY?

The 2013 Subaru LEGACY gets 24 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2000. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2013 Subaru LEGACY?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2013 Subaru LEGACY is approximately $1,478/year (sedan-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2013 Subaru LEGACY

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2013 Subaru LEGACY has 84 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.6x the segment average of 140. The most common issue is engine problems (24% of all complaints), specifically: 2013 subaru legacy. consumer writes in regards to vehicle acceleration problems. *smd the consumer stated the engine stalled quite frequently on acceleration, usually at speeds of 35 mph. it would occur when going up slight hills, down hill and level roads. the engine would re-start itself after . There are 12 recalls issued for this model year.

7 crash reports 5 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.6x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

20 complaints

24%

• 2013 SUBARU LEGACY. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE ACCELERATION PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENGINE STALLED QUITE FREQUENTLY ON ACCELERATION, USUALLY AT SPEEDS OF 35 MPH. IT WOULD OCCUR WHEN GOING UP SLIGHT HILLS, DOWN HILL AND LEVEL ROADS. THE ENGINE WOULD RE-START ITSELF AFTER
• LOW OIL WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS NORMAL. AT 10,500 MILES, SAME THING HAPPENED. LIKE CLOCKWORK, EVERY 3,000 MILES THE LIGHT GOES ON AND I'M DOWN AT LEAST A QUART OF OIL. THIS HAS HAPPENED EVERY 3,000 MILES SINCE THEN. I'VE BEEN DRIVING FOR 50+ YEARS AND HAVE
• THE ISSUE IS WITH THE OIL CONSUMPTION. I PURCHASE A 2013 SUBARU LEGACY LIMITED IN JANUARY 2014 WITH JUST OVER 12,100 MILES ON IT . I WOULD DO A FULL SYNTHETIC OIL CHANGE REGARDLESS BUT THIS MAKE/MODEL/YEAR REQUIRES FULL SYNTHETIC. THE 0W FULL SYNTHETIC IS WICKED EXPENSIVE TO BEGIN WITH. I HA

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“2013 SUBARU LEGACY. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE ACCELERATION PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENGINE STALLED QUITE FREQUENTLY ON ACCELERATION, USUALLY AT SPEEDS OF 35 MPH. IT WOULD OCCUR WHEN GOING UP SLIGHT HILLS, DOWN HILL AND LEVEL ROADS. THE ENGINE WOULD RE-START ITSELF AFTER ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2013 Subaru LEGACY

Based on 62 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 30K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 32K mi · 13 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

AIR BAGS

In line with typicalmedian 20K mi · 8 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BODY/STRUCTURE

In line with typicalmedian 10K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SEATS/RESTRAINTS

In line with typicalmedian 10K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

High-mileage issuemedian 109K mi · 9 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (12)

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE09/01/2019

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, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Risk: An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Subaru is notifying owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is TKC-19.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2013 Subaru LEGACY

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,001

Per month

$167

Per mile

16.7¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,667/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,500/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2013 Subaru LEGACY

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,478

Full coverage / month

$123

Liability only / year

$611

vs US avg

-12%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1478

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Subaru LEGACY Service Intervals

Oil change

6K mi / 6 mo

Tire rotation

6K mi

Brake fluid

30 months

Transmission fluid

30K mi

Engine coolant

138K mi

Spark plugs

60K mi

Cabin air filter

15K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

30K mi

Boxer engines have specific oil consumption patterns — check oil monthly. CVT service every 30K is critical; skipping shortens life dramatically. AWD requires matched tire wear.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Subaru New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

3 yr / 36K mi

These are the terms for a new Subaru. If you're buying a used 2013 LEGACY, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Subaru dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

BODY/STRUCTURE(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 84 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: 2013 SUBARU LEGACY. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE ACCELERATION PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENGINE STALLED QUITE FREQUENTLY ON ACCELERATION, USUALLY AT SPEEDS OF 35 MPH. IT WOULD OCCUR WHEN GOING UP SLIGHT HILLS, DOWN HILL AND LEVEL ROADS. THE ENGINE WOULD RE-START ITSELF AFTER
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
AIR BAGS: AIRBAG FAULT WARNING LIGHT TURN ON WITH FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF LIGHT TURN ON AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT UNBUCKLE WARNING ALSO TURN ON WHILE DRIVING. THERE IS A PASSENGER IN THE FRONT SEAT WITH SEAT BELT ON. TURN OFF THE CAR AND STARTED THE CAR AGAIN MULTIPLE TIME DID NOT RESOLVE THE PRO
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: ABOUT MID SEPTEMBER MY SON TOOK THE CAR IN DUE TO A NOISE HE HEARD, WAS ADVISED THAT IT WAS THE SERPENTINE BELT & NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HAD THE RECOMMENDED SERVICE DONE..HEARD NOISE AGAIN AND RETURNED CAR, WAS ADVISED "TECH CAN NOT DUPLICATE NOISE". TOOK CAR BACK 3RD TIME AND MADE TECH GET INTO CAR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: 2013 SUBARU LEGACY. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE ACCELERATION PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENGINE STALLED QUITE FREQUENTLY ON ACCELERATION, USUALLY AT SPEEDS OF 35 MPH. IT WOULD OCCUR WHEN GOING UP SLIGHT HILLS, DOWN HILL AND LEVEL ROADS. THE ENGINE WOULD RE-START ITSELF AFTER
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 12 recalls have been completed — free at any Subaru dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)