2013 Subaru Outback Seat belts Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 1%of 297 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 40,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the seat belts of the 2013 Subaru Outback, 1% of the 297 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 40,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“When my wife sits in the passenger seat the majority of the time the passenger side air bag will not be turned on. My wife is roughly 5'2 and 120 lbs. Dealer claims there is nothing wrong but that the sensors can be overly sensitive with smaller people. This is a safety issue as the bag will not deploy in an accident if it is off.”
NHTSA complaint #10532614, filed 2013-07, 40 miles“The passenger occupant detection system (ods) malfunctioned or shorted out for no apparent reason. As a result, the passenger airbag will not enable even when occupied by an adult passenger. The passenger airbag is constantly in off mode. In addition the ods apparently controls the seatbelt warning feature. Regardless of whether or not an adult passenger is occupying the seat the ods is constantly detecting a passenger and the passenger seatbelt warning light and chime continuously are on. When the passenger seatbelt is buckled the warning light and chime remain continuously on. …”
NHTSA complaint #10733025, filed 2015-07, 40,000 miles“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 firemen were on scene but there was no police. The contact stated he had not lost consciousness. …”
NHTSA complaint #11622969, filed 2024-10, 80,000 milesSeat belts: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 5% |
| 2025 | 2 | 2% |
| 2022 | 3 | 1% |
| 2020 | 1 | 0% |
| 2019 | 2 | 0% |
| 2018 | 2 | 0% |
| 2017 | 5 | 1% |
| 2016 | 5 | 1% |
| 2015 | 2 | 0% |
| 2014 | 6 | 3% |
| 2013 | 4 | 1% |
| 2012 | 3 | 1% |
| 2011 | 4 | 1% |
| 2010 | 2 | 1% |
| 2009 | 2 | 2% |
| 2008 | 3 | 1% |
| 2007 | 2 | 2% |
| 2006 | 1 | 0% |
| 2005 | 2 | 1% |
| 2002 | 5 | 4% |
| 2001 | 1 | 1% |
| 2000 | 8 | 4% |
| 1999 | 3 | 3% |
| 1998 | 4 | 3% |
| 1996 | 2 | 4% |
Other parts of the 2013 Subaru Outback
67 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
60 complaintsAir bags
42 complaintsSteering
34 complaintsBrakes
31 complaintsVehicle speed control
26 complaintsOther or unknown
25 complaintsElectrical system
23 complaintsFuel system
15 complaintsSuspension
15 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
14 complaintsBody and structure
11 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2013 Subaru Outback
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology