2013 Subaru Outback Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 4%of 297 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 48,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the body and structure of the 2013 Subaru Outback, 4% of the 297 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 48,500 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, 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.
“Rear center brake light leaks every time it sprinkles and rains causing water to pour into the rear compartment of the vehicle as well as causing rust in the tailgate and other areas. Also causing moisture and mold in the car.”
NHTSA complaint #11376025, filed 2020-11, 15,000 miles“Driver's door will not open from the inside or outside during sub-freezing temperatures. Front passenger door and rear doors are not affected and operate as designed. The danger, of course, is not being able to exit the vehicle when safety requires an exit. Cycling the power locks does not correct the problem. Have not tried the back-up metal key that fits the exterior lock only. Driver's door will either not open at all or may open only 3 or so. If it does open 3 , then repeated attempts may cause it to fully open.”
NHTSA complaint #11175895, filed 2019-02, 121,000 miles“Backup camera gets blocked completely by a large connected to mobile phone message box when in reverse after recently starting car. Can happen when you're half way in the road and should be fixed.”
NHTSA complaint #10499799, filed 2013-02, 15,000 miles“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 brake; it did not respond, the car hit hard on the garage and brick wall, causing extensive damages. …”
NHTSA complaint #11112135, filed 2018-07, 67,000 miles“Please contact Carvana and make them take that vehicle off the market. I purchased it and by chance found out that bottom parts like subframe and exhaust pipe were inadequately installed . The mechanic said eventually I was going to flip over myself on the highway in that car. He also stated that this repair cost would be around $8000 - more than half of this used car was offered for on Carvana. I returned the car. Half a month later is back on Carvana website for the same price. Please help! I have no alt motive but try and save someone’s life.”
NHTSA complaint #11750991, filed 2026-07Related service bulletins
- 11022304Aug 11, 2025This bulletin provides information on paint codes for vehicles in the 2026 line up.
- 10131662Oct 5, 2017Front Door Panel? UPDATE 10/5 TO: Parts Managers/Service Managers FROM: Subaru of America, Inc. DEPARTMENT: Parts & Service DATE: 10/05/2017 Please disregard the message below…
- 10117544Aug 28, 2017MODELS WITH SUNROOFS ONLY. If you encounter a customer complaint of water leaking into the interior of the vehicle from the map light area, the following 2 areas should be…
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 5% |
| 2025 | 1 | 1% |
| 2024 | 2 | 2% |
| 2023 | 2 | 2% |
| 2022 | 7 | 2% |
| 2021 | 7 | 2% |
| 2020 | 21 | 2% |
| 2019 | 27 | 3% |
| 2018 | 15 | 2% |
| 2017 | 26 | 3% |
| 2016 | 19 | 3% |
| 2015 | 33 | 6% |
| 2014 | 11 | 5% |
| 2013 | 11 | 4% |
| 2012 | 5 | 2% |
| 2011 | 11 | 2% |
| 2010 | 14 | 4% |
| 2009 | 5 | 5% |
| 2008 | 6 | 3% |
| 2007 | 5 | 4% |
| 2006 | 2 | 1% |
| 2005 | 7 | 3% |
| 2003 | 5 | 5% |
| 2002 | 10 | 7% |
| 2001 | 15 | 9% |
| 2000 | 13 | 6% |
| 1999 | 4 | 4% |
| 1998 | 2 | 2% |
| 1997 | 3 | 4% |
| 1996 | 3 | 7% |
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 complaintsSeats
9 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2013 Subaru Outback
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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