2013 SUBARU OUTBACK Structurebody Problems
7 NHTSA complaints on file
Structurebody Issues in the 2013 SUBARU OUTBACK
7 structurebody complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2013 SUBARU OUTBACK. Of these, 1 involved a crash, 1 involved a fire, and 2 resulted in injury.
7
Complaints
1
Crashes
1
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Deaths
All Structurebody Complaints
The vehicle caught fire while driving along the interstate. It's a total loss.
I purchased a car from Middletown Nissan on May 24, 2025. The car was assured to have all these different safety checks so far it had to have the power steering pump replaced twice the power steering lines replaced all new control arms a new bearing brand new back brakes which include rotors and pads, and four new tires When the tires were put on they found that the car had significant damage in the subframe from rotting there are holes in it. The car was at the dealership several times for different problems and they never disclose this problem. They basically told me it was my fault when I’ve had the car for two months that the frame is completely rotted. The car is clunking and not driving mechanically the way it should
The subframe has deteriorated beyond repair. This is our sixth Subaru Outback, either owned or leased, all in the same geographic area, housed 90% of the time in a covered garage. This is not normal wear and tear. The vehicle is dangerous, as inspected by a local independent service center that has serviced the car regularly for years. I have reported this to Subaru Corporate, citing that the substandard quality of the subframe has been a known issue on Subaru Outback earlier models and received a reply that Subaru would assume no responsibility whatsoever. There was no warning whatsoever. The issue was discovered during a routine service visit. The problem appeared in late July 2024. I attempted to contact Subaru two times with no response. I finally received a response in late October 2024.
The contact owns a 2013 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was a clunking sound coming from the front of the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle was pulling to the right while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the sub-frame had fractured due to severe rust. The subframe was replaced and the failure was remedied. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 153,800.
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.
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.
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. AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, DRIVER WAS SENSELESS, BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER HURT, CAR IS DECLARED TOTAL. IT WAS VERY HOT AT ABOUT 4:15 PM, AIR CONDITION HAD BEEN RUNNING AT FULL FORCE ALL THE WHILE DURING THE SHORT 15 MINUTE DRIVE. THE DRIVEWAY HAS A 10 FT SLAB WITH UPWARD SLOPE, THE CAR STOPPED WITH...
Other 2013 SUBARU OUTBACK Problem Areas
Engine
67 complaints
Power Train
58 complaints
Air Bags
38 complaints
Steering
34 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control
25 complaints
Unknown Or Other
24 complaints
Electrical System
23 complaints
Service Brakes
23 complaints
Suspension
15 complaints
Fuelpropulsion System
12 complaints
Visibilitywiper
11 complaints
Exterior Lighting
8 complaints
Seats
8 complaints
Parking Brake
5 complaints
Wheels
5 complaints
Seat Belts
4 complaints
Electronic Stability Control Esc
3 complaints
Forward Collision Avoidance Automatic Emergency Braking
3 complaints
Fuel System Gasoline
3 complaints
Structure
3 complaints
Equipmentelectricalnavigational Systemglobal Positioning System
2 complaints
Latcheslockslinkages
2 complaints
Seatsfront Assemblyhead Restraint
2 complaints
Service Brakes Hydraulic
2 complaints
Visibilitysunmoon Roof Assembly
2 complaints
Air Bags Air Bagrestraint Control Module
1 complaint
Back Over Preventionwarningsexternalpedestrian Alert
1 complaint
Engine And Engine Cooling
1 complaint
Equipment Adaptivemobility
1 complaint
Forward Collision Avoidance
1 complaint
Forward Collision Avoidance Adaptive Cruise Control
1 complaint
Forward Collision Avoidance Warnings
1 complaint
Parking Brakeelectrical
1 complaint
Tires
1 complaint
Tirespressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems
1 complaint
Traction Control System
1 complaint
Vehicle Speed Controlcruise Control
1 complaint
Visibilitywindshield
1 complaint