2013 Subaru Outback MPG
Across its 3 EPA-rated versions, the 2013 Subaru Outback returns 18–24 mpg city, 24–30 highway and 20–26 combined.
The most efficient pairs the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with a CVT and all-wheel drive, at 26 mpg combined. At the other end, the 3.6-liter 6-cylinder engine with an automatic transmission and all-wheel drive manages 20 mpg combined, 6 mpg less. That is 2 mpg better than the best gasoline 2012 version (24 mpg).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Outback AWD | 2.5 L 4-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | All-Wheel Drive | 24 | 30 | 26 | Regular · 341 g CO₂/mi |
| Outback AWD | 2.5 L 4-cyl | Manual 6-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 21 | 28 | 24 | Regular · 375 g CO₂/mi |
| Outback AWD | 3.6 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S5) | All-Wheel Drive | 18 | 24 | 20 | Regular · 443 g CO₂/mi |
2013 Subaru Outback fuel cost per year
Driving 15,000 miles a year on regular gasoline at the September 2026 U.S. average of $4.36 a gallon, the 2013 Subaru Outback costs about $2,510 a year to fuel in its most efficient form (26 mpg combined), or roughly 17 cents a mile.
The thirstiest priced version (20 mpg combined) comes to about $3,270 a year, $750 more.
This is an estimate from EPA combined mpg and the EIA national average price; your cost depends on how and where you drive and on local prices.
2013 Subaru Outback specs
The EPA lists 2 engine choices for the 2013 Subaru Outback: 2.5 L 4-cyl and 3.6 L 6-cyl. It came with automatic, continuously variable (CVT) and manual transmissions, with all-wheel drive. For fuel-economy purposes it sits in the EPA's "Small Sport Utility Vehicle" class.
| Engine size (L) | Cylinders | Transmissions | Drive | Versions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 L | 4 | Automatic (variable gear ratios); Manual 6-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 2 |
| 3.6 L | 6 | Automatic (S5) | All-Wheel Drive | 1 |
2013 Subaru Outback problems
As of October 2026, NHTSA (the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) holds 297 owner complaints about the 2013 Subaru Outback.
Engine is the most-reported area (16% of component mentions), followed by power train (15%) and air bags (10%).
Spread over its time on sale, that is 21 complaints a year: about as many as the 2012 (20 a year) and more than the 2014 (16 a year).
That ranks 12th of 17 Subaru Outback model years (2008–2024), counting from the most complaints per year.
Of the 297, 18 mention a crash, 6 a fire and 10 an injury.
| Component | Mentions | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 67 | 16% |
| Power train | 60 | 15% |
| Air bags | 42 | 10% |
| Steering | 34 | 8% |
| Vehicle speed control | 26 | 6% |
| Unknown or other | 24 | 6% |
| Electrical system | 23 | 6% |
| Service brakes | 23 | 6% |
| Suspension | 15 | 4% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 12 | 3% |
| Structure | 11 | 3% |
| Visibility/wiper | 11 | 3% |
| Seats | 10 | 2% |
| Exterior lighting | 8 | 2% |
| Forward collision avoidance | 6 | 1% |
| Parking brake | 6 | 1% |
| Wheels | 6 | 1% |
| Seat belts | 4 | <1% |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 3 | <1% |
| Gasoline fuel system | 3 | <1% |
| Visibility | 3 | <1% |
| Equipment | 2 | <1% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 2 | <1% |
| Hydraulic service brakes | 2 | <1% |
| Tires | 2 | <1% |
| Back over prevention | 1 | <1% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 1 | <1% |
| Equipment adaptive/mobility | 1 | <1% |
| Traction control system | 1 | <1% |
What owners told NHTSA
According to my mechanic, the Engine Cradle is severly corroded and needs to be replaced. According to Subaru, today December 4, 2024, Subaru inspected my vehicle and determined it was badly corroded. …
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 . …
Not really sure, I don’t remember. It’s a wooded area , lots of deer etc. …
2013 Subaru Outback recalls
The 2013 Subaru Outback has been the subject of 12 recall campaigns.
The most recent, campaign 20V001000 from January 2020, concerns air bags.
Air bags account for 7 of the 12 campaigns, more than any other area.
13V194000 · May 13, 2013 · Steering
Problem: In the affected vehicles, the inner and outer shafts of the steering column assembly may become disengaged from one another.
Risk: If the shafts become disengaged, the driver would lose the ability to steer the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering column assembly with a new one, free of charge.
| Campaign | Reported | Component | Outback years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20V001000 | January 2, 2020 | Air bags | 2008–2014 |
| 20V002000 | January 2, 2020 | Air bags | 2008–2014 |
| 20V003000 | January 2, 2020 | Air bags | 2008–2014 |
| 19V297000 | April 11, 2019 | Electrical system | 2008–2014 |
| 19V007000 | January 9, 2019 | Air bags | 2010–2014 |
| 19V009000 | January 9, 2019 | Air bags | 2010–2014 |
| 19V008000 | January 9, 2019 | Air bags | 2010–2014 |
| 18V626000 | September 13, 2018 | Parking brake | 2010–2014 |
| 18V012000 | January 9, 2018 | Air bags | 2009–2013 |
| 16V694000 | September 27, 2016 | Visibility | 2010–2014 |
| 13V061000 | February 25, 2013 | Equipment, Electrical system | 2010–2013 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA crash-tested 1 version of the 2013 Subaru Outback; the best overall score is 5 out of 5 stars.
| Version tested | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Crash-test photos: NHTSA (public domain). NHTSA can reuse a test for later model years of the same design.
Compared with other years
Complaints per year on sale divide each model year's NHTSA complaints by the years since it went on sale, so older and newer Subaru Outbacks can be compared fairly. Among other 2013 models in the EPA's small sport utility vehicle class, the 2013 Chevy Equinox (26 mpg), 2013 Ford Escape (26 mpg) and 2013 Honda CR-V (26 mpg) come closest on combined fuel economy.
| Year | Best mpg | Complaints | Per year on sale | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 24 | 360 | 21 | 18 |
| 2011 | 24 | 653 | 41 | 16 |
| 2012 | 24 | 294 | 20 | 16 |
| 2013 | 26 | 297 | 21 | 12 |
| 2014 | 26 | 208 | 16 | 10 |
| 2015 | 28 | 510 | 42 | 5 |
| 2016 | 28 | 643 | 58 | 4 |
Every Subaru Outback model year compared →
Similar 2013 models
FAQ
Is the 2013 Outback a good car?
We don't rate cars, but the official data gives a picture. The 2013 Subaru Outback has 21 NHTSA complaints per year on sale (12th most of 17 model years), 12 recall campaigns, a best overall crash rating of 5 stars and up to 26 mpg combined from the EPA.
What are common 2013 Outback problems?
The components owners report most to NHTSA are engine (67), power train (60) and air bags (42). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many recalls does the 2013 Outback have?
NHTSA lists 12 recall campaigns. To see whether a recall is still open on a specific car, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2013 Outback get?
The EPA rates the versions at 20–26 mpg combined (18–24 city, 24–30 highway).
How much does it cost to fuel a 2013 Outback per year?
About $2,510 a year for 15,000 miles in its most efficient form, up to about $3,270 for the thirstiest version, using EPA mpg and the September 2026 U.S. average regular gasoline price of $4.36 a gallon (EIA).