Even though the budget midsize sedan segment is a volume seller for all the Japs, the 2013 Subaru Legacy is one saloon that has failed to grab attention, managing to sell only a fraction of what its competitors do. Starting at a lower base price and offering AWD as standard, the 2013 Subaru Legacy is in no shortage of brownie points here, but somehow, does not cut it for most. Though the recall status is a bit worrying, the customer complaint numbers are on a low count, even when factoring in its low sales numbers with no records of any major issues reported in the near past. So would you spend $20,295 on a 2013 Subaru Legacy as a unique alternative to the casual choices like the Honda Accord, the Toyota Camry, and the Nissan Altima? If you do decide to go with one, what are the odds that you would end up with some sort of issue? Well, this article should give you an idea of that.
2013 Subaru Legacy User Complaints and Problems
Mechanical Complaints
-
Engine problems- Oil consumption has been one of the common problems on the 2013 Subaru Legacy. As reported by the owners, cars that have an average mileage of around 100,000 miles tend to guzzle through a quarter of engine oil every 1000 to 1500 miles. The intermittent oil lamp has been something that has been bothering many owners because of this. Even though there are no specific remedies available for this issue except top ups. However, in the wake of a class-action lawsuit for oil consumption issues, Subaru has started to replace the piston rings (new surface treated units) or entire engines ( if necessary) based on the severity of the issue.
-
Transmission Problems- The CVT unit on the 2013 Subaru Legacy does have a few niggles of its own. The faulty clutch solenoid on the torque converter and transmission valve body issues are some of the common problems reported by owners. Grinding noise, jerking, hesitation to accelerate, and random engine stalls while slowing down are some indications of inner problems with the CVT unit. Though the aforementioned failure components can be replaced, issues with the pulley system might require a transmission replacement. Though not widespread, a few instances of CVT replacements have been recorded with average failure mileage of 120,000 miles.
Electric System complaints
-
Ignition switch issues- Though not reported by the NHTSA, issues with the ignition unit on the 2013 Subaru Legacy could lead to random engine stalls and a stuck key in the ignition module. A faulty ball-spring mechanism in the unit is the reason for this issue. The manufacturer is aware of these issues and has initiated a recall (ID-19V297000) to inspect and replace the affected units.
Structural Complaints
-
Steering failure- Several owners have complained about experiencing unexplained swerving or unexpected direction changes from the 2013 Subaru Legacy. Inspection at the dealer found that in most cases the steering column has failed, at times completely disengaging the shaft and the steering gearbox. His was later brought to the manufacturer's notice who rolled out a recall (ID-13V194000) to replace the affected components.
Safety Complaints
-
Airbags Issues- More than half of the recalls lodged against the 2013 Subaru Legacy has been to rectify faults with the supplementary restraint system. Cars that have a previous airbag module replacement are suspected of having been fitted with a replacement unit with the same issue, which causes the unit to disintegrate or explode during deployment. Some warning might throw a warning light while most don’t. It is advised that owners give this issue prime importance and get the rectification done as soon as possible to prevent personal harm.
2013 Subaru Legacy Recalls
|
S. No |
Date |
NHTSA ID |
Issues Noticed |
Additional Remarks |
Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
2nd January 2020 |
20V002000 |
Passenger frontal airbag inflator may explode |
Airbag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature, and temperature cycling, increasing the risk of serious injury to occupants.
|
The dealers will replace the passenger airbag inflators, free of charge. The recall began on January 7, 2020. |
|
2 |
2nd January 2020 |
20V001000 |
Passenger frontal airbag inflator may explode |
Airbag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature, and temperature cycling, increasing the risk of serious injury to occupants.
|
The dealers will replace the passenger airbag inflators, free of charge. The recall began on January 7, 2020. |
|
3 |
2nd January 2020 |
20V003000 |
Passenger frontal airbag inflator may explode |
Airbag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature, and temperature cycling, increasing the risk of serious injury to occupants.
|
The dealers will replace the passenger airbag inflators, free of charge. The recall began on January 7, 2020. |
|
4 |
11th April 2019 |
19V297000 |
The ignition switch may turn off |
The ball spring inside the switch may break, reducing the strength of the ignition switch. If this occurs, the weight on the key ring and certain road conditions could cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position to the accessory position, turning off the engine, increasing the risk of a crash. |
The dealers will inspect the ignition switch, replacing the ignition switch, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 10, 2019. |
|
5 |
9th January 2019 |
19V008000 |
Passenger frontal airbag inflator may explode |
Airbag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature, and temperature cycling, increasing the risk of serious injury to occupants.
|
The dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on January 25, 2019. |
|
6 |
9th January 2019 |
19V009000 |
Passenger frontal airbag inflator may explode |
Airbag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature, and temperature cycling, increasing the risk of serious injury to occupants.
|
The dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on January 25, 2019. |
|
7 |
9th January 2019 |
19V007000 |
Passenger frontal airbag inflator may explode |
Airbag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature, and temperature cycling, increasing the risk of serious injury to occupants.
|
The dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on January 25, 2019. |
|
8 |
13th September 2018 |
18V626000 |
The electronic parking brake may fail |
The electronic parking brake (EPB) may not engage as intended, allowing the vehicle to roll away if the transmission is not in the proper gear when parked, increasing the risk of a crash. |
The dealers will replace the EPB actuator assembly, free of charge. The recall began on July 19, 2019. |
|
9 |
9th January 2018 |
18V012000 |
Passenger frontal airbag inflator may explode |
Airbag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature, and temperature cycling, increasing the risk of serious injury to occupants.
|
The dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on February 9, 2018.
|
|
10 |
27th September 2016 |
16V649000 |
The windshield wiper bottom cover may melt. |
Due to contamination, components within the windshield wiper motor bottom cover may interfere with each other, and prevent the wiper arm from stopping in the parked position causing the motor to heat and increasing the risk of a fire.
|
The dealers will replace the windshield wiper motor bottom cover assembly, free of charge. The recall began in October 2016. |
|
11 |
13th May 2013 |
13V194000 |
Steering column disengagement |
The inner and outer shafts of the steering column assembly may become disengaged from one another, causing a loss of vehicle control thereby increasing the risk of a crash. |
The dealers will replace the steering column assembly with a new one, free of charge. The recall began on May 14, 2013. |
|
12 |
25th February 2013 |
13V061000 |
Remote engine starter (RES) fob malfunction |
If the RES fob is dropped, the fob may malfunction and randomly transmit an engine start request without pressing the button, causing the engine to start and stop unit the fuel or the battery gets completely depleted. |
The dealers will replace the RES key fobs, free of charge. The recall began on April 22, 2013. |
Should you buy a used 2013 Subaru Legacy?
The Subaru Legacy, despite being a comfortable and value-biased package, is one midsize sedan that never took off in sales. The low starting prices and standard availability of AWD configurations are things that work in this sedan’s favor, but the utilitarian approach and fuel economy compromise it has must be reasons for its low interest. Even though the recall status might seem a bit overboard, most of them are for minor electrical issues as mechanically, this midsize sedan is as reliable as any of its high-selling Japanese cousins. Being the old car in the bunch does make it a hard recommendation for us, but if you want a cheap, accommodating, and daily usable AWD sedan, we find no problems including this sedan in your purchase list.
