2013 Subaru Outback Transmission & Power Train Problems
NHTSA component category: POWER TRAIN · data through 07/12/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
How power train ranks on this vehicle
Share of the 295 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2013 Subaru Outback overview page.
What owners report
“WHILE DRIVING AT VERY LOW SPEEDS BETWEEN 10-20 MPH, USUALLY IN FRONT OF A SCHOOL IN SESSION, THE SPEED SURGES FROM THE CURRENT SPEED TO…”NHTSA complaint 11032593 — filed 10/09/2017
“SABARU HAS A PROBLEM WITH THEIR AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS IN 2010 THO 2015 VEHICLES. I HAVE 2013. IT HAS BEEN DETERMINED THAT MY TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO…”NHTSA complaint 11030391 — filed 09/28/2017
“VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AT AT A CONSISTENT SPEED OF AROUND 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND SUDDENLY STOPPED. THE GAS PEDAL WAS UNRESPONSIVE AND…”NHTSA complaint 11020393 — filed 08/29/2017
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Power Train complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2013 Subaru Outback have transmission & power train problems?
Power Train is the #2 most-reported problem area on the 2013 Subaru Outback: 58 of 295 complaints on file (19.7%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.
How many complaints does the 2013 Subaru Outback have in total?
295 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Across all categories, 18 involved a crash, 6 involved a fire, 13 reported injuries, and 1 reported deaths.
What does NHTSA's power train category include?
NHTSA groups complaints about the transmission (automatic or manual), driveline, axles, transfer case and related parts under a single component category called POWER TRAIN. This page reports that category as NHTSA defines it.
