VehicleVerdict

2013 Subaru Outback brakes problems

The 2013 Subaru Outback has 31 brakes complaints filed with NHTSA — 8% of the year's total, and roughly flat versus the prior model year.

31

Brakes complaints

8%

Share of year

2

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Brakes complaints by year

Outback brakes complaints by model year78 complaints1995: 2 complaints1996: 7 complaints1997: 9 complaints1998: 18 complaints1999: 9 complaints2000: 14 complaints2001: 38 complaints2002: 33 complaints2003: 7 complaints2004: 3 complaints2005: 32 complaints2006: 21 complaints2007: 8 complaints2008: 31 complaints2009: 8 complaints2010: 40 complaints2011: 78 complaints2012: 38 complaints2013: 31 complaints2014: 23 complaints2015: 28 complaints2016: 18 complaints2017: 25 complaints2018: 18 complaints2019: 21 complaints2020: 16 complaints2021: 8 complaints2022: 11 complaints2023: 6 complaints2024: 3 complaints2025: 5 complaints
Outback brakes complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

18V626000BrakesSeptember 13, 2018 · 27,175 units

Defect

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Subaru Legacy and Outback vehicles equipped with a manual transmission. The electronic parking brake (EPB) may not engage as intended, allowing the vehicle to rollaway if the transmission is not in the proper gear when parked.

Consequence

A vehicle rollaway can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EPB actuator assembly, free of charge. The recall began July 19, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WTV-81.

What owners report

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLIDE WHILE DRIVING DOWNHILL. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO CONTROL THE STEERING, BUT IT WOULD NOT MOVE. THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND AND STRUCK A DELINEATOR POST, SLID IN THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · November 16, 2015 · crash

Common questions

How many brakes complaints does the 2013 Subaru Outback have?

NHTSA has 31 complaints about the 2013 Subaru Outback brakes — 8% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2013 Subaru Outback brakes?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the brakes: 18V626000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.