CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2013 Outback has a problem with excessive oil consumption.

A class action lawsuit is pending that alleges Subaru's "FB" engine has defective piston rings which causes oil to leak past the rings & burn up at an excessive rate. More information about the class action is available here.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
42,437 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2013 Subaru Outback engine problems

engine problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2013 Subaru Outback:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2013 Subaru Outback Owner Comments (Page 2 of 4)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #42

Jul 052019

Outback

  • 131,485 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Excessive oil consumption. The car goes through a quart of oil about every 700-800 miles despite regular oil changes and maintaince

- Farmington, UT, USA

problem #41

Nov 152019

Outback

  • 81,000 miles
The car looses power to the point where it occasionally stalls when I decelerate and come to a stop or just before the stop. I replaced the battery as it was on its way out anyway and the problem persists. I don't think it has anything to do with the alternator and I haven't brought the car to a dealer or mechanic yet. But want to raise the flag on the issue I'm having because I've seen lots of forums where other folks are experiencing a similar issue.

- Sanford, ME, USA

problem #40

Jun 012016

Outback

  • 30,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that the vehicle consumed an excessive amount of oil and additional oil had to be added by the contact. In addition, the low oil warning indicator was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to autonation Subaru arapahoe (9955 E arapahoe rd, centennial, co 80112, (303) 578-6119) where it was determined that an oil consumption test and oil change were needed. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was contacted and provided case number: 1-35088528581. The manufacturer referred the contact to the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.

- Highlands Ranch, CO, USA

problem #39

Sep 122019

Outback

  • 91,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have a 2013 Subaru Outback and it stutters driving between 20-40 mph. It seems to loose power when driving on city streets. Doesn't happen every time

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #38

Jul 152019

Outback

  • 133,000 miles
While going up over the grapevine on I-5 southbound, I noticed the air conditioner stopped working and the temperature gauge started creeping upward. When I got to the top, everything returned to normal, but I was concerned. After returning home from so. Ca, and after several attempts by Subaru of sonora to rectify our repair costs issue, it was suggested that I call Subaru of America in New Jersey. Later that day, I received an email offering a 50/50 cost coverage of the $3,636 repair bill. In other words, I would pay half and half would be paid by Subaru of America in NJ. Soa then authorized Subaru of sonora, ca to replace the cylinder head gaskets once again (first replaced at 95,000 miles) and related items/parts. The work was started on 7/15/19 and completed on 9/3/19 with 133,336 miles on the car. I have a 2 page receipt from Subaru of sonora for this work, along with an email from soa.

- Sonora, CA, USA

problem #37

Aug 022017

Outback

  • 95,007 miles
Oil was leaking from the engine area. Subaru of America authorized Subaru of sonora, ca to replace the cylinder head gaskets and related items/parts. The work was started on 8/2/17 and completed on 8/29/17 with 95,007 miles on the car. This repair work was completed under an extended warranty. I have a 3 page receipt from Subaru of sonora for this work.

- Sonora, CA, USA

problem #36

Aug 192019

Outback

  • 40,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

2013 Outback limited 3.6R bought new and has 40K miles. On 3 occasions over the past 5 months, the vehicle can't catch 2nd gear and revs high and then a heavy jolt physically felt and a loud clunk. Have taken it to Subaru service 3 times and they cannot reproduce the problem. Even after flushing transmission fluid and relearning the transmission, and vehicle did it the same day driving home after picking the vehicle up from relearning the transmission. This is aggravating, stressful, and dangerous. Subaru needs to own up and address a known issue, and do a recall.

- Honolulu, HI, USA

problem #35

Jul 202019

Outback

  • 10 miles
116,700 miles and need to replace valve body. Concern raised at 83,000 miles but was advised to flush transmission. Automatic transmission temperature warning light comes on every summer, and concern raised but was only advised to pull over and let it cool. Also having problem with low engine oil warning and need to add 1 - 2 quarts between 6000 mile oil change. This is a known issue and the short block may need to be replaced to repair this

- Irving, TX, USA

problem #34

Jun 012019

Outback

  • 145,000 miles
Vehicle uses oil excessive amounts of oil and this year of Outback has had recalls but said VIN # has not had a recall for excessive oil consumption.

- Mineola, IA, USA

problem #33

Mar 192019

Outback

  • 93,000 miles
Issue is ongoing for the last 6 months. Vehicle intermittently stalls when at idle and placed in gear. Hesitation when accelerating while driving (acts as if it not getting enough power.) I have taken the vehicle to 3 different dealerships and contacted Subaru of America and I am not getting anywhere. Dealerships can't duplicate the problem, so therefore can't diagnose the problem. I have video records of this issue occurring.

- Ozark, MO, USA

problem #32

Nov 262018

Outback

  • 63,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Leaking seal on engine

- Faribault, MN, USA

problem #31

Nov 012016

Outback

  • miles
The engine makes a pinging type noise while driving. The dealer has not been able to fix. I guessing its a possible bad valve spring.

- Yucaipa, CA, USA

problem #30

Mar 222018

Outback

  • 69,000 miles
Subaru Outback self-accelerated (unintended acceleration) on March 22, 2018 as I was attempted to park the car in a parking lot. Due to the self-acceleration the car hopped over the curb in the parking lot and ran over a bush. My foot was no where near the accelerator and even when applying the brake, I had to press extremely hard on the brake to stop the vehicle. While it self-accelerated the engine made a loud revving sound. On March 23, 2018 the car self-accelerated again with my husband driving on the open road. After this incident we had the car towed to our car dealership. Subaru has had the car since March 23 and denies any problem with the accelerator or car.

- Earlysville, VA, USA

problem #29

Jul 012017

Outback

  • 52,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Subaru Outback. While driving at an unknown speed and approaching a stop, the engine stalled. Upon accelerating, it took three to five seconds for the vehicle to move. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 52,000.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #28

Jan 012016

Outback

  • 70,000 miles
Excessive oil consumption, oil light illuminates every 3000 miles instead of purported 7500 miles. Problems started in 2016 at about 70,000 miles. Dealership did test, confirmed excessive oil consumption and is replacing short block in vehicle. Dealership states extended warranty on this problem.

- Salem, OR, USA

problem #27

Mar 252017

Outback

  • 50 miles
About every 3,000 miles, I have refill engine oil to required level. All happened on highway - the engine consumes too much oil

- Stockton, CA, USA

problem #26

May 072017

Outback

  • 10,000 miles
Ever since we bought this vehicle, about every 2,000 miles the engine oil seems to vanish, and I have to add about a quart. I run through about 7 quarts a year. When I bought the car, I asked the dealer why the oil dipstick indicated the oil level was way above the full level. The dealer just said it must have been filled too much in the last oil change. I think it was over filled so I wouldn't notice it leaking out until a few months after I bought the car. I have to keep a spare quart in the car at all times. If the dashboard warning light ever fails, I'm worried I could seize the engine.

- River Vale, NJ, USA

problem #25

Jan 032017

Outback

  • 48,000 miles
On multiple occasions, the vehicle stalled, as in the engine died. This is an intermittent problem. Usually it happens when the vehicle is started, the engine will die, this will happen 2-3 times on each occurrence. It does eventually start and run correctly. A similar issue occurs when coming to a stop. The engine will "flutter" almost die and then resume normal operation. So far it has not left us stranded, however, I am concerned as to what the problem might be and at what point will it stall and not start again. I plan on taking it to my dealership and have them look at it, however, the engine light has not come on so I don't expect the computer has stored any codes for the mechanic to be able to troubleshoot.

- Randle, WA, USA

problem #24

Jun 072013

Outback 4-cyl

  • miles
2013 Subaru Outback. Consumer writes in regards to excessive oil consumption problems after replacement of oil sending unit. The consumer stated he was experiencing excessive oil consumption, before the oil sending unit was replaced. Over the next few years, the oil light illuminated at an increasing rate. The consumer stated the dealer attempted to mask the problem by over-filling the reservoir, telling the amount of oil consumer was normal, etc.

- Bakersfield, CA, USA

problem #23

Aug 172013

Outback

  • 2,000 miles
VIN: [xxx] year: 2013 vehicle: Outback model: 2.5I premium vehicle purchase date 08/05/2013 August 2013 (less than 2500 miles in the car) returning from a trip pembroke pines, fl to clifton, NJ to pembroke pines, fl. On returning trip Saturday, 11:00 am or so. Southbound on I-95 before jacksonville, fl, oil light turn on. Subaru road assistance recommended Subaru of jacksonville, fl. Went there and they pour some oil and said everything was fine. August 31st, 2015, started to travel to jacksonville, tallahassee and gainesville, fl. More than 3 similar incidents in 2015. January 2016 situation increases. Between Dec 2015 and Jan 2016, car repeated the low oil level situation 3 times. Jan 25, 2016, Subaru of jax ran a 1200 miles oil consumption test. Result was negative. Missing oil was between Subaru standards. Weekend on fri, 04/08/2016 7:30 pm, driving from jax to pembroke pines, fl, low oil level light came back on. Tried to reset it several times, turning the car off and on. Only by fort lauderdale light went off completely. Oil level checked next day 04/09/2016. Oil missing on the stick. 2/3 of qtr. Oil added. Mon, 04/11/2016, visited Subaru of jax and register the occurrence. Fri, 05/06/ 2016, from jax to pembroke pines, fl and back on sun, 05/08/2016. Low oil level light came on several times. Next gas station, purchased most compatible full synthetic quarter oil and pour half of the bottle. Light went off for the rest of trip. Thu, 05/12/2016, went to Subaru of jax to report problem experienced and to make oil change at 49,702 miles. Agreed with service manager to use oil with more viscosity, 5W30 instead of Subaru recommended 0W20. They check oil level and determine that 3/4 of a quarter of oil was missing. So we are talking of quarter or more of total oil missing between oil changes. I didn't like that. 'information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?