2013 Subaru Outback: check engine light

Filed Jan 6, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · GA

I purchased this car may 28th 2025 and had it over the weekend and check engine light came on and took it Monday once shop opened and came back for catalytic converter and o2 sensor I letted the dealership know about it and said its not much that i can fix it but I figured would say that since was a as is car and just had to come up with money... only thing month later it stalled on me and had to take to a shop to see what it is and came back for transmission but that shop told me the car never should have been sold I never try to let them know about that its been sitting since July when that happened I been trying to talk to consumer protection services but Noone willed to help but since last year was so rough I just wanted to try again once year is up

Filed Jan 8, 2024 · Brakes, Transmission · FL

I was driving on a highway when my car started to suddenly stutter, hesitate, and jerk after about an hour on the road. I pulled over on the shoulder immediately and tried to better position the car further off the highway with the same vehicle behavior. Initially I thought a tire had blown so sudden was the impact but after exterior inspection I realized the tires were fine and the problem was probably under the hood. The CVT transmission and TCM malfunctioned, and electric parking brake engaged creating a noise. My ability to steer the vehicle in a predictable direction was gone creating a safety hazard on the highway or any road. The car had to be long-distance towed back to where I live; it could not be safely driven. The problem has been reproduced and confirmed by two independent service centers, one a general service center and the other a foreign car expert service center. The vehicle has not been inspected by anyone else. There were dashboard warning lights that came on at the time the vehicle started to shake. The lights were the vehicle dynamics control warning light and the check engine warning light. A " boat load" of transmission codes that lead to the vehicle being assessed at the foreign car service center. I am asking for Subaru’s assistance in resolving this matter. I purchased a Subaru based on recommendations from other family members and their experience of having multiple Subaru vehicles some of which lasted 300,00 miles. If this is a manufacturing problem I believe that Subaru has a responsibility to notify their owners of the potential problem (which didn’t happen in my case) and a responsibility to resolve the problem when it occurs. I took my vehicle into my nearest Subaru dealership for a warranty repair that I was notified of approx. three years ago. No one notified me of the potential CVT transmission problem at that time. My vehicle cannot be driven in its current state and it is dangerous to drive because of this problem.

Filed Nov 28, 2023 · Transmission · AL

At all speeds vehicle shudders when letting off accelerator then nearly stalls. This is extremely dangerous when entering expressways or crossing oncoming vehicles. Dealer identified transmission as the problem and could reproduce, but not determine reason. Said drive until Check Engine light comes on then bring back. Light has never lit up. Dealer says Subaru stopped using this transmission because of problems, but is not allowed to rebuild or repair transmission. Says it cannot get new or rebuilt transmission from Subaru or anyone else just from totaled car auction. Dealership is offering $2500 trade in. This problem is well documented online regarding 2013 Subaru Outback’s with 2.5L engine.

Filed Jan 24, 2022 · Wheels · IN

Driver side rear wheel bearing speed sensor experienced a spontaneous failure, leading to ABS failure and nearly lost control when rapidly decelerating from 45mph to 0mph in a short left turning lane. Failure occurred in well maintained 2013 Subaru Outback with less than 70,000 miles on it. Vehicle immediately lit up several dashboard lights (CHECK ENGINE, CRUISE CONTROL, ABS, and BREAK lights) indicating the car was unsafe to drive at moderate/high speed following the incident. ABS failure could have led to an accident in inclement weather. Wheel bearing is being replaced by mechanic.

Filed Jun 13, 2021 · Engine · WI

Last summer I was driving on the interstate. I would say I was on the road for about 1.5 hours, it was a very warm day. I was going about 75 miles an hour and I had sudden total loss of power to the engine. Radio never stopped playing , no check engines lights came on and I could also maneuver the steering wheel. I thankfully was able to get to the side of the road(traffic was heavy). Once my car was almost at a stop the engine regained power. I was able to drive to my destination. No check engine lights ever came on. I took the car to Subaru dealership the next week. They could find nothing wrong with the car. They did notice a speck of debris/fuzz on the mass flow air sensor, they did change that part. Now about one year later I’m having catalytic converters issues and that needs to be changed. I wonder if it is all connected, and I also worry the loss of engine power will happen again. Thank you, [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

Filed Jun 3, 2020 · Acceleration, Brakes · 83,000 miles · MN

The warning lights- brakes, tire pressure, cruise control, engine lights and traction control all come on and won't go off. Had them reset by the mechanics but a day later they came back on while I was driving down the highway for no reason. Cruise no longer works as the lights are on. A lot of people on line seem to have this problem and I think you should make subaru issue some kind of recall to fix this problem. Thank you.

Filed Jul 22, 2019 · Brakes, Electrical · 30,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 subaru outback. While driving various speeds, the brake, windshield wiper fluid, cruise control, and check engine warning indicators illuminated. The contact stated that the emergency brake engaged independently and the vehicle failed to drive. The contact stated that the failure also occurred on other occasions. The vehicle was taken to subaru of orange park (located at 7023 blanding blvd, jacksonville, fl 32244, (855) 851-7200) where it was diagnosed and an unknown failure code was located. The vehicle was repaired, but the contact did not know the specifics. The contact believed there was an unknown sensor failure. The contact stated that the failure recurred. The contact planned to tow the vehicle to subaru of orange park. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 30,000.

Filed May 2, 2019 · Electrical · 111,000 miles · CA

While driving my subaru outback 2013 2.5i premium model, brake light, cruise control, check engine light started flashing in the dashboard. Took it to a dealer and I was told that it was body valve failure inside transmission. It was fixed (subaru paid $1,500 and I contributed $300 for the repair) by a subaru dealer. Yet, ten days later the same three lights went on. The dealer said it was different problems, catalytic converter and o2 sensors, quoted $1,800. Left the dealer without fixing the problems. It seems that my car was not the only one with this type of electrical problem. I saw the exactly same complaints posted by other user in virginia (refer to the federal safety agency id number: 11204834).

Filed Apr 30, 2019 · Electrical · 107,626 miles · VA

While driving the car on a city street the brake light, cruise control, check engine light started flashing in the dashboard. Cruise control would not work during this. Car seems to run fine but warning lights continue to flash

Filed Jan 17, 2017 · Engine, Fuel system · 48,000 miles · WA

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.

Filed May 20, 2016 · Electrical · 108,610 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 subaru outback. While the vehicle was in operation, the check engine, ABS, and oil warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed as a locked up duty solenoid circuit failure. The part needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 108,610.

Filed Nov 16, 2015 · Engine · 70,500 miles · MI

Check engine light has been activated seven times since the beginning of this summer (2015). Low on oil at first. Dealer changed pcv valve and topped off oil at the time of first engine light activation. Now, just had $1200 of maintenance on it at different dealer. Including change of temp sensor on nov 2. Check engine light on again today, with difficulty starting. Difficulty starting with check engine light has been for check engine indications for last month. Dealer is confounded. I am very concerned with less than 71000 miles. Did purchase an extended warranty for 80000 miles. Did have dealer of original sale have hitch and rear view camera installed prior to delivery.