Fourth generation (BR/BM)
2014 Subaru Outback
The most reported problem on the 2014 Subaru Outback is airbag, with 37 complaints, usually around 46,000 miles.
- 179owner complaints
- 10recalls
- 11involved a crash
- 47,434median miles at failure
Newest report Jul 2, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
What is your Outback doing?
Each one opens a sheet built from the owner reports of that problem on the 2014 model year.
Is the 2014 Subaru Outback reliable?
The 2014 Subaru Outback has 179 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, less than half the median of 366 for 2014 SUVs on this site. Of the 13 Outback model years since 2014, it has the 9th most complaints. Complaint counts rise with sales as well as faults, so read what owners report below before deciding.
At a glance
- Next to other model years
- Complaints filed before 2015 aren't in the files this site reads, so the 2014 count runs short and isn't compared with the model years next to it.
- Top problem
- Airbag leads with 37 of the 179 complaints (21%), ahead of brake wear at 17. A quarter of the 15 owners who gave a mileage for airbag saw it by about 34,000 miles, and half by about 46,000.
- Crash, fire and injury reports
- 15 of the 179 complaints (8%) report a crash, a fire or an injury, a little above the 6% typical of vehicles on this site. Counted separately (one report can carry more than one), 11 reports mention a crash, 2 mention a fire and 21 people were hurt. The most crash reports, 6 of 11, fall under airbag.
- Recalls behind the top problems
- Airbag, the one problem here with enough reports to check, has a recall on the same system (19V-007, 19V-008 and 4 others). A recall on the same system doesn't always cover the failure owners describe, so compare its summary with the complaints.
- When owners filed
- Filings peaked in 2019 at 45 and have dropped every year since, to 2 in 2025. So far in 2026, 4 more have come in. Filings on record start in 2015.
When each problem shows up
Each bar covers the middle half of the mileages owners reported for that problem. A quarter saw it earlier, a quarter later. The tick is the median. Most reported: airbag warning light or recall, 37 complaints.
middle half of reports, median tick. The heavier grey bars have 75 or more reports.
Behind you
Around your mileage
Ahead of you
How this compares
179 complaints is 1.7 times fewer than the median 2014 model on this site and 2.0 times fewer than the median 2014 SUV. Among the 13 Outback model years here it ranks 9th for complaints. Counts follow sales volume as much as reliability, so a truck that sells 700,000 a year draws more reports than a sedan that sells 200,000.
Service bulletins for the 2014 Subaru Outback
Subaru filed 362 bulletins and other notices with NHTSA that list the 2014 Subaru Outback. 22 of them deal with a problem owners have reported on this car. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 8 bulletins · 17 complaints
This bulletin provides diagnosis and procedure information to be applied when diagnosing potential fluid leaks on front and rear brake calipers. This information has been developed to reduce unnecessary brake caliper replacement.
This Service Information bulletin announces availability of a new front brake pad shim kit to specifically address customer concerns of a squeaking or squealing sound on the models listed above.
6 more on this problem
This bulletin announces availability of a new front disc brake pad, shim, grease and clip kit designed to reduce customer concerns of excessive brake squeal.
This Service Information bulletin announces instruction for application of additional lubrication between the brake caliper support and pad clips.
This bulletin announces a design change to the front brake caliper supports to address customer concerns of a rattling sound heard while driving.
IN RESPONSE TO ISOLATED REPORTS OF CRACKED OR BROKEN ABS WHEEL SPEED SENSOR HARNESS RETAINING CLIPS CAUSED BY REACTION WITH ACIDS USED IN SOME WHEEL CLEANERS, THE CLIP MATERIAL HAS BEEN CHANGED TO POLYPROPYLENE (PPO).
THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES AN INSPECTION AND ADJUSTMENT PROCEDURE TO ADDRESS A DTC C0075 WHICH MAY BE STORED IN THE VEHICLE DYNAMICS CONTROL AND HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT (VDCCM&HCU).
SUBARU: SOME WHEEL CLEANERS HAVE ACID, AND ABS WHEEL SENSOR HARNESS RETAINING CLIPS WOULD EITHER BECOME BROKEN OR DEVELOPED CRACKS AND A NEW RETAINING CLIP, WITH POLYPROPLYLENE, WOULD BE USED INSTEAD. MODEL 2010-14 LEGACY, OUTBACK. *PE
Burns oil or oil level rises 5 bulletins · 15 complaints
As part of our dedication to customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc. is initiating a program to extend the original New Car Powertrain Limited Warranty coverage for excessive engine oil consumption on applicable vehicles to 8 years / 100,000 miles from ...
Refer to bulletin for engine/transmission type. As part of our dedication to customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc.
3 more on this problem
Revised TSB. As part of our dedication to customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc. is initiating a program to extend the original New Car Powertrain Limited Warranty coverage for excessive engine oil consumption on applicable vehicles to 8 years / ...
PROPOSED ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT RECENTLY YOU MAY HAVE SEEN VARIOUS ONLINE AND OTHER MEDIA ARTICLES REGARDING SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
THIS BULLETIN ANNOUNCES INFORMATION REGARDING A MAJOR CHANGE TO THE REPAIR PROCEDURES PREVIOUSLY OUTLINED IN SERVICE BULLETINS 02-143-13R, 02-144-13R AND 02-145-13R.
Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 3 bulletins · 12 complaints
This Bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic but essential information during diagnosis of Infotainment concerns. (This is an revised version of the original bulletin.)
This bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic essential information during diagnosis and repair of the Infotainment concerns. (Applicable to all models with Harman or Denso CP1 Infotainment).
1 more on this problem
THIS SERVICE INFORMATION BULLETIN PROVIDES RECOMMENDATIONS TO ADDRESS A CUSTOMER CONCERN OF A CHECK DEVICE ERROR MESSAGE BEING DISPLAYED ON THE SCREEN OF THEIR PANASONIC AUDIO UNIT.
Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 2 bulletins · 7 complaints
THIS BULLETIN ANNOUNCES AVAILABILITY OF REPROGRAMMING FILES FOR OPTIMIZATION OF THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE (TCM). THE NEW LOGIC ADDRESSES CUSTOMER CONCERNS OF INCONSISTENT SHIFTING CHARACTERISTICS AND / OR A SLIPPING -TYPE SENSATION WHICH MAY BE ...
THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES A PROCEDURE FOR DIAGNOSING A CUSTOMER CONCERN OF A DELAYED AND / OR HARSH ENGAGEMENT OF THE CVT (MODEL TR580) WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE FROM NEUTRAL. ALL 2013-16MY, 4-CYLINDER, N/A MODELS WITH CVT
Check engine light or misfire 4 bulletins · 5 complaints
This bulletin provides a new flow chart and additional diagnostic tools to assist technicians with troubleshooting DTC P0841- SECONDARY OIL PRESSURE SENSOR PERFORMANCE.
This Service Information bulletin announces availability of a new control valve assembly (valve body) designed to prevent false detection of DTC P0841 and / or illumination of the AT Temp light.
2 more on this problem
This Service Information Bulletin announces design changes to the engine?s knock sensor which will help improve vehicle assembly line efficiency and increase durability.
Countermeasure Thermostat Availability for DTC P0128
Complaints filed by year
45 complaints came in 2019, 1.8 times the year before. Owners file in waves when a problem gets press or an investigation, so a spike measures attention as much as failures.
Recalls that include the 2014 Subaru Outback
Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (STI included), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators with alternate inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-20.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-20.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKC-20.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, 2008-2011 Impreza vehicles, 2008-2014 WRX vehicles, 2005-2014 Legacy vehicles, 2005-2014 Outback vehicles and 2006-2008 Tribeca vehicles equipped with a mechanical key ignition switch installed as a replacement part. 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.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ignition switch, replacing the ignition switch, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 10, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUF-91.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles and 2010-2013 Forester vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Subaru is notifying owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is TKC-19.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Outback, and Legacy vehicles, 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles and 2010-2013 Forester vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Subaru is notifying owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-19.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Forester, 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Outback, Legacy, and 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-19.
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.
Risk and remedy
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.
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Legacy vehicles manufactured November 26, 2008, to June 7, 2013, and 2010-2014 Outback vehicles manufactured January 9, 2009 to June 7, 2013. Due to contamination, components within the windshield wiper motor bottom cover may interfere with each other. If an obstruction, such as a buildup of snow or ice prevents the wiper arms from being able to stop in the parked position, the wiper motor may overheat and the bottom cover may melt.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the windshield wiper motor bottom cover assembly, free of charge. The recall began October 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTK-71. Note: This recall supersedes recall 11V-469. All vehicles that were remedied under that campaign are affected by this campaign, and need to have their wiper motor bottom cover replaced again.
Subaru of America is recalling certain model year 2014 Legacy 3.6R and Outback 3.6R and 2013 Tribeca vehicles manufactured June 12, 2013, through June 28, 2013 and equipped with 5-speed automatic transmissions. In the affected vehicles, the parking rod may come loose inside the automatic transmission.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transmission, free of charge. The recall began during August 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's recall number is WQJ-46.
All 10 recalls on the 2014 Subaru Outback, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
Guide Buying one used? How to research one car’s history before you pay
Questions
What is the most common problem on the 2014 Subaru Outback?
Airbag, with 37 of the 179 complaints. Owners who gave a mileage for it put the median at about 46,000 miles.
At what mileage do 2014 Subaru Outback problems start?
Of the 129 complaints that give a mileage, a quarter came by about 25,000 miles and half by about 47,000.
How many 2014 Subaru Outback complaints involve a crash, fire or injury?
15 of them (8%). The typical vehicle on this site is at 6%.
Is there a recall for airbag on the 2014 Subaru Outback?
Yes, NHTSA lists 6 recalls on the same system: 19V-007, 19V-008, 19V-009, 20V-001, 20V-002 and 20V-003. Its summary says which failure it covers, and that isn't always the one owners describe.