2014 Subaru Outback
This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
- Complaints
- 208
- Recalls
- 10
- Investigations
- 0
- Top problem
- Air bags
Campaigns on file for 2014
None on file
20% of complaints
Complaints per year
2014: 208 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 2 |
| 1996 | 46 |
| 1997 | 79 |
| 1998 | 127 |
| 1999 | 111 |
| 2000 | 207 |
| 2001 | 171 |
| 2002 | 143 |
| 2003 | 93 |
| 2004 | 90 |
| 2005 | 273 |
| 2006 | 277 |
| 2007 | 129 |
| 2008 | 226 |
| 2009 | 106 |
| 2010 | 360 |
| 2011 | 652 |
| 2012 | 292 |
| 2013 | 297 |
| 2014 | 208 |
| 2015 | 509 |
| 2016 | 642 |
| 2017 | 918 |
| 2018 | 813 |
| 2019 | 1,034 |
| 2020 | 899 |
| 2021 | 296 |
| 2022 | 465 |
| 2023 | 89 |
| 2024 | 103 |
| 2025 | 81 |
| 2026 | 16 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Air bags
20% · 41 reportsMost commonly citing occupant classification and driver clockspring/spiral cassette.
Engine
17% · 35 reportsShow complaint excerpts
The car had been recently serviced through the dealer and had 66,000 miles (9 yrs old). It was 6k miles past warranty. While driving, the radiator hose explodedâloud noise, white steam, and all the warning lights came on and the car heated up.
NHTSA ODI report, 2023-10-15
Electrical system
15% · 32 reportsMost commonly citing speedometer/odometer.
Show complaint excerpts
Spontaneous engine fire while driving - mar 07,2019 - 2014 Subaru Outback with current maintenance and no prior history of malfunction.
NHTSA ODI report, 2019-03-11
Power train
12% · 25 reportsMost commonly citing automatic transmission.
Show complaint excerpts
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 Subaru Outback. After parking the vehicle and exiting, the contact re-entered the vehicle and the gear rolled out of park. The emergency brake was not engaged.
NHTSA ODI report, 2018-09-14
Subaru Outback was started in a parking lot in order to cool interior down. Driver exited vehicle and walked behind and around to other side. Drive opened front passenger door retrieved an item and closed door.
NHTSA ODI report, 2014-08-16
Also filed under Structure
I am just the mechanic and this is my customer's vehicle, but whilst doing some regular maintenance on the vehicle and also replacing part number 383485200 which Subaru calls "HOLDER, AXLE BRG" due to a crack which ran thru one of the 5 fastener...
NHTSA ODI report, 2024-03-04
Service brakes
11% · 22 reportsShow complaint excerpts
My 2014 Subaru Outback, with only 42,000 miles on it, is unfortunately among the 3% (per Consumer Reports) with undiagnosable, therefore, unrepairable, brake failure issues.
NHTSA ODI report, 2023-10-30
Safety timeline
10 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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2013-08-13Power train13V336000 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.
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.
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2016-10-25Visibility16V694000 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.
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.
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2019-01-25Air bags19V008000 Subaru of America, Inc.
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.
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2019-01-25Air bags19V007000 Subaru of America, Inc.
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.
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2019-01-25Air bags19V009000 Subaru of America, Inc.
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.
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2019-05-10Electrical system19V297000 Subaru of America, Inc.
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.
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2019-07-19Parking brake18V626000 Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Subaru Legacy and Outback vehicles equipped with a manual transmission.
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.
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2020-01-07Air bags20V002000 Subaru of America, Inc.
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.
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2020-01-07Air bags20V001000 Subaru of America, Inc.
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.
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2020-01-07Air bags20V003000 Subaru of America, Inc.
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.
Buy-smart checklist
2014 Subaru Outback — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Air bags: 41 reports on file for this year.
- Engine: 35 reports on file for this year.
- Electrical system: 32 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 13V336000 · Power train
- Recall 16V694000 · Visibility
- Recall 19V008000 · Air bags
- Recall 19V007000 · Air bags
- Recall 19V009000 · Air bags
- Recall 19V297000 · Electrical system
- Recall 18V626000 · Parking brake
- Recall 20V002000 · Air bags
- Recall 20V001000 · Air bags
- Recall 20V003000 · Air bags
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 2014 Subaru Outback reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2014 Subaru Outback is rated "typical".
- What are the most common problems with the 2014 Subaru Outback?
- The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 20% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2014 Subaru Outback have?
- 10 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.