2014 Subaru Outback Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2014 Subaru Outback has 208 complaints, a complaint index of 30, and ranks 15th worst out of 21 model years. NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns, which caps its verdict at Caution despite the moderate complaint index.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 30/100
- #15 of 21 Outback years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 208
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 10
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 14
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 21
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 24
- 22 city / 28 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 21 / 0
Top 2014 Subaru Outback problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine49 (24%)
- Airbags38 (18%)
- Electrical System37 (18%)
- Transmission & Powertrain25 (12%)
- Brakes24 (12%)
- Other22 (11%)
- Steering17 (8%)
- Fuel System13 (6%)
- Structure & Body13 (6%)
- Visibility & Wipers10 (5%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Some drivers describe the power steering failing, becoming hard to turn even after the dealer replaced the unit.
- Owners report the engine hesitating during acceleration from a stop or mid-turn, leading to a collision in at least one case.
- Several complaints describe the vehicle suddenly rolling or lurching forward at low parking-lot speeds, resisting braking, and striking another vehicle or object.
- One owner reported a spontaneous engine fire preceded by electrical disturbances in the radio and media console at 69,000 miles.
- Multiple owners whose airbags were replaced under the Takata recall said the airbags still failed to deploy in a subsequent crash.
- A gear selector reportedly rolled out of park after the driver exited, with the emergency brake not engaged, causing the vehicle to crash into a house.
2014 Subaru Outback recalls
10 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 20V001000Jan 2, 2020Airbags258,813 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
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: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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.
- NHTSA 20V003000Jan 2, 2020Airbags111,562 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
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: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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.
- NHTSA 20V002000Jan 2, 2020Airbags127,547 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
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: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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.
2014 Subaru Outback fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 22 MPG
- Highway
- 28 MPG
- Combined
- 24 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,700
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2014 compared with other Outback years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2014 Subaru Outback reliable?
- NHTSA data shows 208 complaints and a complaint index of 30, ranking 15th worst among the 21 model years tracked. The verdict is Caution, driven largely by 10 recall campaigns.
- What is the top problem area for the 2014 Subaru Outback?
- Engine issues are the top problem area, accounting for 49 complaints (24% of the total) with a median failure mileage of 23,000 miles.
- Does the 2014 Subaru Outback have a recall?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns for this year, including multiple Takata airbag inflator recalls, an ignition switch recall, and an electronic parking brake recall on manual-transmission cars.
- Why is the 2014 Outback rated Caution instead of Good despite a moderate complaint index?
- Its verdict is capped to Caution because of 10 recall campaigns requiring a dealer visit, even though its complaint index of 30 is lower than several other model years.
- How does the 2014 Outback compare to other years?
- Its complaint index of 30 is lower than 2011 (70), 2016-2020 (65-100), and 2022 (80), but higher than 2005-2009 and 2023-2024, which rank as Good years.