2014 Subaru Outback Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
BestComplaint Index
7/100
#15 most-complained of 16 Outback years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2014 Subaru Outback ranks 15th of 16 model years by complaint index, with a complaint index of 7, making it one of the best Outback years for reported problems. It has 208 NHTSA complaints, 10 recalls, and no deaths reported.
- Complaints
- 208
- Recalls
- 10
- Crashes / fires
- 14 / 2
- Injuries / deaths
- 21 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 24
- 22 city / 28 hwy
Top 2014 Subaru Outback problems
NHTSA owner 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%)
What owners report
- Some owners report unintended forward movement or rolling after parking, sometimes striking objects or entering the house, often with the parking brake not engaged.
- Others describe engine hesitation when accelerating from a stop or during a turn, which owners say contributed to a rear-end collision.
- Several owners report airbags failing to deploy in moderate-speed frontal collisions, including after Takata inflator replacement.
- One owner reported a power steering failure that made the wheel difficult to turn even after dealer replacement.
- One case describes a spontaneous engine compartment fire preceded by electrical disturbances in the radio and media console.
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?
- Among Outback model years, 2014 has a complaint index of 7 and ranks 15th of 16 years, earning a 'Best' verdict relative to other Outback years based on NHTSA complaints and recalls.
- What are the most common problems with the 2014 Subaru Outback?
- NHTSA data shows Engine complaints lead at 49 (24% of complaints), followed by Airbags at 38 (18%) and Electrical System at 37 (18%).
- Does the 2014 Subaru Outback have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 10 recalls for the 2014 Outback, mostly involving Airbags (Takata inflators), plus Electrical System ignition switch and Brakes electronic parking brake recalls.
- What mileage do problems typically show up at on the 2014 Outback?
- The median mileage at failure across all complaints is 36,000 miles, though Steering issues showed up at a median of 8,800 miles and Brakes at 14,000 miles.
- How does the 2014 Outback compare to other years?
- The 2014 Outback's complaint index of 7 is much lower than later years like 2017 (87), 2018 (80), and 2019 (100), which are rated 'Avoid' for this model.