YearToAvoid

2014 Subaru Outback Engine Problems

NHTSA has received 49 engine complaints for the 2014 Subaru Outback, 24% of all complaints filed for the year, with a median failure mileage of 23,000. No engine-related recall is listed for this model year.

Engine complaints
49
24% of 208
Crashes reported
5
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
23,000 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Owners report sudden hesitation or delayed acceleration when pulling out from stops or turning, sometimes followed by a collision.
  • Some describe intermittent stalling at low speed or while merging onto highways, with the accelerator producing no response.
  • Several report low oil pressure or low oil warning lights appearing shortly after purchase, with oil levels below the dipstick marker.
  • One owner reported the engine burning oil starting as early as 4,900 miles, before the dealer-recommended oil change interval.
  • A cruise-control related complaint describes uneven power delivery on hills, with sluggish pickup followed by a late, hard surge in power.
  • One case describes an engine fire with electrical disturbances in the radio/media console preceding smoke from under the hood.

When 2014 Subaru Outback engine complaints were filed

First complaint Jan 17, 2014, latest Jan 13, 2025.

2014 Subaru Outback engine complaints: complaints filed per month3Jan 2014Jan 2015Sep 2015Dec 2016Sep 2017Jan 2019Feb 2020Aug 2022
49 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jan 2014 to Jan 2025; peak Sep 2017 (3).

Engine recalls for the 2014 Subaru Outback

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Outback model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 201077 (22%)
  2. 2011113 (17%)
  3. 201259 (20%)
  4. 201388 (30%)
  5. 201449 (24%)
  6. 201574 (15%)
  7. 201674 (12%)
  8. 201769 (8%)
  9. 201857 (7%)
  10. 201964 (6%)
  11. 202061 (7%)
  12. 202137 (13%)
  13. 202226 (6%)
  14. 20233 (3%)
  15. 202410 (10%)
  16. 20258 (10%)

Frequently asked questions

How many engine complaints does the 2014 Subaru Outback have?
NHTSA lists 49 engine complaints for the 2014 Subaru Outback, which is 24% of all complaints filed for that model year.
Is there an engine recall for the 2014 Subaru Outback?
No related recalls are listed in NHTSA data for the engine on the 2014 Subaru Outback.
At what mileage do engine problems typically show up on the 2014 Outback?
The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for engine complaints is 23,000 miles.
Did the 2014 Outback engine issues lead to crashes or fires?
NHTSA data tied to this engine complaint set includes 5 crashes and 1 fire, with 0 injuries reported.
How does 2014 compare to other Outback years for engine complaints?
The 2014 Outback's engine complaints made up 24% of that year's total complaints, higher than 2015 (15%), 2016 (12%), and most years after 2016, but lower than 2013 (30%).

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.