2014 Subaru Outback: Best bet

Owners filed 109 complaints with NHTSA about the 2014 Subaru Outback in its first five years on the road, about 82 for every 100,000 sold: 0.6× the rate of a typical Outback year. That's among the fewest of any Outback year.

The biggest problem area, counting serious complaints more, is the powertrain (transmission and drivetrain) (14% of complaints, median 6,000 miles).

Complaint index
0.6×
per vehicle sold, vs. a typical Outback year
Rank
3rd of 14
1st = fewest complaints
Complaints
109
first five years; 82 per 100,000 sold
Recalls
10
campaigns
4th generation, 2010–2014 · Updated September 24, 2026 · How we rate
2010 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited

Photo: 2010 Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited · IFCAR, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Problem areas

Ranked by severity-weighted complaints · share · median miles
  1. Powertrain14% · 15 complaints · median 6,000 miles
  2. Engine20% · 22 complaints · median 20,000 miles
  3. Brakes14% · 15 complaints · median 12,000 miles
  4. Speed control12% · 13 complaints · median 14,000 miles
  5. Air bags9% · 10 complaints · median 34,000 miles
  6. Steering12% · 13 complaints · median 8,000 miles
  7. Fuel and propulsion8% · 9 complaints · median 18,000 miles
  8. Body and structure4% · 4 complaints
  9. Electrical10% · 11 complaints · median 7,000 miles
  10. Seats and belts5% · 5 complaints · median 32,000 miles

Bars rank problem areas by complaints weighted for severity (crashes, fires, injuries and deaths count more). A complaint can name more than one area. Mileage is reported on about half of complaints.

What owners describe

Brakes

Owners describe electronic parking brakes that lock on or won't release, sometimes paired with a soft or floor-going brake pedal. Dealers frequently struggle to find or fix the cause, leaving some owners uneasy about relying on the brakes.

Warning signs:
Many describe a check engine or brake warning light flashing, a clicking sound, or the parking brake light indicating engagement while driving.
What shops did:
Dealers often could not duplicate or diagnose the fault, though some replaced relays, sensors, or the brake actuator module without lasting resolution.
Mileage:
most between 5,000 and 45,000 miles, among 19 complaints that give it

“The electronic parking brake engages while the vehicle is underway. When the fault is cleared and driving resumes the electronic parking brake again engages.”

Engine

Many owners of this Outback report the engine using oil faster than expected, triggering frequent low-oil warnings between changes. Dealers often call it normal or run consumption tests, though some owners ended up needing engine or short-block repairs.

Warning signs:
Owners note low-oil or oil-pressure warning lights illuminating well before scheduled oil changes, along with occasional hesitation, stalling, or unusual engine noises.
What shops did:
Dealers often performed oil consumption tests, added or changed oil, replaced sensors, and called consumption normal, though some replaced engines or short blocks and a few could not find the cause.
Mileage:
most between 10,000 and 75,000 miles, among 31 complaints that give it

“We noticed oil consumption after the 3-4th oil change”

“Engine began leaking oil from both cam carriers and the upper oil pan”

Powertrain

Many owners of this 2014 Outback describe a noticeable delay when accelerating from a stop, sometimes lasting several seconds, along with occasional unexpected rolling or lurching when parked. Dealers frequently couldn't reproduce the issue, leaving some owners feeling their concerns were unresolved despite mentions of related bulletins or extended warranty coverage.

Warning signs:
Owners report multi-second lag when accelerating from a stop or reversing into drive, roaring/whining noises, shuddering at certain speeds, and hard shifting or slipping out of gear.
What shops did:
Dealers often could not duplicate or diagnose the hesitation issue, some performed software updates with little improvement, and a few owners were told the CVT needed replacement at their own expense.
Mileage:
most between 5,000 and 65,000 miles, among 21 complaints that give it

“Multiple incidents of lag when driving slowly into cross traffic or from a dead stop that sometimes last up to several seconds”

“Excessive shudder noticeable throughout the car at various speeds including ~35-40 MPH and 78-83 MPH”

Summaries are written with AI from the owner complaints shown on NHTSA's site and checked against them; quotes are word for word.

  • NHTSA 20V001000January 2020258,813 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.

    Fix: Subaru will notify their owners.

  • NHTSA 20V002000January 2020127,547 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.

    Fix: Subaru will notify their owners.

  • NHTSA 20V003000January 2020111,562 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.

    Fix: Subaru will notify their owners.

  • NHTSA 19V297000April 2019511 vehicles

    Electrical system: ignition: switch

    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: The engine turning off unexpectedly can increase the risk of a crash. If a crash occurs under this condition, the air bag may not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.

    Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ignition switch, replacing the ignition switch, if necessary, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 19V007000January 201943,394 vehicles

    Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module

    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: An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Fix: Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 19V008000January 2019330,120 vehicles

    Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module

    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: An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Fix: Subaru is notifying owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 19V009000January 2019452,630 vehicles

    Air bags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module

    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: An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

    Fix: Subaru is notifying owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 18V626000September 201827,175 vehicles

    Parking brake

    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: A vehicle rollaway can increase the risk of a crash.

    Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EPB actuator assembly, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 16V694000September 2016592,647 vehicles

    Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor

    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: If the windshield wiper motor overheats, the wipers may fail, reducing driver visibility and increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, the wiper motor cover may melt, increasing the risk of a fire.

    Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the windshield wiper motor bottom cover assembly, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 13V336000August 2013202 vehicles

    Power train: automatic transmission

    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: As a result of the parking rod detaching, the transmission may not be able to be moved from the "park" position preventing the vehicle from being moved or driven. Furthermore, even with the transmission shifted into the 'park' position, the parking mechanism may not engage, and the vehicle may roll away while in the "park" position, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transmission, free of charge.

A recall only helps if the repair was done. Enter the vehicle's 17-character VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup before you buy.

Service bulletins

Subaru sent NHTSA 362 service bulletins and other notices to dealers covering the 2014 Outback. These are repair instructions, not recalls. Warranty extensions and bulletins about its top problem areas:

  • 16-156-25R · August 2026This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body.
  • SubaruNet Announcement (R · May 2026This announcement provides information on the remanufactured CVT transmission program.
  • 03-97-26 · April 2026This bulletin announces the service manual correction regarding clutch master cylinder reservoir service procedures.
  • 15-300-22R · January 2026This Bulletin provides the diagnostic procedure for the STARLINK® Remote Engine Start (RES).
  • 18-226-25R · December 2025This Service Information Bulletin provides the Service Manual Correction to the diagnostic procedure for DTC B2A16 (Immobilizer Key Collation Diagnosis).
  • 16-156-25 · September 2025This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body.
  • 07-235-25 · September 2025In the interest of customer satisfaction Subaru of America, Inc.
  • Subaru Service Technical · August 2025Subaru Service Technical Support Newsletter special edition.

All 2014 Outback bulletins on NHTSA ›

Questions owners ask

Is the 2014 Subaru Outback reliable?
Owners filed 109 complaints with NHTSA about the 2014 Subaru Outback in its first five years on the road, about 82 for every 100,000 sold: 0.6× the rate of a typical Outback year. That's among the fewest of any Outback year. Ratings compare Outback years with each other using complaints filed with NHTSA; they don't measure every problem owners have.
What are the most common 2014 Outback problems?
Owners' complaints most often involve the powertrain (transmission and drivetrain) (14%), the engine (20%) and the brakes (14%). A complaint can name more than one area.
Has the 2014 Subaru Outback been recalled?
Yes. NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns for the 2014 Subaru Outback, the most recent in January 2020 (air bags). Enter the vehicle's VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to see whether the repairs were done.

Sources

Owner complaints, recalls and manufacturer communications from NHTSA's public data files, as of September 24, 2026. Complaints are counted once each, over the model year's first 60 months on the road. UsedScore is not affiliated with NHTSA or Subaru. The 2014 Subaru Outback on NHTSA.gov · How we rate