IllustrationTAKATA RECALL: I WAS NEVER INFORMED FROM SUBARU INC., OR THE DEALER OF ANY RECALL SUBJECT TO THIS VEHICLE. IS THIS AUTO ON ANY RECALL LIST?
2014 Subaru Outback
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2014 Subaru Outback do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 207.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Outback years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
620–25K
3325–50K
2650–75K
1675–100K
10100–150K
4150K+
151 reports with mileage · 57 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Air Bags. Review the 38 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 35 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
14 crash reports2 fire reports8 injury reports
What owners actually said
208 reportsACCELERATION FROM A STOP OR SLOW SPEED TAKES 5-6 SECONDS FOR A PROPER RESPONSE. TURNING LEFT IS A VERY REAL PROBLEM OR PULLING INTO ON COMING TRAFFIC. I HAVE YET TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE I AM EXTREMELY CAREFUL, BUT HAVE COME FRIGHTINGLY CLOSE A FEW TIMES. CAN THIS PROBLEM BE FIXED? THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STATIONA…
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ACCELERATION FROM A STOP OR SLOW SPEED TAKES 5-6 SECONDS FOR A PROPER RESPONSE. TURNING LEFT IS A VERY REAL PROBLEM OR PULLING INTO ON COMING TRAFFIC. I HAVE YET TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE I AM EXTREMELY CAREFUL, BUT HAVE COME FRIGHTINGLY CLOSE A FEW TIMES. CAN THIS PROBLEM BE FIXED? THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY, TURNING,BRAKING (SLOWING DOWN AND THEN TRYING TO GO BACK TO NORMAL SPEED. THIS HAPPENS ON INTERSTATES, AROUND TOWN, ETC.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WHEN APPROACHING A RED LIGHT. THE CONTACT'S FOOT WAS NOT DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. ALSO, THE RPMS INCREASED TO 3,000. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WHEN APPROACHING A RED LIGHT. THE CONTACT'S FOOT WAS NOT DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. ALSO, THE RPMS INCREASED TO 3,000. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT HAD TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL IN ORDER TO REGAIN NORMAL FUNCTIONALITY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY TWELVE TIMES SINCE FEBRUARY OF 2017. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO KINGS SUBARU OF MASON, OHIO TWICE, BUT THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000. UPDATED 08/15/17*LJ *CN *TR
WE HAVE HAD THREE ACCIDENTS INVOLVING THE SAME THING. YOU CAN'T SEEM TO SLOW THE CAR DOWN ENOUGH TO STOP IT. TWO OF THE TIMES, WE HAVE PULLED INTO A PARKING PLACE,GOING AT A LOW SPEED,AND WHEN YOU STEP ON THE BRAKE,THE CAR ACCELERATES AND JUMPS FORWARD INSTEAD OF STOPPING. ALSO THE AIR BAGS DOESN'T COME ON.
BRAKES COMPLETELY FAILED WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET, SLOWING TO LET A PEDESTRIAN CROSS IN A CROSSWALK. THE VEHICLE HAD A 100% BRAKE FAILURE. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THERE SEEMED TO BE A MALFUNCTION IN THE DUAL BRAKING SYSTEM. FRONT BRAKES AND REAR BRAKES WERE SERVICED AT A SUBARU DEALERSHIP AT DIFFERENT TIM…
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BRAKES COMPLETELY FAILED WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET, SLOWING TO LET A PEDESTRIAN CROSS IN A CROSSWALK. THE VEHICLE HAD A 100% BRAKE FAILURE. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THERE SEEMED TO BE A MALFUNCTION IN THE DUAL BRAKING SYSTEM. FRONT BRAKES AND REAR BRAKES WERE SERVICED AT A SUBARU DEALERSHIP AT DIFFERENT TIMES. THE BOLTS HOLDING THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR CALIPER SEPARATED FROM THE CAR. THE BOLTS HAD BACKED OUT. THE LOWER ONE WAS MISSING. THE OTHER CALIPER BOLT HAD BACKED OUT OF THE THREADS BUT WAS LOOSELY HELD IN PLACE BY THE BRAKE HOSE. THE DRIVER SIDE REAR CALIPER DID NOT APPEAR TO BE LEAKING.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE STATIONARY, THE VEHICLE CONSUMED AN INORDINATE AMOUNT OF OIL. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AS HAVING AN OIL CONSUMPTION FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
AT TIMES WHEN YOU PRESS THE ACCELERATOR FROM A STOP IT TAKES 5 OR 6 SECONDS TO RESPOND.I WAS PULLING ON TO THE HIGHWAY TURNING LEFT.THIS COULD BE A VERY DANGEROUS OR EVEN FATAL INCIDENT IF THERE WAS ONCOMING TRAFFIC.READING FROM THE INTRNET I SEE THAT THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM AS FAR BACK AS 2013.SOMEONE NEEDS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM…
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AT TIMES WHEN YOU PRESS THE ACCELERATOR FROM A STOP IT TAKES 5 OR 6 SECONDS TO RESPOND.I WAS PULLING ON TO THE HIGHWAY TURNING LEFT.THIS COULD BE A VERY DANGEROUS OR EVEN FATAL INCIDENT IF THERE WAS ONCOMING TRAFFIC.READING FROM THE INTRNET I SEE THAT THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM AS FAR BACK AS 2013.SOMEONE NEEDS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE DIES.
IN THE SHOP FOR MOTOR PROBLEM AT DEALER GETTING FIX.
POSSIBLE OIL CONSUMPTION. I HAVE IT TWICE OR THIRD AND I HAVE NOTICED THAT OIL WAS GONE WHEN I CHECKED THE OIL LEVELER. YESTERDAY, I HAVE TALKED TO SUBARU SERVICE DEPT ABOUT IT AND HE SAID IT IS OK THAT KEEP POUR OIL INTO EVERY 1200 MILES (BURNED SOME OIL AND BETWEEN OIL CHANGE). I BOUGHT OIL AND POUR IT INTO. I DON'T BELIEVE IT…
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POSSIBLE OIL CONSUMPTION. I HAVE IT TWICE OR THIRD AND I HAVE NOTICED THAT OIL WAS GONE WHEN I CHECKED THE OIL LEVELER. YESTERDAY, I HAVE TALKED TO SUBARU SERVICE DEPT ABOUT IT AND HE SAID IT IS OK THAT KEEP POUR OIL INTO EVERY 1200 MILES (BURNED SOME OIL AND BETWEEN OIL CHANGE). I BOUGHT OIL AND POUR IT INTO. I DON'T BELIEVE IT WAS SO NORMAL FOR BURNED SOME OIL LIKE EVERY 1200 MILES. I AM CONCERNING ABOUT IT.
I PURCHASED AFTER 1 YEAR OLD FROM SUBARU DEALERSHIP. IN 2014 AT ABOUT 17,000 MILES. AFTER EVER OIL CHANGE, THE OIL LIGHT GOES ON AT ABOUT - 1,500 MILES PRIOR. TONTHE OIL CHANGE BEING DUE. I WENT TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THEY STAYED IT IS NORMAL WITH THAT LIGHTER AEGHT SYNTHETIC OIL. RECOMMENDED OIL CONSUMPTION TEST IF IT KE…
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I PURCHASED AFTER 1 YEAR OLD FROM SUBARU DEALERSHIP. IN 2014 AT ABOUT 17,000 MILES. AFTER EVER OIL CHANGE, THE OIL LIGHT GOES ON AT ABOUT - 1,500 MILES PRIOR. TONTHE OIL CHANGE BEING DUE. I WENT TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THEY STAYED IT IS NORMAL WITH THAT LIGHTER AEGHT SYNTHETIC OIL. RECOMMENDED OIL CONSUMPTION TEST IF IT KEPT HAPPENING. NOW I FIND OUT TODAY FROM CORPORATE SUBARU # THAT WARRANTY EXPIRED AT 69,000. I HAVE 66,000 ON MY OUTBACK. THE LOCAL DEALER NEVER INFORMED ME ABOUT THE 60,000 LIMIT. I & MY HUSBAND OWN AN INDEPENDENT GOODYEAR DEALERSHIP, HAVE 4 MECHANICS, WHY WOULD I WANT TO PAY ANOTHER DEALERSHIP TO GO A CONSUMPTION TEST.
Official recalls
1020V001000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
Jan 2, 2020
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
20V002000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
Jan 2, 2020
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
20V003000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
Jan 2, 2020
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
19V297000 · Electrical System:ignition:switch
Apr 11, 2019
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
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. Subaru's number for this recall is WUF-91.
19V007000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
Jan 9, 2019
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
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.
19V008000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
Jan 9, 2019
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
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.
19V009000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
Jan 9, 2019
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
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. Subaru's number for this recall is TKC-19.
18V626000 · Parking Brake
Sep 13, 2018
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A vehicle rollaway can increase the risk of a crash.
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.
16V694000 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor
Sep 27, 2016
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
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. Subaru's number for this recall is WTK-71. Note: This recall supersedes recall 11V-469. All vehicles that were remedied under that campaign are affected by this campaign, and need to have their wiper motor bottom cover replaced again.
13V336000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission
Aug 1, 2013
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.