Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.
2014 Subaru Outback — Known Issues & Recalls
Complaints from Jan 2016 to Dec 2021
The most reported issue is air bags problems (28 complaints). 14 complaints involved crashes. 2 involved fires.
Open Safety Recalls (10)
NHTSA Campaign: 18V626000
Component: 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. 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.
NHTSA Campaign: 19V009000
Component: 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. 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.
NHTSA Campaign: 19V008000
Component: 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. 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.
NHTSA Campaign: 19V007000
Component: 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. 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.
NHTSA Campaign: 20V001000
Component: 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. 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 Campaign: 20V002000
Component: 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. 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.
NHTSA Campaign: 20V003000
Component: 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. 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 Campaign: 19V297000
Component: 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. 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.
NHTSA Campaign: 16V694000
Component: 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. 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.
NHTSA Campaign: 13V336000
Component: 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. The recall began during August 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's recall number is WQJ-46.
Owner-Reported Issues (20 of 207)
Power Train →3 issues
While performing maintenance on your 2014 Subaru Outback, a mechanic discovered a large cavity in the rear differential housing at a bolt hole for the axle bearing holder. This cavity could prevent proper bearing support and potentially cause the rear differential to crack under stress, which could lock up the rear wheels and cause loss of control. The dealership did not treat this as a serious issue. Addressing this would likely require replacing the entire rear differential housing or assembly.
Parts you may need:
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Your transmission's valve body module failed at 118,000 miles without any warning signs. Subaru has issued bulletins about this issue occurring up to 120,000 miles, but you weren't notified that this was a known problem. If the transmission had failed while driving on the highway, it could have caused an accident. Fixing this will likely require transmission valve body replacement or a complete transmission rebuild.
Parts you may need:
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Your 2014 Subaru Outback moved on its own while parked on an incline with the key in the ignition, transmission in Park, and your foot on the brake. The dealer couldn't reproduce the problem when you brought it in. This could indicate an issue with the transmission's ability to hold the vehicle stationary or a problem with the parking brake system.
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Engine →3 issues
Your radiator hose suddenly burst while driving, releasing steam and causing the engine to overheat with all warning lights illuminating. The failure damaged the radiator, head gasket, and required a complete engine rebuild. There were no warning signs before the failure occurred, even though the car had recently been serviced at the dealer.
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Your engine is consuming oil between scheduled oil changes and requires frequent top-ups. Starting around 118,000 miles, your engine began jerking and making unusual noises, which your Subaru dealer says requires a short engine block repair costing over $6,000. This issue matches a known problem covered under Subaru's extended warranty bulletin for other Outbacks, but your vehicle's VIN falls outside that coverage and is no longer under warranty.
Parts you may need:
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Your oil warning light keeps coming on between regular oil changes, indicating your engine oil level is dropping faster than normal. A mechanic confirmed the oil was low but couldn't pinpoint the exact cause, though they suspect it may be a mechanical engine issue. The fix will likely involve a thorough engine inspection to identify whether there's an oil leak, internal seal damage, or other mechanical problem causing the oil loss.
Parts you may need:
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Electrical System →3 issues
Your car is experiencing intermittent electrical failures where the engine suddenly stops while driving and won't restart. Multiple repair attempts have identified fuse #13 as a temporary fix, but the problem returns after a few drives. The root cause remains unclear despite electrical testing, and you're concerned this may be a known recall issue affecting the 2014 Outback. A complete electrical system diagnosis and potential wiring repair or replacement may be needed to resolve the underlying electrical fault.
Parts you may need:
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Your navigation, camera, and radio display screen randomly goes black while driving with no warning, and only comes back on when you restart the car. This is especially dangerous because you lose your backup camera when it happens, which has nearly caused accidents. An independent Subaru service provider has indicated this is a known issue affecting multiple vehicles and suggested it may warrant a service campaign from the manufacturer.
Parts you may need:
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Your horn stopped working while driving. You're not sure if this happened after your airbag was replaced or if it's a separate issue. This is concerning because drivers typically don't test their horns until they need to use them in an emergency. The repair cost $529.58 and likely involved diagnosing the electrical connection between your steering wheel controls and the horn system.
Parts you may need:
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Unknown Or Other →2 issues
Your car pulled hard to the right while driving, which was scary and dangerous. An inspection revealed severe rust has eaten through the metal on the front subassembly, making the car inoperable. This appears to be a known issue affecting multiple vehicles. The problem will likely require replacement or repair of the corroded front suspension or steering components.
Parts you may need:
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After rain, water is leaking from your driver's side camera that's used for visibility features. This water intrusion could affect the camera's ability to function properly and may indicate a seal or mounting issue. The repair will likely involve resealing or replacing the camera housing to prevent future water damage.
Parts you may need:
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Electrical System,forward Collision Avoidance →1 issue
Your EyeSight forward collision avoidance system, which includes adaptive cruise control, has malfunctioned multiple times since you purchased the vehicle. The adaptive cruise control has shut off unexpectedly while driving at highway speeds on several occasions, creating a safety risk. The dealership diagnosed the issue under a warranty extension but is only covering 75% of the $1,467 repair cost, leaving you responsible for over $1,000. Fixing this will likely require replacement of the EyeSight camera module or related sensors.
Parts you may need:
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Steering,suspension,engine And Engine Cooling →1 issue
Your front end and steering wheel shake abnormally when driving at 50 MPH or faster, and you hear a metallic grinding sound from the passenger side. Your brake pedal sinks to the floor when pressed, reducing braking power and increasing stopping distance, and you hear squeaking when braking. Multiple warning lights are on (brakes, check engine, power steering, and engine overheating). The dealer has visited seven times and replaced the rear wheel bearing on the passenger side but hasn't resolved the issues. This may require comprehensive brake system inspection, suspension component replacement, and engine/cooling system diagnostics.
Parts you may need:
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Unknown Or Other,structure →1 issue
Your rear trunk gate's hydraulic support arms failed without warning while you were loading groceries, causing the heavy gate to slam down on your head. The hydraulic arms no longer work at all — the gate now only stays open as long as you manually hold it, then crashes shut on its own. This is a serious safety hazard that could cause head, hand, or arm injuries, or trap someone under the gate.
Parts you may need:
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Service Brakes →1 issue
Your brake pedal intermittently goes to the floor with no braking response, requiring you to pump the brakes to regain stopping power. This has happened multiple times despite brake fluid top-offs, a complete brake system flush, brake pad replacement, and inspection by multiple shops — none of which could duplicate or fix the problem when tested. The issue may involve the brake master cylinder or ABS unit, but shops have been reluctant to replace these expensive components without being able to reproduce the failure.
Parts you may need:
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Exterior Lighting →1 issue
Your car's innermost taillight on the liftgate melted its housing and burned the socket, which could have caused a fire and endangered you and others on the road. You noticed the problem when the bulb burned out and needed replacement. You've replaced it with LED bulbs to reduce fire risk, but the underlying issue with the socket and housing remains unresolved and should be inspected by a dealer.
Parts you may need:
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Air Bags →1 issue
Your passenger-side airbag warning light is on and blinking. This indicates a problem with the airbag system that needs to be diagnosed right away, as it means the airbag may not deploy properly in a crash. A technician will need to scan the system for diagnostic codes and likely replace a faulty airbag sensor or wiring component.
Parts you may need:
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Vehicle Speed Control,service Brakes →1 issue
While driving at 40 mph on a familiar road, your car suddenly accelerated to high speed without warning and you were unable to stop—the brake pedal went all the way to the floor. Your car went off the road, became airborne, narrowly missed a tree, then crashed into three parked cars and a garage. The engine continued revving even after you exited the vehicle. You noticed your brake lights were flashing on and off on the dash. The airbags did not deploy. A potential brake system or throttle control malfunction may require complete inspection of the braking system and engine control module.
Parts you may need:
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Suspension,structure,unknown Or Other →1 issue
Your 2014 Outback's undercarriage has developed significant rust and corrosion on the structural support members that hold the engine and transmission in place. A dealer inspection revealed the front cradle assembly is rusting away, and if it fails, the engine and transmission could potentially fall out of the vehicle, creating a serious safety hazard. The dealer noted that 2010-2014 Outback model years are particularly prone to this issue despite proper maintenance. Fixing this would require replacing the corroded cradle frame assembly and related suspension components.
Parts you may need:
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Steering,electrical System,air Bags →1 issue
Your car's roll connector harness—a part that controls the horn and is connected to the steering system—can fail over time, leaving you unable to use your horn to warn other drivers or animals. This is a known issue affecting many 2014 Subarus, and Subaru redesigned the part in 2016 due to safety concerns, but hasn't issued a recall. The repair costs $400 or more because of where the part is located. Fixing this will require replacing the faulty roll connector harness with a new one.
Parts you may need:
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