Car Yearsto Avoid

2014 Subaru Outback Problems

What owners have reported about the 2014 Subaru Outback, which problems come up most, at what mileage, and which recalls to check.

From NHTSA owner complaints and recalls. Updated Oct 17, 2026.

Is the 2014 Subaru Outback a good year?

It's one of the better years for the Outback. Owners have filed 208 complaints with NHTSA, the 14th most of 18 Outback model years. The most reported problems involve the airbags, engine and electrical system.

208 complaints 10 recalls, 1 fire risk 14th worst of 18 Outback years

Top 2014 Subaru Outback problems

1

Airbag problems

38 complaints (18%) name the airbags, most often the occupant classification and driver clockspring / spiral cassette.

Complaints 38 · Usually at 34,000–63,000 miles · Recall 20V002000, 20V001000, 20V003000, 19V008000, 19V009000, 19V007000

2

Engine problems

36 complaints (17%) name the engine.

Complaints 36 · Usually at 14,000–77,000 miles

3

Electrical problems

32 complaints (15%) name the electrical system, most often the speedometer / odometer.

Complaints 32 · Usually at 9,000–83,000 miles · Recall 19V297000

4

Transmission problems

25 complaints (12%) name the transmission, most often the automatic transmission.

Complaints 25 · Usually at 3,000–65,000 miles · Recall 13V336000

Which parts fail most

Share of complaints that name each system. One complaint can name several.

Airbags 18%
Engine 17%
Electrical 15%
Transmission 12%
Brakes 11%
Unknown or Other 11%
Steering 8%
Acceleration 7%
Fuel System 6%
Body 5%

Mileage when it failed

Each dot is a complaint that gave a mileage (146 of 208). The amber line is the middle value, about 37,000 miles.

When problems were reported

Complaints by the year the problem happened.

2014 Subaru Outback recalls

Inflator module

" 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. 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.

Recall 20V002000 · Jan 2020

Inflator module

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. 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.

Recall 20V001000 · Jan 2020

Inflator module

" 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. 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.

Recall 20V003000 · Jan 2020

Switch

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. 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.

Recall 19V297000 · Apr 2019

Passenger airbag inflator may explode

Injury risk

Under certain humid, hot conditions, the propellant in the passenger front airbag inflator can degrade over time. In a crash that deploys the airbag, the inflator may rupture and send sharp metal fragments toward the front passenger, driver, or others, which can cause serious injury or death.

Fix: Dealers will replace the passenger front airbag inflator free of charge.

Recall 19V008000 · Jan 2019

Passenger airbag inflator may explode

Injury risk

Under certain humid, hot conditions, the propellant in the passenger front airbag inflator can degrade over time. In a crash that deploys the airbag, the inflator may rupture and send sharp metal fragments toward the front passenger, driver, or others, which can cause serious injury or death.

Fix: Dealers will replace the passenger front airbag inflator free of charge.

Recall 19V009000 · Jan 2019

Inflator module

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. 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.

Recall 19V007000 · Jan 2019

Parking brake may fail, allowing rollaway

Crash risk

The electronic parking brake may not engage properly if the transmission is not in the correct gear when parked. The vehicle could roll away, which raises the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the EPB actuator assembly free of charge.

Recall 18V626000 · Sep 2018

Motor

Fire risk

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. 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. Note: This recall supersedes recall 11V-469.

Recall 16V694000 · Sep 2016

Automatic transmission

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. 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. Subaru's recall number is WQJ-46.

Recall 13V336000 · Aug 2013
Check your VIN for open recalls

Get an email when your 2014 Subaru Outback gets a new recall

We check NHTSA every month. If a new recall or safety investigation covers the 2014 Subaru Outback, you'll hear about it the same week.

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Outback years to avoid

Total NHTSA complaints by model year. Newer years have had less time on the road, so their totals will keep climbing. See the full comparison.

Common questions

Is the 2014 Subaru Outback a reliable year?

It's one of the better years for the Outback. Owners have filed 208 complaints with NHTSA, the 14th most of 18 Outback model years. The most reported problems involve the airbags, engine and electrical system.

What are the most common 2014 Subaru Outback problems?

Owners most often report problems with the airbags, engine, electrical system and transmission. 38 complaints (18%) name the airbags, most often the occupant classification and driver clockspring / spiral cassette.

At what mileage do 2014 Subaru Outback airbags problems start?

Reported mileage ranged widely, but most complaints fell between about 34,000–63,000 miles, with a middle value near 45,000 miles.

How many recalls does the 2014 Subaru Outback have?

10. Inflator module (20V002000); Inflator module (20V001000); Inflator module (20V003000). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if the work was done.

Should I buy a used 2014 Subaru Outback?

Ask for service records covering the airbags, confirm the recall work was done, and compare with the 2025, 2023 and 2024 models, which have the fewest complaints.

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls databases. Complaints are unverified owner reports. Counts include each complaint once per model year.