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2014 Subaru Legacy/Outback: problems, recalls and fuel economy
NHTSA has 261 owner complaints on file for the 2014 Subaru Legacy/Outback[1]. The car has 10 recalls on record, so checking your own car's recall status is the first step[2].
Most reported problems
Owners filed 261 complaints with NHTSA[1]. Of those, 18 mention a crash, 4 a fire and 22 injuries, and no deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name several parts.
| Component group | Complaints |
|---|---|
| Air bags[5] | 52 |
| Electrical system[6] | 43 |
| Engine[7] | 41 |
| Power train[8] | 31 |
| Unknown or other[9] | 29 |
| Brakes[10] | 24 |
| Steering[11] | 19 |
| Structure[12] | 18 |
We also read a small sample of complaint texts for the four biggest named groups. Here is what owners describe in that sample.
- Air bags. Air bag complaints include 9 crashes and 11 injuries, with a median mileage of 42,500 at failure[5]. In the 12 air bag complaints we read, 4 describe a passenger-seat sensor that keeps a warning light or chime on, whether or not someone is sitting there[5]. Another 5 mention the air bag inflator recall[5].
- Electrical system. Four of the 43 electrical complaints mention a fire[6]. In the 12 texts we read, 4 describe the electronic parking brake engaging or showing a fault while the car is moving, and 2 describe headlight trouble[6].
- Engine. In the 12 engine texts we read, 5 describe oil level or oil pressure warning lights and oil consumption checks, and 5 describe hesitation or a loss of power when accelerating[7].
- Power train. The median mileage at failure is 17,500[8]. In the 12 texts we read, 9 describe a delay or hesitation when pulling away from a stop or shifting from reverse to drive, and 3 describe the car rolling or not stopping as expected[8].
These samples are small, so they show what owners describe and not how common each problem is.
Recalls
NHTSA lists 10 recalls for this model year[2]. Newest first:
- Passenger air bag inflator (20V003). Cars sold or registered in a listed group of states already had the inflator replaced under an earlier recall with the same design. The inflator can degrade in heat and humidity and explode in a crash, sending metal fragments at people in the car. Dealers replace it free of charge[13].
- Passenger air bag inflator (20V002). Same problem and same fix for cars sold or registered in a second listed group of states[14].
- Passenger air bag inflator (20V001). Same problem and same fix for cars sold or registered in a third listed group of states and territories[15].
- Ignition switch (19V297). Applies to cars with a replacement mechanical key ignition switch. A weak spring can let the switch slip to accessory and shut the engine off, and the air bag may not deploy in a crash. Dealers inspect the switch and replace it if needed, free of charge[16].
- Passenger air bag inflator (19V009). Original or replacement inflators in cars from a listed group of states can explode after long exposure to humidity and temperature swings. Dealers replace the passenger inflator free of charge[17].
- Passenger air bag inflator (19V008). Same defect and fix for a second listed group of states[18].
- Passenger air bag inflator (19V007). Same defect and fix for a third listed group of states and territories[19].
- Parking brake (18V626). Applies to cars with a manual transmission. The electronic parking brake may not engage, so the car could roll away if it is not left in the right gear. Dealers replace the actuator free of charge[20].
- Wiper motor (16V694). Covers cars built through June 7, 2013[21]. Contamination can make the wiper motor overheat if ice or snow blocks the wipers. The wipers can fail and the cover can melt, which raises fire risk. Dealers replace the bottom cover assembly free of charge. Cars fixed under an older recall need the part replaced again[21].
- Automatic transmission parking rod (13V336). Applies to a small group of 3.6R cars built in June 2013 with a 5-speed automatic[22]. The rod can come loose, so the car may not move out of park, or may roll while in park. Dealers replace the transmission free of charge[22].
The air bag recalls depend on the states where the car was sold or registered. Subaru customer service can tell you which ones apply to a specific car[15]. Subaru customer service for the air bag recalls is 1-844-373-6614[15].
Fuel economy
EPA ratings vary by body, engine and transmission. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new.
| Model and engine | City / highway / combined MPG | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|
| Legacy, 2.5L 4-cyl, automatic (variable gear ratios)[3] | 24 / 32 / 27 | $2,500 |
| Legacy, 2.5L 4-cyl, manual 6-spd[23] | 21 / 29 / 24 | $2,800 |
| Legacy, 3.6L 6-cyl, automatic (S5)[24] | 18 / 25 / 20 | $3,350 |
| Outback, 2.5L 4-cyl, automatic (variable gear ratios)[25] | 24 / 30 / 26 | $2,600 |
| Outback, 2.5L 4-cyl, manual 6-spd[26] | 22 / 28 / 24 | $2,800 |
| Outback, 3.6L 6-cyl, automatic (S5)[27] | 18 / 24 / 20 | $3,350 |
All are all-wheel drive and use regular fuel. The 6-cylinder costs about $750 to $850 more per year than the 2.5L automatic versions in EPA's estimate[3][24][25][27].
Safety ratings
NHTSA gave the 4-door AWD version 5 stars overall, with 5 stars for frontal, side and rollover, and a rollover risk of 10.1%[4].
The SUV AWD version also earned 5 stars overall[28]. It got 5 stars for frontal and side, 4 stars for rollover, and a rollover risk of 17.4%[28].
Engine and size
EPA lists two engines for this model year. The 2.5L 4-cylinder is rated 173 hp[29]. The 3.6L 6-cylinder is rated 256 hp[30].
Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications for the Legacy 4-door sedan and can differ slightly from US cars[31][32].
How 2014 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 184 | 2 |
| 1996 | 169 | 3 |
| 1997 | 218 | 5 |
| 1998 | 241 | 4 |
| 1999 | 205 | 3 |
| 2000 | 301 | 3 |
| 2001 | 248 | 7 |
| 2002 | 197 | 4 |
| 2003 | 153 | 14 |
| 2004 | 139 | 10 |
| 2005 | 457 | 9 |
| 2006 | 364 | 7 |
| 2007 | 162 | 9 |
| 2008 | 291 | 9 |
| 2009 | 171 | 13 |
| 2010 | 510 | 18 |
| 2011 | 819 | 16 |
| 2012 | 384 | 16 |
| 2013 | 363 | 12 |
| 2014 | 261 | 10 |
| 2015 | 670 | 5 |
| 2016 | 790 | 4 |
| 2017 | 1,038 | 4 |
NHTSA shows 261 complaints and 10 recalls for 2014[2]. Across the 23 model years listed, 11 have fewer complaints and 11 have more[2].
Among the years from 2010 to 2017, 2014 has the fewest complaints. The others range from 363 in 2013 to 1,038 in 2017[2]. Recalls are higher for 2010 through 2013 at 18, 16, 16 and 12, and lower for 2015 through 2017 at 5, 4 and 4[2].
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so compare years of this model only.
Should you buy a used 2014 Legacy/Outback?
The complaint count of 261 is in the middle of this model's years, and the lowest among 2010 to 2017[2]. The recall list is long, with 6 of the 10 tied to the passenger air bag inflator[15][13][14][18][19][17]. Before buying, ask Subaru customer service which recalls apply to the car and confirm that every open one has been done[15].
On a test drive, pay attention to how the car pulls away from a stop and shifts from reverse to drive, because owners in our sample describe hesitation there[8]. Ask about oil level warnings and the parking brake as well[7][6]. If fuel cost matters, the 2.5L automatic versions are rated 26 to 27 combined MPG, against 20 for the 3.6L[3][25][24][27].
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2014 Subaru Outback and Legacy?
- Air bags have the most complaints at 52, then electrical system at 43 and engine at 41[5][6][7]. In the small samples we read, owners describe air bag sensor lights, parking brake faults, oil warnings and hesitation when accelerating[5][6][7][8].
- Are there recalls on the 2014 Subaru Legacy and Outback?
- Yes. NHTSA lists 10 recalls, including 6 for the passenger air bag inflator, plus ignition switch, parking brake, wiper motor and transmission parking rod recalls[2][15][16][20][21][22].
- What is the gas mileage of the 2014 Subaru Outback?
- EPA rates the 2.5L automatic at 24 city, 30 highway and 26 combined MPG, and the 3.6L at 18 city, 24 highway and 20 combined[25][27].
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 261 owner complaints on file for the 2014 Subaru Legacy/Outback (18 mention a crash, 4 a fire, 22 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Subaru Legacy/Outback model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Legacy AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 24 city / 32 highway / 27 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,500. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 5 stars; rollover risk 10.1%. NHTSA vehicle records
- 52 complaints name the air bags component group (9 crashes, 0 fires, 11 injuries, median mileage at failure 42,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- 43 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 4 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 48,717). NHTSA vehicle records
- 41 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 34,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 31 complaints name the power train component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 17,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- 29 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 9 injuries, median mileage at failure 34,203). NHTSA vehicle records
- 24 complaints name the brakes component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 25,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 19 complaints name the steering component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 10,278). NHTSA vehicle records
- 18 complaints name the structure component group (6 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 42,800). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 20V003, filed January 2, 2020: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 20V002, filed January 2, 2020: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 20V001, filed January 2, 2020: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 19V297, filed April 11, 2019: Electrical System › Ignition › Switch. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 19V009, filed January 9, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 19V008, filed January 9, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 19V007, filed January 9, 2019: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 18V626, filed September 13, 2018: Parking Brake. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 16V694, filed September 27, 2016: Visibility › Windshield Wiper / Washer › Motor. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 13V336, filed August 1, 2013: Power Train › Automatic Transmission. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Legacy AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 29 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Legacy AWD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic (S5), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 25 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Outback AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 24 city / 30 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Outback AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 28 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Outback AWD, 3.6L 6-cyl, Automatic (S5), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 24 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 17.4%. NHTSA vehicle records
- EPA Test Car List, 2014 Subaru Legacy/Outback with 2.5L 4-cylinder: rated 173 hp. www.epa.gov
- EPA Test Car List, 2014 Subaru Legacy/Outback with 3.6L 6-cylinder: rated 256 hp. www.epa.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, LEGACY 4DR SEDAN 2.5i/PZEV/2.5i TOURING/2.5i: length 187 in, width 72 in, height 59 in, wheelbase 108 in, curb weight 3,457 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, LEGACY 4DR SEDAN 3.6R: length 187 in, width 72 in, height 59 in, wheelbase 108 in, curb weight 3,580 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov