2014 Subaru OUTBACK problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
208 owner complaints analyzed
10 distinct recall campaigns
36,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2014 model year. Data snapshot: . 151 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 36 of 208 complaints (17.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 41 | 19.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 25 | 12.0% |
| Steering behavior | 19 | 9.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 11 | 5.3% |
| Engine operation | 9 | 4.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 1.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 36 |
| Engine | 35 |
| Electrical System | 31 |
| Power Train | 24 |
| Service Brakes | 22 |
| Unknown Or Other | 22 |
| Steering | 17 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 14 |
Air Bags: 36; Engine: 35; Electrical System: 31; Power Train: 24; Service Brakes: 22; Unknown Or Other: 22; Steering: 17; Vehicle Speed Control: 14
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 62 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 33 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 26 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 16 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 10 |
| 150,000 and above | 4 |
Under 25,000: 62; 25,000 to 49,999: 33; 50,000 to 74,999: 26; 75,000 to 99,999: 16; 100,000 to 149,999: 10; 150,000 and above: 4
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (62). 57 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 27 |
| 2015 | 25 |
| 2016 | 12 |
| 2017 | 24 |
| 2018 | 25 |
| 2019 | 45 |
| 2020 | 17 |
| 2021 | 9 |
| 2022 | 7 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 4 |
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2026 | 4 |
2013: 2; 2014: 27; 2015: 25; 2016: 12; 2017: 24; 2018: 25; 2019: 45; 2020: 17; 2021: 9; 2022: 7; 2023: 5; 2024: 4; 2025: 2; 2026: 4
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 41 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 25 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 19 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10568903 · 2014-03-12 (March 12, 2014)
NEW CAR. OK FIRST 200 MILES. THEN; STOPPED FOR RED LIGHT, ON GREEN PRESSED ACCELERATOR ( CONFIRMED BY VISUAL OBSERVATION, FOOT AND ACCEL. TO FLOOR ). HELD FOR 10 TO 15 SECONDS, WITH MUCH HONKING, THEN POWER RESUMED, AND I FINISHED LEFT TURN. NO WARNING LIGHTS ON DURING EPISODE, STEERING, BRAKES, AND AIR BAGS OK. SIX MORE EPISODES DURING NEXT THREE DAYS. HAD CAR DELIVERED TO MILLER SUBARU, BOISE. ELECTRONIC CHECK, TEST DRIVE, AND MY SUBSEQUENT DRIVING, COULD DETECT NO PROBLEM. DRIVE WITH CAUTION, READY TO FLIP EMERGENCY FLASHERS AND PULL OVER W…
Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10568903 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10593593 · 2014-05-23 (May 23, 2014)
THE ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE ENGAGES WHILE THE VEHICLE IS UNDERWAY. WHEN THE FAULT IS CLEARED AND DRIVING RESUMES THE ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE AGAIN ENGAGES. THE MFG ( SUBARU) PROVIDES A SMALL TOOL & INSTRUCTIONS HOW TO CRAWL UNDER THE CAR, USE THE TOOL TO MECHANICALLY RELEASE THE ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKE. IF A TOOL IS PROVIDED ALONG WITH INSTRUCTIONS IN THE OWNER MANUAL HOW TO RELEASE A FAULTY ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE ( WHICH MAY ENGAGE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS UNDER WAY ) THIS IS A CLEAR WARNING OF A POSSIBLE UNSAFE OPERATING CONDITION. THE C…
Owner-reported narrative. 800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10593593 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10572488 · 2014-03-13 (March 13, 2014)
THERE IS A LAG OF APPROX. 2 SECONDS LENGTH WHEN SHIFTING OUT OF REVERSE AND INTO DRIVE. THE DRIVER CANNOT MOVE THE CAR DURING THIS LAG (IN FACT, THE CAR WILL ROLL BACKWARDS IF ON A HILL). I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE SUBARU DEALER 3 TIMES, & SENT A COMPLAINT TO SUBARU OF AMERICA, AND EACH TIME THE RESPONSE IS "CVT TRANSMISSION OPERATES AS DESIGNED". I CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY HAZARD, AND AM CONCERNED ABOUT DRIVING THE CAR IN CITY TRAFFIC, PARKING, ETC. WHEN I SHIFT INTO DRIVE, I EXPECT THE CAR TO MOVE.
Owner-reported narrative. 1,174 miles reported. Look up ODI 10572488 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10654170 · 2014-11-11 (November 11, 2014)
MULTIPLE INCIDENTS OF LAG WHEN DRIVING SLOWLY INTO CROSS TRAFFIC OR FROM A DEAD STOP THAT SOMETIMES LAST UP TO SEVERAL SECONDS THAT HAS RESULTED IN SOME VERY CLOSE CALLS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. THE WORST TIMES HAVE BEEN WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN ACROSS TRAFFIC WHEN YOU ARE CREEPING OUT AND TRY TO ACCELERATE AND NOTHING HAPPENS! I HAVE CALLED THE DEALER AND TAKEN IT INTO THE DEALER AND THEY TELL ME IT IS A DESIGN FLAW IN THEIR CVT TRANSMISSION AND THAT THERE IS NO FIX AT PRESENT. THEY DID SOME UPDATES TO THE CARS COMPUTER AND THOUGHT THAT MIGHT HEL…
Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10654170 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10550472 · 2013-11-01 (November 1, 2013)
WE RECENTLY PURCHASED A NEW 2014 OUTBACK. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND I NOTICED THE STEERING FELT A BIT "OFF" UPON DRIVING IT HOME BUT WAS CERTAIN IT WAS JUST AN ALIGNMENT ISSUE. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, WHO CORRECTED THE ALIGNMENT. THE CAR STILL FELT OFF. I NOTICE THAT THE WHEEL RETURNS TO CENTER WHEN TURNING LEFT, BUT THE WHEEL WILL NOT RETURN TO CENTER WHEN TURNING RIGHT. IT WILL MOSTLY CENTER, BUT THE WHEEL REMAINS OFF BY ABOUT 15-DEGREES. THIS CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AS THE CAR WILL NOT POINT/TRACK STRAIGHT AFTER A TURN. ALSO, IT KEEPS …
Owner-reported narrative. 250 miles reported. Look up ODI 10550472 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10552064 · 2013-11-13 (November 13, 2013)
I RECEIVED MY OUTBACK ON NOV 1 2013 AND HAVE BEEN HAVING A STEERING LANE CENTERING ISSUE SINCE DAY ONE. THE CAR WILL NOT DRIVE IN A STRAIGHT LINE WITHOUT MAJOR INTERVENTION BY CONSTANT CORRECTION. THE CAR WILL GO LEFT OR RIGHT, BUT WILL NEVER GO STRAIGHT. IF I CHECK MY MIRRORS AND BLIND SPOT FOR A LANE CHANGE BY THE TIME I LOOK BACK MY CAR HAS DRIFTED OUT OF LANE OR NEARLY OUT OF LANE. I AM NOT SURE WHAT IS MORE DANGEROUS AT THIS POINT CHECKING MY BLIND SPOT OR NOT CHECKING MY BLIND SPOT, SINCE EITHER CAN LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. I DRIVE BETWEEN 25…
Owner-reported narrative. 15 miles reported. Look up ODI 10552064 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10607646 · 2014-07-02 (July 2, 2014)
UPON INSPECTING THE TRAILER HITCH AND WIRING LOOM THAT THE RENO, NV, SUBARU DEALER INSTALLED FROM THEIR INVENTORY, THE WIRING LOOM AND CONNECTOR WHICH CONNECTS TO A TRAILER'S LOOM WAS FOUND TO BE HANGING FREELY IN THE WIND. THE TRAILER'S LOOM RUNS BOTH BRAKE LIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS. THE LOOM WAS ATTACHED TO THE TRAILER HITCH WITH A SINGLE PLASTIC WIRING TIE WHICH WENT THRU THE WHOLE IN THE TRAILER HITCH INTENDED FOR THE ATTACHMENT OF THE TRAILER'S SAFETY CHAINS. THE PLASTIC TIE USED WAS OF THE TYPE NORMALLY USED TO HOLD A GROUP OF WIRES TOGET…
Owner-reported narrative. 7,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10607646 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10820411 · 2016-01-15 (January 15, 2016)
ON OR ABOUT NOV 24, 2015, AN IGNITION PROBLEM DEVELOPED. WHEN TURNING THE IGNITION SWITCH THERE WAS NO POWER. WITH EACH TURN, MORE AND MORE POWER TURNED UNTIL IT FINALLY STARTED. ACCORDING TO SHEEHY SUBARU, SPRINGFIELD, VA, THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE AND STATED "I NEEDED TO START THE CAR EVER COUPLE OF DAYS." ABOUT 2 WEEKS LATER, REYNOLDS GMC SUBARU CAME AND PICKED UP THE CAR AND SAID THERE WAS TECHNICAL BULLETIN OUT FOR THIS PROBLEM (I WAS NOT ABLE TO LOCATE) AND THEY HAVE FIXED TWENTY OTHER CARS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. THE …
Owner-reported narrative. 1,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10820411 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10560426 · 2014-01-17 (January 17, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY DECELERATED. THE CONTACT HAD TO PUMP THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD RESPOND AND DRIVE NORMALLY. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, THE VEHICLE STALLED AS THE CONTACT PROCEEDED THROUGH A BUSY INTERSECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10560426 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10664538 · 2014-12-16 (December 16, 2014)
ENTERING A MAIN STATE HIGHWAY FROM A RURAL ROAD I PRESSED DOWN ON THE ACCELERATOR RESULTING IN NO RESPONSE PLACING MYSELF IN JEOPARDY FOR A A COLLISION FROM RAPIDLY APPROACHING CARS BEHIND ME THIS INTERMITTENT STALLING PROBLEM ALSO OCCURRED PREVIOUSLY AT SLOW SPEEDS UPON EXITING A SHOPPING MALL ON TO A BUSY LOCAL HIGHWAY. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 7,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10664538 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10572771 · 2014-03-17 (March 17, 2014)
IN TANK ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP CONTINUED RUNNING AFTER CAR WAS SHUT OFF AND KEY WAS REMOVED. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 780 miles reported. Look up ODI 10572771 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11324815 · 2020-05-16 (May 16, 2020)
AT APPROXIMATELY 50K MILES, A YEAR OR SO AGO, THIS CAR DEVELOPED A SERIOUS HESITATION WHEN TAKING OFF FROM A STANDSTILL OR TRYING TO GAIN SPEED FROM ANYWHERE FROM 20 TO 40 MPH. TRIED SEVERAL METHODS TO CORRECT THIS SUGGESTED BY OUR MECHANIC WHICH INCLUDED INJECTOR CLEANER, HIGH OCTANE GAS, MORE CLEANER, BETTER QUALITY GAS AND NOTHING HAS WORKED, WE HAVE READ THAT THERE NUMEROUS CUSTOMERS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM BUT SUBARU DOES NOTHING. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ORE BUY-BACK. WE ARE CONCERNED WE WILL BE IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE IT WON'T MANEUVER PRO…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11324815 at NHTSA ↗