2014 Subaru Outback Engine Problems

NHTSA component category: ENGINE · data through 07/14/2026

35Engine complaints

16.8%Of all 208 complaints

#2Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How engine ranks on this vehicle

AIR BAGS36 · 17.3%

ENGINE35 · 16.8%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM31 · 14.9%

POWER TRAIN24 · 11.5%

SERVICE BRAKES22 · 10.6%

Share of the 208 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2014 Subaru Outback overview page.

What owners report

“MY SUBARU OUTBACK 2014 HAS 50,000 MILES, LOW OIL LIGHT COMES UP ABOUT 4000 MILES AFTER OIL CHANGE. SUBARU MANUAL SAID THAT IS 7500 MILES…”NHTSA complaint 11091668 — filed 05/03/2018

“TL- CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SUBARU OUTBACK. CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT THROUGH SUBARU FOR EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. CONTACT TOOK VEHICLE TO SUBARU AND HAD ENGINE CHECKED…”NHTSA complaint 11064658 — filed 01/24/2018

“VEHICLE BEGAN USING OIL AFTER APPROXIMATELY 29,000 MILES. LOW OIL PRESSURE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. CONTACTED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD TO BRING…”NHTSA complaint 11062788 — filed 01/15/2018

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Engine complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2014 Subaru Outback have engine problems?

Engine is the #2 most-reported problem area on the 2014 Subaru Outback: 35 of 208 complaints on file (16.8%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2014 Subaru Outback have in total?

208 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 14 involved a crash, 2 involved a fire, 21 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's engine category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the ENGINE category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.