2014 Subaru Outback MPG
Across its 3 EPA-rated versions, the 2014 Subaru Outback returns 18–24 mpg city, 24–30 highway and 20–26 combined.
The most efficient pairs the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with a CVT and all-wheel drive, at 26 mpg combined. The thirstiest version uses the 3.6-liter 6-cylinder engine with an automatic transmission and all-wheel drive and is rated 20 mpg combined. That matches the best gasoline version of the 2013 model.
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Outback AWD | 2.5 L 4-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | All-Wheel Drive | 24 | 30 | 26 | Regular · 341 g CO₂/mi |
| Outback AWD | 2.5 L 4-cyl | Manual 6-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 22 | 28 | 24 | Regular · 368 g CO₂/mi |
| Outback AWD | 3.6 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S5) | All-Wheel Drive | 18 | 24 | 20 | Regular · 444 g CO₂/mi |
2014 Subaru Outback fuel cost per year
Driving 15,000 miles a year on regular gasoline at the September 2026 U.S. average of $4.36 a gallon, the 2014 Subaru Outback costs about $2,510 a year to fuel in its most efficient form (26 mpg combined), or roughly 17 cents a mile.
The thirstiest priced version (20 mpg combined) comes to about $3,270 a year, $750 more.
This is an estimate from EPA combined mpg and the EIA national average price; your cost depends on how and where you drive and on local prices.
2014 Subaru Outback specs
2014 Subaru Outback buyers could choose between 2 engines, according to EPA records: 2.5 L 4-cyl and 3.6 L 6-cyl. It came with automatic, continuously variable (CVT) and manual transmissions, with all-wheel drive. The EPA classes it as a small sport utility vehicle.
| Engine size (L) | Cylinders | Transmissions | Drive | Versions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 L | 4 | Automatic (variable gear ratios); Manual 6-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 2 |
| 3.6 L | 6 | Automatic (S5) | All-Wheel Drive | 1 |
2014 Subaru Outback problems
Owners have filed 208 complaints about the 2014 Subaru Outback with NHTSA, the U.S. vehicle-safety agency, as of October 2026.
Air bags are the most-reported area (15% of component mentions), followed by engine (13%) and electrical system (12%).
Spread over its time on sale, that is 16 complaints a year: fewer than the 2013 (21 a year) and the 2015 (42 a year).
That ranks 15th of 17 Subaru Outback model years (2008–2024), counting from the most complaints per year.
Of the 208, 14 mention a crash, 2 a fire and 8 an injury.
| Component | Mentions | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 41 | 15% |
| Engine | 35 | 13% |
| Electrical system | 32 | 12% |
| Power train | 25 | 9% |
| Service brakes | 22 | 8% |
| Unknown or other | 22 | 8% |
| Steering | 17 | 6% |
| Vehicle speed control | 14 | 5% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 12 | 4% |
| Structure | 11 | 4% |
| Visibility/wiper | 8 | 3% |
| Exterior lighting | 7 | 3% |
| Seat belts | 6 | 2% |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 5 | 2% |
| Suspension | 5 | 2% |
| Tires | 3 | 1% |
| Forward collision avoidance | 2 | <1% |
| Seats | 2 | <1% |
| Visibility | 2 | <1% |
| Wheels | 2 | <1% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 1 | <1% |
| Gasoline fuel system | 1 | <1% |
| Parking brake | 1 | <1% |
What owners told NHTSA
my air bags didn't deploy when I hit a tree, and the seat belt gave loose. A police report was filed, and the car was evaluated by a collision center. The insurance company has not yet evaluated the vehicle. …
The car had been recently serviced through the dealer and had 66,000 miles (9 yrs old). It was 6k miles past warranty. …
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2014 Subaru Outback. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 132,000. …
2014 Subaru Outback recalls
NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns for the 2014 Subaru Outback.
The most recent, campaign 20V001000 from January 2020, concerns air bags.
Air bags account for 6 of the 10 campaigns, more than any other area.
13V336000 · August 1, 2013 · Power train
Problem: 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.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transmission, free of charge.
| Campaign | Reported | Component | Outback years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20V001000 | January 2, 2020 | Air bags | 2008–2014 |
| 20V002000 | January 2, 2020 | Air bags | 2008–2014 |
| 20V003000 | January 2, 2020 | Air bags | 2008–2014 |
| 19V297000 | April 11, 2019 | Electrical system | 2008–2014 |
| 19V007000 | January 9, 2019 | Air bags | 2010–2014 |
| 19V009000 | January 9, 2019 | Air bags | 2010–2014 |
| 19V008000 | January 9, 2019 | Air bags | 2010–2014 |
| 18V626000 | September 13, 2018 | Parking brake | 2010–2014 |
| 16V694000 | September 27, 2016 | Visibility | 2010–2014 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA crash-tested 1 version of the 2014 Subaru Outback; the best overall score is 5 out of 5 stars.
| Version tested | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Crash-test photos: NHTSA (public domain). NHTSA can reuse a test for later model years of the same design.
Compared with other years
Complaints per year on sale divide each model year's NHTSA complaints by the years since it went on sale, so older and newer Subaru Outbacks can be compared fairly. Among other 2014 models in the EPA's small sport utility vehicle class, the 2014 Chevy Equinox (26 mpg), 2014 Ford Escape (26 mpg) and 2014 Honda CR-V (26 mpg) come closest on combined fuel economy.
| Year | Best mpg | Complaints | Per year on sale | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 24 | 653 | 41 | 16 |
| 2012 | 24 | 294 | 20 | 16 |
| 2013 | 26 | 297 | 21 | 12 |
| 2014 | 26 | 208 | 16 | 10 |
| 2015 | 28 | 510 | 42 | 5 |
| 2016 | 28 | 643 | 58 | 4 |
| 2017 | 28 | 919 | 91 | 4 |
Every Subaru Outback model year compared →
Similar 2014 models
FAQ
Is the 2014 Outback a good car?
We don't rate cars, but the official data gives a picture. The 2014 Subaru Outback has 16 NHTSA complaints per year on sale (15th most of 17 model years), 10 recall campaigns, a best overall crash rating of 5 stars and up to 26 mpg combined from the EPA.
What are common 2014 Outback problems?
The components owners report most to NHTSA are air bags (41), engine (35) and electrical system (32). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many recalls does the 2014 Outback have?
NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns. To see whether a recall is still open on a specific car, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2014 Outback get?
The EPA rates the versions at 20–26 mpg combined (18–24 city, 24–30 highway).
How much does it cost to fuel a 2014 Outback per year?
About $2,510 a year for 15,000 miles in its most efficient form, up to about $3,270 for the thirstiest version, using EPA mpg and the September 2026 U.S. average regular gasoline price of $4.36 a gallon (EIA).