Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2014 Subaru Outback owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The center differential or Viscous Coupling locks up after any extended highway driving. The car lurches when turning sharply. This is a 6-speed manual transmission. This started at around 70,000 miles and is getting progressively worse now at 80,000 miles. The tires have always been all the same, inflated according to spec. New tires at about 72,000 miles. From online research, the Viscous Coupling on Subarus fails very frequently. This is a defective design resulting in a safety hazard, and requires expensive replacement.
The contact owns a 2014 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while the key was in the ignition with the transmission in park(P) with the brake pedal depressed, the vehicle moved inadvertently. The failure occurred while the vehicle was on an incline. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 630,000.
Valve body transmission module failed at 118k with no prior warning There are some subaru bulletins that say up 120k. Dealership i bought it from told me 100k. I was never notified this issue was a recall. It could have potentially caused an accident if the transmission failed on the highway.
I am just the mechanic and this is my customer's vehicle, but whilst doing some regular maintenance on the vehicle and also replacing part number 383485200 which Subaru calls "HOLDER, AXLE BRG" due to a crack which ran thru one of the 5 fastener holes. Upon normal cleaning of the threads in the rear differential casting where the "holder, axle brg" is bolted up to the left output shaft side I noticed a massive cavity in the casting which was drilled into and tapped for a bolt. This cavity is so large it presents a huge risk of catastrophic rear differential failure resulting in potential loss of control and increasing the risk of a crash. When I called the dealership to obtain the answers to the questions I know my customer is going to ask me, they shrugged it off as no big deal and couldn't even get me a price on a new rear diff housing or complete assembly. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 Subaru Outback. After parking the vehicle and exiting, the contact re-entered the vehicle and the gear rolled out of park. The emergency brake was not engaged. As a result, the vehicle crashed into the back of the contact's house. The contact sustained bruises to the legs and knees. The contact held onto the driver's door, but was unable to apply the emergency brake as the vehicle gained speed. None of the air bags deployed. A police report was not filed. Subaru of little rock (12121 colonel glenn rd, little rock, ar 72210, [phone]) was unable to duplicate and diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 63,200.
Pulling car into parking space at slow speed when car, without driver input, suddenly accelerated. Heavy pressure on brakes, driver felt the ABS cycling, did nt stop vehicle. Finally, after colliding with a parked car, nose to nose and pushing other car out of its parking spot, driver was able to stop the car my moving transmission gear selector to park
On feb 28, 2019 I was driving my 2014 Subaru Outback on interstate 64 on a straight stretch at approximately 70 MPH going uphill when accelerator became suddenly and completely unresponsive. I was in the far left lane of 3 lanes of traffic also traveling at a high rate of speed and had to try to get to the emergency lane to the right of the 3 lanes. I had absolutely no response when pushing on the accelerator pedal and could have been hit by numerous semi trailer trucks. I was able to coast to the right into the emergency lane which was a miracle because I was on a steep uphill incline. When I reached the emergency lane, I stopped the car, shifted into park, and back into drive mode and the accelerator did engage at that point. I immediately took the car to a Subaru dealer but they have not diagnosed it as of yet. …
Same issue as listed in complaint 10715452. While making a left turn on return from vehicle purchase, the vehicle stopped in the middle of the intersection for several seconds with the engine running. I was nearly t-boned while waiting for the drive system to re-engage. To date, 2jul15, this stalling situation has occurred numerous times. I had the dealer inspect the vehicle, but no out of specification conditions were found. I think the problem rests with the CVT transmission trying to shift during acceleration. I recently learned by experimentation that I might be able to minimize the problem by placing the transmission in manual mode and forcing it to remain in 1st during acceleration. I do not believe that one should be forced to manipulate an automatic transmission to avoid a very dangerous stall during acceleration. …
Car makes excessively loud roaring, whining noise in acceleration; it's response is unpredictable. It doesn't shift and the differential is the likely source of problem. Car has been properly maintained all along.two independent mechanics reported the CVT must be replaced. Subaru service informed me after 120K mile servicing. It can stall without warning anywhere anytime causing accident, injury etc. Though I'm told it's dangerous to drive Subaru is unwilling to take responsibility, except paying half of their $8000 charge for a re-manned CVT...no recall! What's it going to take Subaru? Your integrity is compromised; your claim of quality is false. You want owners to pay for your technology problem. Though the CVT has a long history of failure, Subaru hasn't solved the problem or improved the technology. …
On January 1st and again on January 3rd after vehicle was parked at least 5 hours, I came out of building and vehicle had rolled 2 feet forward from where I originally parked it. Went and talked with patrick motors where I had purchased the car new. Service foreman said never heard of that. He said make appt. And they will see if it rolls. I then talked with Subaru of America and was told the same thing. I left the car for 2 days and it did not roll. Now have been told nothing can be done until it rolls there. A friend was with me the first time this happened who is an engineer. Her immediately said it was something to do with my parking pin. When I looked this up with NHTSA , I found there was a recall on some of these cars for that problem. I don't know how they narrow it down to only certain cars but my car has rolled 2 times and has got to have something to do with the parking pin.
Related recalls
Power train › Automatic transmission
Subaru of America is recalling certain model year 2014 Legacy 3.6R 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.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the transmission, free of charge. The recall began during August 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's recall number is WQJ-46.
Transmission complaints in other Outback years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2014 Subaru Outback?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2014 Subaru Outback, 12% of the model year's 208 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2014 Subaru Outback transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 13V-336 (automatic transmission, Aug 1, 2013). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2014 Subaru Outback transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 18,000 miles, and 60% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.