CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2014 Outback is showing an early trend of problems with hesitation when accelerating.

The vast majority of owners experiencing this problem have reported that Subaru has not been able to find the cause of the engine hesitation, or fix the problem.

Especially because this is a potential safety defect, we are flagging the 2014 Outback as a model year to watch out for.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
38,248 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2014 Subaru Outback engine problems

engine problem

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2014 Subaru Outback Owner Comments (Page 2 of 2)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #15

Jul 012016

Outback

  • 65,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2014 Subaru Outback. While stationary, the vehicle consumed an inordinate amount of oil. The vehicle was diagnosed as having an oil consumption failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 65,000.

- Hampstead, NC, USA

problem #14

Mar 222017

Outback

  • 21,000 miles
In the shop for motor problem at dealer getting fix.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #13

May 122015

Outback

  • miles
I purchased after 1 year old from Subaru dealership. In 2014 at about 17,000 miles. After ever oil change, the oil light goes on at about - 1,500 miles prior. Tonthe oil change being due. I went to the local dealership and they stayed it is normal with that lighter aeght synthetic oil. Recommended oil consumption test if it kept happening. Now I find out today from corporate Subaru # that warranty expired at 69,000. I have 66,000 on my Outback. The local dealer never informed me about the 60,000 limit. I & my husband own an independent Goodyear dealership, have 4 mechanics, why would I want to pay another dealership to go a consumption test.

- Eau Claire, WI, USA

problem #12

Feb 052014

Outback

  • 3,400 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Purchased Feb 2014, since then I have had issues with the oil light coming on. The first time was at 3400 miles and the oil is low. I have added up to a quart of oil. My car has about 34,000 miles on it now and I have had the oil light come on with low oil about 7 times. The light comes on usually between 3400 & 4000 miles. This is my second Outback and I never had any issues with the first one. I have been out of town all but 1 of these times when the light came on. I live 1-1/2 hours from the nearest service center and they keep having me come every 1200 miles to do a oil check. The first time the light came on it was February 5, 2014 and has come on 5-6 times since then.

- Fort Bragg, CA, USA

problem #11

May 052015

Outback

  • miles
The contact owns a 2014 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that there was an internal oil consumption failure. The dealer was unable to determine the cause of the failure. After the vehicle was taken to the dealer three times, the vehicle passed an oil consumption test twice. The service engine and oil indicators randomly illuminated for months. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but provided no solution. The failure could cause catastrophic engine failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN and failure mileage were not available.

- Oakland, CA, USA

problem #10

Oct 192016

Outback

  • 34,000 miles
Oil sensor light on dash illuminates. Oil is low. Sensor measures pressure not level. Oil pump has not been replaced. Dealer has attempted to fix issue(4 times). Replaced sensor, oil consumption test. Vehicle in again at 34000 miles for same issue. Dealer mentioned Subaru is aware of the problem. Last resort is a complete engine replacement.

- Long Beach, CA, USA

problem #9

Nov 242015

Outback

  • 1,400 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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 car was fine until January 11, 2016, the car started exhibiting the same ignition issues. I contacted reynolds who contacted Subaru engineers who said not to have my foot on the gas pedal when I turn the ignition key. The vehicle starts with a foot on the gas pedal or not. They stated the car was designed not to start with a foot on the pedal. I was called back and then told the Subaru engineers said the problem is intermittent, some vehicles have this problem and others don't. deal with it. The car has 15K miles and is almost brand new and has major electrical problems. On Tuesday, January 12th, 2015, dash instructions began flashing on and off. That is not normal. Prior to having nitrogen put in the tires, the car constantly pulled to the right and lost air pressure weekly. But now I am very concerned about the electrical problems. Subaru has been notified.

- Fredericksburg, VA, USA

problem #8

Dec 152015

Outback

  • 29,000 miles
At approximately 29000 mileage on the my 2014 Subaru Outback, I was driving on the highway and the oil level lamp illuminated. I pulled over and checked the oil level and found it to be not readable on the dipstick. I added a quart, which brought the level to half. I then reported to the dealer, beardmore Subaru in bellevue, ne. They updated the software and replaced the oil level switch. They also initiated a an oil consumption test and I have to return in 1200 miles to have level recorded. However, when I left the dealership, I checked the oil a few weeks later (approx 400 miles driven), while the engine was cool, and noticed the oil level was well above the full mark. Clearly they overfilled the engine. Additionally, the mechanic left open the top of the coolant resevoir (which I did not ask them to even check). I will be calling them on Monday to report this issue.

- Bellevue, NE, USA

problem #7

Mar 052014

Outback

  • 40 miles
From the time I have had this car, there is a lot of engine hesitation going from reverse to drive. We live on a busy street and it is a safety hazard when we back out of the driveway, switch into drive, and step on the gas pedal - nothing happens for approximately 2 seconds, then the car starts going forward. The dealer has tried to tell me it is the cvt, but I watch the tachometer, and the engine doesn't rev up. I had some of this problem with my previous (non-cvt) 2005 Outback, but thought it would be better 10 years later. It isn't - it's worse.

- Lakewood, OH, USA

problem #6

Feb 022015

Outback

  • 20,000 miles
Vehicle hesitates occasionally on acceleration coming off a stop.

- Palm Desert, CA, USA

problem #5

Nov 162014

Outback

  • 8,800 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Car stops without warning. A clicking sound is heard and then the front display panels become blank. There is no steering or brakes. This has happened 10 times. There is no way to predict when this might happen and there is no precipitating factors. Have had the car to the dealership twice, but the problem cannot be found and am still driving this unsafe car.

- Lakewood, OH, USA

problem #4

Dec 242014

Outback 4-cyl

  • 4,900 miles
Brand new car and engine burning oil issue: Subaru of georgetown, tx, dealer told me that I did not have to change the oil until I reached 7500 miles on my brand new 2014 Subaru Outback. At 4900 miles, oil pressure and low oil lights came on briefly, then turned off 30 miles later. I didn't check the level since the lights turned off. Then 50 miles later, both turned on again. I checked the dipstick, and there was approx. 1mm of oil registering on the bottom of the dipstick. The Subaru of baton rouge, la dealer told me this was normal and changed the oil at 5400 miles.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #3

Oct 012013

Outback 4-cyl

  • 3,700 miles
There is a hesitation when accelerating, it happens from complete stops by stepping on the gas, and while turning your vehicle. I was on a 35mph. Back road and went to turn left onto a side street, I yielded for 2 cars and then went into the turn and stepped on the gas, it hesitated and then I was hit in the rear side of my vehicle. If it would have responded correctly I would not have gotten into the accident.

- Reston, VA, USA

problem #2

Aug 312014

Outback

  • 9,000 miles
Driving at approximately 20mph, the car suddenly begins to smell of gasoline. Soon thereafter, acceleration becomes hesitant and the low-fuel warning light illuminates. The vehicle quickly became inoperable in the middle of a busy road. The vehicle is a model year 2014 and was purchased brand new, less than seven [7] months ago (from the date this complaint was posted). The vehicle has only approximately 9,000 miles on the odometer and has not been driven under any especially severe weather conditions or through treacherous terrain.

- Albany, NY, USA

problem #1

Jul 062014

Outback 4-cyl

  • 11,528 miles
Zero oil pressure (red) indicator light illuminated at safe and prudent operating speed. Low oil indicator light (yellow) never illuminated. Light remained on for three miles, one at speed 55 mph to zero and two at 20 mph. Then went out. Inspection of oil level showed level approximately one centimeter above low level marker on dipstick. Addition of.5 quart us raises level to approximately one centimeter below full level marker on dipstick. Vehicle returned to dealership; had full oil service performed 2,500 miles ahead of scheduled service. Dealership claims "sensor resistance is high, will R&R." dealer failed to provide empirical oil pressure psi reading despite request. Part replacement yet to be done.

- Gary, IN, USA

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