BestCarRank
Subaru

2014 Subaru LEGACY

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2014 Subaru LEGACY has 73 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.5x the segment average of 140. The most common issue is air bags problems (19% of all complaints), specifically: on 11/18/13, at approximately 5:15 pm, i was heading down a street to make a left to go home from work. all of a sudden the car accelerated and would not slow down after i pushed down on the brake with my right foot. i immediately began to turn the wheel to the right onto an empty street to avoid . There are 10 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 3 fire reports filed.

3 fire reports 6 crash reports 2 injuries

73

Total Complaints

10

Recalls Issued

/5

Safety Stars

0.5x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

AIR BAGS

14 complaints
19%
  • ON 11/18/13, AT APPROXIMATELY 5:15 PM, I WAS HEADING DOWN A STREET TO MAKE A LEFT TO GO HOME FROM WORK. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR ACCELERATED AND WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN AFTER I PUSHED DOWN ON THE BRAKE WITH MY RIGHT FOOT. I IMMEDIATELY BEGAN TO TURN THE WHEEL TO THE RIGHT ONTO AN EMPTY STREET TO AVOID
  • THIS CAR HAS UNSAFE TAKATA AIR BAG WHICH HAS DANGEROUS AMMONIA NITRATE. I WANT TAKATA TO REPLACE THESE BAGS WITH SAFER BAG
  • TAKATA RECALL THIS VEHICLE IS NOT LISTED IN RECALL BY VIN UNDER TAKATA SETTLEMT IT IS AN UNSAFE VEHICLE
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 3 crashes

ON 11/18/13, AT APPROXIMATELY 5:15 PM, I WAS HEADING DOWN A STREET TO MAKE A LEFT TO GO HOME FROM WORK. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR ACCELERATED AND WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN AFTER I PUSHED DOWN ON THE BRAKE WITH MY RIGHT FOOT. I IMMEDIATELY BEGAN TO TURN THE WHEEL TO THE RIGHT ONTO AN EMPTY STREET TO AVOID

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2014 Subaru LEGACY

Based on 42 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 29K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage
0-30K
21
30-60K
10
60-100K
9
100-150K
1
150-200K
1
200K+
0

BODY/STRUCTURE

In line with typicalmedian 30K mi · 5 reports
0-30K
2
30-60K
2
60-100K
0
100-150K
1
150-200K
0
200K+
0

VISIBILITY

In line with typicalmedian 19K mi · 5 reports
0-30K
4
30-60K
1
60-100K
0
100-150K
0
150-200K
0
200K+
0

ELECTRICAL

High-mileage issuemedian 69K mi · 6 reports
0-30K
1
30-60K
2
60-100K
3
100-150K
0
150-200K
0
200K+
0

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (10)

PARKING BRAKE13/09/2018

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Subaru Legacy and Outback vehicles equipped with a manual transmission. The electronic parking brake (EPB) may not engage as intended, allowing the vehicle to rollaway if the transmission is not in the proper gear when parked.

Risk: A vehicle rollaway can increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EPB actuator assembly, free of charge. The recall began July 19, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WTV-81.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2014 Subaru LEGACY

Live EIA prices
Per year
$2,001
Per month
$167
Per mile
16.7¢
MPG
24
City driving (worst-case MPG)
$2,667/yr
Highway driving (best-case MPG)
$1,500/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today
Current
$4.00
5-year low
$2.78
5-year high
$5.01
Since 2021
+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2014 Subaru LEGACY

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.
Full coverage / year
$1,478
Full coverage / month
$123
Liability only / year
$611
vs US avg
-12%
How this estimate is calculated
US base full-coverage premium$1674
× state (US)1.00x
× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x
× theft risk1.00x
× safety rating1.00x
× vehicle age0.92x
= Full coverage estimate$1478

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Subaru LEGACY Service Intervals

Oil change
6K mi / 6 mo
Tire rotation
6K mi
Brake fluid
30 months
Transmission fluid
30K mi
Engine coolant
138K mi
Spark plugs
60K mi
Cabin air filter
15K mi
Engine air filter
30K mi
Differential (AWD/4WD)
30K mi

Boxer engines have specific oil consumption patterns — check oil monthly. CVT service every 30K is critical; skipping shortens life dramatically. AWD requires matched tire wear.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Subaru New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)
3 yr / 36K mi
Powertrain
5 yr / 60K mi
Hybrid/EV battery
8 yr / 100K mi
Corrosion (rust perforation)
5 yr / unlimited mi
Roadside assistance
3 yr / 36K mi

These are the terms for a new Subaru. If you're buying a used 2014 LEGACY, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Subaru dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)
$500
ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)
$500
OTHER(~50K mi)
$500
BODY/STRUCTURE(~50K mi)
$500
VISIBILITY(~50K mi)
$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 73 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • AIR BAGS: ON 11/18/13, AT APPROXIMATELY 5:15 PM, I WAS HEADING DOWN A STREET TO MAKE A LEFT TO GO HOME FROM WORK. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR ACCELERATED AND WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN AFTER I PUSHED DOWN ON THE BRAKE WITH MY RIGHT FOOT. I IMMEDIATELY BEGAN TO TURN THE WHEEL TO THE RIGHT ONTO AN EMPTY STREET TO AVOID

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ELECTRICAL: EXPERIENCED STUCK DRIVER'S WINDOW LAST SUMMER IN PERIOD OF TEMPERATURE FLUCTUATIONS (EXTREME TO MODERATE HEAT), REPORTED/SHOWN TO DEALERSHIP; SAME ISSUE THIS FEBRUARY (EXTREME TO MODERATE COLD). OTHERWISE, NO PROBLEMS WITH CAR SINCE BEGAN LEASE FALL 2014. ON MONDAY, MARCH 9, 2015, PARKED CAR ACROSS

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • OTHER: DOOR LOCKS EITHER DON'T UNLOCK OR LOCK. THEY MUST BE DONE MANUALLY. THIS CAUSED A PROBLEM WITH A CHILD IN THE BACK SEAT. YOU CANNOT GET THE DOOR UNLOCKED FROM THE OUTSIDE USING THE REMOTE. WE HAVE COMPLAINED TO SUBARU AND THEY WILL NOT FIX UNDER WARRANTY. THE CAR WAS STATIONARY, PARKING LOT. THIS IS

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • BODY/STRUCTURE: ON 11/18/13, AT APPROXIMATELY 5:15 PM, I WAS HEADING DOWN A STREET TO MAKE A LEFT TO GO HOME FROM WORK. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR ACCELERATED AND WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN AFTER I PUSHED DOWN ON THE BRAKE WITH MY RIGHT FOOT. I IMMEDIATELY BEGAN TO TURN THE WHEEL TO THE RIGHT ONTO AN EMPTY STREET TO AVOID

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • RECALLS: Verify all 10 recalls have been completed — free at any Subaru dealer
  • General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

NHTSA Safety Rating

No NHTSA safety rating available

At a Glance

Complaints
73
Recalls
10
Fire reports
3
Crash reports
6
Injury reports
2
Segment avg
140

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2014 Subaru LEGACY