CSR

Subaru · NHTSA safety record

2014 Subaru Legacy

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

53

Complaints

4

Crashes

2

Fires

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2014 Subaru Legacy have filed 53 safety complaints with NHTSA between November 2013 and September 2025. The most complained-about system is the air bags, named in 14 of them (26%). The typical failure was reported at 30,567 miles, the median across the 29 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

NHTSA has issued 10 recalls covering this vehicle.

Recalls (10)

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

20V003000 · January 2, 2020

The defect
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
The risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The remedy
Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKC-20.

Subaru of America, Inc. · up to 111,562 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

20V002000 · January 2, 2020

The defect
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
The risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The remedy
Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-20.

Subaru of America, Inc. · up to 127,547 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

20V001000 · January 2, 2020

The defect
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (STI included), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
The risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The remedy
Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators with alternate inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-20.

Subaru of America, Inc. · up to 258,813 vehicles across all model years covered

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH

19V297000 · April 11, 2019

The defect
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, 2008-2011 Impreza vehicles, 2008-2014 WRX vehicles, 2005-2014 Legacy vehicles, 2005-2014 Outback vehicles and 2006-2008 Tribeca vehicles equipped with a mechanical key ignition switch installed as a replacement part. The ball spring inside the switch may break, reducing the strength of the ignition switch. If this occurs, the weight on the key ring and certain road conditions could cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position to the accessory position, turning off the engine.
The risk
The engine turning off unexpectedly can increase the risk of a crash. If a crash occurs under this condition, the air bag may not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
The remedy
Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ignition switch, replacing the ignition switch, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 10, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUF-91.

Subaru of America, Inc. · up to 511 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

19V009000 · January 9, 2019

The defect
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles and 2010-2013 Forester vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
The risk
An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The remedy
Subaru is notifying owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is TKC-19.

Subaru of America, Inc. · up to 452,630 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

19V008000 · January 9, 2019

The defect
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Outback, and Legacy vehicles, 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles and 2010-2013 Forester vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
The risk
An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The remedy
Subaru is notifying owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-19.

Subaru of America, Inc. · up to 330,120 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

19V007000 · January 9, 2019

The defect
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Forester, 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Outback, Legacy, and 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
The risk
An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The remedy
Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-19.

Subaru of America, Inc. · up to 43,394 vehicles across all model years covered

PARKING BRAKE

18V626000 · September 13, 2018

The defect
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.
The risk
A vehicle rollaway can increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy
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.

Subaru of America, Inc. · up to 27,175 vehicles across all model years covered

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

16V694000 · September 27, 2016

The defect
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Legacy vehicles manufactured November 26, 2008, to June 7, 2013, and 2010-2014 Outback vehicles manufactured January 9, 2009 to June 7, 2013. Due to contamination, components within the windshield wiper motor bottom cover may interfere with each other. If an obstruction, such as a buildup of snow or ice prevents the wiper arms from being able to stop in the parked position, the wiper motor may overheat and the bottom cover may melt.
The risk
If the windshield wiper motor overheats, the wipers may fail, reducing driver visibility and increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, the wiper motor cover may melt, increasing the risk of a fire.
The remedy
Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the windshield wiper motor bottom cover assembly, free of charge. The recall began October 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTK-71. Note: This recall supersedes recall 11V-469. All vehicles that were remedied under that campaign are affected by this campaign, and need to have their wiper motor bottom cover replaced again.

Subaru of America, Inc. · up to 592,647 vehicles across all model years covered

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

13V336000 · August 1, 2013

The defect
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.
The 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. Furthermore, even with the transmission shifted into the 'park' position, the parking mechanism may not engage, and the vehicle may roll away while in the "park" position, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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.

Subaru of America, Inc. · up to 202 vehicles across all model years covered

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 53.

AIR BAGS 14 26%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 11 21%
STRUCTURE 7 13%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 7 13%
POWER TRAIN 6 11%
ENGINE 5 9%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 5 9%
VISIBILITY 5 9%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 3 6%
SEATS 2 4%
STEERING 2 4%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 1 2%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2019 at 10.

2013 2019 2025
2013 to 2025

In owners' own words

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · towed · 23,000 miles

TAKATA RECALL AUTO ACCIDENT FRONT DRIVER SIDE CRUSHED UP TO FIREWALL AND NO AIRBAGS WENT OFF , ZERO ! WIFE LEG WAS BADLY BRUSED BECAUSE OF THIS ! AUTO WAS IN MOTION AT 25 MILES A HOUR AT A INTERSECTION GOING STRAIGHT AHEAD WAS HIT ON DRIVER FRONT FROM SIDE BY CROSS TRAFFIC

NHTSA complaint 11120653. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

fire · crash · towed · 99,000 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2014 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER SON WAS DRIVING AND HIT A DEER THAT CAUSED EXTENSIVE FRONT END DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTO BODY REPAIR FACILITY FOR REPAIRS. HOWEVER, A WEEK AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED HER SON WAS DRIVING AGAIN WHEN HE SMELT SMOKE AND LOOKED OUT THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW AND SAW FLAMES. THE DRIVER PARKED THE VEHICLE AND EXITED THE VEHICLE SAFELY WITH THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORTS WERE FILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FIRE MARSHALL STATED THAT WITH THE EXTENT OF THE DAMAGE AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE CAUSE COULD NOT BE RULED OUT. THERE

NHTSA complaint 11325170, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

fire · 19,320 miles

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 THE STREET FROM MY HOUSE ABOUT 6:15/6:30PM. DID ERRANDS, RETURNED ABOUT 30/45 MINUTES LATER TO GET GLASSES OUT OF CENTER CONSOLE -- 7/7:15PM. THEN I LOCKED THE CAR WITH REMOTE KEY PIECE. CAR ACKNOWLEDGED WITH SOUND, LIGHTS. THIS WAS THE LAST INTERACTIVE ACTION TAKEN WITH CAR. CAR HAD BEEN IDLE FOR 30/45 MINUTES. I SAW NOTHING NEW, UNUSUAL. I RETURNED TO THE CAR APPROXIMATELY 12 HOURS LATER,

NHTSA complaint 10695291, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

crash · 468 miles

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 TWO OTHER CARS AT THE INTERSECTION WHO WERE GOING TO MAKE THE SAME LEFT I ORIGINALLY WANTED TO MAKE. FOR SOME REASON, THE CAR DID NOT GO ALL THE WAY RIGHT AND WENT DIAGONALLY FROM THE INTERSECTION ACROSS THE STREET. THE CAR THEN JUMPED A CURB HITTING AN ELECTRICAL POLE. AT THAT POINT, I WAS PULLED OUT OF THE CAR BY ANOTHER DRIVER WHO SAW THE INCIDENT BECAUSE WHEN HITTING THE POLE, LIVE WIRES WERE

NHTSA complaint 10552894, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STRUCTURE

130,000 miles

The contact owns a 2014 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, there was a clicking sound coming from underneath the vehicle, and the vehicle swayed slightly before coming to a stop. The failure became more persistent, and the clicking sound became louder within a week. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic, who determined that the frame had severe rust that had created a hole near the ball joints on the driver’s side front wheel and informed the contact that the vehicle was not safe to drive. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The failure mileage was 130,000.

NHTSA complaint 11686952. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN

50,000 miles

The contact owns a 2014 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated before accelerating. The contact stated that there was a lag in the vehicle while driving and attempting to accelerate above 65 MPH. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start immediately, and several attempts were needed to start the vehicle. The failure was intermittent; however, the failure was persistent while using the remote start feature. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the failure might be related to NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 19V297000 (Electrical System) and 13V336000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included in the recalls. The vehicle was not

NHTSA complaint 11642720, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
Believe the torque converter in the cvt transmission is causing the vehicle to stall. Happened multiple times going through an intersection and was almost side swiped. Was an extended warranty on cvt but no recalls for it yet.

NHTSA complaint 11641208. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS
The occupancy detection sensor module failed. Similar to the 2014 forester recall the module has failed and Subaru dealership wants $3300 to replace the module. The passenger airbag is off due to the sensor not working. Previous airbag recall has been resolved, but I am concerned that they are related.

NHTSA complaint 11627248. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My Subaru ran perfectly fine until the water pump and cooler lines got replaced after these were replaced it was tried to be driven and the car then had no idea what gear it was in drive is drive neautral is drive and reverse does not work at all paddle shifters won’t work AT oil temp light check engine light brake light flashing cruise control light all came on and the car will only go forward and it’s making some crazy shutter noises when you start it and sometimes it shuts off after it was started.

NHTSA complaint 11621344. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES
Na

NHTSA complaint 11582107. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Subaru Legacy

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2023 10 2
2022 32 2
2021 31 3
2020 121 6
2019 123 3
2018 116 3
2017 118 2
2016 146 3
2015 159 3
2013 66 12
2012 90 16
2011 167 16
2010 150 18 1

Other 2014 Subaru models

Every Subaru on this site — 97 vehicles, 147 recall campaigns and 1 open investigation .

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst