2014 Subaru Legacy Problems

What owners report

Owners of this 2014 Legacy most often report hesitation, jerking, stalling or sudden power loss, including stops at intersections and engine shutdowns. Other recurring topics are Takata airbag repairs held up by missing parts, low-beam headlight failures, and sunroof leaks or glass cracking. Mileage is listed in many reports across a wide range, from 20 to 162,000 miles, and the complaint trend is falling.

1. 1
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Hesitation, jerking, stalling or sudden power loss

   • 10 complaints (19%)
   • median 75,000 mi at 5.5 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2014–2025

   Owners describe the car hesitating, jerking, stalling or losing power, including when coming to a stop or going through an intersection, when pulling out of a driveway, when shifting into reverse, and when accelerating above 65 mph. According to complaints, a dealer was sometimes unable to duplicate the problem, an independent mechanic retrieved a transmission code, and an owner suspects the CVT torque converter. Some describe the engine shutting off after starting, and after a water pump and cooler line repair, a report describes gear selection problems and shutdowns. Mileage is listed for most of these, from 300 to 162,000 miles, and most listed reports are under 100,000 miles.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: On a test drive, come to a stop, pull away from a stop and accelerate at speed, and note any hesitation, jerking or stalling. Ask for any transmission or CVT codes and whether the CVT control valve body bulletin has been applied.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I purchased my brand new 2014 Subaru Legacy on may 16th 2014. About one week later I was driving up the slight incline of the driveway of the apartment house where I live. As I reached the street I stepped on the accelerator to turn out into the traffic and the car completely lost power. About 5 seconds later the power returned and the car responded normally when I stepped on the accelerator pedal and I was able to drive the car normally. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10655186, filed 2014-11, 300 miles

   “Periodically the car has been shutting off after I start it. When it's stationery. It will shut off two to three times before it with stay on. Also it has been consuming oil and the oil light comes on before I'm due for an oil change.”

   NHTSA complaint #11206112, filed 2019-05, 75,000 miles
2. 2
   Air bags

   Takata airbag concerns and repair delays

   • 14 complaints (26%)
   • median 30,567 mi at 5.0 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2017–2024

   Owners describe Takata airbag recall notices for the front passenger airbag, with dealers saying parts were not available or that a repair would wait for months. Some note the recall notice says not to allow passengers in the front seat until the repair is done, and some were told they would have to wait for a repair slot. Another describes being told by a dealer that there was no recall, and some express concern about the airbags and ask for replacement. Mileage is not listed in these reports, and they describe waiting for parts or a remedy after the recall notice was received.

   Recall 19V009000Recall 19V008000Recall 19V007000Recall 20V001000Recall 20V002000Recall 20V003000

   What to check: Enter the VIN on the official recall lookup to check whether a passenger airbag recall is still open for the car. Ask the dealer whether the repair has been completed and request the completion record.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Takata recall. Received letter stating air bag recall for the passenger side frontal air bag on march15th. Called ramsey Subaru on route 17 in ramsey nj where I bought the car and was told that I could not have the recall fixed until september 2019. In my mind that is not a resonable amount of time given that fact that I cannot have a passenger in my car.”

   NHTSA complaint #11192270, filed 2019-03

   “Takata recall. Recall notice indicates that 'until this repair is performed, do not allow passengers to tide in the front passenger seat.' I called the dealer, beard Subaru, as soon as the notice arrived but was told there was a waiting list and I would have to wait until may. That puts my vehicle out of service for at least two months!”

   NHTSA complaint #11187448, filed 2019-03
3. 3
   Exterior lighting

   Low beam headlights burning out or cutting out

   • 6 complaints (11%)
   • median 69,500 mi at 4.2 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2016–2020

   Owners describe low beam headlight bulbs burning out, sometimes repeatedly after replacement, and headlamps cutting out or switching on and off while driving. A dealer technician described multiple lights failing once the low beam goes, and noted a design correction for the 2015 model year. Owners describe the cost and hassle of changing bulbs so often, with some noting it is worse at night, and another says they contacted other owners who reported the same problem. Mileage is listed for most of these, between 30,000 and 87,693 miles, and a dealer technician described the low-beam failures as a design issue.

   What to check: Turn on the low beams and check each headlight and fog lamp, and look for lights that flicker or drop out while driving. Ask whether the low beam bulbs or lighting circuit have been checked for repeated failures and whether any design correction applies to this car.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Im not the only one. The headlights go on and off. I have contacted other owners about this issue for this model year. Its very dangerous to be driving and the lights go out. Subaru has ignored owners. I went to replace a bulb but the bulb is brand new. There is a serious and dangerous defect in this 2010-2014 model year Subaru.”

   NHTSA complaint #10925083, filed 2016-11, 30,000 miles

   “This is the 3rd time in 5 years that I have had to replace the low beam headlights on both sides of my vehicle. Seems to be an inferior system or electrical issue. This results in a safety concern especially if driving at night not to mention the cost and hassle of having to change out the lamps so often.”

   NHTSA complaint #11105292, filed 2018-07
4. 4
   Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

   Sunroof leaks and glass cracking or shattering

   • 5 complaints (9%)
   • median 25,000 mi at 2.8 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2018–2022

   Owners describe sunroof drain tubes that clog and let water into the cabin, with condensation on the windshield reducing visibility, and sunroof leaks that flood the floor, seats and backup camera. Other reports describe sunroof glass shattering with a loud pop while driving, and windshield cracks that started on their own without an impact. According to complaints, the reason for the shattered sunroof could not be determined, and the manufacturer refused a warranty repair for a windshield crack. Mileage is listed for some of these, from 755 to 45,000 miles, and the windshield cracks are described as starting without any impact.

   What to check: Check the sunroof drain tubes and the carpets and seats for water after a rain test, if possible. Inspect the windshield and sunroof glass for cracks or chips, and ask whether any warranty coverage has been confirmed for glass repairs.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Spontaneous windshield crack developed. Started in front of the steering wheel column, goes up 3-4 inches, turns and goes across the bottom of the ws to a point in front of the glove box. No evidence of an impact chip. Crack may have started when the front defroster and seat heaters were both on. Subaru refused to repair under warranty or product defect provision.”

   NHTSA complaint #11287679, filed 2019-12, 25,000 miles

   “Whenever it rain the sun roof leaks inside the car , water had flooded the floor rugs and seats also the backup camera was filled with water had to replaced $237.99 the vehicle was stationary”

   NHTSA complaint #11398032, filed 2021-02
5. 5
   Air bags

   Airbag non-deployment or sensor and module faults

   • 13 complaints (25%)
   • median 26,783 mi at 5.0 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2017–2024

   Owners describe airbags that did not deploy in collisions, including an intersection impact at about 25 mph and a slow reversing contact, and a passenger airbag that was switched off after an occupant sensor module failed. Another describes repeated dealer visits for an airbag-related fault, where the seat cushion, airbag module and seat belt parts were replaced but the problem was not fully fixed. Mileage is listed for some of these, between 23,000 and 30,567 miles, and the non-deployment reports describe an intersection collision and a slow reversing contact.

   What to check: Check that the airbag warning light is off, and ask the dealer to confirm the passenger airbag status with a diagnostic scan. Ask whether any occupant sensor, seat cushion or seat belt repair has been performed, and request the repair record.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My vehicle is suffering of the exact same issue described in recall WRA-24. However, this recall only covers the model years 2020 to 2022, mine is 2014 with approximately 106,000 miles. Since the last week of December, my vehicle has been to the Fort Wayne, IN Subaru Dealership approximately 9 time for the same issue. It has cost me over $2,500 plus the fuel used for all this trips (I live over 40 miles away from the dealership). …”

   NHTSA complaint #11579667, filed 2024-03

   “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 2018-08, 23,000 miles

Buying note. Buyers should check for stalling or hesitation on a test drive and ask whether any Takata airbag or other recall repair has been completed, since some reports describe waiting for parts. Also look for low-beam headlight problems and signs of past sunroof leaks, and ask for service records covering CVT or sunroof work.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 47 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.