Research · Midsize Cars

2014 Subaru LegacyRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 10 safety recalls and 53 owner complaints for the 2014 Subaru Legacy. Most complaints involve air bags (14) and electrical system (11). The EPA rates it 20–27 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
20–27mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
10campaigns
Latest Jan 2020
Owner complaints
53
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$2,300est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

10 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Jan 2, 2020NHTSA 20V001000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Jan 2, 2020NHTSA 20V003000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Jan 2, 2020NHTSA 20V002000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

53 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 2013 – Sep 2025
  1. Air bags14
  2. Electrical system11
  3. Structure7
  4. Power train6
  5. Visibility5
  6. Exterior lighting5
  7. Engine5
  8. Vehicle speed control3
  9. Steering2

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Legacy model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996129
1997143
1998116
199997
200094
200180
200258
2005184
200687
200733
200865
200965
2010151
2011167
201290
201366
201453
2015160
2016147
2017119
2018117
2019123
2020121
202131
202234
202310
202417
20256
Crashes reported
4
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
1
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

14 reports3 crashes
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 25, 2024Electrical system, Air bagsODI 11627248

Electrical system

11 reports1 crash2 fires
“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 repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 50,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 14, 2025Power train, Electrical systemODI 11642720

Structure

7 reports2 crashes
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 12, 2025StructureODI 11686952
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl · 3.6L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Manual 6-spd · Automatic (S5)
Drive
All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Legacy AWD
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.5 L · All-Wheel Drive
243227$2,300330
Legacy AWD
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L · All-Wheel Drive
212924$2,600372
Legacy AWD
Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 3.6 L · All-Wheel Drive
182520$3,100438
  • Legacy AWD
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    24 city · 32 hwy · $2,300/yr
    27
    mpg comb.
  • Legacy AWD
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    21 city · 29 hwy · $2,600/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • Legacy AWD
    Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    18 city · 25 hwy · $3,100/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Subaru Legacy 4 DR AWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
3 of 5
Rollover
5 of 5
Rollover risk
10.1%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 11, 2026Vehicle 8329
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2014 Legacy questions

How many recalls does the 2014 Subaru Legacy have?

10 safety recalls as of Nov 11, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2014 Subaru Legacy problems?

Owners filed 53 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (14), electrical system (11), structure (7). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2014 Subaru Legacy get?

The EPA rates the 2014 Subaru Legacy at 20–27 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

How safe is the 2014 Subaru Legacy?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2014 Subaru Legacy 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 11, 2026