Problems · NHTSA complaints

2014 Subaru Legacy problems

Owners filed 53 complaints about the 2014 Subaru Legacy with NHTSA between Nov 2013 and Sep 2025. The most-cited component is air bags (14).

Complaints
53
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
4
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Air bags14
  2. Electrical system11
  3. Structure7
  4. Power train6
  5. Visibility5
  6. Exterior lighting5
  7. Engine5
  8. Vehicle speed control3
  9. Steering2
  10. Seats2
  11. Forward collision avoidance1
  12. Service brakes1
  13. Visibility/wiper1
  14. Parking brake1

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

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20131
20144
20151
20168
20177
20185
201910
20206
20212
20222
20230
20244
20253

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Air bags

14 reports3 crashes6 related recalls
“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 fires1 related recall
“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

Power train

6 reports1 related recall
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 6, 2025Power trainODI 11641208

Visibility

5 reports1 fire1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2014 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that a small circular crack had formed on the lower driver’s side windshield without incident. The contact stated that she had not repaired the small crack since it did not obstruct her vison. Recently, the contact stated that another crack had formed horizontally along the lower edge of the passenger’s side windshield, also without incident. The contact stated that the cracks obstructed her vision while driving. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V694000 (Visibility). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 15, 2022VisibilityODI 11460864

Exterior lighting

5 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 58 MPH THE DRIVER SIDE HEADLAMP BECAME INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FOG LAMPS WERE ALSO INOPERABLE. THE HEADLAMP BULBS AND FOG LAMP BULBS WERE REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. A LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 20, 2020Exterior lightingODI 11310425
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026

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