I noticed when driving that my horn had stopped working. I am unsure if this is related to the airbag replacement or some other issue. The concern is that most people do not check their horns for functionality before it is really needed. I was able to get it repaired at a cost of 529.58
2014 Subaru Outback electrical problems
severe 29 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
29
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
2fires
When does it fail?
Of the 29 electrical complaints filed for the 2014 Subaru Outback, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 29 electrical complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
No new NHTSA electrical complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 3 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
Rear tail running light bulbs inside the lift/tail gate were burnt out and when replacing the bulbs the plastic housing the bulbs press into were charred and cracked. I fear this is a potential fire hazard given the state of charring. My vehicle did not experience a fire, but I am submitting this complaint in case similar vehicles have caught fire from this area.
Battery failing prematurely even new. Leaving drivers and occupants stranded in winter freezing , or summer hot weather. I had total of 4 episodes of battery failure in my 2014 outback bought new on 8/12/2014. Subaru factory battery failed twice when car was less then 20k miles in january 2017, replaced under warranty, then again failed twice again with the replaced battery 11/26/2019 at 47k…
Had electrical trouble with your 2014 Subaru Outback?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2014 Subaru Outback?
It's a meaningful issue. 29 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 19 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 11,528 and 85,004 miles, with the median around 64,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 11,528; a quarter make it past 85,004. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2014/Subaru/Outback.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.