Brand new car and engine burning oil issue: Subaru of georgetown, tx, dealer told me that I did not have to change the oil until I reached 7500 miles on my brand new 2014 Subaru outback. At 4900 miles, oil pressure and low oil lights came on briefly, then turned off 30 miles later. I didn't check the level since the lights turned off. Then 50 miles later, both turned on again. I checked the…
2014 Subaru Outback engine problems
moderate 28 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
28
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
When does it fail?
Of the 28 engine complaints filed for the 2014 Subaru Outback, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 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 28 engine 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 engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 11 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: 2014 Subaru Outback engines are prone to rapid oil burn requiring top-ups every 3,000-4,000 miles, with dealerships dismissing it as normal despite class action settlements for similar model years. Engine stalling, throttle hesitation, and catastrophic failures (head gaskets, radiator hoses) after 60,000 miles are also reported, often leaving owners out of warranty.
The 2014 Outback's 2.5L engine shows a clear pattern of excessive oil consumption beginning as early as 29,000 miles and worsening over time. Low oil lights illuminate every 3,000-4,000 miles after a full oil change—owners report burning through 1 quart per 2,700-3,500 miles. Subaru dealers typically dismiss this as normal operation with synthetic oil and conduct 1,200-mile consumption tests that often pass despite obvious burn-down. A class action settlement exists for certain model years, but coverage gaps leave many owners uncompensated. Dealership responses are inconsistent: some refill and retest, others charge for unnecessary services. Beyond consumption, owners report engine stalling at traffic stops lasting seconds to over 20 minutes, throttle hesitation of 2-15 seconds during acceleration from a stop (creating intersection safety hazards), and burning oil smell from leaking cam carrier seals at 70,000 miles. Most seriously, one owner experienced complete engine failure at 66,000 miles when a radiator hose ruptured without warning, destroying the head gasket and requiring full rebuild—well past the 60,000-mile warranty cutoff. Owners consistently note no check engine light precedes many of these failures, making them undrivable before warning appears.
Same Subaru Outback engine reports on nearby years: 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2015 · 2016
Failure modes owners describe
Excessive Engine Oil Consumption
Engine consumes oil at rates well above normal, requiring frequent top-ups between scheduled maintenance intervals. Owners report low oil warnings illuminating as early as 3,000-4,000 miles after an oil change, with consumption rates exceeding 1 quart per 2,700-3,500 miles. The issue begins early in ownership (29,000-50,000 miles) and worsens over time. Dealerships often dismiss it as normal, especially with synthetic oil, and conduct oil consumption tests that pass despite obvious consumption.
When: 29,000-88,000 miles; manifests early in ownership and accelerates as vehicle ages
Symptoms owners cite: Low oil warning light illuminating prematurely, sometimes 3,000-4,000 miles after oil change; Oil level dropping significantly between service intervals; Frequent need to add oil between scheduled maintenance; Synthetic oil consumption at rates owner considers abnormal
Codes mentioned: Low oil pressure lamp, Low oil level lamp
Repairs/costs cited: Dealerships typically refill oil and conduct 1,200-mile oil consumption tests; some owners report suspected engine block issues. One owner was quoted $6,000 for short engine block repair at 118,000 miles.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru issued Technical Service Bulletin 02-157-14R (NHTSA ID 10188219) acknowledging the condition. A class action settlement exists for certain model years (2012-2014), but not all 2014 Outbacks are included. When contacted, Subaru customer service denies extended warranty coverage past 60,000 miles. Dealers tell customers consumption within test limits is normal and acceptable.
Engine Oil Leaks from Cam Carriers and Oil Pan
Oil leaks develop from both cam carrier seals and the upper oil pan, dripping directly onto the exhaust system. This creates a burning oil smell and visible smoke, particularly noticeable in the morning or cold weather. One owner reported an estimated repair cost of $2,050 at the dealership. The leak poses a fire hazard since oil contacts the hot exhaust pipe directly.
When: 70,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Burning oil smell from under the car; Visible white smoke from under the vehicle; Burning smell most noticeable in morning or cold weather; Oil visible on exhaust system
Repairs/costs cited: $2,050 estimated repair cost from Subaru dealership; requires replacement of cam carrier seals and/or oil pan gaskets
Engine Hesitation on Acceleration from Stop
When accelerating from a complete stop—particularly when shifting from reverse to drive or pulling into traffic—the engine hesitates for 2-15 seconds before responding. The tachometer does not rev up during the delay, ruling out transmission slippage alone. Some owners describe it as a dangerous safety issue when making turns across traffic or merging onto highways.
When: Present throughout ownership
Symptoms owners cite: 2-15 second delay in throttle response from a stop; Engine does not rev during the hesitation delay; Most dangerous when turning into traffic or merging; No check engine light triggered; Sometimes followed by sudden surge forward after delay
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer suggests CVT transmission is responsible, but owners dispute this after observing tachometer behavior. No successful repairs documented in narratives.
Engine Stalling or Misfire During Driving
Engine stalls for extended periods or dies briefly during turns or maneuvers, then restarts suddenly. One owner reported a stall lasting over 20 minutes before the vehicle would start again. Another describes the engine dying for a few seconds during turns or highway entry, then jumping back to life.
When: Throughout ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls while stationary at traffic lights or stop signs; Engine dies briefly during turns or merging onto highways; No warning before stall occurs; Stall duration ranges from a few seconds to over 20 minutes; Sudden restart after stall, sometimes with surge
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented; owners note no check engine light is triggered
Catastrophic Engine Failure—Radiator Hose Rupture and Head Gasket Failure
At 66,000 miles (9 years old, 6,000 miles past warranty), the radiator hose ruptured suddenly during normal driving with no prior warning. The rupture was accompanied by loud noise, white steam, all warning lights, and rapid overheating. Upon inspection, the radiator, head gasket, and engine block were destroyed, requiring complete engine rebuild—essentially making the vehicle a total loss. Owner notes this aligns with known Subaru Outback head gasket recall history.
When: 66,000 miles; 9 years old
Symptoms owners cite: Loud noise from engine bay; White steam from engine; All warning lights illuminated simultaneously; Rapid engine overheating; No prior warning signs before failure
Repairs/costs cited: Complete engine rebuild required; vehicle totaled due to repair costs. Radiator hose, radiator, and head gasket destroyed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Vehicle was 6,000 miles past 60,000-mile warranty, so no coverage available despite known head gasket issues in other Outback model years.
Synthesized from 28 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
Purchased feb 2014, since then I have had issues with the oil light coming on. The first time was at 3400 miles and the oil is low. I have added up to a quart of oil. My car has about 34,000 miles on it now and I have had the oil light come on with low oil about 7 times. The light comes on usually between 3400 & 4000 miles. This is my second outback and I never had any issues with the first…
Suburu Outback had been showing signs of needing more oil between routine changes and frequent top-offs. When took to a Suburu Dealer in September 2021, prior to reaching 100,000 miles, Suburu said it was normal. Now at 118,000 miles as of November 2022, the engine jerks and makes noises. Upon taking to Suburu, short engine block repair was recommended, which would cost over $6,000. The…
Had engine 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 engine problem on the 2014 Subaru Outback?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 28 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 22 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 22,500 and 79,000 miles, with the median around 49,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 22,500; a quarter make it past 79,000. 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 $3,100 for engine 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 engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine 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.