P0014 on a 2017 Subaru Outback
Exhaust Cam Over-Advanced (Bank 1, VVT)
P0014 on a 2017 Subaru Outback indicates exhaust cam over-advanced (bank 1, vvt). It usually stays drivable short-term but should be diagnosed promptly. The most common cause is stuck or sludged exhaust-side vvt oil control valve (typically $100–$450). Confirm the root cause before replacing parts.
What does P0014 mean on a 2017 Subaru Outback?
P0014 is set when the engine control module commands the Bank 1 exhaust camshaft to a specific advance position and the actual cam position does not match within tolerance. On engines with dual-cam VVT (intake + exhaust phasers), P0014 is the exhaust-side counterpart of P0011. The cause is almost always the same family of failures: a stuck oil control valve, dirty oil starving the phaser, or the phaser itself failing.
This guide covers P0014 across the 2015-2019 Subaru Outback generation — the symptoms, causes, and diagnostic steps below apply to every model year from 2015 through 2019.
Is it safe to drive a 2017 Subaru Outback with P0014?
In most cases a 2017 Subaru Outback stays drivable for short trips with P0014 active, but diagnose and repair it promptly. This is a high-severity code — ignoring it can lead to further damage or a failed emissions test.
What are the symptoms of P0014 on a 2017 Subaru Outback?
- Check Engine Light is illuminated
- Rough idle, particularly when the engine is hot
- Reduced low-end torque and slow throttle response
- Increased emissions at idle
- Possible engine stalling at low RPM
- Slight reduction in fuel economy
- Cold-start rattle from the cam area
What causes P0014 on a 2017 Subaru Outback?
| Cause | Likelihood | Estimated repair (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Stuck or sludged exhaust-side VVT oil control valve | Most common | $100–$450 |
| Low engine oil level or pressure starving the exhaust cam phaser | Most common | $50–$200 |
| Sludged oil passages from skipped maintenance | Common | $100–$600 |
| Failed exhaust cam phaser / VVT actuator | Common | $600–$1,800 |
| Stretched timing chain affecting exhaust cam position | Occasional | $800–$3,000 |
| Damaged exhaust cam sensor wiring or connector | Occasional | $80–$350 |
How to diagnose this on a 2017 Subaru Outback
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Confirm oil level, condition, and pressure first
VVT systems are oil-powered. Verify level is at full on a level surface with a warm engine, oil is clean (not dark or sludgy), and viscosity matches the OEM spec. Measure oil pressure with a mechanical gauge — typical 15–25 psi at idle, 40–60 psi at 2500 RPM. Low pressure must be fixed before chasing VVT parts.
Tools: Mechanical oil pressure gauge, Dipstick / level check
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Read live exhaust cam position vs. commanded position
Scan-tool live data shows commanded and actual cam position. Watch while bidirectionally commanding cam advance. A working system tracks within 1–2 degrees of command. Lag of 5 degrees or oscillation points at the actuator or oil control valve.
Tools: Bidirectional scan tool with cam position PIDs
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Inspect and clean the exhaust-side oil control valve
Remove the exhaust-side OCV. Check the inlet screen for sludge or metal debris. Bench-test with 12 V — the valve should click and open. Air should pass freely when energized and seal when de-energized. A sticking valve causes the most common P0014.
Tools: Socket set, Brake cleaner (NOT MAF-safe), 12 V test source, Compressed air
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Listen for cam phaser noise at startup
A failing exhaust phaser often rattles at cold start for 1–3 seconds. Use a mechanic's stethoscope at the front of the cylinder head. The noise stops as oil pressure builds. Continuous rattle indicates advanced phaser wear.
Tools: Mechanic's stethoscope
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Verify timing chain integrity (specific engines)
On engines with documented chain wear (BMW N20/N26, Ford 5.4 3V, VW EA888, GM 3.6 LFX), the phaser cannot fully advance once the chain has stretched — P0014 sets even with a perfect phaser. Check live cam-crank correlation drift under load.
Tools: Scan tool with cam-crank correlation
NHTSA complaints & recalls for the 2017 Subaru Outback
Owner-reported safety complaints and official recalls filed with the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for the 2017 Subaru Outback. Use these to gauge how common a problem is on your specific vehicle before you start chasing Subaru Outback diagnostics.
- POWER TRAIN 46
- ENGINE 42
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 391
- VISIBILITY/WIPER 205
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER 175
4 active recalls
- AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE Dec 2019
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Outback vehicles. A replacement air bag control module may have been installed that is not compatible with the passenger air bag module, possibly affecting air bag deployment.…
NHTSA campaign 19V910000 - SUSPENSION Aug 2016
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2017 Outback vehicles manufactured June 20, 2016, to June 23, 2016. The affected vehicles may have improperly tightened attaching bolts for the front left and right brake calipers, wheel hubs, and the right stabili…
NHTSA campaign 16V576000 - STEERING:COLUMN Oct 2016
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2017 Legacy and Outback vehicles manufactured September 21, 2016, to September 23, 2016. In the affected vehicles, the knee guard bracket may not be properly attached to the steering beam assembly.…
NHTSA campaign 16V716000 - STEERING:COLUMN May 2016
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Legacy and Outback vehicles manufactured February 29, 2016, to May 6, 2016. The steering column on the affected vehicles may have been improperly machined, and as a result, turning the steering wheel may…
NHTSA campaign 16V292000
How do I fix P0014 on a 2017 Subaru Outback?
- Change engine oil and filter with the correct OEM viscosity
- Clean or replace the exhaust-side VVT oil control valve
- Replace the exhaust cam phaser / actuator assembly
- Replace stretched timing chain and components as a kit
- Repair damaged cam sensor wiring
About the 2015-2019 Subaru Outback
The 2015-2019 Subaru Outback was commonly sold with the following powertrains: 2.5L H4, 2.4L Turbo H4, 3.6L H6. Common trims include Base, Premium, Limited, Touring, Wilderness, Onyx Edition.
P0014 vs P0011
These two codes describe the same kind of fault on different camshafts:
- P0011 — intake cam Bank 1 timing over-advanced
- P0014 — exhaust cam Bank 1 timing over-advanced
Engines with dual VVT have separate phasers and separate oil control valves for intake and exhaust. P0011 and P0014 setting together points to a common cause (oil pressure, sludge, common chain issue). P0014 alone isolates to the exhaust-side hardware.
Why oil maintenance matters more than the phaser itself
Most P0014 cases on engines with under 100,000 miles trace back to oil maintenance: extended intervals, wrong viscosity, or a slow oil leak that drops level over time. The cam phaser is mechanically robust if fed clean, high-pressure oil. A $50 oil change has resolved more P0014 codes than any other single repair.
Engines that disproportionately set P0014
- Toyota 2GR-FE V6 — exhaust OCV failure around 100k miles
- Ford 3.5L EcoBoost V6 (Gen 1) — phaser rattle leading to P0014
- Hyundai/Kia Theta II 2.4 GDI — both P0011 and P0014 from oil sludge
- GM 3.6 LFX/LLT V6 — chain stretch progresses from P0017 to P0014
P0014 on a 2017 Subaru Outback: frequently asked questions
What does diagnostic trouble code P0014 mean on a 2017 Subaru Outback?
P0014 is set when the engine control module commands the Bank 1 exhaust camshaft to a specific advance position and the actual cam position does not match within tolerance. On engines with dual-cam VVT (intake + exhaust phasers), P0014 is the exhaust-side counterpart of P0011. The cause is almost always the same family of failures: a stuck oil control valve, dirty oil starving the phaser, or the phaser itself failing.
What are the symptoms of P0014 on a 2017 Subaru Outback?
Check Engine Light is illuminated. Rough idle, particularly when the engine is hot. Reduced low-end torque and slow throttle response. Increased emissions at idle. Possible engine stalling at low RPM. Slight reduction in fuel economy. Cold-start rattle from the cam area
What causes P0014 on a 2017 Subaru Outback?
Stuck or sludged exhaust-side VVT oil control valve (most-common). Low engine oil level or pressure starving the exhaust cam phaser (most-common). Sludged oil passages from skipped maintenance (common). Failed exhaust cam phaser / VVT actuator (common). Stretched timing chain affecting exhaust cam position (occasional). Damaged exhaust cam sensor wiring or connector (occasional)
Is it safe to drive a 2017 Subaru Outback with P0014?
In most cases a 2017 Subaru Outback stays drivable for short trips with P0014 active, but it should be diagnosed and repaired promptly — this is a high-severity code. Ignoring it can lead to further damage or a failed emissions test.