- The problem
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Forester, 2008-2016 Impreza sedans, 2012-2016 Impreza station wagons, 2008-2014 WRX sedans (including STI), and 2013-2017 Crosstrek vehicles. Exposure to certain contaminants may cause the brake light switch to malfunction, preventing the brake lights from illuminating and also preventing keyless ignition vehicles from starting and CVT/automatic transmissions from being able to be shifted out of Park.
- The risk
- Brake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of crash.
- The fix
- Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake light switch, free of charge. The recall began April 15, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUE-90.
Vehicle safety record
2014 Subaru Impreza Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 109 complaints about the 2014 Subaru Impreza with NHTSA, most often about the airbags (39) and the engine & cooling (20). Those complaints describe 17 crashes and 6 injuries. It is covered by 3 recalls, the latest in February 2019 for the switch. For comparison, the 2013 has 251 and the 2015 has 79.
NHTSA data checked
DMore problems than a typical Impreza year, for its age
#96 most complained-about 2014 vehicle
- Complaints
- 109
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes
- 17
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 6
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 2014 Subaru Impreza problems
Share of all 109 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2014 Subaru Impreza recalls 3
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Subaru Impreza, 2012-2013 Impreza Stationwagon, 2013 Subaru BRZ, XV Crosstrek and Toyota Scion FR-S vehicles. The engine valve springs in these vehicles may fracture causing an engine malfunction or a possible engine stall.
- The risk
- An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- Subaru will notify their owners. Toyota will notify the FR-S owners. Dealers will replace the valve springs, free of charge. The recall began December 26, 2018. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614, Toyota owners may contact the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-888-270-9371. Subaru's number for this recall is WTY-84.
- The problem
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 model year Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2008-2014 Impreza vehicles and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, all equipped with turbo-charged engines. The relay that controls the secondary air injection pump may fail, causing the pump to continuously operate and overheat.
- The risk
- If the air injection pump overheats, it may melt and increase the risk of a fire.
- The fix
- Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the secondary air injection pump relay, free of charge. The recall began December 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTM-73.
What owners say
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109 complaints about the 2014 Subaru Impreza
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners. Page 1 of 5.
Heavy frontal collision, lots of damage, but airbags did not deploy. Luckily no injuries, but why did the airbags not deploy?
Cabin blower fan stopped working. Faint burned plastic smell. Starting with the blower motor, I worked backwards. The Blower Motor Resistor showed significant wear, which I replaced. After checking or replacing all other components, I realized that it was likely the AC Control Unit. I took it out and the electrical issue is so bad that the plug has melted to the harness. I found plenty of online videos and forums which helped me diagnose the problem in my own car. This is a fire hazard, and considering how many...
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other people have experienced this, I'm surprised there is no warning or a recall. There is already one other complaint in your database, [[redacted]]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Vehicle Production Date: January 2014 Related Recall: Subaru WTM-73 / NHTSA ID 16V738 (revised July 11, 2017 as WTM-73R) Recall Coverage Production End Date: September 13, 2013 Mileage at First Incident (March 2024): 79,268 Mileage at Second Incident (February 2026): 92,325 The secondary air pump failed in March 2024 (79,268 miles) and again in February 2026 (92,325 miles) just 13,057 miles later. The February 24, 2026 failure produced smoke while parked among other vehicles and trees. A tow truck operator...
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disconnected the pump to prevent a potential fire. Dealer did not replace relay alongside the pump, inconsistent with WTM-73 as revised by WTM-73R (July 11, 2017). The relay subsequently failed, requiring a separate visit. Components are unavailable for inspection. The problems were confirmed and repaired by an authorized Subaru dealership in Sterling, VA. Service records document both failures. For the February 2026 repair, the dealership mistakenly concluded the repair was under warranty and completed it as such - then later tried to backtrack and make me pay. The March 2026 return visit confirmed blown fuses and a failed relay due to incomplete initial repair, which the dealership also made me pay, but later reimbursed me after I referenced the revised recall notice. March 4, 2024: P2444 diagnostic code and a hissing noise. Repair costs not reimbursed as the recall does not cover my vehicle's production date. February 13, 2026: a hissing noise was recorded February 14, 2026. Check Engine light; additional lights may have been present but cannot be confirmed with certainty, distracted by urgency of the situation. March 3, 2026: multiple warning lights illuminated within 2.3 miles after leaving dealership from having air pump repair: Check Engine, Sport Drive, and Cruise Control Recall WTM-73R covers vehicles through September 13, 2013, mine indicates January 2024. I request NHTSA extend coverage to vehicles produced through at least January 2014.
I am filing a complaint regarding a known issue with the CVT transmission in my 2014 Subaru Impreza, currently at approximately 80,000 miles. The CVT has started making a loud whining noise while driving. A licensed, independent repair shop diagnosed this as a likely early sign of internal CVT failure, advising that failure is imminent without repair or replacement. After researching the issue, I discovered that Subaru issued an extended warranty (WQA-86) specifically covering this known CVT defect. However, I was...
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never notified of this extension or any service campaign. I learned about it only after experiencing symptoms and conducting my own research. By that time, the extended warranty had expired in February 2024 , only a few months before I began experiencing problems, despite my vehicle being well under the mileage limit for coverage. I maintain a service history with full documentation from licensed repair facilities. I submitted a goodwill assistance request to Subaru to cover the inspection and repair or replacement of the CVT based on this known defect and the professional assessment from my mechanic. Subaru denied the request solely because the extended warranty had expired by time, despite the fact that: I was never notified of the warranty extension or technical service bulletin (TSB). The issue is well documented and acknowledged by Subaru. My vehicle is still under the mileage limit. A qualified mechanic has confirmed early signs of failure. This is a serious safety concern, as CVT failure can lead to sudden loss of power or acceleration while driving. Subaru should be held accountable for notifying all affected owners about extended coverage related to known defects. I am requesting that Subaru be required to provide goodwill coverage or cost assistance for this repair, as the failure is directly related to a known manufacturer defect and the lack of notification prevented me from taking timely action.
The contact owns a 2014 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated while attempting to secure the front driver's side seat belt, the locking mechanism failed to immediately lock. The contact stated that several attempts were needed before the seat belt locked as needed. The driver was also unable to immediately unlock the seat belt buckle from the locking mechanism. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 62,000. The VIN was not available.
I was driving in my car had lost of power n started to make a noise n ALLL that so eather valve spring broke then messed up rod bearings n now to the point I can't drive my vehicle is like to know what to do next
Unknown
When I put my vehicle into park and try to remove the key, it becomes stuck in the vehicle every time due to a failing park position switch. This is a known issue to Subaru and should warrant a recall.
The contact owns a 2014 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and running, the doors automatically locked with her children inside the vehicle. The contact stated that the spare key failed to unlock the doors. The contact sought assistance from a locksmith to unlock the vehicle. Additionally, the front bumper had detached. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 190,417.
Two Lug studs broke on opposite wheels from torque issues caused when rotating tires. Based on speaking with both the dealer and the tire shop, they said this is a common issue with Subaru's. Fortunately this happened while the tires were being replaced and not while driving. Had 2 of the lug studs broken on the same tire and I had not been aware, this could cause safety issues for both myself and other drivers.
After driving for about an hour stopped a light and accelerated to proceed and drivers side air bag exploded. Subaru states it was my fault because "dirt" got in the system. Refused to cover replacement or rental car. Minor hand injury.
Key won't completely shut off car of come out of ignition.
The hood latch opens while driving.
To whom this may concern, My name is [[redacted]] . I purchased my 2014 Subaru on December 13th, 2013. My car has 57,000 miles on it. It has loss of acceleration when entering a freeway. I push on the gas pedal harder and harder to try to get my car to obtain 60 mph. The car does not respond until minutes go by. The CVT transmission was replaced in June 2022. The car has not performed any better after the transmission replacement. I am the original owner of my car. Initially, my car performed very well, quick...
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response to acceleration for the first 35-40 thousand miles. Then, it began to have lack of acceleration. The transmission was replaced by Subaru of America in June 2022 at around 48,000 miles. I brought my car to Elk Grove Subaru approximately 4 times since the transmission was replaced, each time I paid for their hourly diagnostic fee; between $165.00 to $195.00. Each time the service advisor said they found nothing wrong with my car. I took my car to two independent mechanics (One of them is a transmission repair shop) they each stated in writing that my transmission is slipping and has loss of power. I feel unsafe driving my car on the street as if shakes, shudders and jerks. I do not want to be a statistic in an accident on the freeway due to the lack of power trying to obtain speed while entering freeway and trying to keep my vehicle speed at a speed of barely 60 mph. My vehicle is still within the extended CVT warranty. I feel that the Subaru dealership is purposely avoiding acknowledgement of the failing transmission. Subaru is a big corporation. Many Subaru owners believe there needs to be an actual recall on their Subaru CVT transmissions. I do not feel safe driving my car. With 57,000 miles on a vehicle that's a potential safety hazard, Subaru needs to take more responsibility for their vehicles as people's lives are much more precious than their profit margins. Sincerely, [[redacted]] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The transmission on my 2014 Subaru Impreza failed suddenly while I was driving about 70 mph in the middle lane of the interstate. My car began to decelerate rapidly, and I lost all ability to accelerate or even put my car in park. I was able to navigate to the side of the interstate and use the car's emergency brake to come to a stop. The event was extremely traumatic, and I have nightmares about losing control of my vehicle on that interstate with cars whizzing past me. I was stranded in a very remote area, barely...
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making it onto the shoulder of the interstate, over an hour from my home and in a different state. During the three hours I waited for a tow on the side of I-5N, I discovered the many NHTSA bulletins issued regarding CVT transmission issues with the 2014 Impreza and the consequent extended warranty. Thus, I paid out of pocket to have my 2014 Impreza towed the thirty miles to the closest Subaru dealership, expecting the repair to be covered by the warranty. My car's mileage is 71,612, and it is under 10 years old, falling within both requirements of the extended warranty. There had never been any indication of transmission trouble, and Subaru never contacted me to inform me of the known CVT transmission issues. No warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms ever appeared regarding the transmission. After inspecting my vehicle, the Subaru dealership verified a transmission issue, and claimed that the car was roughly 3 quarts low on CVT fluid. Despite NHTSA safety bulletins about known transmission fluid seepage issues in the 2014 Impreza, Subaru is trying to skirt responsibility for the known defect, and instead, they are claiming that it is the fault of a reputable independent mechanic stating that they *suspect* that since it was 3 quarts low because the independent shop did something wrong. However, records show otherwise. Subaru is not standing by its extended warranty and attempting to shirk responsibility for known CVT defects. Permission to inspect.
The front control arm bushings are failing. The RF link is broken to the suspension too.
While driving on the highway in Denver, the engine stalled - I later learned that a valve spring broke and went through the engine, destroying it. I lost all power - lost braking - but was able to steer the vehicle off to the side of the road. I subsequently learned that about 160,000 Subarus - the same vehicle year, the same model car, the same exact engine - have been recalled by Subaru. However, this car, which suffered the same exact problem was considering "outside the window" of the recall. If I had been on...
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the freeway at a normal rate of speed this could have been a very dangerous accident. My concern is hundreds if not thousands of these cars are still on the road and Subaru is well aware of the problem.
One day my blower motor wouldn't turn on and my switch was actually stuck, unable to adjust at all. After checking all fuses and relays I pulled out the control panel and noticed significant electrical damage to both the switch itself and the wiring harness. This is a very dangerous fire hazard to myself and my family. I've done research and this IS NOT an isolated issue. There have actually been very many cases of the exact nature. There is even a service bulletin out for "HVAC blower fan inoperative" which...
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includes my year make and model of vehicle. I feel if this isn't resolved on a large scale lives could be affected greatly or even lost. It is my recommendation this issue be moved to a national recall. I have included pictures of my own and also pictures from others with same issue as proof.
The Blower assembly in my car stopped working suddenly- When i looked into it, a short/electrical failure had happened that caused the wire harness and other components to melt inside the system. This appears to be a common failure similar Subaru cars, but the fact that the system can fail so significantly to burn/melt the connectors seems like a dangerous failure mode
My check engine light and other lights simultaneously lit up while driving 50 mph down the highway. The car started to "buck" slightly. I pulled over, let it cool a bit, checked the oil. Oil level and quality was fine. Took to a mechanic where I found the problem was with the CVT. This car has only 100,283 miles on it! It should not be having transmission problems. This is a defective system. Repairs are more than the car is worth. (Even though I've kept it in good shape).
The Vehicle is a Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle ; this has now started to cause the vehicle in warm/hot weather to trigger EVAP codes. This is not fixed by checking gas cap or replacing anything else. I have had the vehicle to the dealership where I was told they dont know why , but ignore it. However living in a state that has inspections every year for tags, this is not possible. This is a well know issue and you can find hundreds of examples online of other people that have had the same problem.
The contact owned a 2014 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that while his wife was driving approximately 20 mph for unknown reasons, she veered off the road into a ditch, rolled over, and crashed into a tree. There were no warning indicator lights illuminated. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was towed to an independent lot. The driver sustained injuries to her back, fractured vertebrae, and a cracked sternum and received medical attention. A police report was filed. There was no reported fire. The...
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local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was towed by the insurance company and deemed a total loss. The failure mileage was approximately 64,000.
Passenger airbag turned off while driving with an adult passenger in seat. Pull over and turn car off it will be on again. Will happen completely at random when driving, not that often but about once a week. Dealer told me it was probably water damage to the sensor and to replace the whole seat for over 1000$ . Never heard of another cars airbag sensor system breaking or becoming u reliable if it gets wet....because car seats get wet all the time. And if I replace it it will get wet again. If someone sits on seat...
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who is even the least bit sweaty it will turn itself off. But also will turn off when there is just a normal (non sweaty or wet ) adult person riding in seat, while in the middle of driving! It's extremely unsafe and if this is the design plan extremely unfair and ridiculous for the consumer.
The contact owns a 2014 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle in the driveway, the vehicle failed to restart after thirty minutes. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was due to the pump assembly and noticed that the connector was difficult to remove and had melted. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer where it was diagnosed there was an open circuit in the assembly. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified and offered a...
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discount on the cost of the repair. The failure mileage was approximately 81,000. RECOMMENDED TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY. FOUND OPEN CIRCUIT INTERNAL TO THE FUEL PUMP CAUSING OVERHEAT MELTING THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL ASSEMBLY TOP HAT WHICH CAUSED LOSE PRESSURE IN FUEL SYSTEM. PART NUMBER 42021AG010, Case # [[redacted]]-[[redacted]]. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)."
The contact owns a 2014 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the driver's side air bag exploded without warning or impact. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 105,000.
Subaru Impreza: every year compared
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 152 | 5 | D |
| 2017 | 125 | 7 | D |
| 2016 | 75 | 1 | C |
| 2015 | 79 | 2 | C |
| 2014 | 109 | 3 | D |
| 2013 | 251 | 4 | F |
| 2012 | 243 | 6 | F |
| 2011 | 58 | 14 | C |
| 2010 | 46 | 15 | C |
2014 Subaru Impreza vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 Subaru Impreza | 109 | 3 | D | |
| 2014 Chevrolet Cruze | 705 | 10 | F | Compare |
| 2014 Kia Forte | 445 | 3 | F | Compare |
| 2014 Volkswagen Jetta | 388 | 5 | D | Compare |
| 2014 Hyundai Elantra | 387 | 2 | D | Compare |
| 2014 Dodge Dart | 374 | 4 | F | Compare |
| 2014 Toyota Corolla | 271 | 2 | D | Compare |
| 2014 Toyota Prius | 241 | 3 | C | Compare |
| 2014 Mazda MAZDA3 | 138 | 4 | C | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 2014 Subaru Impreza
Does the 2014 Subaru Impreza have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2014 Subaru Impreza: switch (February 2019); engine (November 2018); electrical system (October 2016). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 2014 Subaru Impreza?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the airbags (39), engine & cooling (20), electrical system (17).
How many complaints has the 2014 Subaru Impreza had?
109 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on April 6, 2014 and the latest on November 7, 2026. Of these, 17 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 6 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 2014 Subaru Impreza a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 33 out of 100 (grade D: more problems than a typical Subaru Impreza year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Subaru Impreza years have the most complaints?
2002 (296), 2013 (251), 2012 (243). See every Subaru Impreza year compared.
What should I do if my 2014 Subaru Impreza has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data