VehicleVerdict

2014 Subaru Impreza problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 157 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.3 times the median Impreza year — the 2014 model ranks #8 of 34 Impreza years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Airbags leads the complaint categories with 48 reports (31% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

157

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

24

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

7

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2014 compare to other Impreza years?

Impreza NHTSA complaints by model year, 2014 highlighted343 complaints1990: 2 complaints1993: 48 complaints1994: 8 complaints1995: 69 complaints1996: 25 complaints1997: 38 complaints1998: 55 complaints1999: 27 complaints2000: 54 complaints2001: 13 complaints2002: 339 complaints2003: 64 complaints2004: 113 complaints2005: 95 complaints2006: 68 complaints2007: 84 complaints2008: 249 complaints2009: 149 complaints2010: 60 complaints2011: 75 complaints2012: 337 complaints2013: 343 complaints2014: 157 complaints2015: 99 complaints2016: 108 complaints2017: 162 complaints2018: 181 complaints2019: 220 complaints2020: 100 complaints2021: 19 complaints2022: 15 complaints2023: 6 complaints2024: 50 complaints2025: 8 complaints
Impreza NHTSA complaints by model year, 2014 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Impreza years to avoid →

What are the most common 2014 Subaru Impreza problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags4831%
Engine2013%
Electrical System1912%
Other96%
Transmission96%
Tires & Wheels85%
Body & Structure85%
Speed Control85%
Suspension53%
Brakes53%
Seats53%
Steering43%
Seat Belts32%
Latches & Locks21%
Fuel System21%
Lighting11%
Visibility & Wipers11%

Does the 2014 Subaru Impreza have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

19V149000LightingFebruary 28, 2019 · 1,303,530 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

Brake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of crash.

Remedy

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.

18V772000EngineNovember 1, 2018 · 165,534 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

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.

16V738000Electrical SystemOctober 13, 2016 · 100,127 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

If the air injection pump overheats, it may melt and increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“The contact owns a The contact stated while driving approximately 10 mph when the contact was hit by a different vehicle which resulted in the air bags not deploying. The contact sustained a cut on his hand and soreness in his back. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic where it was awaiting…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · October 24, 2021 · crash

“I EXPERIENCED SUDDEN EXTREME ACCELERATION JUST AFTER I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY. THE CAR SUDDENLY--VERY RAPIDLY--ACCELERATED AND CRASHED THROUGH WOODEN GARAGE DOOR AND INTO THE POURED CONCRETE WALL AT BACK OF GARAGE, CRACKING THE WALL AND OF COURSE TOTALING THE CAR.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · July 31, 2017 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE AND TURNING IT OFF, THE VEHICLE ROLLED DOWN AN EMBANKMENT AND CRASHED. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF, AND WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH WHILE THE SHIFTER WAS STILL IN DRIVE. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · June 16, 2014 · crash

“A pebble hit the windshield while driving on the interstate highway which creating a roughly 12 inch crack starting in the upper passenger-side of the windshield. Within 24 hours, that crack has increased in length, now extending to the middle of the windshield. This has not been assessed by any…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · July 19, 2021

“I PARKED THE CAR ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD ON A LARGE PULL OUT AREA. I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE, TURNED THE OFF AND TOOK THE KEYS OUT OF THE IGNITION AND GOT OUT OF THE CAR TO TAKE SOME PICTURES OF THE FALL COLORS. I WAS OUT OF THE CAR FOR ABOUT 3 TO 5 MINUTES AND I LOOK BACK TO SEE THE CAR ROLLING…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · September 26, 2014 · crash

2014 Subaru Impreza — common questions

Is the 2014 Subaru Impreza reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 157 complaints put the 2014 model at #8 of 34 Impreza years. It is one of the Impreza years to avoid.

What are the most common 2014 Impreza problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (48 complaints), engine (20 complaints), electrical system (19 complaints).

Does the 2014 Subaru Impreza have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2014 Subaru Impreza. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Subaru Impreza years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Impreza years to avoid are 2013, 2002, 2012, 2008, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2014, 2009, 2004, 2016, 2005. The cleanest record among Impreza years belongs to 1990.

How safe is the 2014 Subaru Impreza?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2014 Subaru Impreza earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.