2014 Subaru IMPREZA: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
108 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
49,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2014 model year. Data snapshot: . 64 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 38 of 108 complaints (35.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 12 | 11.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 9 | 8.3% |
| Engine operation | 8 | 7.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 7 | 6.5% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 3.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 1.9% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 38 |
| Engine | 20 |
| Electrical System | 16 |
| Power Train | 9 |
| Unknown Or Other | 9 |
| Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification | 8 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 7 |
| Structure:Body | 5 |
Air Bags: 38; Engine: 20; Electrical System: 16; Power Train: 9; Unknown Or Other: 9; Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification: 8; Vehicle Speed Control: 7; Structure:Body: 5
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 18 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 14 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 13 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 15 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 18; 25,000 to 49,999: 14; 50,000 to 74,999: 13; 75,000 to 99,999: 15; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (18). 44 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 10 |
| 2015 | 7 |
| 2016 | 5 |
| 2017 | 10 |
| 2018 | 9 |
| 2019 | 16 |
| 2020 | 14 |
| 2021 | 11 |
| 2022 | 6 |
| 2023 | 9 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 6 |
| 2026 | 2 |
2014: 10; 2015: 7; 2016: 5; 2017: 10; 2018: 9; 2019: 16; 2020: 14; 2021: 11; 2022: 6; 2023: 9; 2024: 3; 2025: 6; 2026: 2
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 12 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 9 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 8 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10577808 · 2014-04-06 (April 6, 2014)
DURING THE MONTH OF JANUARY 2014 I HAD A FEW QUESTIONABLE INCIDENTS THAT HAPPENED PULLING IN TO VARIOUS PARKING SPACES, WHETHER IT WAS THE SUPERMARKET OR THE SCHOOLS WITH WHICH MY CHILDREN ATTEND AND THAT I WORK. I DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING OF IT AS THIS IS A NEW CAR AND IT SHOULD WORK PERFECTLY. THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 17TH THIS WAS THE MOMENT I KNEW I WASN'T IMAGINING THINGS, MY FIRST MOMENT OF COMPLETE PANIC AS MY BRAND NEW CAR UNINTENDED ACCELERATED TOWARD MY GARAGE. I HAD JUST DROPPED OFF MY CHILD AND A NEIGHBORS CHILD AT SCHOOL. WE CARPOOL T…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10577808 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10585771 · 2014-04-30 (April 30, 2014)
HIT SMALL POT HOLE WHICH OTHER CARS WERE DRIVING OVER WITH NO FAILURES. I CALLED SUBARU ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. THEY PUT DONUT FLAT ON. *JS
Owner-reported narrative. 1,436 miles reported. Look up ODI 10585771 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10588015 · 2014-05-13 (May 13, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED IMMEDIATELY AND RESUMED IN NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 424. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Owner-reported narrative. 424 miles reported. Look up ODI 10588015 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10604863 · 2014-06-20 (June 20, 2014)
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 VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,073.
Owner-reported narrative. 1,073 miles reported. Look up ODI 10604863 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10620908 · 2014-08-08 (August 8, 2014)
DRIVER WAS PARKING VEHICLE IN A PARKING LOT WHEN IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED FORWARD, CROSSING PARKING BARRIER, BUSHES IN PLANTING AT EDGE OF LOT, AND SIDEWALK HITTING A PARKED CAR. DRIVER STATES THAT BRAKE WAS DEPRESSED AT TIME OF INCIDENT. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 2,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10620908 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10639778 · 2014-09-29 (September 29, 2014)
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 DOWN THE SLOPE IN TO A TRUCK THAT WAS PARKED IN THE SAME AREA. WHEN I GOT BACK INTO THE CAR THE TRANSMISSION WAS IN NEUTRAL. THE HOOD AND FRONT BUMPER WAS DAMAGED. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 16,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10639778 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10652902 · 2014-11-05 (November 5, 2014)
CHECK OIL LIGHT FIRST CAME ON AT 2500 MILES, HAD TO ADD A QUART OF OIL AND ALSO GOT A COMPLETE OIL CHANGE. HAD TO ADD ANOTHER 1/2 QUART OF OIL AT 6000 AND ANOTHER ONE AGAIN AT 9000 DUE TO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON. AT 2500, DEALERSHIP SAID THIS OIL CONSUMPTION RATE WAS NORMAL. AT 9000, DURING ANOTHER MINOR SERVICE, WAS AGAIN TOLD MY CURRENT RATE OF OIL CONSUMPTION WAS NORMAL. HOWEVER, HAVING TO ADD OIL THREE TIMES IN 9000 MILES FOR A BRAND NEW CAR DOESN'T SEEM SAFE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 2,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10652902 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10653289 · 2014-11-20 (November 20, 2014)
2014 SUBARU IMPREZZA. CUSTOMER IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE HEAD RESTRAINTS REGULATIONS AND THINKS THEY SHOULD BE MODIFIED. *CW THE CONSUMER STATED THE HEAD RESTRAINTS, WERE OVERLY RESTRICTIVE, UNNECESSARY BAD FOR DRIVER'S POSTURE, AND DEVASTATING TO SHORTER PEOPLE AND OTHERS WITH EXISTING PR POTENTIAL SHOULDER, BACK AND NECK PROBLEMS. THE CONSUMER STATED DRIVING 30 MINUTES OR LESS SHE EXPERIENCED CONSIDERABLE NECK PAIN AND SHOULDER PROBLEMS, WHICH HAVE CONTINUED TO WORSEN. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10653289 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
16V738000 · Electrical System
Reported: 2016-10-13 (October 13, 2016)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗18V772000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
Reported: 2018-11-01 (November 1, 2018)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗19V149000 · Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:Switch
Reported: 2019-02-28 (February 28, 2019)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗