2014 Subaru Impreza Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2014 Subaru Impreza ranks 9th worst of 21 model years, with a Complaint Index of 60 and a Caution verdict. Owners filed 108 complaints, mostly about airbags (38) and engine (27), with 3 recalls and 16 crashes reported.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 60/100
- #9 of 21 Impreza years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 108
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 16
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 6
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 24
- 21.5 city / 29 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 6 / 0
Top 2014 Subaru Impreza problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags38 (35%)
- Engine27 (25%)
- Electrical System17 (16%)
- Structure & Body14 (13%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires10 (9%)
- Other9 (8%)
- Transmission & Powertrain9 (8%)
- Brakes6 (6%)
- Steering4 (4%)
- Seat Belts3 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners describe the vehicle rolling or lurching forward or backward on its own after being parked and shut off, sometimes with the key already removed, leading to collisions with objects or parked cars.
- Some drivers report sudden unintended acceleration while idling or parking, with the engine revving on its own and the car crashing through a garage door or into another vehicle.
- One owner reported a foot getting caught under the accelerator pedal, causing a crash into a garage door.
- Airbags deployed in low-speed collisions in some cases, with drivers reporting injuries to the head, neck, back, knees, and face despite the low impact speed.
- Complaints about unexpected forward movement occurred at low mileage, including reports around 1,073, 1,700, and 2,500 miles.
2014 Subaru Impreza recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 19V149000Feb 28, 2019Electrical System1,303,530 vehicles
Exterior lighting:brake lights:switch
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.
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.
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 18V772000Nov 1, 2018Engine165,534 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling:engine
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.
Risk: 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 16V738000Oct 13, 2016Electrical System100,127 vehicles
Electrical system
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.
Risk: 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.
2014 Subaru Impreza fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 21.5 MPG
- Highway
- 29 MPG
- Combined
- 24 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,100
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2014 compared with other Impreza years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2014 Subaru Impreza reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2014 Impreza a Complaint Index of 60 and a Caution verdict, ranking 9th worst out of 21 model years for this model. Airbags and engine complaints are the largest problem areas.
- What are the most common problems with the 2014 Subaru Impreza?
- Airbags account for 35% of complaints (38 total), followed by engine issues at 25% (27 complaints) and electrical system problems at 16% (17 complaints).
- Does the 2014 Subaru Impreza have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2014 Impreza covering the electrical system (brake light switch), engine valve springs, and a secondary air injection pump relay. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2014 Impreza compare to other Impreza years?
- The 2014 model's Complaint Index of 60 is better than 2012, 2013, 2017, 2018, and 2019, which are rated Avoid, but worse than 2015 and 2022, which rate Good and Best.
- At what mileage do 2014 Impreza airbag problems occur?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage of 50,000 miles at failure for airbag-related complaints on the 2014 Impreza.