2014 Subaru WRX Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2014 Subaru WRX carries a complaint index of 20 out of 100, ranked 17th out of 21 model years, but its verdict is capped at Caution because it has 10 recall campaigns requiring a dealer visit. Brakes and engine issues each account for 50% of its 6 recorded complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 20/100
- #17 of 21 WRX years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 6
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 10
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Brakes
Top 2014 Subaru WRX problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Brakes3 (50%)
- Engine3 (50%)
- Structure & Body1 (17%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1 (17%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Stability/traction control and ABS warning lights stay lit after cold-weather starts, requiring an ignition cycle to attempt a reset.
- Brakes reportedly fail to respond during stop-and-go traffic, with the vehicle needing repair at an independent shop.
- Owners report excessive flex at the firewall when pressing the clutch or brake pedal, with visible movement of the brake and clutch cylinders.
- Engine rod bearing failures reported, including a case where two rod bearings failed and the engine died while driving on the highway.
- A knocking noise developed over a short drive and worsened quickly, later diagnosed as main bearing or rod knock failure, which the dealership declined to cover under warranty.
2014 Subaru WRX recalls
10 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 20V001000Jan 2, 2020Airbags258,813 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (STI included), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators with alternate inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-20.
- NHTSA 20V003000Jan 2, 2020Airbags111,562 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKC-20.
- NHTSA 20V002000Jan 2, 2020Airbags127,547 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-20.
2014 compared with other WRX years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2014 Subaru WRX reliable?
- NHTSA data shows 6 complaints for the 2014 WRX with a complaint index of 20, ranked 17th out of 21 WRX model years. It carries a Caution verdict, not because of complaint volume but because of 10 recall campaigns requiring a dealer visit.
- What problems does the 2014 Subaru WRX have?
- Owners report brake issues, including brakes that failed to respond in stop-and-go traffic, and engine problems including rod bearing failures and knocking noises. Brakes and engine each make up 50% of reported complaints.
- Does the 2014 WRX have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns for the 2014 WRX, covering airbags and the electrical system, including brake light switch and ignition switch issues.
- How does the 2014 WRX compare to other WRX years?
- The 2014 WRX has a complaint index of 20, lower than the 2017 (100), 2015 (85), and 2018 (95) model years, which are all rated Avoid. Despite its lower complaint index, the 2014 is capped at Caution due to its 10 recall campaigns.