2014 Subaru WRX Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
BestComplaint Index
20/100
#13 most-complained of 16 WRX years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2014 Subaru WRX ranks 13th out of 16 model years, with a complaint index of 20 and only 6 complaints logged, earning a Best verdict relative to other WRX years. Owners reported rod bearing knock and brake response problems, most showing up by a median of 22,100 to 25,000 miles.
- Complaints
- 6
- Recalls
- 10
- Crashes / fires
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- —
Top 2014 Subaru WRX problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Brakes3 (50%)
- Engine3 (50%)
- Structure & Body1 (17%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1 (17%)
What owners report
- Engine develops a knocking sound tied to rod bearing failure, sometimes strong enough that the engine dies while driving on the highway.
- Owners report the engine becomes hard to restart and knocks after restart following a rod bearing issue.
- Brakes reportedly fail to respond during stop-and-go traffic driving.
- Cold weather can trigger stability/traction control, anti-lock brake, and hill-assist warning lights to stay lit, requiring an ignition cycle to attempt a reset.
- Owners describe excessive flex at the firewall and noticeable movement of brake and clutch cylinders when pressing those pedals.
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?
- Relative to other WRX model years, the 2014 ranks well, placing 13th out of 16 years with a complaint index of 20 and a Best verdict. NHTSA lists only 6 complaints for this year.
- What problems does the 2014 Subaru WRX have?
- NHTSA complaints point to brakes and engine as the top problem areas, each accounting for 3 of the 6 complaints (50% share). Owners also reported one structure and body issue and one transmission and powertrain issue.
- Does the 2014 Subaru WRX have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 10 recalls affecting the 2014 WRX, covering airbags and electrical system components like the ignition switch and brake light switch. None of these recalls are do-not-drive recalls.
- At what mileage do 2014 WRX problems typically show up?
- Median mileage at failure across this year's sample was 34,000 miles overall, with brake complaints centered around 22,100 miles and engine complaints around 25,000 miles.
- How does the 2014 WRX compare to the 2015 or 2017 WRX?
- The 2014 WRX has a complaint index of 20, far lower than the 2015 WRX (80, Avoid) and 2017 WRX (100, Avoid), making 2014 a comparatively stronger year for this model.