2014 Subaru Impreza recalls and problems

The 2014 Subaru Impreza has 3 safety recalls and 109 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Subaru dealer.

Recalls
3
Complaints
109
Crashes / fires
17 / 0
Injuries / deaths
6 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2014 Subaru Impreza vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2014 Subaru Impreza recalls

Recall 19V-149: Exterior Lighting

Reported Feb 28, 2019 · 1,303,530 vehicles affected · Subaru of America, Inc.

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

Recall 18V-772: Engine and Engine Cooling

Reported Nov 1, 2018 · 165,534 vehicles affected · Subaru of America, Inc.

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

Recall 16V-738: Electrical System

Reported Oct 13, 2016 · 100,127 vehicles affected · Subaru of America, Inc.

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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 problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Air Bags49
Engine20
Electrical System18
Power Train9
Unknown or Other9
Vehicle Speed Control8
Structure8
Suspension5
Wheels5
Seats5
Service Brakes4
Steering4

Most reported parts

  • Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification — 8
  • Structure › Body — 5
  • Electrical System › Ignition — 2
  • Air Bags › Sensor › Occupant Classification › Front Passenger — 2
  • Seats › Front Assembly › Head Restraint — 1
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Pedals and Linkages — 1
  • Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal — 1
  • Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 50,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2014 Subaru Impreza complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Air Bags · reported Nov 7, 2026
Heavy frontal collision, lots of damage, but airbags did not deploy. Luckily no injuries, but why did the airbags not deploy?
Electrical System · reported Jun 21, 2026
Cabin blower fan stopped working. Faint burned plastic smell. Starting with the blower motor, I worked backwards. The Blower Motor Resistor showed significant wear, which I replaced. After checking or replacing all other components, I realized that it was likely the AC Control Unit. I took it out and the electrical issue is so bad that the plug has melted to the harness. I found plenty of online videos and forums which helped me diagnose the problem in my own car. This is a fire hazard, and considering how many other people have experienced this, I'm surprised there is no warning or a recall.…
Engine · reported Apr 5, 2026
Vehicle Production Date: January 2014 Related Recall: Subaru WTM-73 / NHTSA ID 16V738 (revised July 11, 2017 as WTM-73R) Recall Coverage Production End Date: September 13, 2013 Mileage at First Incident (March 2024): 79,268 Mileage at Second Incident (February 2026): 92,325 The secondary air pump failed in March 2024 (79,268 miles) and again in February 2026 (92,325 miles) just 13,057 miles later. The February 24, 2026 failure produced smoke while parked among other vehicles and trees. A tow truck operator disconnected the pump to prevent a potential fire. Dealer did not replace relay…
Power Train · reported Oct 22, 2025
I am filing a complaint regarding a known issue with the CVT transmission in my 2014 Subaru Impreza, currently at approximately 80,000 miles. The CVT has started making a loud whining noise while driving. A licensed, independent repair shop diagnosed this as a likely early sign of internal CVT failure, advising that failure is imminent without repair or replacement. After researching the issue, I discovered that Subaru issued an extended warranty (WQA-86) specifically covering this known CVT defect. However, I was never notified of this extension or any service campaign. I learned about it…
Seat Belts · at 62,000 miles · reported Jul 29, 2025
The contact owns a 2014 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated while attempting to secure the front driver’s side seat belt, the locking mechanism failed to immediately lock. The contact stated that several attempts were needed before the seat belt locked as needed. The driver was also unable to immediately unlock the seat belt buckle from the locking mechanism. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 62,000. The VIN was not available.

Other Subaru Impreza years

Compare all Subaru Impreza years · All Subaru models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2014 Subaru Impreza have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2014 Subaru Impreza: 19V-149 (exterior lighting), 18V-772 (engine and engine cooling), 16V-738 (electrical system). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2014 Subaru Impreza?

Owners report air bags problems most often (49 reports), followed by engine (20). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 50,000 miles.

Are Subaru recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Subaru dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.