SUBARU IMPREZA · model year

2014 SUBARU IMPREZA

155 NHTSA complaints, 24 crash reports, and 3 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

5 / 5 ★

New Car Assessment Program

The 2014SUBARUIMPREZA carries 155 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 24 crashes, 0 fires, 7 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall 5/5 rating, with 4/5 front crash, 5/5 side crash, and 5/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2014 IMPREZA is air bags with 38 filings, followed by engine (19) and electrical system (15). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 3 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle, the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 2 investigation files overlapping the 2014 IMPREZA. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page, a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

155
Complaints
24
Crashes
0
Fires
7
Injuries
0
Deaths
2014 SUBARU IMPREZA - NHTSA crash-test profile NHTSA NCAP crash-test star ratings for the 2014 SUBARU IMPREZA. Overall composite: 5.0 of 5 stars across 3 safety dimensions. Front CrashSide CrashRollover 5.0 NHTSA NCAP of 5 stars
  • Front Crash 4.0 ★
  • Side Crash 5.0 ★
  • Rollover 5.0 ★
NHTSA overall 5.0/5 stars, with front-crash, side-crash and rollover ratings from standardized NCAP barrier and dynamic tests.

Total Complaints

155 filings

Crashes Reported

24 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

NHTSA NCAP overall: 5/5 - Top NCAP rating · Front: 4/5 · Side: 5/5 · Rollover: 5/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS38
ENGINE19
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM15
POWER TRAIN9
UNKNOWN OR OTHER9
AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION8
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL7
STRUCTURE:BODY5
SUSPENSION5
WHEELS5
SERVICE BRAKES4
SEATS4
STEERING4
TIRES3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION2

Recalls (3)

19V14900028/02/2019

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

16V73800013/10/2016

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

18V77200001/11/2018

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.

Recent Complaints

20251022POWER TRAIN

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 only after experiencing symptoms and conducting my own research. By that time, the extended warranty had expired in February 2024 , only a few months before I began experiencing problems, despite my vehicle being well under the mileage limit for coverage. I maintain a service history with full documentation from licensed repair facilities. I submitted a goodwill assistance request to Subaru to cover

20250729SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

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.

Mileage: 62,000

20250527ENGINE

I was driving in my car had lost of power n started to make a noise n ALLL that so eather valve spring broke then messed up rod bearings n now to the point I can't drive my vehicle is like to know what to do next

20250521CrashSTRUCTURE:BODY

Unknown

20250521CrashUNKNOWN OR OTHER

Unknown

20250219LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

The contact owns a 2014 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and running, the doors automatically locked with her children inside the vehicle. The contact stated that the spare key failed to unlock the doors. The contact sought assistance from a locksmith to unlock the vehicle. Additionally, the front bumper had detached. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 190,417.

Mileage: 190,417

20250219STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS

The contact owns a 2014 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and running, the doors automatically locked with her children inside the vehicle. The contact stated that the spare key failed to unlock the doors. The contact sought assistance from a locksmith to unlock the vehicle. Additionally, the front bumper had detached. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 190,417.

Mileage: 190,417

20250219ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

When I put my vehicle into park and try to remove the key, it becomes stuck in the vehicle every time due to a failing park position switch. This is a known issue to Subaru and should warrant a recall.

20250219UNKNOWN OR OTHER

When I put my vehicle into park and try to remove the key, it becomes stuck in the vehicle every time due to a failing park position switch. This is a known issue to Subaru and should warrant a recall.

20241220WHEELS

Two Lug studs broke on opposite wheels from torque issues caused when rotating tires. Based on speaking with both the dealer and the tire shop, they said this is a common issue with Subaru's. Fortunately this happened while the tires were being replaced and not while driving. Had 2 of the lug studs broken on the same tire and I had not been aware, this could cause safety issues for both myself and other drivers.

20241011AIR BAGS

After driving for about an hour stopped a light and accelerated to proceed and drivers side air bag exploded. Subaru states it was my fault because “dirt” got in the system. Refused to cover replacement or rental car. Minor hand injury.

20240401ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Key won't completely shut off car of come out of ignition.

20231110STRUCTURE:BODY

The hood latch opens while driving.

20231014SUSPENSION

To whom this may concern, My name is [XXX] . I purchased my 2014 Subaru on December 13th, 2013. My car has 57,000 miles on it. It has loss of acceleration when entering a freeway. I push on the gas pedal harder and harder to try to get my car to obtain 60 mph. The car does not respond until minutes go by. The CVT transmission was replaced in June 2022. The car has not performed any better after the transmission replacement. I am the original owner of my car. Initially, my car performed very well, quick response to acceleration for the first 35-40 thousand miles. Then, it began to have lack of acceleration. The transmission was replaced by Subaru of America in June 2022 at around 48,000 miles. I brought my car to Elk Grove Subaru approximately 4 times since the transmission was replaced, each time I paid for their hourly diagnostic fee; between $165.00 to $195.00. Each time the service advisor said they found nothing wrong with my car. I took my car to two independent mechanics (

20231014STEERING

To whom this may concern, My name is [XXX] . I purchased my 2014 Subaru on December 13th, 2013. My car has 57,000 miles on it. It has loss of acceleration when entering a freeway. I push on the gas pedal harder and harder to try to get my car to obtain 60 mph. The car does not respond until minutes go by. The CVT transmission was replaced in June 2022. The car has not performed any better after the transmission replacement. I am the original owner of my car. Initially, my car performed very well, quick response to acceleration for the first 35-40 thousand miles. Then, it began to have lack of acceleration. The transmission was replaced by Subaru of America in June 2022 at around 48,000 miles. I brought my car to Elk Grove Subaru approximately 4 times since the transmission was replaced, each time I paid for their hourly diagnostic fee; between $165.00 to $195.00. Each time the service advisor said they found nothing wrong with my car. I took my car to two independent mechanics (

20231014POWER TRAIN

To whom this may concern, My name is [XXX] . I purchased my 2014 Subaru on December 13th, 2013. My car has 57,000 miles on it. It has loss of acceleration when entering a freeway. I push on the gas pedal harder and harder to try to get my car to obtain 60 mph. The car does not respond until minutes go by. The CVT transmission was replaced in June 2022. The car has not performed any better after the transmission replacement. I am the original owner of my car. Initially, my car performed very well, quick response to acceleration for the first 35-40 thousand miles. Then, it began to have lack of acceleration. The transmission was replaced by Subaru of America in June 2022 at around 48,000 miles. I brought my car to Elk Grove Subaru approximately 4 times since the transmission was replaced, each time I paid for their hourly diagnostic fee; between $165.00 to $195.00. Each time the service advisor said they found nothing wrong with my car. I took my car to two independent mechanics (

20230816POWER TRAIN

The transmission on my 2014 Subaru Impreza failed suddenly while I was driving about 70 mph in the middle lane of the interstate. My car began to decelerate rapidly, and I lost all ability to accelerate or even put my car in park. I was able to navigate to the side of the interstate and use the car's emergency brake to come to a stop. The event was extremely traumatic, and I have nightmares about losing control of my vehicle on that interstate with cars whizzing past me. I was stranded in a very remote area, barely making it onto the shoulder of the interstate, over an hour from my home and in a different state. During the three hours I waited for a tow on the side of I-5N, I discovered the many NHTSA bulletins issued regarding CVT transmission issues with the 2014 Impreza and the consequent extended warranty. Thus, I paid out of pocket to have my 2014 Impreza towed the thirty miles to the closest Subaru dealership, expecting the repair to be covered by the warranty. My car’s milea

20230718SUSPENSION

The front control arm bushings are failing. The RF link is broken to the suspension too.

20230718UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The front control arm bushings are failing. The RF link is broken to the suspension too.

20230627POWER TRAIN

While driving on the highway in Denver, the engine stalled - I later learned that a valve spring broke and went through the engine, destroying it. I lost all power - lost braking - but was able to steer the vehicle off to the side of the road. I subsequently learned that about 160,000 Subarus - the same vehicle year, the same model car, the same exact engine - have been recalled by Subaru. However, this car, which suffered the same exact problem was considering "outside the window" of the recall. If I had been on the freeway at a normal rate of speed this could have been a very dangerous accident. My concern is hundreds if not thousands of these cars are still on the road and Subaru is well aware of the problem.

Compare 2014SUBARUIMPREZA to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2014 SUBARU IMPREZA have?
The 2014 SUBARU IMPREZA has 155 NHTSA complaints, 24 crashes, 0 fires, 7 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2014 SUBARU IMPREZA?
The 2014 SUBARU IMPREZA received an overall NHTSA safety rating of 5/5, front crash rating of 4/5, side crash rating of 5/5, and rollover rating of 5/5.
Are there any recalls for the 2014 SUBARU IMPREZA?
Yes, the 2014 SUBARU IMPREZA has 3 recall(s). The most common affected component is EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2014 SUBARU IMPREZA?
The most-complained component for the 2014 SUBARU IMPREZA is AIR BAGS with 38 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Is the 2014 SUBARU IMPREZA safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. The 2014 SUBARU IMPREZA has an NHTSA safety rating of 5/5. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.