Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government
holds on this vehicle.
108
Complaints
16
Crashes
0
Fires
6
Injuries
0
Deaths
Owners of the 2014 Subaru Impreza have filed 108
safety complaints with NHTSA
between April 2014 and June 2026.
The most complained-about system is the air bags,
named in 38 of them
(35%). The typical failure was reported at 49,500 miles, the median
across the 64 complaints that gave an
odometer reading.
NHTSA has issued 3 recalls covering this
vehicle.
Recalls (3)
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
19V149000 · February 28, 2019
The defect
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.
The 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.
The 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.
Subaru of America, Inc. · up to 1,303,530 vehicles across all model years covered
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
18V772000 · November 1, 2018
The defect
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.
The risk
An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
The 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.
Subaru of America, Inc. · up to 165,534 vehicles across all model years covered
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
16V738000 · October 13, 2016
The defect
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.
The risk
If the air injection pump overheats, it may melt and increase the risk of a fire.
The 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.
Subaru of America, Inc. · up to 100,127 vehicles across all model years covered
What owners report
Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add
up to more than 108.
AIR BAGS 38 35%
ENGINE 20 19%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 17 16%
POWER TRAIN 9 8%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 9 8%
STRUCTURE 8 7%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 8 7%
SEATS 5 5%
SUSPENSION 5 5%
WHEELS 5 5%
SERVICE BRAKES 4 4%
STEERING 4 4%
When the complaints arrived
By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures
happened. They peaked in 2019 at 16.
2014 to 2026, the last of them a part year
In owners' own words
Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the
people who filed them, not findings of fault.
AIR BAGS
1 injured · crash · towed · 29,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SUBARU IMPREZA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT'S SHINS AND CALVES SUFFERED NERVE DAMAGE, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION SHOP AND REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AS DESIGNED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 29,000.
NHTSA complaint 10986389. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
AIR BAGS
1 injured · crash · towed
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SUBARU IMPREZA. WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, ANOTHER VEHICLE WAS TURNING RIGHT AND THE CONTACT BUMPED INTO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND BELOW THE KNEES. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD, BACK, KNEES, NECK, AND FACE. MEDICAL TREATMENT WAS REQUIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER WHO REPAIRED THE COSMETIC DAMAGES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT PROVIDE A DEALER AS A REFERRAL TO DIAGNOSE THE AIR BAG FORCE ISSUE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NO SOLUTION FROM THE MANUFACTURER. …
NHTSA complaint 11011339, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
AIR BAGS
1 injured · crash · towed · 91,554 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated while driving at 10 MPH, the contact was making a left turn when another vehicle struck the vehicle on the front driver side door which fractured the side mirror and glass on the driver side door. The air bag did not deploy. The contact was injured and sustained a cut on their left hand due to the glass but declined medical treatment at the scene from the ambulance. The contact mentioned that he will be seeking medical assistance in the future. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a towed yard where the insurance provider inspected the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the …
NHTSA complaint 11438971, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
AIR BAGS
1 injured · crash · towed · 64,000 miles
The contact owned a 2014 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that while his wife was driving approximately 20 mph for unknown reasons, she veered off the road into a ditch, rolled over, and crashed into a tree. There were no warning indicator lights illuminated. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was towed to an independent lot. The driver sustained injuries to her back, fractured vertebrae, and a cracked sternum and received medical attention. A police report was filed. There was no reported fire. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was towed by the insurance company and deemed a total loss. The …
NHTSA complaint 11489320, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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. There is already one other complaint in your database, [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE …
NHTSA complaint 11745495, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ENGINE
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 alongside the pump, inconsistent with WTM-73 as revised by WTM-73R (July 11, 2017). The relay subsequently …
NHTSA complaint 11729310, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
POWER 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 …
NHTSA complaint 11694910, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
62,000 miles
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.
NHTSA complaint 11677019. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ENGINE
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
NHTSA complaint 11663055. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
STRUCTURE:BODY
crash · towed
Unknown
NHTSA complaint 11662436. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon
law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back.
What each state asks for
, read from the statutes.
Where these numbers come from
Complaints: NHTSA's ODI
complaint file
, published August 20, 2026. One
complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.
Recalls: NHTSA's recall
campaign API
, most recent campaign filed August 12, 2026.
Investigations: NHTSA's ODI
investigation file
, published 2026-08-19.
A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by
us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that
sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.
G
Compiled and maintained by guarledes Independent developer and analyst