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Research · Compact Cars · 3 NHTSA variants

2014 Subaru ImprezaRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 108 owner complaints for the 2014 Subaru Impreza. Most complaints involve air bags (38) and engine (20). The EPA rates it 19–30 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
19–30mpg
EPA · 8 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Feb 2019
Owner complaints
108
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$2,150est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

3 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Exterior lighting: switch

Free remedy

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.

Exterior lightingReported Feb 28, 2019NHTSA 19V149000

Engine and engine cooling: engine

Free remedy

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.

Engine and engine coolingReported Nov 1, 2018NHTSA 18V772000

Electrical system

Free remedy

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.

Electrical systemReported Oct 13, 2016NHTSA 16V738000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

108 complaints filed with NHTSA · Apr 2014 – Jun 2026
  1. Air bags38
  2. Engine20
  3. Electrical system17
  4. Power train9
  5. Structure8
  6. Vehicle speed control8
  7. Wheels5
  8. Suspension5
  9. Seats5

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Impreza model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
199626
199734
199830
199922
200041
200111
2002296
200364
200496
200575
200656
200768
2008209
2009113
201046
201158
2012243
2013251
2014108
201579
201675
2019194
202432
20255
20261
Crashes reported
16
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
6
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

38 reports5 crashes
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 11, 2024Air bagsODI 11619259

Engine

20 reports2 crashes
“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 failed, requiring a separate visit. Components are unavailable for inspection. The problems were confirmed and repaired by an authorized Subaru dealership in Sterling, VA. Service records document both failures. For the February 2026 repair, the dealership mistakenly concluded the repair was under warranty and completed it as such - then later tried to backtrack and make me pay. The March 2026 return visit confirmed blown fuses and a failed relay due to incomplete initial…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 5, 2026EngineODI 11729310

Electrical system

17 reports2 crashes
“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].”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 21, 2026Electrical systemODI 11745495
All 2014 Impreza problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

8 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Compact Cars, Small Station Wagons
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl · 2.5L 4-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Manual 5-spd · Manual 6-spd
Drive
All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline · Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Impreza AWD
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · All-Wheel Drive
273530$2,150300
Impreza Wagon AWD
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · All-Wheel Drive
273530$2,150300
Impreza AWD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · All-Wheel Drive
243328$2,300323
Impreza Wagon AWD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · All-Wheel Drive
243327$2,400324
Impreza AWD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
192521$3,800426
Impreza Wagon AWD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
192521$3,800426
Impreza AWD
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
172319$4,200468
Impreza Wagon AWD
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
172319$4,200468
  • Impreza AWD
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    27 city · 35 hwy · $2,150/yr
    30
    mpg comb.
  • Impreza Wagon AWD
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    27 city · 35 hwy · $2,150/yr
    30
    mpg comb.
  • Impreza AWD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    24 city · 33 hwy · $2,300/yr
    28
    mpg comb.
  • Impreza Wagon AWD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    24 city · 33 hwy · $2,400/yr
    27
    mpg comb.
  • Impreza AWD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo
    19 city · 25 hwy · $3,800/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Impreza Wagon AWD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo
    19 city · 25 hwy · $3,800/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Impreza AWD
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo
    17 city · 23 hwy · $4,200/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Impreza Wagon AWD
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo
    17 city · 23 hwy · $4,200/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

4 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Subaru Impreza SW AWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
4 of 5
Rollover
5 of 5
Rollover risk
9.9%
Overall
5 / 5
Subaru Impreza 4 DR AWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
4 of 5
Rollover
5 of 5
Rollover risk
9.9%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 8606Vehicle 8605Vehicle 8610
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2014 Impreza questions

How many recalls does the 2014 Subaru Impreza have?

3 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2014 Subaru Impreza problems?

Owners filed 108 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (38), engine (20), electrical system (17). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2014 Subaru Impreza get?

The EPA rates the 2014 Subaru Impreza at 19–30 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (8 versions rated).

How safe is the 2014 Subaru Impreza?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2014 Subaru Impreza 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026