2014 Subaru Impreza Problems

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 50,000 miles. Parts named most: Sensor: occupant classification (8).

What to check before you buy

• The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
• Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.

Tools that help

What owners said

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, filed 2024

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…Owner complaint, filed 2022, at 64,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 46,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
• Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
• Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
• Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.

Tools that help

What owners said

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…Owner complaint, filed 2026

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 nextOwner complaint, filed 2025

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 42,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
• Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
• Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.

Tools that help

What owners said

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…Owner complaint, filed 2026

One day my blower motor wouldn't turn on and my switch was actually stuck, unable to adjust at all. After checking all fuses and relays I pulled out the control panel and noticed significant electrical damage to both the switch itself and the wiring harness. This is a very dangerous fire hazard to myself and my family. I've done research…Owner complaint, filed 2023

What to check before you buy

• Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
• Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
• Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
• If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.

Tools that help

What owners said

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…Owner complaint, filed 2025

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.…Owner complaint, filed 2023

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 54,000 miles. Parts named most: Body (5).

What to check before you buy

• Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
• Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
• Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.

Tools that help

What owners said

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…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 190,417 miles

Factory clutch and break spot welds weak. Two have completely sheared from firewall and squeak when engaging\disengaging clutch petal. Entire pedal assembly flexes under pressure from the clutch or break pedal press.Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 80,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 5,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
• Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.

Tools that help

What owners said

I was starting to reverse out of a parking spot in an underground parking lot. (It was about 10 am). The car accelerated and went backwards at top speed into a wall and door that led to elevators. It happened very suddenly. I did not have time to brake before impact. The car was still running after impact and I had to switch off the…Owner complaint, filed 2022

The contact owns a 2014 subaru impreza. While the vehicle was idling at a red light with the brake pedal depressed, the engine revved and the vehicle [VIN] without warning. As a result, the contact's vehicle crashed into the rear of another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained a neck injury that required medical…Owner complaint, filed 2017, at 92,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 62,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
• Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.

Tools that help

What owners said

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…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 62,000 miles

2014 subaru imprezza. Customer is concerned about the head restraints regulations and thinks they should be modified. *cw the consumer stated the head restraints, were overly restrictive, [VIN] bad for driver's posture, and devastating to shorter people and others with existing pr potential shoulder, back and neck problems. The consumer…Owner complaint, filed 2014

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 3,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
• Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
• The tire pressure light should go out after startup.

Tools that help

What owners said

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…Owner complaint, filed 2024

Hit small pot hole which other cars were driving over with no failures. I called subaru roadside assistance. They put donut flat on.Owner complaint, filed 2014, at 1,436 miles

What to check before you buy

• The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
• The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
• Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.

Tools that help

What owners said

My 2014 subaru has less then 21,000 miles and the front brakes started making a grinding noise whhile the car was moving. It turns out that the calipers were binding up due to rust, presumably from road salt. My car spent 2 winters in utah and the remainder of its short 3 year life in the california bay area. I contacted subaru customer…Owner complaint, filed 2017, at 21,000 miles

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…Owner complaint, filed 2023

What to check before you buy

• Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
• Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
• Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.

Tools that help

What owners said

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…Owner complaint, filed 2023

There is a problem with the suspension system on the subaru impreza. The inside of the tires will wear out [VIN] and the outside of the tire will have plenty of tread on it. If the owner does not check the whole tire they will miss it and could result in a blown tire. Have heard of many impreza owners having this problem. Talked to a…Owner complaint, filed 2016, at 30,000 miles

What to check before you buy

• Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
• On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
• A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

My car has an uneven steering effort. The steering is tighter and more difficult to steer when driving, while turning right. The problem is getting worse in the two years I've owned this car. A service bulletin was released 7/24/18, number: 04-21-18, showing several models of subaru's have this steering issue. I have attached the…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 40,000 miles

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…Owner complaint, filed 2023

What to check before you buy

• Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
• On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
• Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

The gas guage innaccurately describes how much gas is left in the tank. I filled my tank from 40 miles two weeks ago. I paid $32 for the gas and it only read 170 miles till empty unlike the usual 300 miles. 5 hours later, when it corrected itself, returning to 300 miles. This week, upon filling my car up at 40 miles till empty, I paid…Owner complaint, filed 2018, at 34,000 miles

About 6-8 months ago as I was making a turn I pressed the brake pedal and instead of slowing down the engine throttled up. And after a few moments went back to normal. Two weeks ago as I pressed the brake pedal while coming to a stop sign the engine throttled up and I had difficulty coming to a stop. I put the car in park and turned it…Owner complaint, filed 2015, at 4,900 miles

What to check before you buy

• Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
• Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.

Tools that help

What owners said

I adujsted steering wheel and tried to start the ignition and no crank, no lights on dash and car windows wont work. This car is well taking care of at subaru dealership only. Please help.Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 42,500 miles