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2014 Subaru Impreza Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2014 Subaru Impreza carries 3 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering switch and engine. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “CVT transmission failure and fluid loss.” Subaru's symmetrical AWD system places unusually high demands on differential fluid and transfer case service — skipping these is the most common cause of premature drivetrain wear. Older Subarus with the EJ25 engine (pre-2011) require timing belt replacement; FB and FA engines (2011+) use a maintenance-free chain. Subaru's published intervals below align with the owner's manual Schedule II (severe) which most US drivers qualify for.

3 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

Campaign #19V149000 · Feb 28, 2019

Issue: 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.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

Campaign #18V772000 · Jan 11, 2018

Issue: 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.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Campaign #16V738000 · Oct 13, 2016

Issue: 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.

Recall data refreshed Sep 6, 2026.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2014 Subaru Impreza.

Reported to NHTSA

CVT transmission failure and fluid loss

POWER TRAIN

5 NHTSA complaints · 2019-01 → 2025-10

“My check engine light and other lights simultaneously lit up while driving 50 mph down the highway. The car started to “buck” slightly. I pulled over, let it cool a bit, checked the oil”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11522675
“I AM FILING A COMPLAINT FOR MY SUBARU AS THE TRANSMISSION IS FAILING. I WAS UNAWARE OF THIS AND NEVER EVEN NOTIFIED OF AN ISSUE OR AN EXTENDED WARRANTY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11172083
“The transmission on my 2014 Subaru Impreza failed suddenly while I was driving about 70 mph in the middle lane of the interstate”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11538910

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Valve spring failure causing engine seizure

ENGINE

7 NHTSA complaints · 2018-08 → 2025-05

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11663055
“THE CONTACT WAS NOTIFIED OF A FRACTURED VALVE SPRING IN CYLINDER NUMBER 3 WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO CEASE AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE CYLINDER AND PISTON”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11302850
“WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED (55MPH IN CALIFORNIA) I HEARD A LOUD SLAPPING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE AREA. THE HIGHWAY WAS RELATIVELY STRAIGHT. A FEW MINUTES LATER THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR BEGAN TO SLOW”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11123317

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Passenger-side airbag occupancy sensor failure

AIR BAGS

30 NHTSA complaints · 2015-07 → 2022-09

“PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG SENSOR DOES NOT OPERATE PROPERLY. AIRBAG DOES NOT TURN ON WHEN A PASSENGER IS SITTING IN THE SEAT, BOTH WHEN STATIONARY AND IN MOTION”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11165187
“WHILE DRIVING (ON ANY KIND OF ROAD), A LIGHT INDICATING THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS OFF WILL ILLUMINATE, EVEN WHEN THERE IS A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT. THE LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY, AND SOMETIMES THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WILL BECOME ACTIVE EVEN WITH NO PASSENGER IN THE SEAT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11337744
“AT ABOUT 30,000 MILES THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG OCCUPANCY SENSOR FAILED. IT DID NOT DETECT A PASSENGER PRESENT DESPITE AN AVERAGE SIZED ADULT BEING IN THE SEAT. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SENSOR. THE SAME THING OCCURRED AT ABOUT 75,000 MILES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11316099

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

HVAC blower motor wiring harness melting

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

4 NHTSA complaints · 2019-02 → 2026-06

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11745495
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11525812
“The Blower assembly in my car stopped working suddenly- When i looked into it, a short/electrical failure had happened that caused the wire harness and other components to melt inside the system”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11524486

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Unintended acceleration during low-speed maneuvers

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

10 NHTSA complaints · 2014-04 → 2022-02

“I EXPERIENCED SUDDEN EXTREME ACCELERATION JUST AFTER I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY. THE CAR SUDDENLY--VERY RAPIDLY--ACCELERATED AND CRASHED THROUGH WOODEN GARAGE DOOR AND INTO THE POURED CONCRETE WALL AT BACK OF GARAGE, CRACKING THE WALL AND OF COURSE TOTALING THE CAR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11012263
“DRIVER WAS PARKING VEHICLE IN A PARKING LOT WHEN IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED FORWARD, CROSSING PARKING BARRIER, BUSHES IN PLANTING AT EDGE OF LOT, AND SIDEWALK HITTING A PARKED CAR. DRIVER STATES THAT BRAKE WAS DEPRESSED AT TIME OF INCIDENT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10620908
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11453117

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Ignition key stuck in park position

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

5 NHTSA complaints · 2014-06 → 2025-02

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11643755
“Key won't completely shut off car of come out of ignition”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11580532
“THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF, AND WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH WHILE THE SHIFTER WAS STILL IN DRIVE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10604863

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 11, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 11, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 6,000 mi

Replace 0W-20 full-synthetic oil and filter every 6,000 miles. WRX/STI 2.0L/2.5L turbo: 3,750 miles. Non-turbo FB engines: 6,000 miles severe / 10,000 normal.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate tires every 7,500 miles. Critical on Subaru AWD — uneven tread depth across all 4 tires (>2/32") forces the center differential to bind, damaging the AWD coupling.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, calipers, and parking brake every 7,500 miles. Outback and Forester pads commonly last 35,000-50,000 miles depending on terrain.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Front Differential / Manual Transmission Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace front differential and manual transmission fluid every 30,000 miles. CVT models use proprietary Subaru CVT fluid — a separate item.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Rear Differential Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace rear differential fluid every 30,000 miles. Use Subaru 75W-90 GL-5 — substitutes can cause whining noises within months.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

CVT Fluid (Lineartronic)

Every 30,000 mi

Subaru CVT models (Outback, Legacy, Forester, Crosstrek, Impreza, Ascent): replace Lineartronic CVT fluid every 30,000 miles severe / 60,000 normal. Subaru High-Torque CVT-II fluid only — incorrect fluid destroys the chain-and-pulley system.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$360–$500

Shop

~$255–$355

DIY

~$80–$180

CVT fluid is manufacturer-specific and pricey — do NOT substitute conventional ATF.

Timing Belt (EJ25 engines, pre-2011)

Every 105,000 mi

Older Subarus with the EJ25 boxer engine (Forester, Outback, Legacy 1996-2010): replace timing belt every 105,000 miles. FB and FA boxer engines (2011+) use a chain — no scheduled replacement.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$935–$1175

Shop

~$655–$825

DIY

Pro only

On interference engines, a snapped belt destroys valves. Worth doing on schedule. Bundle water pump + tensioner — labor is already there.

Brake Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 30,000 miles or 30 months. Subaru's brake hold and EyeSight automatic emergency braking depend on uncontaminated fluid.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace engine air filter every 30,000 miles. WRX/STI: inspect every oil change due to the higher airflow demand of the turbo intake.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Spark Plugs

Every 60,000 mi

Iridium plugs every 60,000 miles on FB engines. WRX/STI 2.5L turbo: 30,000 miles due to higher cylinder pressures and EGT.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Super Coolant

Every 30,000 mi

Subaru Super Coolant (blue): first change at 137,500 miles or 11 years, then every 30,000 miles. Do not substitute green or orange — head gasket sealing chemistry depends on the formula.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 15,000 mi

Replace cabin air filter every 15,000 miles. Behind the glove box on most Subaru models.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

42 crashes 2010–2024

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

16

complaints mentioning a crash

0

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2014 Subaru Impreza reflects Subaru's published service intervals. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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