Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2014 Subaru Impreza owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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 failure mileage was approximately 64,000.
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 failure. The failure mileage was 91,554.
The contact owns a The contact stated while driving approximately 10 mph when the contact was hit by a different vehicle which resulted in the air bags not deploying. The contact sustained a cut on his hand and soreness in his back. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic where it was awaiting repairs. The manufacturer was informed of failure and was awaiting a response. The failure mileage was approximately 91,543.
The contact owns a 2014 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the driver's side air bag exploded without warning or impact. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 105,000.
Not quite sure what specific part or wiring location but it's somewhere in the electrical system. The car is available for inspection upon request. Started out with electrical system on not allowing the windows to roll down and the Bluetooth connection malfunctioning to cause a high pitched screech. It is ear piercing and scared me half to death driving down the street with rush hour traffic and almost caused me to crash into someone. It does it at unprompted times and would be afraid to swerve into somebody and cause an accident. Trying to turn it off or turning the volume down makes it louder and the only way I've gotten it to stop is to turn off the car. A couple of days later, the power wouldn't turn off on the media center or cycling through modes (FM/AM radio, Bluetooth, USB, CD) and caused the same high pitched screech. …
Passenger airbag turned off while driving with an adult passenger in seat. Pull over and turn car off it will be on again. Will happen completely at random when driving, not that often but about once a week. Dealer told me it was probably water damage to the sensor and to replace the whole seat for over 1000$ . Never heard of another cars airbag sensor system breaking or becoming u reliable if it gets wet....because car seats get wet all the time. And if I replace it it will get wet again. If someone sits on seat who is even the least bit sweaty it will turn itself off. But also will turn off when there is just a normal (non sweaty or wet ) adult person riding in seat, while in the middle of driving! It's extremely unsafe and if this is the design plan extremely unfair and ridiculous for the consumer.
Airbag notification light sometimes turns to off even when a passenger is in passenger seat. This causes me great concern as if I were in an accident would my passenger be protected? Looks like Subaru issued a recall for the 2012 model but not for the 2014 model. Please help me keep my passenger in the front seat safe and have Subaru fix this known problem.
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.
I purchased this vehicle 06/23/2021. I drove it the first time long distance (Concord NH to Stoughton MA) with a passenger for the first time three days after purchase. The passenger air bag is off light came on and would not register my passenger. It worked on and off the entire ride, starting with it working and then would shut off, on the highway, while my passenger never moved from the seat. I called the dealership and they said they would look at it. They did nothing, they blamed it on the seats having been steam cleaned (that dampness messes with the sensors? as if that's a reasonable reason my airbag won't deploy?) I asked if they checked the connections and they just blanket answered that they'd need to see it with the light on, and that 'i'm sure the technician checked everything'. …
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.
Airbag complaints in other Impreza years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2014 Subaru Impreza?
NHTSA has 38 complaints about the air bags of the 2014 Subaru Impreza, 35% of the model year's 108 complaints. The component named most often is sensor › occupant classification (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2014 Subaru Impreza airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2014 Subaru Impreza, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2014 Subaru Impreza airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 50,000 miles, and 19% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 0 fires and 4 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.