2014 Subaru Impreza Engine Problems

20 owners have reported engine & cooling problems with the 2014 Subaru Impreza to NHTSA — 19% of all 108 complaints for this model year. The typical failure happened around 50,000 miles. That ranks #5 of 30 Impreza model years for engine complaints (a typical year has 6). One related recall has been issued.

20complaints
50ktypical miles
1related recalls
2crashes
0fires
0injuries

Mileage when the problem started

  • Under 25k
    433%
  • 25k–50k
    217%
  • 50k–75k
    433%
  • 75k–100k
    18%
  • 100k–150k
    18%
  • 150k+
    00%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2014 Subaru Impreza owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

2 differt items not sure if interconnected. Drove out of driveway and 3 blocks away the car was shaking violently and could not go more than 5 miles an hour. Was able to turn around and pull into driveway and the car died and would not start. Subarau dealer said it was the Engine Control Module and replaced it for free. There was a recall done on the 2012 Impreza for same problem and mine is a 2014 with only 35,990 miles. Should be a recall for this model year also. This would have been very dangerous if I was on the freeway and I would hate to have it happen to someone else. A week before the car died I was having problems with my key frequently getting stuck in the ignition when it was in park. Had to pull the car in and out of parking spaces and play with steering wheel constantly to release the key. This was happening a lot. …

Jun 2021

The engine cooling system failed and put myself and my step-daughter at risk while driving on the freeway. When I got off the freeway, the vehicle stalled and I was unable to move the car. I got a tow to move the car. The electrical system was messing up for the windows and the radio, I was unaware of the other parts of the vehicle it was affecting. I just tolerated it for the time being. When my car overheated, The red warning temperature lights came on, the blue warning lamp that tells the temperature, and the tract warning lamp, as well as the check engine lamp. They did not turn on prior to this. I took the vehicle to John Hine Subaru. The car went from being my most reliable, to this unpredictable incident.

Apr 2021

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, the same exact engine - have been recalled by Subaru. However, this car, which suffered the same exact problem was considering "outside the window" of the recall. If I had been on the freeway at a normal rate of speed this could have been a very dangerous accident. My concern is hundreds if not thousands of these cars are still on the road and Subaru is well aware of the problem.

May 2023

The Vehicle is a Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle ; this has now started to cause the vehicle in warm/hot weather to trigger EVAP codes. This is not fixed by checking gas cap or replacing anything else. I have had the vehicle to the dealership where I was told they dont know why , but ignore it. However living in a state that has inspections every year for tags, this is not possible. This is a well know issue and you can find hundreds of examples online of other people that have had the same problem.

May 2023

While under warranty, took my vehicle to a subaru dealership as I was having problems with the check engine light coming up and having no power. I was told they couldn't replicate the problem. I drove home and on my way home my motor failed and wouldn't start.

Sep 2019

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

Feb 2023

I own a 2014 Subaru Impreza WRX which was still under warranty(48xxx miles) I've been having issues with my vehicle where at times it shuts off on me whenever I come to a complete stop. I've taken it to a Subaru dealership multiple times and they always told me "They couldn't replicate the problem or didn't find any issue." I was on my way back home from work when all of a sudden on the freeway the car completely turned off while driving highway speed. I was able to safely pull over on the highway and tried turning the car back on and the check Engine light was on with a flashing cruise control light, I turned it off and had it towed home. I read the code and it came out to be a P0011 and a P0021. …

Aug 2021

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. …

Feb 2026

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.

50,000 miles · Jul 2017 · crash

Had just pulled into driveway and was putting car into park when it suddenly accelerated--revved--and crashed through the wooden garage door and into the poured concrete wall at end of garage, cracking it and moving wall behind it.

50,000 miles · Jul 2017 · crash

Related recalls

Engine and engine cooling › Engine

NHTSA recall 18V-772 · Nov 1, 2018 · 165,534 vehicles

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.

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.

Engine complaints in other Impreza years

’95’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’254217132255812132720106567620113141110311121
Engine complaints per model year, Subaru Impreza.

Frequently asked questions

How common are engine problems on the 2014 Subaru Impreza?

NHTSA has 20 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2014 Subaru Impreza, 19% of the model year's 108 complaints.

Is there a recall for 2014 Subaru Impreza engine problems?

Yes — NHTSA recall 18V-772 (engine, Nov 1, 2018). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

At what mileage do 2014 Subaru Impreza engine problems start?

Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 50,000 miles, and 33% before 25,000 miles.

Is it dangerous?

Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling 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.