2014 Subaru WRX Problems & Complaints

Better than average72% fewer complaints than a typical year of the WRX at the same age

Owners have filed 6 complaints about the 2014 Subaru WRX with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is 72% fewer than a typical WRX model year at the same age, making the 2014 one of the better WRX years. The most reported problem area is the brakes (3 complaints, typically around 42,000 miles). 10 recalls cover this model year.

6complaints
10recalls
0crashes
0fires
0injuries
0deaths

Most common 2014 Subaru WRX problems

  • Brakes~42,000 miles
    350%
  • Engine & cooling~34,000 miles
    233%
  • Speed control & acceleration~2,000 miles
    117%
  • Stability & traction control~2,000 miles
    117%
  • Body & structure~42,000 miles
    117%
  • Transmission & drivetrain~44,000 miles
    117%

Share of the 6 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

Subaru WRX complaints by model year

’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24427604219146541142765231534330171325814
Owner complaints per model year, Subaru WRX. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).

Best WRX years: 2010, 2012, 2011. Years to avoid: 2017, 2015, 2022, 2009, 2024. Compare all years →

2014 Subaru WRX recalls (10)

Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 20V-001 · Jan 2, 2020 · 258,813 vehicles

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (STI included), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi,…

Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators with alternate inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020.

Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 20V-003 · Jan 2, 2020 · 111,562 vehicles

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts,…

Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020.

Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 20V-002 · Jan 2, 2020 · 127,547 vehicles

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas,…

Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020.

Electrical system › Ignition › Switch

NHTSA recall 19V-297 · Apr 11, 2019 · 511 vehicles

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, 2008-2011 Impreza vehicles, 2008-2014 WRX vehicles, 2005-2014 Legacy vehicles, 2005-2014 Outback vehicles and 2006-2008 Tribeca vehicles equipped with a mechanical key ignition switch installed as a replacement part.

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ignition switch, replacing the ignition switch, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 10, 2019.

Exterior lighting › Brake lights › Switch

NHTSA recall 19V-149 · Feb 28, 2019 · 1,303,530 vehicles

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.

Remedy: 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.

Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 19V-009 · Jan 9, 2019 · 452,630 vehicles

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles and 2010-2013 Forester vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York,…

Remedy: Subaru is notifying owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614.

Show 4 more recalls

Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 19V-008 · Jan 9, 2019 · 330,120 vehicles

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Outback, and Legacy vehicles, 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles and 2010-2013 Forester vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska,…

Remedy: Subaru is notifying owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614.

Air bags › Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 19V-007 · Jan 9, 2019 · 43,394 vehicles

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2013 Forester, 2010-2014 Tribeca, WRX, Outback, Legacy, and 2010-2011 Impreza vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the…

Remedy: Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 25, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614.

Service brakes, hydraulic

NHTSA recall 14V-830 · Dec 31, 2014 · 200,064 vehicles

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Impreza, 2008-2014 WRX and STI, and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, currently, or formerly, registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York,…

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will apply an anti-corrosion wax to the four-way joint connector area of the brake line system, free of charge. The recall began on January 27, 2015.

Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

NHTSA recall 14V-311 · Jun 10, 2014 · 461,338 vehicles

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Outback and Legacy, 2008-2011 Impreza and 2008-2014 Impreza WRX/STI, and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, currently, or formerly, registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New…

Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will test the brake system by depressing the brake pedal and inspecting for brake fluid leaks.

What 2014 Subaru WRX owners say

Brakes

While depressing the clutch or brake pedal in the vehicle I see excessive flex at the firewall and noticeable movement of break and clutch cylinders. My spot welds do not appear broken at this time however they are likely to fatigue and break. This appears to be a major defect which is a safety concern as it affects breaking and shifting. Subaru should be held accountable and correct the problem.

42,000 miles · Sep 2015

In *extremely* cold weather - below of - the vehicle will start successfully however the stability/traction control, anti-lock brakes, and "hill-assist" (part of the ABS system) trouble indicator lights will light and stay lit. Based on the instruction manual if this occurs, I should cycle the ignition to see if the code clears. This is an unacceptable solution because the car's battery is already extremely stressed due to the cold temperature and May not restart the vehicle. However, on one occurrence I did cycle the ignition and the problem remained. While I recognize that a more vicious brake fluid is needed in a performance vehicle of this type, if the ABS pump's orifices were larger this issue might not occur. …

2,000 miles · Jan 2014

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2014 Subaru WRX a good car?

Based on 6 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2014 WRX rates better than average: 72% fewer complaints than a typical year of the WRX at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.

What is the most common problem with the 2014 Subaru WRX?

The brakes — 3 complaints, 50% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the engine & cooling (2) and speed control & acceleration (1).

How many recalls does the 2014 Subaru WRX have?

There are 10 recalls for the 2014 Subaru WRX, the most recent from January 2, 2020 (inflator module). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.

What are the best and worst years of the Subaru WRX?

The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2010, 2012 and 2011. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2017, 2015, 2022, 2009 and 2024. See the full Subaru WRX years comparison.

At what mileage do 2014 Subaru WRX problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 34,000 miles; 100% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.

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.