RoadVitals

2014 Subaru WRX

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
6
Latest Aug 27, 2018
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
10
Latest Jan 2, 2020
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 6 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2014 Subaru WRX, most frequently naming the brakes, engine and body & structure categories. 10 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 210 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Brakes337.5%
  • Engine225.0%
  • Body & structure112.5%
  • Driver assistance112.5%
  • Powertrain (other)112.5%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

10 campaigns cover this model year

View all 10

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
20V001000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Jan 2, 2020
258,813 units potentially affected
The defect: 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, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The 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. Subaru Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-20.
Subaru of America, Inc.Manufacturer number TKA-20View on NHTSA.gov
20V003000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Jan 2, 2020
111,562 units potentially affected
The defect: 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, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The 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. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKC-20.
Subaru of America, Inc.Manufacturer number TKC-20View on NHTSA.gov
20V002000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Jan 2, 2020
127,547 units potentially affected
The defect: 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, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The 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. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-20.
Subaru of America, Inc.Manufacturer number TKB-20View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Engine
Filed Aug 27, 2018

AT APPROXIMATELY 34,000 MILES WHILE IN A DRIVING TO WORK I STARTED HEARING A KNOCKING NOISE BY THE TIME I MADE THE 5 MILE JOURNEY TO WORK THE KNOCKING HAD GOTTEN SO BAD, THAT I HAD TO HAVE IT TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE OIL WAS JUST CHANGED AT THE DEALERSHIP TWO DAYS BEFORE AND WAS STILL FULL. THEY SUBARU DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT WARRANTY THE MAIN BEARING OR ROD KNOCK FAILURE THAT OCCURRED. WHEN I CONTACTED SOA, THEY WERE ALSO NOT ABLE TO HELP. THE DEALERSHIP QUOTED ME ROUGHLY $7,800.00 TO COVER A COMPLETELY NEW SHORT BLOCK. I ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR 3 MONTHS. THIS SEEMS TO BE A REOCCURRING ISSUE WITH MY MODEL OF WRX. I HAD TO SHELL OUT MORE THAN $8,000.00 TO REPLACE THE ENGINE WITH BETTER MORE RELIABLE PARTS BY A PRIVATE PARTY, BECAUSE I DID NOT TRUST THE DEALERSHIPS OR SOA.

NHTSA ID
11122679
Incident
Feb 2, 2018
Mileage
34,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Nov 7, 2017

CLUTCH THROW OUT BEARING PREMATURE FAILURE (ALSO KNOWN AS RELEASE BEARING). REPLACED TOB AT APPROX 16,000 MILES, 33,000 AND 44,000 MILES. THE CAR IS NOW ON IT'S 4TH THROW OUT BEARING WITH 46,000 MILES AND THE BEARING IS ALREADY MAKING NOISE AGAIN. THE SYMPTOM IS A CHIRPING BEARING SOUND WHEN THE CLUTCH IS PUSHED PARTIALLY OR FULLY TO THE FLOOR, AND AGAIN WHEN YOU START TO LET THE CLUTCH BACK OUT. THE NOISE GOES AWAY WHEN THE CLUTCH PETAL IS OUT (NOT IN USE). THIS HAPPENS WHETHER THE CAR IS STATIONARY OR IN MOTION. THE SOUND GOES AWAY AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN DRIVEN A FEW MILES, BUT HAPPENS EVERY TIME THE CAR IS DRIVEN AFTER IT'S BEEN SITTING FOR A WHILE (LONG ENOUGH TO COOL DOWN). EVEN THOUGH IT SEEMS LIKE THIS IS NOT A SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM BECAUSE THE NOISE GOES AWAY AFTER YOU DRIVE A FEW MILES, EVERY TIME I HAVE HAD THE TRANSMISSION REMOVED SO THE CLUTCH CAN BE INSPECTED THE THROW OUT BEARING SHOWS SIGNIFICANT WEAR AS WELL AS THE FINGERS ON THE PRESSURE PLATE. THE CLUTCH PLATE ITSELF AND FLYWHEEL SHOW ONLY NORMAL WEAR, BUT THE THROW OUT BEARING FAILURE IS CHRONIC AND REOCCURRING (IT'S HAPPENED WITH FOUR BEARINGS NOW ON THIS CAR). I BELIEVE THAT IF THE THROW OUT BEARING WAS NOT REPLACED AT THE FREQUENCY THAT I REPLACED IT, IT WOULD LEAD TO SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE ENTIRE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY AND POSSIBLY TRANSMISSION. SUBARU PAID FOR THE FIRST TWO REPAIRS, BUT NOT THE MOST RECENT ONE. AT THIS POINT I THINK IT IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECTIVE PART (THE THROW OUT BEARING) - BUT SUBARU IS NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY AND I HAVE VERY LITTLE OPTIONS OTHER THAN PAYING FOR A $1,500 REPAIR (ALL LABOR FOR A $50 PART - THAT'S RIGHT - THE TOB IS ONLY A $50 PART) EVERY 10,000-15,000 MILES. THAT'S A HELL OF A MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE.

NHTSA ID
11044036
Incident
Sep 4, 2017
Mileage
44,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 15, 2016

ENGINE EXPERIENCED ROD BEARING FAILURE ON TWO ROD BEARINGS. WAS TRAVELING DOWN HIGHWAY WHEN ENGINE DIED. COASTED OFF OF THE HIGHWAY AND STOPPED. WHEN TRYING TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE WAS HARD TO TURN OVER, AND KNOCKED WHILE RUNNING AFTER IT STARTED.

NHTSA ID
10885144
Incident
Jun 18, 2016
Mileage
25,000 mi
Body & structureBrakes
Filed Sep 26, 2015

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.

NHTSA ID
10777875
Incident
Sep 26, 2015
Mileage
42,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jul 28, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SUBARU WRX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF THE EXACT REPAIRS MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
10616858
Incident
Jun 23, 2014
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Jan 28, 2014

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. THE OTHER POSSIBILITY IS THE BRAKE FLUID USED DURING ASSEMBLY IS ALREADY SUPERSATURATED WITH MOISTURE AND THE COLD TEMPS ALLOWED THE SUSPENDED WATER TO FALL OUT OF SUSPENSION AND FREEZE IN THE HYDRAULIC LINES. VEHICLE WAS SAFE TO DRIVE, THE BRAKE'S MECHANICAL ACTION WAS UNAFFECTED BY THE FAULT. THE BRAKE AND CLUTCH PEDALS (WHICH I BELIEVE TO USE THE SAME FLUID) IT DID FEEL LIKE I WAS PUSHING THROUGH MUD. I DID CONFIRM THE ABS WAS NOT FUNCTIONAL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10561915
Incident
Jan 21, 2014
Mileage
2,200 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

SubaruNet Annoucement (E

This announcement is requesting retailer staff to retain the EyeSight protective hood covers from Generation 4 EyeSight cameras.

01-167-08R

This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models.

SubaruNet Announcement (R

POWER TRAIN

This announcement provides information on the remanufactured CVT transmission program.

07-240-26R

This Service Information Bulletin was developed to provide interim guidance for vehicles exhibiting DTC B2A20.

03-97-26

POWER TRAIN

This bulletin announces the service manual correction regarding clutch master cylinder reservoir service procedures.

01-167-08R

This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Subaru WRX by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026000—
2025200—
2024130037.5
2023710—
2022251048.6
2021131035.5
2020171042.4
2019302047.7
2018422057.6
2017531052.1
2016313046.1
2015523044.0
2014Viewing6100—
20137110—
20122120—
20114110—
20101120—
20094110044.8
2008657044.9
2007030—
2006144045.9
2005195041.8
2004425154.4
2003602563.0
20024272558.4

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.