This bulletin provides information regarding Event Data Recorder (EDR) functionality which has been incorporated into the airbag system.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2014 Subaru Impreza airbags problems
severe 35 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
35
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
5crashes
4injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 35 airbags complaints filed for the 2014 Subaru Impreza, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Airbags accounts for 33% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 10 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 35 airbags complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering airbags on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This Bulletin provides information regarding Event Data Recorder (EDR) functionality which has been incorporated into the airbag system.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Bulletin provides information regarding Event Data Recorder (EDR) functionality which has been incorporated into the airbag system.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗NOTE: The Airbag systems used on previous and current WRX, STI and Tribeca models are NOT equipped with EDR functionality. This Bulletin provides information regarding Event Data Recorder (EDR) functionality which has been incorporated into the airbag system. The function of the EDR is best explained using the following statements found in the vehicle Owner?s Manual: ?This vehicle is equipped with an event data recorder (EDR). The main purpose of an EDR is to record, in certain crash or near crash-like situations such as an airbag deployment or hitting a road obstacle, data that will assist in the understanding how a vehicle?s systems performed. The EDR is designed to record data related to
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Event Data Recorder (EDR) Function of Airbag Module
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2014 Imprezas describe a pattern of passenger-side airbag failures centered on a faulty occupancy sensor. The sensor intermittently fails to detect an adult passenger, triggering an "airbag off" warning light even when someone is seated. The problem repeats across model years—despite a 2012 Impreza recall for the identical defect (recall #WQT-55 / campaign 15V419000), Subaru has not extended that recall to 2014 models.
The sensor is sensitive to moisture. Owners report the airbag disables itself when a passenger is damp from rain, sweat after exercise, or hot weather—conditions that trigger the warning light to remain on. Subaru's documented response is that this behavior is "normal" and has advised owners to move passengers to the back seat until the seat dries, a solution owners reasonably reject as a safety failure.
Dealership attempts to diagnose the problem are often fruitless. The warning light frequently resets after an engine restart, leaving technicians unable to find an active fault code. Subaru has offered no permanent repair and quoted seat replacement ($1,000+) as the only option, which some owners report fails to resolve the issue long-term.
A smaller number of complaints document actual airbag failure to deploy during low-speed collisions, causing occupant injury. One report documents spontaneous airbag explosion at rest. Owners view the sensor defect and deployment failures as interconnected safety problems reflecting a systemic design or quality issue Subaru has not adequately addressed.
Same Subaru Impreza airbags reports on nearby years: 2011 · 2012 · 2013
Failure modes owners describe
Passenger Occupancy Sensor Malfunction—Fails to Detect Seated Passenger
The passenger-side occupant classification sensor intermittently or persistently fails to recognize when an adult passenger is seated, causing the airbag to remain disabled. This occurs with no warning code present or only historical wet-sensor codes. Owners report the light comes on unpredictably, then turns off when restarting the engine, making diagnosis at a dealership difficult.
When: Occurs at any mileage, often starting shortly after purchase; one case at 51,000 miles, another at 75,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger airbag OFF light illuminates even when occupied passenger in seat; Airbag light appears intermittently during driving; System fails to detect passenger weight across wide range (156 lb, 200 lb adults); Issue resolves temporarily after engine restart; Passenger seatbelt warning chimes despite occupied seat
Codes mentioned: B1650: Occupant Classification System Malfunction
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers quote seat replacement (over $1,000). Subaru has replaced passenger seat bottom/sensor under warranty on some vehicles. One owner reported the issue recurred after sensor replacement at 75,000 miles. One case shows historical wet-sensor error codes but no current fault code.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall #WQT-55 / Campaign 15V419000 issued for 2012 Impreza. Same issue noted in 2015–2018 Forester recalls. No official recall issued for 2014 Impreza despite identical failure pattern. Subaru Tech Support told one owner the damp-seat behavior is 'normal' and unrepairable.
Passenger Airbag Disabled When Seat or Occupant is Damp or Wet
The occupancy sensor shuts down the passenger airbag when the seat or the passenger's clothing has any moisture—from rain, sweat after exercise, damp clothing from snow sports, or even a wet passenger after a beach trip. Owners report this as an unacceptable safety gap since normal travel exposes passengers to moisture regularly.
When: Occurs intermittently, triggered by weather and activity; one case involved damp passenger from snow sports; another involved passenger damp from rain/beach.
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag OFF light activates when passenger or seat is wet or damp; System disables airbag even with adult passenger physically present; Issue predictable in rainy conditions, hot/damp weather, or after sweating/sports; Drying of seat/clothing causes light to reset after hours or next day
Repairs/costs cited: No permanent repair available per Subaru Tech Support. Dealer advised keeping passenger in back seat until seat dries. One owner had sensor/seat replaced under warranty but issue recurred. Estimated cost $1,000+ for seat replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru owner's manual (page 1-47) documents that damp seat disables airbag. Subaru advises passenger to sit in back until seat fully dries. No recall issued for 2014 model. Same design defect covered under 2012 Impreza recall #WQT-55.
Passenger Airbag Activates or Remains On When Seat is Unoccupied
The sensor incorrectly signals airbag activation when no one is in the passenger seat, or a minor object (cell phone, phone charger) is placed on the seat. This triggers false seatbelt warning chimes, distracting the driver during operation.
When: Occurs while parked and while driving.
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger airbag ON light illuminates with empty seat; Airbag activates when only a cell phone or light object is on seat; Passenger seatbelt warning chime sounds continuously despite no occupant; False warnings occur both in park and while in motion
Repairs/costs cited: No repair noted in complaints.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru claims weight of a cell phone triggering airbag is 'normal' behavior.
Driver-Side Airbag Malfunction—Sensor Fail Light and Damp-Seat Disabling
The driver-side occupancy sensor exhibits the same damp-seat disabling behavior as the passenger side, illuminating an airbag fail light during humid or damp conditions. Owners report the problem is weather-dependent, unpredictable, and deemed 'normal' and unrepairable by Subaru Tech Support.
When: Occurs during or after damp/rainy conditions.
Symptoms owners cite: Driver-side airbag FAIL light illuminates during damp or hot weather; Light comes on unpredictably after normal damp exposure; Sensor-reported unreliable in inclement weather
Repairs/costs cited: No repair possible per Subaru; light clears after seat dries (1–3 days).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru Tech Support confirmed issue is 'normal' and that sensor will fail when seat is damp but will work when dry. Told owner no repair possible.
Airbag Failure to Deploy in Accidents
Multiple complaints document instances where airbags did not deploy during actual collisions. Two instances involved front-end impacts; one involved a rollover with tree collision. In one case, a driver-side airbag did deploy but with excessive force causing injury. One case documents spontaneous airbag explosion at rest.
When: At 29,000, 64,000, 91,543, and 91,554 miles during accidents or at 105,000 miles while parked.
Symptoms owners cite: Airbags did not deploy during front-end collisions at 5–10 mph and 20 mph; Driver sustained injuries (back, fractured vertebrae, cracked sternum) in rollover with non-deployed airbags; Driver-side airbag deployed with excessive force (shins, calves, and below-knee injuries) in 5 mph collision; Spontaneous driver-side airbag explosion while vehicle parked
Repairs/costs cited: One case of excessive deployment injury; no repairs completed in non-deployment cases. One case noted Subaru refused warranty coverage, claiming 'dirt' caused spontaneous deployment.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: In one deployment case, manufacturer stated airbags deployed 'as designed.' In spontaneous explosion case, Subaru refused coverage claiming 'dirt' caused malfunction. No assistance or referral offered.
Synthesized from 35 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 6 most recent
We contacted the company about getting the recalled airbags fixed and they said that they would contact the dealership in order to set up an appointment to get them fixed and they have never reached back out to us in order to resolve this issue.
Two specific issues. 1) the passenger side air bag will not activate, according to the indicator light, when there is a passenger in the car. 2) the sensor in the passengers side that rings a bell if the passenger is not wearing a seat belt will go off while the car is being driven, even though there is no passenger in the passenger seat - dangerously distracting for the driver. The start date…
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 Subaru impreza. The contact stated that the air bag indicator did not illuminate when the passenger seat was occupied. The vehicle was taken to metro west Subaru (948 worcester st, natick, ma 01760) where it was diagnosed that the air bag sensor on the passenger seat needed to be replaced and a new seat needed to be purchased. The vehicle was not repaired. The…
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 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…
Airbags in the car shut off when a passenger gets in the seat if they have even a tiny amount of moisture....such as after working out at the gym *and changing clothes*. Also if it's raining, the 50' walk from the house to the car puts enough moisture on the passenger to make all of the airbags in the car shut off. Called the dealership and they told me to not get the seat wet. Several other year…
Had airbags trouble with your 2014 Subaru Impreza?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2014 Subaru Impreza?
It's a meaningful issue. 35 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Across the 24 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 28,000 and 83,000 miles, with the median around 50,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 28,000; a quarter make it past 83,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2014/Subaru/Impreza.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.