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severe Owners of the 2014 Subaru Impreza have filed 17 NHTSA complaints about the electrical, typically surfacing around 42,500 miles at roughly $850 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See electrical across all vehicles →
| Model year | electrical complaints |
|---|---|
| 2010 Impreza | 4 |
| 2011 Impreza | 9 |
| 2012 Impreza | 25 |
| 2013 Impreza | 32 |
| 2014 Impreza (this page) | 17 |
| 2015 Impreza | 18 |
| 2016 Impreza | 12 |
| 2017 Impreza | 19 |
| 2018 Impreza | 11 |
Of the 17 electrical complaints filed for the 2014 Subaru Impreza, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
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.
No new NHTSA electrical complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 7 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
If the air injection pump overheats, it may melt and increase the risk of a fire.
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical 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 announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body which incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability. (This is an revised version of the orignal bulletin.)
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin announces a design change made to the CVT Control Valve Body which incorporates an enhanced valve sleeve to improve durability.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin announces the new procedure and Warranty Fail Code for FirstTime air conditioning (A/C) performance concerns possibly resulting from an undetected A/C refrigerant leak.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin contains information to help when attempting to complete the STARLINK Telematics subscription process, an Error Code 202 and / or 204 may occur preventing the process from completing successfully
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Service Information Bulletin was developed to provide interim guidance for 2026 model year vehicles exhibiting DTC B2A20 with gen 4 Telematics.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
Owners describe multiple electrical failures across the 2014 Impreza: tire pressure monitoring systems that alert in reverse (showing warning when pressures are correct), widespread Bluetooth audio issues producing ear-piercing screeches that won't stop until the engine shuts off, power window failures that close abruptly or won't operate, and passenger airbag sensors deactivating when occupied. A brake lamp switch recall (WUE-90, NHTSA 19V-149) affects braking light function—some owners report difficulty scheduling dealer service for it.
Additional problems include fuel pump connectors melting from internal open circuits causing loss of fuel pressure and engine stalling, inaccurate fuel gauge readings, HVAC blower motor failures with electrical damage and melting wiring harnesses that owners note include a service bulletin, and ignition key jamming at low mileage. One owner experienced a fuel pump assembly failure at 81,000 miles requiring replacement. Engine stalling with all dashboard lights illuminating has occurred multiple times on freeways and highways; one incident involved rodents chewing electrical wiring, damaging the bulkhead harness. An ignition switch malfunction allowed a vehicle to roll downhill while parked in drive, destroying the car. One owner reported steering wheel adjustment triggering complete electrical loss with no engine crank and non-functional windows.
Same Subaru Impreza electrical reports on nearby years: 2012 · 2013 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017
System alerts when tire pressures are at correct specification but fails to alert when pressures are dangerously low, functioning in reverse of intended operation.
When: Undisclosed mileage; triggered by accident and subsequent tire pressure correction
Symptoms owners cite: Low tire pressure undetected, no warning light displayed; Warning light activates only after tires inflated to proper pressure; Light reappears after dealership reset attempt
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership performed reset of tire pressure sensor; third-party tire shop unable to reset. Sensor replacement not performed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership acknowledged defect and reset sensor at no charge. No recall or replacement part ordered.
Bluetooth connection produces loud, ear-piercing high-pitched screech at unprompted intervals. Volume adjustment and turning off audio makes screech louder; only remedy is engine shutdown.
When: August 2021; unprompted intermittent occurrences
Symptoms owners cite: High-pitched audible screech from audio system; Screech occurs at random times during operation; Screech intensifies when attempting to mute or lower volume; Only stops when engine is turned off; Caused near-accident due to startle response in rush-hour traffic
Repairs/costs cited: No repair performed; dealership appointment scheduled for inspection
Driver-side window fails to roll down completely and slams down randomly into door frame without operator input.
When: August 2021; concurrent with Bluetooth issue
Symptoms owners cite: Window does not roll down fully; Window closes abruptly and randomly during operation; Window slams against door frame
Repairs/costs cited: No repair noted; pending dealership inspection
Passenger-side airbag system disables (shows 'OFF') when an adult occupies the passenger seat, both at startup and during driving. Does not consistently reactivate after vehicle restart.
When: During in-town and highway driving; occurs at startup and while driving
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag OFF indicator illuminates with passenger seated; Occurs at vehicle startup; Occurs unprompted during driving; Persists after vehicle restart; Prevents airbag deployment in crash event with passenger present
Repairs/costs cited: No repair attempted; dealership suggested passenger avoid cellphone/tech use as workaround
Brake lamp switch defect prevents rear brake lamps from illuminating during braking, eliminating brake light signal to following vehicles. Covered under NHTSA recall WUE-90 (recall ID 19V-149).
When: Applies to 2014-2016 model year Impreza (and other years/models specified in recall)
Symptoms owners cite: Rear brake lamps do not illuminate when braking; No visual brake signal to other drivers; Increases rear-end collision risk
Repairs/costs cited: Recall service required; dealerships in Boston area reported too busy to schedule timely service
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Recall WUE-90 (ID 19V-149) issued; dealership service availability limited
Fuel pump assembly develops internal open circuit causing overheating and melting of connector housing (top hat) on assembly, resulting in loss of fuel system pressure and engine stall.
When: 81,000 miles; vehicle unable to restart after 30 minutes of parking
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle fails to restart after short parking period; No warning lights before failure; Connector difficult to remove and visibly melted; Complete engine stall
Codes mentioned: Open circuit internal to fuel pump assembly
Repairs/costs cited: Fuel pump assembly replacement required; part number 42021AG010; repair performed by Subaru dealer with cost discount offered by manufacturer
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified; offered discount on repair cost; replacement part provided
Fuel gauge displays inaccurate remaining fuel range, fluctuating significantly over short periods. When filled at low fuel warning, displays incorrect range that self-corrects hours later.
When: Two separate incidents within same week; affects fueling intervals
Symptoms owners cite: Tank filled but gauge shows significantly reduced range (170 miles vs. normal 300 miles); Fuel estimate corrects itself after 5+ hours; Gauge jumps between readings (280 to 300 miles within 30 minutes); Inaccuracy creates uncertainty in fuel range, forcing frequent refills
Repairs/costs cited: No repair performed; dealership appointment delayed nearly 3 weeks
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership denied knowledge of issue in 2014 Impreza; stated problem limited to newer Impreza and Crosstrek models only
Blower motor ceases operation suddenly; inspection reveals significant electrical damage to motor switch and wiring harness, including burned/melted connectors. Subaru service bulletin exists for this issue (HVAC blower fan inoperative).
When: Mileage not specified; sudden failure during operation
Symptoms owners cite: Blower motor will not operate; Blower control switch stuck and unable to adjust; Visible electrical scorching and burn damage to switch; Wiring harness charred and melted; Fire hazard risk from damaged components
Repairs/costs cited: Service bulletin exists for HVAC blower fan inoperative on this year/make/model
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru issued service bulletin for condition but no recall initiated
Key becomes stuck or ceases in ignition switch and cannot be removed without excessive turning and force. Occurs at relatively low mileage.
When: 74,000 miles; another instance at 1,073 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Key stuck in ignition switch; Excessive force required to turn key for release; Switch unresponsive to normal operation
Repairs/costs cited: No repair performed; dealership appointment scheduled but vehicle not diagnosed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer notification; described as known issue that warrants recall
Vehicle can be turned off and key removed from ignition while shifter remains in Drive position, allowing vehicle to roll. Occurred at extremely low mileage.
When: 1,073 miles; vehicle parked on embankment
Symptoms owners cite: Key removed from ignition while shifter in Drive; Vehicle rolled downhill after turning off; No mechanical lock preventing off-gear shifting; Vehicle destroyed in crash
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle totaled; no repair attempted
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified; no recall action noted
Electrical bulkhead harness in engine compartment damaged and fractured, resulting in blown fuse and complete engine shutdown with all dashboard warning lights activated.
When: Mileage not specified; third incident of engine death on freeway/highway
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls while driving at freeway/highway speed; All dashboard warning lights illuminate simultaneously; Vehicle becomes difficult to control; Power loss to multiple vehicle systems
Codes mentioned: Blown fuse
Repairs/costs cited: Bulkhead harness repaired; damage attributed to rodents chewing electrical wires; repair cost $7,173.65; three weeks repair time required
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response noted; repaired by Subaru dealer
Adjusting steering wheel triggers total electrical system shutdown with no engine crank, no dashboard lights, and non-functional power windows.
When: Mileage not specified; during routine operation
Symptoms owners cite: Engine will not crank after steering wheel adjustment; No dashboard lights illuminated; Power windows non-functional; Complete loss of electrical power
Repairs/costs cited: No repair details provided; vehicle maintained only at Subaru dealership
Engine cooling system fails during freeway driving, causing overheating and engine stall. Multiple electrical warning lights activate (red temperature warning, blue temperature indicator, traction control, check engine) after failure that were not illuminated before.
When: Mileage not specified; during freeway operation
Symptoms owners cite: Engine overheating during freeway driving; Vehicle stalled, unable to be restarted or moved; Red temperature warning light activated; Blue temperature indicator light activated; Traction warning lamp activated; Check engine lamp activated; Prior electrical issues with windows and radio
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle towed to John Hine Subaru for repair
Synthesized from 17 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
The gas guage innaccurately describes how much gas is left in the tank. I filled my tank from 40 miles two weeks ago. I paid $32 for the gas and it only read 170 miles till empty unlike the usual 300 miles. 5 hours later, when it corrected itself, returning to 300 miles. This week, upon filling my car up at 40 miles till empty, I paid $28. My car read 280 miles till empty and then shot up to 300…
It's a meaningful issue. 17 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
Across the 9 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 33,561 and 74,000 miles, with the median around 42,500. A quarter of owners report trouble before 33,561; a quarter make it past 74,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical 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.
Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover electrical issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.