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severe 14 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Of the 14 engine complaints filed for the 2014 Subaru Impreza, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 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 engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 5 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Owners of 2014 Subaru Impreza engines describe a pattern of failures across different systems. Secondary air pump failures occur multiple times within short intervals—one owner's pump failed at 79,268 miles, then again just 13,057 miles later, producing smoke while parked. Dealerships sometimes fail to replace the relay alongside the pump, as the revised recall procedure (WTM-73R) requires, leaving owners to pay for additional repairs.
Excessive oil consumption is a recurring issue. Multiple owners report adding oil three times within the first 9,000 miles on brand-new vehicles. Dealerships dismiss this as normal despite clear evidence to the contrary. One owner experienced the same problem on both a 2011 and 2014 Impreza.
Engine stalling happens unpredictably—at traffic lights, during acceleration, and at highway speeds of 55–70 mph. Some vehicles restart immediately; others require towing. Dealerships claim they cannot replicate the problem or find any issue, even when owners insist on second inspections.
More severe failures include fractured valve springs causing complete engine seizure, loud mechanical noises at highway speed followed by power loss, and sudden unintended acceleration that sent two vehicles crashing through garage doors. EVAP codes appear in warm weather with no clear fix.
Throughout these complaints, dealership diagnostics frequently fail to identify problems, and manufacturer response has been inconsistent or absent.
Same Subaru Impreza engine reports on nearby years: 2012 · 2013
The secondary air injection pump fails prematurely, often requiring replacement twice within a short mileage interval. One owner experienced pump failure at 79,268 miles, then again at 92,325 miles (13,057 miles later). The February 2026 failure produced smoke while parked, creating fire hazard. Related relay failures occur when dealerships fail to replace the relay alongside the pump per the revised recall procedure (WTM-73R).
When: 79,268 miles (first failure); 92,325 miles (second failure 13,057 miles later); ~100,000 miles (another case)
Symptoms owners cite: Hissing noise from engine area; Check Engine light illuminated; Air pump activates and deactivates erratically while driving; Smoke production while parked
Codes mentioned: P0410 (Secondary Air Injection System), P2444
Repairs/costs cited: Pump replacement; relay replacement required per WTM-73R but not always performed by dealers. One owner paid out-of-pocket for March 2024 repair ($79,268 mi) as vehicle production date (January 2014) falls outside original recall coverage (through September 13, 2013). Subsequent relay failure in March 2026 required additional visit and costs initially charged to owner, then reimbursed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru WTM-73 / NHTSA ID 16V738 (revised July 11, 2017 as WTM-73R). Original recall covers production through September 13, 2013; does not cover January 2014 build date. Owner requested extension to at least January 2014.
Engine consumes oil at abnormally high rates within the first 9,000 miles of ownership on brand-new vehicles. Owners report needing to add oil multiple times between scheduled service intervals. Dealerships dismiss the consumption as normal despite clear evidence otherwise. One owner experienced the same issue on both a 2011 and 2014 Impreza, suggesting a systemic engine design defect. A 2011 model stalled at highway speed (45 mph) due to complete oil depletion outside normal change intervals.
When: 2,500 miles; 5,000 miles (first complaint); occurs within first 9,000 miles on new vehicles
Symptoms owners cite: Check Oil light illumination; Requirement to add 0.5 to 2 quarts of oil between service intervals; Engine stall at highway speed due to oil depletion (2011 model at 45 mph); No visible oil leaks in garage or under vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: Oil consumption test requested by owners but dealership compliance unclear. Owners report adding synthetic oil multiple times (3 times in 9,000 miles in one case) at considerable cost between scheduled changes.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealerships stated abnormal consumption rate was normal; no recall issued despite complaints spanning at least two model years (2011 and 2014).
Engine shuts down suddenly while vehicle is in motion at highway speeds, creating immediate safety hazard. Stalls occur both at standstill (stop-and-go conditions) and at highway speeds (55–70 mph). In some cases, engine restarts immediately; in others, the vehicle requires towing. Dealership diagnostics often fail to identify root cause or replicate the condition, delaying resolution.
When: Occurs unpredictably; documented at 424 miles (early in ownership); stops at traffic lights; highway speeds 55–70 mph
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden engine shutdown while driving or at complete stop; Check Engine light illumination (intermittent or persistent); Flashing Cruise Control warning light; Vehicle unable to accelerate or loss of power; In some cases, rattling noise from engine immediately after stall
Codes mentioned: P0011 (Camshaft Position Timing Over-Advanced Inlet A), P0021 (Camshaft Position Timing Over-Advanced Inlet B)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealerships unable to replicate condition or identify issue during inspection despite owner insistence on second inspection. One owner reports engine damage suspected after stalling at highway speed followed by loud rattling. No completed repairs documented in narratives; vehicles towed or limped home.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response or recall documented. Owner requested recall investigation, citing multiple forum reports of similar failures.
Valve spring fractures in cylinder, causing catastrophic engine damage. The fractured spring damaged the cylinder, piston, and caused oil contamination of downstream components. Engine seized and required complete disassembly and replacement of major components including short block assembly.
When: 77,794 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle will not start despite battery replacement; Engine seized
Repairs/costs cited: Complete engine overhaul required. Dealership (Faulkner Subaru Harrisburg) replaced cylinder with updated cam carrier, valve springs, front cover with updated cam shaft sensors (due to oil contamination), and short block assembly.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru offered initial $5,000 warranty assistance, then negotiated to cover all costs except $600 after owner dispute.
Check Engine light illuminates and vehicle loses power, becoming unresponsive to throttle input. One case progressed to complete engine failure and refusal to start. Dealership diagnostic attempts failed to identify the underlying problem while vehicle was under warranty.
When: Under warranty (mileage not specified)
Symptoms owners cite: Check Engine light illumination; Loss of engine power; unresponsive to accelerator input; Engine stall and failure to restart; Vehicle immobilized
Repairs/costs cited: No repair completed. Vehicle towed after engine failure.
Engine unexpectedly revs to high RPM without driver input, causing sudden violent acceleration. Two owners report pulling into driveways when vehicles suddenly accelerated and crashed through wooden garage doors into concrete walls with significant structural damage. No explanation for cause provided in narratives.
When: Occurs upon pulling into driveway; vehicle positioning in park or neutral
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden engine over-revving; Violent unintended acceleration without foot on accelerator; Vehicle uncontrollable by driver
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicles totaled from crash impact. No diagnostic or repair information provided.
Loud slapping or mechanical noise emanates from engine area at highway speed, followed by Check Engine light and severe power loss. Vehicle unable to generate throttle response and coasted to shoulder. Suggests mechanical internal failure.
When: Highway speed (55 mph); exact mileage not documented
Symptoms owners cite: Loud slapping sound from engine compartment; Check Engine light illumination; Severe loss of engine power; Vehicle unable to accelerate; unresponsive to throttle; Vehicle coasted to shoulder
Repairs/costs cited: No repair information provided; vehicle disabled at roadside.
Valve spring breaks, creating cascading internal engine damage to rod bearings and other components. Vehicle rendered inoperable.
When: Mileage not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of engine power; Mechanical noise from engine; Engine unable to run
Repairs/costs cited: Owner unsure of repair path; vehicle still non-operational at time of report.
Vehicle triggers EVAP (Evaporative Emissions) codes in warm or hot weather conditions. Dealership unable to diagnose or resolve issue. Owner reports this is a well-documented problem across multiple 2014 Impreza owners online. Vehicle remains in failed state, creating inspection compliance issues in states requiring emissions testing.
When: Occurs in warm/hot weather conditions; mileage not specified
Symptoms owners cite: EVAP fault codes triggered; Check Engine light illumination; Vehicle fails emissions inspection in states with annual testing
Codes mentioned: EVAP-related codes (specific codes not provided)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership unable to diagnose. Gas cap replacement and other routine EVAP checks did not resolve issue.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership advised owner to ignore fault codes; no repair attempted.
Synthesized from 14 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 Subaru impreza. The contact stated that while driving, the check engine warning light illuminated and remained illuminated. The contact also stated that the air pump inadvertently activated and deactivated while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed with a code p0410 (secondary air injection system or fuel pump system) that needed…
Check oil light first came on at 2500 miles, had to add a quart of oil and also got a complete oil change. Had to add another 1/2 quart of oil at 6000 and another one again at 9000 due to check engine light coming on. At 2500, dealership said this oil consumption rate was normal. At 9000, during another minor service, was again told my current rate of oil consumption was normal. However, having…
It's a meaningful issue. 14 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 30,000 and 77,794 miles, with the median around 50,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 30,000; a quarter make it past 77,794. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine 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 engine 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.