Subaru IMPREZA WRX problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
8 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
6,082 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2009 to 2015 model years. Data snapshot: . 8 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 8 complaints (75.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 3 | 37.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 12.5% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 12.5% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 6 |
| Power Train | 1 |
| Steering | 1 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 6; Power Train: 1; Steering: 1; Vehicle Speed Control: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 6 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 6; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 0 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 6 |
| 2018 | 2 |
2009: 6; 2018: 2
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10267601 · 2009-05-03 (May 3, 2009)
I PURCHASED A 2009 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX (BUILD DATE OF 07/08) IN SEPTEMBER, 2008. ON DECEMBER 12, 2008 (W/ APPROX 3870 MILES ON THE ODOMETER) DURING MY COMMUTE LEAVING WORK UPON MERGING INTO TRAFFIC THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. THANKFULLY AT THIS TIME TRAFFIC WAS LIGHT AND THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE AT THIS TIME EXHIBITED A RATHER PRONOUNCED CYCLIC KNOCKING SOUND AND HARSH VIBRATION. I WAS ABLE TO LIMP THE VEHICLE TO THE HOME OF A FAMILY MEMBER (VEHICLE AT THIS POINT HAD 3892 MILES ON THE ODOMETER); SHORTLY THEREAFTER…
Owner-reported narrative. 3,870 miles reported. Look up ODI 10267601 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10295689 · 2009-12-14 (December 14, 2009)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX. HE STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE ENGINE STARTED TO MAKE A NOISE WHILE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN AND SHUT OFF. HE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND DRIVE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER; HOWEVER, THE NOISE BECAME LOUDER AND MORE FREQUENT AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AT THEIR EXPENSE. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE ENGINE WAS DESTROYED AND COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT BEFORE THE VEHICLE LEFT THE FACTORY THAT THE ENGINE WAS NOT INSPECTED…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10295689 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11144179 · 2018-10-30 (October 30, 2018)
A CVT DEFECT IS CAUSING ERRATIC, UNCONTROLLABLE, AND VIOLENT CHANGES IN ENGINE RPM, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO: RAPID VIOLENT OSCILLATIONS IN RPM, NON-SHIFTING, SUSTAINED HOLDING OF RPM NEAR ENGINE RED-LINE, ABRUPT DECREASES OF RPM AND SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF POWER DESPITE THE ACCELERATOR IS STILL BEING APPLIED. THESE DEFECTS HAVE OCCURRED UNDER AN ARRAY OF DRIVING CONDITIONS, SPEEDS, THROTTLE POSITIONS, ROAD GRADIENTS, AMBIENT TEMPERATURES, ALTITUDES, AND ENGINE TEMPERATURES. SUBARU WAS PROVIDED WITH VIDEOS OF THE DASHBOARD GAUGES TAKEN DURING MA…
Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11144179 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11155508 · 2018-12-02 (December 2, 2018)
STEERING WHEEL PEELING STARTED AT 68,000 AND GETTING WORSE
Owner-reported narrative. 68,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11155508 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 0 |
| 2015 | 0 |
2009: 0; 2015: 0