2009 Subaru IMPREZA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
103 owner complaints analyzed
14 distinct recall campaigns
64,383 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2009 model year. Data snapshot: . 80 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 28 of 103 complaints (27.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 30 | 29.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 12 | 11.7% |
| Steering behavior | 6 | 5.8% |
| Engine operation | 5 | 4.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 4.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 4 | 3.9% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Power Train | 28 |
| Structure:Body | 22 |
| Service Brakes | 14 |
| Engine | 13 |
| Air Bags | 11 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 9 |
| Electrical System | 7 |
| Unknown Or Other | 7 |
Power Train: 28; Structure:Body: 22; Service Brakes: 14; Engine: 13; Air Bags: 11; Vehicle Speed Control: 9; Electrical System: 7; Unknown Or Other: 7
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 16 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 13 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 20 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 13 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 14 |
| 150,000 and above | 4 |
Under 25,000: 16; 25,000 to 49,999: 13; 50,000 to 74,999: 20; 75,000 to 99,999: 13; 100,000 to 149,999: 14; 150,000 and above: 4
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (20). 23 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 | 2 |
| 2010 | 11 |
| 2011 | 6 |
| 2012 | 9 |
| 2013 | 11 |
| 2014 | 9 |
| 2015 | 5 |
| 2016 | 11 |
| 2017 | 8 |
| 2018 | 6 |
| 2019 | 11 |
| 2020 | 8 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2025 | 1 |
2009: 2; 2010: 11; 2011: 6; 2012: 9; 2013: 11; 2014: 9; 2015: 5; 2016: 11; 2017: 8; 2018: 6; 2019: 11; 2020: 8; 2021: 1; 2022: 2; 2023: 2; 2025: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 30 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 12 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 6 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 10451567 · 2012-03-13 (March 13, 2012)
THE SPOT WELDS HOLDING THE CLUTCH, BRAKE AND GAS PEDAL ASSEMBLY TO THE FIREWALL FAILED ENTIRELY, ALLOWING THE PEDAL ASSEMBLY TO BECOME DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE AND MOVE TOWARD THE FIREWALL WITH ANY PEDAL ACTION. I WAS NO LONGER ABLE TO DISENGAGE THE CLUTCH AND THE BRAKES DELIVERED INCONSISTENT PERFORMANCE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 58,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10451567 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10471317 · 2012-08-17 (August 17, 2012)
MY CLUTCH STARTED SQUEAKING WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. WHEN DEPRESSING THE CLUTCH, THE BRAKE PEDAL MOVES TOWARD THE DRIVERS SIDE AND DOWN. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, I NOTICED THE SPOT WELDS THAT HOLD THE CLUTCH AND BRAKE ASSEMBLY TO CAR WERE BROKEN AND STARTING TO SEPARATE FROM THE FIREWALL. EVENTUALLY, THE WELDS WILL FAIL AND COMPLETELY REMOVE THE ASSEMBLY FROM THE FIREWALL. THUS, CLUTCH AND BRAKING ABILITIES WILL BE GONE AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 62,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10471317 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10312781 · 2010-02-22 (February 22, 2010)
IN MARCH OF 2009 I PURCHASED A 2009 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION FROM THE DEALER. AT THAT TIME THE CAR HAD 580 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. AFTER TAKING THE CAR HOME I BEGAN IMMEDIATELY HAVING PROBLEMS WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PLACE THE CAR IN REVERSE AND ALSO NOTICED A FOUL ODOR WHEN TAKING OFF AND OCCASIONALLY WHEN SWITCHING GEARS. WHEN I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP I WAS TOLD THAT THESE ISSUES WERE NORMAL FOR THE WRX AND THAT THE "CLUTCH SMELL" WAS COMMON AND NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT. AT THE FIRST OIL CHANGE I EXPRESSED CONCERNS AGAIN AND WA…
Owner-reported narrative. 22,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10312781 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10482115 · 2012-10-24 (October 24, 2012)
THE BRACKET THAT ATTACHES THE CLUTCH AND BRAKE PEDALS TO THE INSIDE FIREWALL HAS SEPARATED FROM ITS SPOT WELDS AND IS CAUSING A LOUD CREAKING NOISE, AS WELL AS DIFFICULTY WITH SHIFTING GEARS, AND DECREASED BRAKING ABILITY. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AS IT AFFECTS YOUR ABILITY TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE PROPERLY. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10482115 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10638895 · 2014-09-25 (September 25, 2014)
WHILE DRIVING ON I-74 BETWEEN CINCINNATI OH AND INDIANAPOLIS IN I NOTICED THE DEVELOPMENT OF A ENGINE KNOCK AT AROUND SHELBYVILLE IN. NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED BUT I PULLED OVER AND INSPECTED THE ENGINE AND COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING OBVIOUSLY WRONG SO I CONTINUED ON MY TRIP. AFTER REACHING I-465 IN INDIANAPOLIS THE KNOCK BEGAN TO GET PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. AT THE INTERSECTION OF I-465 AND I-65 THE CAR WITHOUT WARNING ENGINE SHUTDOWN AND I LOST ALL FUNCTIONALITY (POWER STEERING, TURN SIGNALS, ETC). AT THE TIME OF POWER LOSS I WAS TRAVELING …
Owner-reported narrative. 96,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10638895 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11266416 · 2019-10-04 (October 4, 2019)
COMPRESSING CLUTCH PEDAL CLICKS 3 TIMES LOUDLY WHEN CAR IS ON OR OFF. SOUNDS LIKE UNDER DRIVERS DASHBOARD. *TR THE CONSUMER STATED AIR BAG LIGHT ON, HORN ISNT WORKING, AND STEERING WHEEL IS OFF CENTER. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11266416 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10317492 · 2010-03-07 (March 7, 2010)
FOR THE SECOND TIME THE CAR STALLED WHILE IN MOTION. AFTER THE FIRST TIME WE HAD REPORTED TO GALLES & DAVIES SUBARU IN ABQ, NM ON 9.17.09. THEY DID THE INSPECTION AND WERE NOT ABLE TO FIND THE REASON. ALSO WE HAVE STILL RECURRING PROBLEMS WITH NOISES FROM AIR INTAKE, WHICH HAS BEEN REPAIRED 4 TIMES(!). *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 1,925 miles reported. Look up ODI 10317492 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10329826 · 2010-05-11 (May 11, 2010)
MOTOR FAILURE LEAVING ME TO ROLL THOUGH AND STALL IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10329826 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10340582 · 2010-06-29 (June 29, 2010)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE ENGINE SHUT OFF, AN ELECTRICAL FIRE STARTED FROM THE CENTER CONSOLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DISCOVERED THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM THE ELECTRICAL OUTLET. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED WITH THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 11,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10340582 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10537522 · 2013-08-27 (August 27, 2013)
WIRING IN FUSE BOX UNDER HIGH BEAM RELAY CORRODES CREATING AN ELECTRICAL FIRE HAZARD AND STOP HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS FROM FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY. THIS IS CAUSE FOR CONCERN DUE TO EXPOSED WIRES IN FUSE BOX AND LIGHTING ISSUES AT NIGHT. AFTER SPEAKING TO SEVERAL OTHER 2008 TO 2010 SUBARU IMPREZA OWNERS I HAVE FOUND THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE THAT THE DEALER REFUSES TO CORRECT. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 39,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10537522 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10410861 · 2011-07-07 (July 7, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REFUELING THE VEHICLE, FUEL BEGAN TO SPILL OUT OF THE FUEL FILLER NECK. SOME OF THE FUEL SPILLED ONTO THE CONTACT, RESULTING IN MINOR INJURIES TO THE SKIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE FUEL TANK PRESSURE VALVE WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED A FEW MONTHS LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE FUEL PRESSURE VALVE WAS REPLACED A SECOND TIME. THE FAILURE RECURRED LESS THAN A WEEK LATER. SOME OF THE FUEL SPLASHED INTO…
Owner-reported narrative. 14,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10410861 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10522040 · 2013-06-27 (June 27, 2013)
VEHICLE WILL NOT TAKE FUEL. FUEL NOZZLE SHUTS OFF AS IF TANK IS FULL OR FUEL SPILLS OUT OF THE TANK. TRIED THREE DIFFERENT PUMPS AT THE FIRST GAS STATION, THEN DROVE TO TWO OTHER GAS STATIONS AND WAS ONLY ABLE TO FILL WITH APPROXIMATELY 1 GALLON OF FUEL. FROM ONLINE INQUIRIES, MAY BE POSSIBLE FUEL TANK PRESSURE VALVE FAILURE? *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 68,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10522040 at NHTSA ↗