KnownCarProblems2009 Subaru Wrx Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 41 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Subaru Wrx, most often about the transmission (81% of complaints, typically around 66,000 miles). It is 8th of 23 Wrx model years by number of complaints and has 10 recalls.
Most common 2009 Subaru Wrx problems
Transmission
33 complaints · 81%Half of these problems showed up before 66,000 miles. Parts named most often: clutch assembly.
I have an '09 Wrx that I took in to have oil changed and mentioned having a squeaky and clicking clutch pedal. Mechanic found bulkhead welds were broken.the issue is a broken welds between the mount for the pedal and the firewall. The firewall actually gaps when the clutch is depressed.
The contact owns a 2009 Subaru Wrx. The contact stated that while stopped, he noticed a popping and creaking sound coming from the clutch assembly bracket. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 66,000.
Body and structure
13 complaints · 32%Half of these problems showed up before 72,000 miles. Parts named most often: body.
When I bought the car from the used car lot I noticed the clutch pedal when being pressed and depressed made a squeaking noise. I figured it was probably lack of lubrication so I went ahead and lubricated the pedal assembly and the noise stayed the same. Couple months go by and the noise got much louder and sometimes…
I got off work and was on my way home, pushed the clutch in to hear a wonderful snap and I had zero control of my clutch causing me to not be able to shift into or out of any gear. Chassis fatigue and cracking resulting in damage/potential compromise of driver controls. Welds on the firewall are poor and its a…
Brakes
11 complaints · 27%Half of these problems showed up before 76,000 miles.
On december 23rd, I had my son, take his Subaru Wrx to brown's Subaru in manassas, va for an oil & filter change and to have fixed an annoying click sound which occurs each time the clutch pedal is depressed. Brown's determined that the clutch mounting to the firewall was cracked and would have to be fixed or the…
I bought my Subaru in february of 2013 with approx 75000 miles on the odo. I believe the defect had already been there when I bought it and I hadn't noticed it until it got slightly worse. The brake pedal and the clutch flexes when I press either of them. Pressing the clutch will move the brake pedal in the down…
Engine
4 complaints · 10%09 Subaru Wrx with broken welds on the firewall. This is causing a loud popping when the clutch is depressed. Clutch is getting harder to depress.
I bought my Subaru in february of 2013 with approx 75000 miles on the odo. I believe the defect had already been there when I bought it and I hadn't noticed it until it got slightly worse. The brake pedal and the clutch flexes when I press either of them. Pressing the clutch will move the brake pedal in the down…
Other or unspecified
4 complaints · 10%This is the well known and documented firewall weld issue for the pedal bracket. The welds have broken and the pedal bracket now shifts when I press down on the clutch. It makes a loud popping noise as well as creaking and squeaking. If left unchecked, the issue will worsen and the entire bracket may break off while…
When I depress the clutch pedal there is a very noticeable, audible, "clicking" noise, and a stiff clutch pedal. It appears to be broken spot welds and a defective clutch. Have had this issue repaired by Subaru once but has returned multiple times. Is a major safety concern because clutch assemply is directly tied to…
Speed control
3 complaints · 7%I bought my Subaru in february of 2013 with approx 75000 miles on the odo. I believe the defect had already been there when I bought it and I hadn't noticed it until it got slightly worse. The brake pedal and the clutch flexes when I press either of them. Pressing the clutch will move the brake pedal in the down…
On december 23rd, I had my son, take his Subaru Wrx to brown's Subaru in manassas, va for an oil & filter change and to have fixed an annoying click sound which occurs each time the clutch pedal is depressed. Brown's determined that the clutch mounting to the firewall was cracked and would have to be fixed or the…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2009 Subaru Wrx recalls
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Subaru will notify their owners. General motors will notify saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began january 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the saab customer assistance center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is tkb-20.
Full defect summary
Subaru of america, inc. (subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 forester, 2003-2006 baja, 2004-2011 impreza, 2004-2014 wrx (including sti), 2003-2014 legacy and outback, and 2006 saab 9-2x vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of arizona, arkansas, delaware, district of columbia, illinois, indiana, kansas, kentucky, maryland, missouri, nebraska, nevada, new jersey, new mexico, north carolina, ohio, oklahoma, pennsylvania, tennessee, virginia, and west virginia or "zone b." these vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Subaru will notify their owners. General motors will notify saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators with alternate inflators, free of charge. The recall began january 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the saab customer assistance center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is tka-20.
Full defect summary
Subaru of america, inc. (subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 forester, 2003-2006 baja, 2004-2011 impreza, 2004-2014 wrx (sti included), 2003-2014 legacy and outback, and 2005-2006 saab 9-2x vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of alabama, california, florida, georgia, hawaii, louisiana, mississippi, south carolina, texas, puerto rico, american samoa, guam, the northern mariana islands (saipan), and the u.s. Virgin islands or "zone a." these vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Subaru will notify their owners. General motors will notify saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began january 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the saab customer assistance center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is tkc-20.
Full defect summary
Subaru of america, inc. (subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 forester, 2003-2006 baja, 2004-2011 impreza, 2004-2014 wrx (including sti), 2003-2014 legacy and outback, and 2005-2006 saab 9-2x vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of alaska, colorado, connecticut, idaho, iowa, maine, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, montana, new hampshire, new york, north dakota, oregon, rhode island, south dakota, utah, vermont, washington, wisconsin, and wyoming or "zone c." these vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Electrical: switch
Risk: The engine turning off unexpectedly can increase the risk of a crash. If a crash occurs under this condition, the air bag may not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ignition switch, replacing the ignition switch, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began may 10, 2019. Owners may contact subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is wuf-91.
Full defect summary
Subaru of america, inc. (subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 forester vehicles, 2008-2011 impreza vehicles, 2008-2014 wrx vehicles, 2005-2014 legacy vehicles, 2005-2014 outback vehicles and 2006-2008 tribeca vehicles equipped with a mechanical key ignition switch installed as a replacement part. The ball spring inside the switch may break, reducing the strength of the ignition switch. If this occurs, the weight on the key ring and certain road conditions could cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position to the accessory position, turning off the engine.
Lights: switch
Risk: Brake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of crash.
Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake light switch, free of charge. The recall began april 15, 2019. Owners may contact subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is wue-90.
Full defect summary
Subaru of america, inc. (subaru) is recalling certain 2014-2016 forester, 2008-2016 impreza sedans, 2012-2016 impreza station wagons, 2008-2014 wrx sedans (including sti), and 2013-2017 crosstrek vehicles. Exposure to certain contaminants may cause the brake light switch to malfunction, preventing the brake lights from illuminating and also preventing keyless ignition vehicles from starting and CVT/automatic transmissions from being able to be shifted out of park.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on february 9, 2018. Owners may contact subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is tkb-18.
Full defect summary
Subaru of america, inc. (subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2010 tribeca, impreza, forester, wrx, legacy, and outback vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of arizona, arkansas, delaware, district of columbia, illinois, indiana, kansas, kentucky, maryland, missouri, nebraska, nevada, new jersey, new mexico, north carolina, ohio, oklahoma, pennsylvania, tennessee, virginia, and west virginia. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on february 9, 2018. Owners may contact subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is tka-18.
Full defect summary
Subaru of america, inc. (subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 legacy, forester, tribeca, wrx and outback vehicles, and 2009-2011 impreza vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of alabama, california, florida, georgia, hawaii, louisiana, mississippi, south carolina, texas, puerto rico, american samoa, guam, the northern mariana islands (saipan), and the u.s. Virgin islands. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began on february 9, 2018. Owners may contact subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is tkc-18.
Full defect summary
Subaru of america, inc. (subaru) is recalling certain 2009 tribeca, impreza, forester, wrx, legacy, and outback vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of alaska, colorado, connecticut, idaho, iowa, maine, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, montana, new hampshire, new york, north dakota, oregon, rhode island, south dakota, utah, vermont, washington, wisconsin, and wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Brakes: service brakes, hydraulic
Risk: Brake fluid may leak due to the brake line corrosion and may result in longer distances being required to slow or stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will apply an anti-corrosion wax to the four-way joint connector area of the brake line system, free of charge. The recall began on january 27, 2015. Owners may contact subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is wqq-52. Notes: this recall is specific to affected forester, impreza, wrx, and sti customers who had their car remedied under NHTSA recall no. 14v-311 prior to december 23, 2014. Subaru has determined that this remedy was inadequate due to incomplete repair instructions provided to dealers. Affected forester, imp
Full defect summary
Subaru of america, inc. (subaru) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 impreza, 2008-2014 wrx and sti, and 2009-2013 forester vehicles, currently, or formerly, registered in connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia, wisconsin and the district of columbia that were remedied under recall 14v-311 prior to december 23, 2014. The brake lines may experience brake line corrosion due to salt water splashing on the brake lines through a gap in the fuel tank protector.
Brakes: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Risk: Brake line corrosion may result in brake fluid leakage. Fluid leakage may result in longer distances being required to slow or stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will test the brake system by depressing the brake pedal and inspecting for brake fluid leaks. If no brake fluid seepage is observed, the affected areas will be rustproofed with anti-corrosion wax. If brake fluid seepage is observed, the brake lines will be replaced followed by rustproofing with anti-corrosion wax. These services will be performed free of charge. The recall began july 2014 and second notifications will run through november 2014. Owners may contact subaru at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's recall campaign number is wqk-47. Note: this recall super
Full defect summary
Subaru of america, inc. (subaru) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 outback and legacy, 2008-2011 impreza and 2008-2014 impreza wrx/sti, and 2009-2013 forester vehicles, currently, or formerly, registered in connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia, wisconsin and the district of columbia. Salt water could splash on the brake lines through a gap in the fuel tank protector, resulting in excessive corrosion of the brake lines. Note that affected vehicles not currently, or formerly registered, in the salt belt states identified above are eligible for repair, at no cost to the customer, upon request.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2009 Subaru Wrx
- What are the most common problems with the 2009 Subaru Wrx?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: transmission (33 complaints, typically around 66,000 miles); body and structure (13 complaints, typically around 72,000 miles); brakes (11 complaints, typically around 76,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2009 Subaru Wrx have?
- 10 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from January 2, 2020 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2009 a bad year for the Subaru Wrx?
- It is 8th of 23 Wrx model years by number of complaints, with 41 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.