How many problems does the 2009 SUBARU Impreza have?

The 2009 SUBARU Impreza currently has 112 owner-reported complaints according to NHTSA database. These complaints are organized by component to help identify common issues.

What are the most common problems with 2009 SUBARU Impreza?

The most common problems reported for the 2009 SUBARU Impreza are organized by component above. Each component section shows owner-reported issues, crash reports, and fire incidents to help identify patterns and problem areas.

Where does this 2009 SUBARU Impreza problem data come from?

All problem and complaint data for the 2009 SUBARU Impreza comes directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database. These are real complaints submitted by actual vehicle owners.

2009 SUBARU Impreza Problems

POWER TRAIN

15 complaints

The contact owns a 2009 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the transmission failed to properly shift. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to pull over on the side of the road and shut off the vehicle. Once the contact restarted the vehicle, the vehicle started operating normally; however, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the clutch pedal bracket had fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was under recall however, the recall had expired. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 54,000.

Jul 17, 2023

THE FIREWALL PREVENTS THE VEHICLE FROM ENGAGING IN GEARS WHILE DRIVING

Jul 25, 2020

09 WRX HATCH, WHEN THE CLUTCH IS DEPRESSED IT WILL MAKE A CREAKING NOISE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE FIREWALL FLEXES A LOT WHILE THE CLUTCH IS PRESSED IN. IT IS GETTING LOUDER AND IS STARTING TO AFFECT THE BRAKE PEDAL BY MOVING IT EVERYTIME THE CLUTCH IS DEPRESSED.

Jul 20, 2020

WHEN I PUSH CLUTCH IN ITS POPPING AND FLEXING. I FOUND THAT THE WHOLE PEDAL ASSEMBLY IS MOVING BACK AND FORTH CAUSING FIREWALL TO FLEX AT SPOT WELDS.ITS CAUSING CLUTCH ENGAGEMENT DIFFICULT.

Oct 11, 2015

I BOUGHT MY 2009 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX HATCHBACK A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AGO BECAUSE IT IS SUPPOSEDLY A RELIABLE VEHICLE. I HAVE ALWAYS NOTICED A SLIGHT SHIFT IN THE BRAKE PEDAL WHEN ENGAGING THE CLUTCH. WE WERE TOLD BY MANY SUBARU OWNERS THAT THAT IS NORMAL. ABOUT A MONTH AGO IT BECAME VERY HARD TO PUT THE CAR INTO REVERSE. IT IS NOW ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO PUT MY CAR IN REVERSE AS WELL AS SHIFT BETWEEN GEARS. WE WERE GOING TO REPLACE THE CLUTCH BUT AFTER LOOKING ONLINE NOTICED THE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME EXACT THING. THE CLUTCH WILL NOT ENGAGE BECAUSE THE FIREWALL IS CRACKING WHERE THE MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER MOUNTS FOR IT ARE. APPARENTLY SUBARU IS AWARE OF THIS DEFECT BUT HAS NOT DONE ANYTHING TO REMEDY THE SITUATION.

Sep 10, 2015

+ 10 more complaints for this component

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

14 complaints

ENGINE KNOCK SOUND WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY, PULLED OFF NEXT EXIT AND CAR SHUT DOWN. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS OR OIL LIGHTS INDICATING AN ISSUE. UPON RESTART KNOCKING SOUND WAS LOUDER AND HAD A METAL SOUND TO IT. I IMMEDIATELY SHUT THE CAR OFF AND CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND HAD THE CAR TOWED TO LOCAL DEALER. UPON FIRST REVIEW DEALER IDENTIFIED IT AS "INTERNAL CONNECTING-ROD BEARING FAILURE" WHICH CAUSED CATASTROPHIC ENGINE DAMAGE. SUBARU OF AMERICA DENIED THE REPAIR DUE TO THE ECM BEING MODIFIED, STATING "OUR ENGINEERS REVIEWED YOUR FILE AND DEEMED IT TO BE CAUSED BY THE ECM MODIFICATION". I HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS CASES OF THE EXACT ISSUE ON THE INTERNET, AS WELL AS A MY DEALERSHIP TELLING ME THERE IS A TSB FOR THIS FAILURE. SOA IS PROVIDING A "ONE TIME GOOD FAITH REPAIR" BUT I AM RESPONSIBLE TO REPLACE THE ECM. IN MY OPINION THIS ISSUE WHICH SOA IS AWARE OF AND ACKNOWLEDGES WITH A TSB SHOULD BE A RECALL - THE ENGINE FAILURE AT HIGHWAY SPEED HAS POTENTIAL TO CAUSE BODILY HARM - LOSS OF POWER, ENGINE SEIZE RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. I WAS LUCKY TO NOT BE INVOLVED IN ANY SORT OF ACCIDENT. FURTHER I AM TOTALLY UNSURE OF HOW SOA CAN CLAIM THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO ECM MODIFICATION WITHOUT EVER PHYSICALLY SEEING OR HAVING THE MOTOR PULLED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE ECM MODIFICATION IS AN EXCUSE TO NOT FULLY COVER THE REPAIR.

Sep 01, 2011

WHITE SMOKE WHEN START UP, AND SMOKE IN THE OIL WHEN CAR IS RUNNING, POSSIBLE BLOWN RING LAND DUE TO WEAK DESIGN, COMPRESSION TEST NEEDED TO TELL. *KB

Aug 17, 2011

2009 IMPREZA WRX THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT A FAILURE WAS GOING TO OCCUR BEFORE IT HAPPENED. I HAD DRIVEN THE CAR NORMALLY FOR ALMOST 4 MONTHS. THE ENGINE BEGAN TO MAKE A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE AROUND 2000 RPM, SOUNDING LIKE METAL HITTING METAL AS I PULLED UP TO A STOP SIGN. FORTUNATELY I HAD JUST ENTERED MY NEIGHBORHOOD SO I WAS ABLE TO GET HOME AND HAVE MY CAR TOWED. SUBARU ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE TOWED THE CAR AND I WAS GIVEN A RENTAL FOR 20 DAYS. SUBARU DEALER SAID IT WAS A SPUN ROD BEARING AND ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. EVEN THOUGH I REQUESTED A LONG BLOCK REPLACEMENT I ONLY GOT A SHORT BLOCK, SO THE TURBO IS THE SAME. SINCE THIS OCCURRED I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS OTHER PROBLEMS, CLUTCH THROWOUT BEARING REPLACEMENT, STARTER, AIR CONDITIONING PROBLEMS. THIS CAR IS A LEMON BUT ITS IMPOSSIBLE TO CONVINCE SUBARU OF THAT FACT. ENGINE BLOWN AT 3300 MILES. CLUTCH PROBLEM AT 7000 MILES. STARTER FAILURE AT 9600 MILES (2/2011). REPORTED TO SOA. *TR

Feb 09, 2011

I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW SUBARU IMPREZA ON JULY 27, 2009 FROM SUBARU DEALER, GRAND SUBARU, AT BENSENVILLE, IL 60106 FOR $18,000 WITH WARRANTY FOR 30-60K MILES. IT BROKE DOWN WHEN IT HAD JUST 9,221 MILES ON IT SHOWING "ENGINE FAILURE" ON NOV. 09, 2010. THE SUBARU DEALER WHO FIXED IT AFTER LOT OF HASSLE, STATED IN HIS INVOICE AS SOME "COIL" IS CRACKED IN THE IGNITION. I CAN SEND YOU THE RECEIPT THAT I HAVE IN MY POSSESSION FOR YOUR RECORD. I AM DISAPPOINTED WITH THIS AND WANT SUBARU TO COVER ANY SUCH PROBLEMS WITH ITS ENGINE FOR ANOTHER 1 YEARS FREE OF COST. I SHALL CONSIDER REPORTING THIS FAILURE OF THE CAR VIA INTERNET TO MAKE AWRY OF OTHER PROSPECTIVE AND SUBARU OWNERS, IF I DO NOT GET A SATISFACTORY RESPONSE WITHIN 10 DAYS. THANKS YOU [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Nov 30, 2010

2009 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX, ~25K MILES. DRIVING ON A BACK ROAD, ALL OF A SUDDEN ENGINE STARTS KNOCKING. HAVE TO GET IT TOWED TO SUBARU DEALERSHIP. THEY NEED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. I WAS ON MY WAY BACK TO BOSTON VISITING FAMILY WITH MY DOG IN THE CAR. THIS CAUSED ME TO HAVE TO PAY FOR A FLIGHT BACK HOME AND MISS HALF A DAY'S WORK. MY CAR IS OUT OF COMMISSION IN NJ WHILE I'M UP IN BOSTON FOR 2 WEEKS. THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED TO OVER A HUNDRED PEOPLE SO FAR WITH THIS MODEL CAR. SUBARU ADMITTED A DEFAULT IN MANUFACTURING FOR THOSE PEOPLE WITH CARS IN A BUILD DATE RANGE OF 7/08 AND 8/08 BUT DID NOT SEND OUT LETTERS TO OWNERS IN THAT BUILD DATE RANGE. THIS IS A CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE AND SHOULD RESULT IN A RECALL, ESPECIALLY SINCE THEY KNOW ABOUT THE ISSUE AND REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING TO NOTIFY THE USERS OR PREEMPTIVELY FIX THE PROBLEM. BY WILLINGLY KNOWING THAT A CUSTOMER'S ENGINE COULD FAIL AND WAITING UNTIL THE FAILURE OCCURS, CAUSING HARDSHIP ON THE OWNER, THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT WARRANTS A RECALL. *TR

May 19, 2010

+ 9 more complaints for this component

AIR BAGS

10 complaints

TAKATA RECALL. I WENT TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY WOULD EITHER REQUIRE ME TO PAY TO HAVE AFTERMARKET GUAGES REMOVED PRIOR TO THEM PERFORMING THE RECALL, OR THEY WOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGE THEY CAUSED TO MY AFTERMARKET GUAGES WHILE PERFORMING THE RECALL. THE FREE RECALL IS GOING TO COST ME MONEY THAT I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY.

Aug 16, 2019

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V026000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED (LITHIA RENO SUBARU IN RENO, NV, 775-800-5534) AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Sep 27, 2017

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V358000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Feb 03, 2017

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V358000 (AIR BAGS) WAS RECEIVED IN MAY. AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED FOR THE RECALL REMEDY WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE AND NO ESTIMATED TIME FOR RECEIVING THE PARTS COULD BE PROVIDED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

Dec 21, 2016

TAKATA RECALL - I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH HOW SUBARU IS HANDLING MY RECALL REPAIR. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH BAY RIDGE SUBARU IN BROOKLYN NY ON 11/21/16 TO HAVE THE WORK DONE TO REPLACE MY AIRBAG ON 12/19/16, THEY TOOK MY VEHICLE MAKE, MODEL AND VIN AND ASSURED ME THEY HAD THE PART IN STOCK AND WERE HOLDING IT FOR THIS APT. I EVEN RECEIVED AN EMAIL CONFIRMING THIS INFORMATION. I RECEIVED A CALL ON 12/16 SAYING THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE PART AND THAT MY APPOINTMENT HAD NO VEHICLE INFORMATION IN IT. THE SERVICE MANAGER I SPOKE WITH TOLD ME THAT I SHOULD TAKE THE CAR TO WHERE I PURCHASED IT FOR RECALL REPAIRS. I'M HIGHLY DISAPPOINTED. NOT ONLY HAVE LOST OUT ON THE FULL USE OF MY VEHICLE SINCE THE RECALL WAS ANNOUNCED 6 MONTHS AGO, THIS EPISODE HAS REDUCED MY CONFIDENCE IN SUBARU'S COMMITMENT TO CORRECTING THIS PROBLEM. *TR

Dec 16, 2016

+ 5 more complaints for this component

ENGINE

9 complaints

The head gaskets have failed multiple times with this vehicle within a 6 month timeframe. The head gaskets have been a reported recall issue for other models of Subaru Impreza's except the non-turbo ones which this one is. The shop where is has been repaired at repairs several Subaru's that are non-turbo models monthly due to blown head gaskets. The head gasket failure in my vehicle has caused other components to fail, i.e. the radiator, power steering rack and 2 catalytic converters. I have all of my receipts for the repairs that where a direct result of the head gaskets being blown twice within 6 months and the total spent was $4,558.53 the car cost $5750.00 to buy.

Aug 23, 2022

HEAD GASKET FAILURE AT 80,000 MILES. LEAKED OUT 1.5 QUARTS OF OIL ON ROAD TRIP

Feb 10, 2020

2009 SUBARU WITH LESS THAN 100,000 HAS A HEAD GASKET LINKING ONTO CATALITIC CONVERTER.HAD SAME PROBLEM WITH 2005 IMPREZA WITH 95,000 MILES .WHEN I BOUGHT 2009 I WAIT WAS TOLD PROBLEM HAD BEEN RESOLVED.OBVIOUSLY NOT ! NOW I HAVE TO PAY 1,600 DOLLARS TO HAVE IT REPAIRED.NOT HAPPY WITH SUBARU,WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER ONE.

Jun 27, 2019

2009 SUBARU IMPREZA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO FAILED HEAD GASKET. *LD *JS

May 10, 2019

THIS IS A PROBLEM ABOUT A 2009 SUBARU IMPREZA OUTBACK SPORT WAGON, WHICH ONLY HAD 105,000 MILES ON IT AND FOUND OUT THE OIL LEAKED IS DUE TO HEAD GASKET IS ALREADY LEAKED. THE SUBARU DEALER, PLANET SUBARU, HAD A REPAIR QUOTE FOR $2,000.00. DID RESEARCH ABOUT THE ISSUE, AND FOUND THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM AND THAT THE ENGINES ARE KNOWN TO CONSUME TOO MUCH OIL BETWEEN OIL CHANGES. SUBARU HAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST THEM FOR THE SAME PROBLEM BUT NOT THE SPECIFIC YEAR OF VEHICLE.HOWEVER, HAD CONTACT SUBARU FEW TIMES BUT SUBARU CUSTOMER SERVICE DECLINE TO ASSIST AND SUGGEST STAY AWAY FROM SUBARU.

May 25, 2018

+ 4 more complaints for this component

STRUCTURE

8 complaints

MY CAR JUST BROKE ON ME. THE SHOP SHOWED ME HOW THE FIREWALL WAS BUILT ON THESE MODELS AND HOW IT WAS CHANGED FROM PREVIOUS MODELS. I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO WORRRY ABOUT THE FIREWALL BREAKING ON ME WITH ONLY 100K MILES ON MY CAR. THIS IS DANGEROUS THE FIREWALL BROKE ON ME WHILE DRIVING AND RENDERED THE CAR UNDRIVEABLE. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO GET OFF THE ROAD BEFORE POTENTIALLY CAUSING A MAJOR ACCIDENT. THIS IS A HAZARD FOR ANYONE WHO BUYS THESE CARS BECAUSE THE FIREWALL CAN BREAK ANYTIME REALLY DEPENDING ON HOW HARD THE CAR IS DRIVEN ALTHOUGH IT SHOULD REALISTICALLY NEVER BREAK.

Apr 30, 2020

HAD A CLUTCH REPAIR DONE ON CAR AFTER THE REPAIR WAS FINISHED THE MECHANIC NOTED THAT THE FIREWALL ON CAR WAS CRACKED. THE CAR WAS STATIONARY AFTER LOOKING ON THE INTERNET AND NOTED THAT THE SUBARU WRX IMPRIZA FROM 2009-214 HAD A PROBLEM WITH FIRE WALL FATIGUE WHEN THE CLUTCH AND BRAKE WERE BEING USED UNDER NORMAL OPERATION CONDITION.

Jan 25, 2020

TODAY (JULY 10, 2019) I DISCOVERED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR DOOR OF MY 2009 IMPREZA WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE EVEN WHEN THE CHILD LOCK IS IN THE FREE POSITION. I HAVE A SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH THE SAME DOOR ON MY 2014 OUTBACK, IN THAT THE CHILD LOCK IS STUCK IN THE LOCKED POSITION AND THE DOOR CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE. I DON'T THINK IT'S A COINCIDENCE THAT BOTH OF MY SUBARUS ARE HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE CHILD SAFETY LOCKS AND I WOULD LIKE THIS INVESTIGATED.

Jul 10, 2019

08-14 MANUAL SUBARUS HAVE AN ISSUE WHERE THE FIREWALL WELDS BREAK AND CAUSES A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY RISK AS THE PEDAL ASSEMBLY EITHER SAGS OR EVENTUALLY COMPLETELY BREAKS OFF. IT STARTS CREAKING AND POPPING AND THERE IS EXCESSIVE MOVEMENT OF THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER WHEN THE PEDAL IS PUSHED. THE BRAKE PEDAL ALSO NOTICEABLY MOVES TO THE LEFT WHEN PRESSING THE CLUTCH. AFTER THE CREAKING STARTS IT'S ESSENTIALLY A TICKING TIME BOMB AND IS SCARY TO THINK ABOUT HAPPENING MID SHIFT OR IN TRAFFIC.

Apr 13, 2018

SUN VISOR DROOP...CAUSES VISIBILITY ISSUES. HAS BEEN PRETTY WELL DOCUMENTED IN VARIOUS SUBARU FORUMS. MINE IS IN THE DRIVER SIDE, BUT I HAVE SEEN BOTH SIDES DROOP BEING AN ISSUE.

Mar 25, 2017

+ 3 more complaints for this component

POWER TRAIN,STRUCTURE

6 complaints

DUE TO THE FIREWALL FLEXING EVERY TIME THE CLUTCH PEDAL IS DEPRESSED, OVER TIME THE SPOT WELDS CONNECTING THE CLUTCH PEDAL MOUNTING BRACKET TO THE FIREWALL FAIL. THIS ALLOWS FOR PLAY IN THE ENTIRE CLUTCH/BRAKE PEDAL ASSEMBLY. GIVEN ENOUGH OF THE WELDS BREAK, THE VEHICLE CAN NO LONGER BY PUT INTO GEAR. I BECAME UNABLE TO PUT THE CAR INTO REVERSE OR FIRST GEAR FROM A DEAD STOP. IT TOOK ABOUT 5 MINUTES OF TRYING TO GET IT INTO 1ST TO GET HOME. LUCKILY THIS DID NOT OCCUR WHILE AT SPEED.

Nov 28, 2016

THE CLUTCH PEDAL ON MY 2009 WRX CONSTANTLY REQUIRES ADJUSTMENT TO ENABLE THE RELEASE OF THE CLAMP PRESSURE ON THE DRIVEN PLATE OF THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY WHEN THE CLUTCH FOOT PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. UPON INVESTIGATING A CREAKING NOISE, I NOTICED THAT THE ENTIRE CLUTCH PEDAL BRACKET ASSEMBLY (ATTACHED TO THE FORWARD FIREWALL) SHIFTS APPROX 1/4 INCH TO THE LEFT AND DOWN EACH TIME THE CLUTCH PEDAL IS ACTIVATED. THIS CLUTCH PEDAL BRACKET ASSEMBLY HAS THREE BROKEN SPOT WELDS SECURING THE CLUTCH PEDAL BRACKET TO THE FORWARD FIREWALL. FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE FIREWALL, UNDERNEATH THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER, I CONFIRMED THE MANUFACTURER'S SPOT WELDS ARE PULLING AWAY FROM THE FIREWALL EACH TIME THE CLUTCH PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. THIS WELD DEFECT STEMMING FROM THE MANUFACTURER ALLOWS THE ENTIRE CLUTCH PEDAL BRACKET ASSEMBLY TO MOVE UNSECURED, ULTIMATELY PREVENTING THE TRANSMISSION TO ENGAGE THE VEHICLE INTO 1ST, 2ND, OR REVERSE GEAR. I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO MAKE CLUTCH PEDAL ADJUSTMENTS TO TEMPORARILY ENGAGE THE GEARS, HOWEVER IF THE BRACKET COMPLETELY SEPARATES FROM THE FIREWALL, THE CLUTCH MAY BECOME INOPERATIVE. THIS NOTORIOUS DEFECT IS WELL KNOWN AMONG SUBARU CAR OWNERS AND IS INDEED A SAFETY ISSUE THAT CAN DIRECTLY CAUSE A VEHICLE COLLISION.

Oct 17, 2016

WELDS ATTACHING THE CLUTCH PEDAL TO THE FIREWALL BROKE. THE CLUTCH IS NOW NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO ENGAGE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL MOVES 3/4 OF AN INCH WHEN THE CLUTCH PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. ACCORDING TO THE MECHANIC, THE CAR IS NOW AT RISK OF LOSING ABILITY TO BRAKE IF THE WELDS COMPLETELY DETACH FROM THE FIREWALL. THE WELDS HOLD THE ENTIRE PEDAL ASSEMBLY IN PLACE. *TR

Sep 20, 2013

2009 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX - CLUTCH PEDAL STARTED TO MALFUNCTION, BEGAN MAKING A CREAKING NOISE WHEN DEPRESSED, AND WOULDN'T SHIFT CLEANLY INTO MOST GEARS. WE ORIGINALLY THOUGHT IT WAS SOMETHING THAT NEEDED TO BE LUBRICATED OR ADJUSTED BUT THIS WAS NOT THE CASE. OVER A SHORT TIME, THIS CREAKING NOISE TURNED INTO A CLICKING NOISE WHEN THE CLUTCH WAS DEPRESSED. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED 8 MONTHS PRIOR - THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE FOREMAN AND SERVICE MANAGER BOTH ADVISED US THAT SOME OF THE SPOT WELDS THAT HOLD THE PEDAL ASSEMBLY TO THE FORWARD FIREWALL HAVE BROKEN. BOTH MEN INSISTED THAT THEY HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE (NOT COMFORTING COMING FROM TRAINED SUBARU SERVICE SPECIALISTS) AND HAD NO INDICATION AS TO HOW IT HAD HAPPENED (OTHER THAN BEING IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT SINCE WE PURCHASED IT, WHICH IS NOT THE CASE AND THERE IS NO EVIDENCE TO THE CONTRARY, I.E. BODY DAMAGE, VEHICLE HISTORY REPORTS, ETC). UPON RESEARCHING FURTHER, WE FOUND THAT THERE HAVE BEEN MANY INSTANCES OF THIS ISSUE HAPPENING. STOHLMAN SUBARU OF VIENNA, VA TOLD US THAT IT WAS OUR PROBLEM AND THAT IF IT WAS THEIR CAR, THEY WOULDN'T EVEN BOTHER FIXING IT! I FIND THIS VERY HARD TO UNDERSTAND, AS THE CAR IS NOT CHEAP, IT IS MADE FOR RALLYING AND RACING, AND WHILE THE REPAIR IS EXTENSIVE (SO WE WERE TOLD), IT DEFINITELY WOULD NOT BE MORE THAN THE VEHICLE IS WORTH. WHY WOULD THEY RECOMMEND TO US TO NOT FIX THE CAR? THIS APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN A RELATIVELY COMMON ISSUE ON SUBARU IMPREZA WRXS, AND JUST THAT FACT ALONE POINTS TO DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT. ALTHOUGH THERE HAS BEEN NO OFFICIAL RECALL ON THESE PARTS, IT IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN. EACH TIME THE CLUTCH IS ENGAGED, WE RUN THE RISK OF BREAKING THE FINAL WELDS, WHICH LEAVES YOU WITH ZERO CONTROL OF THE CAR. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY NOT BEING DRIVEN. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN UTTERLY WORTHLESS FOR ANY HELP OR GUIDANCE. *TR

Jul 22, 2013

I NOTICED A CONSISTENT SQUEAK WHEN THE CLUTCH PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, AT ALL SPEEDS, AT ALL TIMES, EVEN WHEN THE CAR WAS OFF. I TRIED TO LUBRICATE IT, BUT THE NOISE DID NOT GO AWAY. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY ALSO TRIED TO LUBRICATE IT, BUT THE NOISE DID NOT GO AWAY. THE DEALER ASKED TO KEEP THE VEHICLE FOR A DAY SO THE CLUTCH COULD BE DISASSEMBLED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE. I HAD PURCHASED A NEW CLUTCH FROM THE DEALER FOR $1600 IN SEPTEMBER, 2012 WHICH WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE CAUSE WAS BROKEN WELDS BETWEEN THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY AND FIREWALL. THE DEALER AND I BOTH CALLED SUBARU OF AMERICA TO FIND A RESOLUTION. MY CASE NUMBER WAS SR #:[XXX]. I TOLD THE SUBARU REP THAT THIS WAS A COMMON AND WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL OF SUBARU BASED ON MY OWN INTERNET RESEARCH, BUT THE REP DENIED ANY KNOWLEDGE OF SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH IMPREZZA WRXS. THE REPAIR IS EXPENSIVE (>$2000) BECAUSE THE ENTIRE DASH OF THE VEHICLE MUST BE REMOVED IN ORDER FOR THE BROKEN WELDS TO BE FIXED BY A THIRD PARTY BODY SHOP. THEN, THE DASH MUST BE REPLACED. THE REPAIR TOOK TWO FULL WEEKS. OTHERS HAVE REPORTED REPAIR TIMES OF UP TO TWO MONTHS. WITH NEW WELDS, THE CLUTCH SQUEAK IS GONE. SUBARU INFORMED ME THAT THE DEALER WOULD COVER THE REPAIR EXPENSE AS A "ONE TIME GOOD WILL GESTURE" AND I AM GRATEFUL ABOUT THAT, BUT CONCERNED FOR OTHER OWNERS THAT SUBARU IS SWEEPING THIS PROBLEM UNDER THE RUG. IF THE CLUTCH COMPLETELY BREAKS APART FROM THE BODY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE TRANSMISSION COULD BE SEVERELY DAMAGED AND LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL MAY RESULT. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

May 22, 2013

+ 1 more complaint for this component

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

5 complaints

WHEN TRYING TO PUT FUEL IN MY CAR AT THE PUMP, THE FUEL INSTANTLY STARTING SPEWING OUT EVEN THOUGH I KNOW I HAVE AN EMPTY TANK. BASED ON RESEARCH, SUBARU HAS A VALVE IN THE TANK THAT IS DEFECTIVE AND CAUSES THIS. THERE IS NO WAY I CAN FILL MY TANK UP AND I AM COVERED IN FUEL.

Jun 18, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SUBARU IMPREZA. AFTER FUELING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED A VERY STRONG ODOR OF FUEL. THE CONTACT DROVE APPROXIMATELY THREE MILES TO HIS HOME AND THE ODOR BECAME STRONGER. THE CONTACT NOTICED FUEL LEAKING UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE WHERE THE FUEL TANK WAS LOCATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

Oct 11, 2018

GAS TANK WILL NOT ALLOW ANY GAS TO BE PUMPED. ATTEMPTED TO PUMP AND GAS SPRAYED BACK OUT. CAR IS THROWING A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OF P0453 "EVAP SYSTEM PRESSURE SENSOR HIGH INPUT." CAR IS NEARLY ON E FOR GAS. TAKING TO DEALERSHIP TO RESOLVE PROBLEM. SAFETY ISSUE AS GAS COULD SPRAY ON PERSON, CAUSING INJURY. *TR

Jul 17, 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

Jun 27, 2013

THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS IN 2010. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON (STEADY, NOT BLINKING) AND AFTER THAT I ATTEMPTED TO PUT GAS IN THE CAR. THE TANK WAS DOWN TO APPROX. 1/4 BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT TAKE GAS, AND WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO ADD GAS IT BACK SPLASHED ALL OVER ME. THE DEALER SAID IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH SPIDER WEBS IN THE LINE CAUSING A PRESSURE PROBLEM IN THE TANK, AND REPLACED THE PRESSURE VALVE. SINCE THEN THIS HAS HAPPENED 4 ADDITIONAL TIMES - I AM NOW ON MY 3RD PRESSURE VALVE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE ON SEVERAL FRONTS: UNEXPECTED BACKSPLASH OF GAS, POSSIBILITY OF RUNNING OUT OF GAS AND NOT BEING ABLE TO ADD IT (I.E. BEING TOTALLY STUCK FAR FROM HOME) AND PRESSURE IN THE TANK (SEEMS THIS COULD RESULT IN FIRE OR OTHER DANGER). THE DEALER DOES NOT HAVE A FIX FOR THIS - A RECALL IS NECESSARY TO FORCE SUBARU TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS ISSUE AND COMING UP WITH A FIX TO PREVENT SPIDER ENTRY (MAZDA AND HONDA HAVE ADDRESSED THIS SAME ISSUE - MAZDA RECALLED 50K + CARS). *JS

Jul 03, 2012

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

4 complaints

Odometer Fraud. The contact recently purchased a 2009 Subaru Impreza. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 189,822. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced failures and was taken to AutoZone, where it was discovered that the mileage on the title of the vehicle was 202,000.

Nov 26, 2025

There was a brake light switch failure which was under recall. The failure caused a short in my electrical system and wires in my bulk head wiring harness melted and fused together causing a ultimate failure of the vehicle being able to start. The vehicle was towed to subaru, the brake light switch was fixed per the recall but the wiring harness is no longer made by subaru so my vehicle could not be repaired. Ultimately my vehicle was ruined. The brake switch failure is the cause of the short that ruined this vehicle valued at 4800$ and subaru wont fix it because they cant find the parts needed

Jan 14, 2023

WTM-73 RECALL. THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED AT WEBSTER GROVE SUBARU IN ST. LOUIS ON JAN 12, 2017. ON FEBRUARY 10, 2017 THE CAR WAS TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ALONG I-74 NEAR CHAMPAIGN URBANA IL. THE TRACTION CONTROL, ENGINE LIGHT AND OIL LIGHT CAME ON, THEN THE AND SMOKE BEGAN TO BELLOW FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CAR WAS GUIDED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE DRIVE AND OCCUPANT EXITED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS SHORTLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES AFTER THAT. I TOOK PHOTOS OF THE REMAINS ON FEB 13, 2017 AT REYNOLDS TOW SERVICE IN CHAMPAIGN IL. THE AREA OF OF THE FUSE AND RELAY BOX UNDER THE HOOD APPEAR TO BE THE STARTING AREA OF THE FIRE. I BELIEVE THE RECALL DID NOT REPAIR THE PROBLEM WITH THE SECONDARY AIR PUMP ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT.

Feb 14, 2017

Fire: 1

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.

Jun 29, 2010

Fire: 1

SERVICE BRAKES

3 complaints

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON AND ACTIVATED. I AM NOT SURE WHICH SPEED IT WAS SET TO (IT WOULD HAVE BEEN BETWEEN 65-85). AS I WAS DRIVING, I APPROACHED A CAR IN FRONT OF ME AND DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH MY RIGHT FOOT. I DID NOT DEACTIVATE THE CRUISE CONTROL FIRST, BECAUSE BRAKING SHOULD DEACTIVATE IT. WHEN I PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, IT WAS COMPLETED JAMMED AND WOULD NOT MOVE AT ALL. I THEN LIFTED MY FOOT, AND PUSHED THE BRAKE AGAIN. I THEN SLAMMED BY FOOT DOWN ON THE BRAKE AND IT WOULD NOT MOVE. THE WHOLE TIME I COULDN'T DEPRESS THE BRAKE THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS STILL ACTIVE AND I WAS COMING VERY CLOSE TO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I THEN DEPRESSED THE CLUTCH AND THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS DEACTIVATED, AND THE BRAKE PEDAL THEN WAS NOT STUCK AND IT WORKED AS USUAL. AFTER THIS, EVERYTHING IN THE CAR SEEMED TO WORK NORMALLY. I CAME EXTREMELY CLOSE TO HAVING AN ACCIDENT ON THE HIGHWAY BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM AND I COULD HAVE KILLED MYSELF OR OTHERS. I HAD TO SWERVE IN ORDER TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT ON THE HIGHWAY AND IT WAS EXTREMELY STRESSFUL.

Apr 19, 2016

REAR LEFT BRAKE STARTED MAKING A SCRAPING SOUND AS IF THE BRAKE PADS WERE WORN AND GOUGING THE ROTOR, ALSO THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS PULSATING AS IF THE ROTOR WAS WARPED. UPON INSPECTION I NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE PADS WERE NOT WORN BUT IN FACT THE SMOOTH SURFACE ON THE BACK SIDE OF THE ROTOR WAS CHIPPING AWAY AND THE ROTOR WAS VERY ROUGH,. THESE ARE THE ORIGINAL ROTORS AND THE REAR LEFT WAS THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM ALTHOUGH THE REAR RIGHT ROTOR WAS WORN BADLY ALSO BUT THE PADS BARELY SHOWED ANY WEAR. THESE REAR BRAKE PADS ARE THE SECOND SET SINCE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW BY ME.

Jun 16, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, BURNING FUMES WERE EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MERGE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, BLACK SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT AND PASSENGER IMMEDIATELY EXITED THE VEHICLE AND MOMENTS LATER THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FORENSICS EXAMINER DETERMINED THAT THE ABS FLUID LEAKED ON THE ENGINE CAUSING THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000.

Jul 21, 2014

Fire: 1

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

2 complaints

SEVERAL HOURS AFTER HAVING WORK PERFORMED ON MY CAR, I WAS TURNING LEFT FROM ONE ROAD TO ANOTHER, BOTH WITH SPEED LIMITS AROUND 40 MPH. WHILE TURNING LEFT AND SIMULTANEOUSLY SHIFTING FROM 4TH TO 2ND GEAR. WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 15 MPH IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND I BECAME AWARE THAT THE CAR HAD STALLED. I HAD TO PULL THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE CAR AND SKIDDED OFF THE ROAD, WHICH CAUSED THE CAR BEHIND ME TO BRAKE SUDDENLY IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. I WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR IMMEDIATELY. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE INCIDENT, I HAD THE CAR THOROUGHLY INSPECTED AND NO MECHANICAL ISSUES WERE FOUND. THE REASON SUSPECTED FOR THIS WAS DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW IN THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR, WHICH IN CERTAIN SUBARUS CAN RESET AFTER THE CAR'S BATTERY HAS BEEN DISCONNECTED (TO PERFORM SERVICE ON THE CAR, IN THIS CASE). WHEN THE SENSOR IS RESET, THE CAR WILL TEND TO STALL WHEN THE RPMS DROP, EITHER WHEN COMING TO A STOP LIGHT OR DOWNSHIFTING IN MANUAL TRANSMISSION CARS. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE REPORTED BY MANY OWNERS AND MECHANICS. I WAS ADVISED BY A SUBARU DEALER THAT THE SUBARU RELEARN IDLE PROCEDURE NEEDS TO BE PERFORMED TO RESTORE PROPER IDLE PERFORMANCE AFTER THE BATTERY HAS BEEN DISCONNECTED. I HAVE EXPERIENCED MY CAR STALLING SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE YEARS DUE TO THIS ISSUE, BUT NEVER BEFORE WHILE THE CAR WAS IN MOTION. IT HAS BEEN INSPECTED MULTIPLE TIMES AND NO MECHANICAL ISSUES RELATED TO THIS ISSUE HAVE BEEN FOUND. I BELIEVE THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS, IN PARTICULAR IN CASES WHERE THE CAR CAN STALL WHILE IN MOTION AND ESPECIALLY WHILE TURNING, AS IT CAN EASILY CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. FURTHER, THIS IS NOT A HIGHLY PREDICTABLE ISSUE AND IT'S NOT ALWAYS CLEAR TO ME AS THE OWNER OF THE CAR WHEN THE RELEARN IDLE PROCEDURE NEEDS TO BE PERFORMED.

Nov 23, 2020

BROKEN FIREWALL CLUTCH BRACKET WELDS.

May 23, 2017

POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES

2 complaints

SUBARU OF AMERICA INC. SHOULD RECALL 2008-2014 IMPREZA, IMPREZA WRX, AND IMPREZA WRX STI. THESE VEHICLES JUST ABOVE THE DRIVERS FEET, USE 6 SPOTS WELDS TO HOLD A MOUNTING BRACKET FOR THE PEDAL ASSEMBLY TO THE INSIDE OF THE FIREWALL.THIS DESIGN FLAW, WHERE THE PEDAL MOUNTING BOX IS SPOT-WELDED TO THE FIREWALL USING ONLY A HANDFUL OF TINY SPOT WELDS IS DANGEROUS. THE FIREWALL ITSELF IS OF A WEAK DESIGN AND INHERENTLY HAS QUITE A BIT OF FLEX AND OVER TIME AND NORMAL USE THESE SPOT WELDS FAIL FROM TOO MUCH STRESS AND THE PEDALS WILL BEGIN TO SQUEAK, CREAK, POP AND EVENTUALLY THE PEDALS WILL MOVE AWAY FROM THE FIREWALL WHEN DEPRESSED. ONCE THIS HAPPENS THE CLUTCH AND OTHER PEDALS WILL NO LONGER PROPERLY ENGAGE OR DISENGAGE AND THE CAR WILL NO LONGER BE DRIVABLE. IN THE EVENT OF THIS FAILURE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS POTENTIALLY CATASTROPHIC LOSS OF LIFE AND ENDANGERING THE PUBLIC. SAFETY RISK FIREWALL FAILURE POTENTIAL RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. THE SUDDEN LOSS OF FUNCTION OF PEDAL ASSEMBLY INCLUDING CLUTCH, BRAKE, AND ACCELERATION PEDALS. LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL MAY LEAD TO OCCUPANTS HAVING SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH ESPECIALLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. REMEDY SUBARU WILL NOTIFY THEIR OWNERS. DEALERS WILL FACILITATE THE, PERMANENT SOLUTION WHICH INVOLVES PROPERLY WELDING THE PEDAL ASSEMBLY BOX TO THE FIREWALL WITH A CONTINUOUS SEAM WELD ALONG THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE MOUNTING TAB, FREE OF CHARGE. SOURCES: HTTP://WWW.CIRCUITMOTORSPORTS-BLOG.COM/2015/04/THE-2008-2014-SUBARU-IMPREZA-CLUTCH.HTML HTTPS://WWW.5250PERFORMANCE.COM/BLOG/SUBARU-FIREWALL-REPAIRS-LESS-MONEY-BETTER-REPAIR HTTPS://FORUMS.NASIOC.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?S=745C2FF65D52924B49418232894051CD&T=2700583 HTTPS://BIT.LY/2SSK3IJ HTTPS://BIT.LY/37FLMP4 HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/RESULTS?SEARCH_QUERY=2008+SUBARU+WRX+FIREWALL *TR

Jan 05, 2020

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

Oct 24, 2012

STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

2 complaints

THE FIREWALL WELDS HAVE FAILED AND BROKEN, RESULTING IN STRUCTURAL FAILURE OF THE CLUTCH AND BRAKE PEDAL MOUNTS. THIS LEADS TO THE CLUTCH NOT BEING ABLE TO BE FULLY AND PROPERLY DEPRESSED, RESULTING IN HARD GEAR SHIFTS, GRINDING, EXCESS TRANSMISSION WEAR, AS WELL AS THE BRAKE PEDAL AND CLUTCH PEDAL MOVING WHEN DEPRESSED, WHICH IS OBVIOUSLY A SAFETY HAZARD IF THE PEDALS MOVE WHERE THEY SHOULDN'T WITHOUT BEING PURPOSEFULLY ADJUSTED. WHEN THE CLUTCH IS DEPRESSED, THE BRAKE PEDAL MOVES TO THE LEFT, TOWARD THE CLUTCH PEDAL AT LEAST AN INCH. THIS IS AN INCREDIBLE SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION, IF THE BRAKE NEEDS TO BE APPLIED WHILE THE CLUTCH IS DEPRESSED, THE BRAKE PEDAL IS NOT WHERE IT SHOULD BE AND CAN BE MISSED BY MY FOOT WHILE TRYING TO APPLY THE BRAKE QUICKLY. THERE IS ALSO AN INCREDIBLY DISTRACTING AND ANNOYING SQUEAKING SOUND EVERY TIME THE CLUTCH IS DEPRESSED. SUBARU IS WELL AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AS IT IS RELATIVELY COMMON. HOWEVER, THEY QUOTED ME $900 TO FIX IT. THIS IS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT AND SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF BY THE MANUFACTURER. MY CAR HAS APPROXIMATELY 105,XXX MILES WITH THE PROBLEM STARTING AT 90,XXX MILES.

Dec 17, 2018

FIRE WALL WHERE THE CLUTCH MASTER CILINDER SITS MOVES IN AND OUT WHEN CLUTCH IS DEPRESSED MAKING A CRACKING NOICE, AND CAUSING FIRE WALL METAL TOMEXPAND

Nov 21, 2016

POWER TRAIN,STRUCTURE,SERVICE BRAKES

2 complaints

CHASSIS FATIGUE AND CRACKING RESULTING IN DAMAGE/POTENTIAL COMPROMISE OF DRIVER CONTROLS. CLUTCH PEDAL ASSEMBLY BROKE AND WILL NO LONGER DISSENGAGE THE CLUTCH(DRIVETRAIN SYSTEM). THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON A LOCAL HIGHWAY AT A SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 45MPH. I WAS FORCED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE OFF OF THE ROAD TO AVOID A POTENTIAL COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE WHOLE ASSEMBLY IS COMPRISED OF BOTH THE CLUTCH AND THE BRAKE PEDALS. DUE TO THE ASSEMBLY FAILURE THE BRAKE PEDAL HAS SIGNIFICANT PLAY IN IT AS WELL AND DOESNT FUNCTION PROPERLY. UPON INSPECTION I FOUND THAT STRUCTURAL WELDS ON THE FIREWALL, WHERE THE ASSEMBLY IS MOUNTED, HAVE FAILED. I CALLED SUBARUOFAMERICA ABOUT THE ISSUE ON 08 MAY 2018. I REFERENCED TWO DIFFERENT TSB'S REGARDING THIS ISSUE ON MY YEAR RANGE OF VEHICLE. 1) NHTSA ID: 10090413 TSB ID: WE 2) NHTSA ID: 10090409 TSB ID: 12-184-15 I WAS TOLD THAT THE EXTENSION TO THE WARRANTY EXPIRED IN 2013 AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO FOR ME. EVEN THOUGH THESE TSB'S ARE DATE 03 FEBRUARY 2017.

May 08, 2018

CAR USED AS DAILY DRIVER TO COMMUTE LESS THAN 14 MILES ROUND TRIP FOR WORK. CLUTCH BEGAN TO DEVELOP A POP NOISE WHICH THEN TURNED INTO A LOUD SQUEAK FOLLOWED BY MORE THAN A 1/2" OF MOVEMENT TO THE LEFT THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD START TO MOVE WHEN THE CLUTCH WOULD BE DEPRESSED. AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATION OF READING LOCAL OWNERS THREADS AND ASKING AROUND I HAVE FOUND THAT THE WELDS THAT HOLD MY BRAKE AND CLUTCH TOGETHER HAVE BROKEN AND ARE CONTINUING TO BREAK WHICH COULD LEAD TO MY CLUTCH PEDAL ASSEMBLY FALLING DOWN TO THE FLOOR BOARD WHICH COULD POTENTIALLY RENDER ME FROM USING MY BRAKE PEDAL. THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH ALL SUBARU IMPREZA WRX AND STI OWNERS WHICH CAN BE FOUND ON MULTIPLE LOCAL OWNERS CLUB WEBSITES AND COULD AFFECT BODILY HARM TO DRIVERS OF THE CARS AND OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD! SUBARU REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM AND IN MOST CASES WILL NOT COVER REPAIR COSTS! *TR

Nov 21, 2014

STRUCTURE,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

2 complaints

I AM EXPERIENCING ISSUES WITH THE FIREWALL WHERE EVERYTIME I DEPRESS THE CLUTCH THE FIREWALL FLEXES AND IT IS MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO SHIFT GEARS UNDER NORMAL OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

Apr 26, 2014

WHEN THE CLUTCH IS PRESSED, A SQUEAKING SOUND APPEARS AS IF AN OLD WOODEN DOOR IS OPENING. UPON SEARCH WAS FOUND THAT THE WELDS HOLDING THE PEDAL ASSEMBLY ARE BREAKING. THERE ARE ONLY SPOT WELDS HOLDING THE ASSEMBLY DOWN AND IS A SAFETY PROBLEM IF ALL WELDS BREAK. *TR

Jan 03, 2012

VISIBILITY/WIPER

2 complaints

DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR IS FAULTY. WE REPLACED IT 12 MONTHS AGO AND IT IS BROKEN AGAIN. THE INTERNAL SPRING/CLIP FAILS, SO THE SUN VISOR HANGS DOWN, AND IMPAIRS VISION WHEN DRIVING. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS, AND WE HAVE NEARLY CRASHED TWICE DUE TO THIS. I HAVE CONTACTED SUBARU TO INFORM THEM OF THIS. A QUICK GOOGLE SEARCH PROVES IT'S A WELL-KNOWN ISSUE, AND HAS BEEN SINCE 2000. PLEASE HELP MAKE THIS A PRODUCT RECALL AND REPLACE ALL OF THE CHEAP VISORS THAT ARE CURRENTLY INSTALLED BEFORE THERE IS A FATALITY. *TR

Dec 27, 2013

DRIVER SIDE VISOR SPRING MECHANISM BROKEN. *TR

Apr 29, 2013

TIRES

2 complaints

ORIGINAL TIRE DEFECT DISCOVERED AT 16K MILES ON ONE TIRE (BULGE IN SIDEWALL) WITH NO KNOWN REASON (NO IMPACTS OR POTHOLES). NEEDED TO REPLACE ALL 4 SINCE IT IS AN AWD. EXTREME COST OF $500 AND PUT ME IN DANGER OF AN ACCIDENT. DEFECTIVE TIRE: FIRESTONE/ BRIDGESTONE POTENZA RE92A (DOT EM8KJLL0309) ONLY 16K MILES ON CAR AND TIRES. DID PREVENT ACCIDENT BUT FLAWED TIRES SHOULD BE MONITORED FOR FUTURE RECALL OF DEFECTIVE AND UNSAFE PRODUCTS. *KB

Aug 01, 2011

THE TPMS SYSTEM IN THE 2009 SUBARU IMPREZA IS FLAWED. WHEN I SEASONALLY CHANGE MY TIRES TO THE SPARE SET, I MUST GO TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE TPMS SENSORS RESET. THE SYSTEM SHOULD BE DESIGNED TO RECOGNIZE MORE THAN 4 TIRES; 8 WOULD BE A MINIMUM AND 9 WOULD BE PREFERRED FOR THE SPARE TIRE. THE IMPACT OF THIS FAULTY SYSTEM IS THAT IF I WANT MY TPMS SYSTEM TO WORK AS FEDERALLY MANDATED, I MUST PAY $50 TWICE PER YEAR TO THE DEALER OR TIRE SHOP TO RESET THE SYSTEM. BY LAW, THERE IS NO WAY TO DISABLE THE SYSTEM I.E. FOR WINTER RIMS AND TIRES. THE CONSUMER, ONCE AGAIN, IS GETTING PRICE GOUGED FOR A "SAFETY FEATURE" THAT HAS AN INHERENT DESIGN FLAW. PLEASE REMEDY THIS PROBLEM SOON AS ALL NEW CARS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE THIS FEATURE AND CONSUMERS IN MANY STATES FREQUENTLY CHANGE THEIR TIRES DURING THE WINTER MONTHS. *TR

Oct 20, 2009

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

2 complaints

ON FRIDAY 7/8/11, MY 2009 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX FAILED TO FILL UP GAS EVEN THOUGH THE TANK WAS EMPTY. INSTEAD, GAS SPEWED ALL OVER THE FLOOR CREATING A PUDDLE OF GASOLINE AND A SAFETY HAZARD TO OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE AND ALSO THE ENVIRONMENT. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE SUBARU DEALER ON FRIDAY AND THEY HAVE NO CLUE HOW AND WHEN IT WILL BE FIXED. I CONTACTED SUBARU TODAY AND WAS TOLD THEIR IS NO RECALL ON THE VEHICLE AND THEY HAVE NOT HEARD OF SUCH AN INCIDENT. HOWEVER, THERE ARE NUMEROUS POSTINGS ON SUBARU FORUMS STATING OTHERWISE. THIS CAN BE A DETRIMENTAL SAFETY ISSUE IF SOMEONE GETS HURT FROM THIS. MY WIFE AND 1 YR OLD SON WAS IN THE CAR DURING THIS INCIDENT. LUCKILY, SHE WAS ABLE TO STOP THE GAS FROM CONTINUING TO SPEW OVER AND GET MY SON TO SAFETY. *TT

Jul 11, 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 THE CONTACTS EYES DURING THE RECENT FAILURE, RESULTING IN INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE STILL IN POSSESSION OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 08/15/11 *BF UPDATED 3/06/2012 *LN

Jul 07, 2011

Injuries: 1

EXTERIOR LIGHTING,WHEELS

1 complaint

1. The weakness (dimness) of the low beams is a DANGEROUS situation. The assemblies are not dirty or oxidized; the low beam height was properly adjusted; Tested the power going to each light and it showed 14 volts; Bought some high power LED bulbs which didn't help. I am very hesitant to spend up to $400 for new assemblies hoping that maybe it will fix the problem. I have adjusted the high beam level to the height of what the low beams were and now have to use the high beams as low beams to sufficiently see the road and now have no high beams if I need them. Subaru should be recalling and replacing these faulty assemblies immediately. 2. Wheel lugs shear off when being removed. When the lug nuts were put on, they were tightened with a torque wrench to manufacturer specifications. This is the only vehicle (out of the 13 I have owned) I have ever had this problem with. Subaru should be recalling and replacing lugs immediately with lugs of proper materials immediately.

Jun 19, 2022

AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS,SEATS

1 complaint

The problem: like over 50% of adult Americans, I am female. I am 5' 3.5" tall (average for N. America, folks!) and weigh 109 lbs. I am also 66 years old and it's likely that despite my very active lifestyle (I'm a backpacker etc.), my bones are more brittle than a 25-y.o. man's. Your agency has failed in its duty to ensure the safety of ALL Americans. not just men and fat women. In order to reach the accelerator and see over the dashboard, i.e. in order to drive these vehicles which have passed your safety requirements, I sit in the death zone of the driver airbags and steering wheel column in all three vehicles I own: this 2009 Impreza, my 2000 Outback station wagon, and my 2012 Ford F350 Winnebago RV. Please don't tell me that I should buy one of the very few vehicles that might fit me better. I live on a mountainside in Alaska and need winter traction and handling. Why should my vehicle choices be narrowed because you have failed to recognizew that I exist? As a retired federal scientist and policy wonk with a law degree, I am appalled at your agency's callousness towards me and other average height drivers. How long will it take my government, staffed by people whose salaries I pay, to recognize that the male body is not the default for all humans? I am letting my Senator, Lisa Murkowshi, know that it's well past time for the NHTSA to protect me as well as it protects my husband.

Jun 09, 2021

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

1 complaint

09 WRX HATCH, THE TRACTION CONTROL AND HILL ASSIST LIGHTS WILL ILLUMINATE SPORADICALLY. AFTER THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF AND THEN BACK ON , EVERYTHING WORKS FINE. I HAVEN'T FOUND ANY VARIABLES THAT ARE CONSISTENT. IT DOESN'T MATTER IF IT'S RAIN OR SHINE, HOT OR COLD, BOTH LIGHTS WILL JUST RANDOMLY COME ON.

Jul 20, 2020

STEERING,POWER TRAIN,ENGINE

1 complaint

MOTOR WENT OUT WITH 72000 MILES WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY DRIVING. TRANSFER CASE BEARINGS SHOT. POWER STEERING RACK DONE AND FIREWALL HAS CRACKED FOR A 2ND TIME. SUBARU ARE PROBABLY THE MOST UNSAFE VEHICLES ON THE ROAD.

Dec 21, 2019

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS

1 complaint

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

Oct 04, 2019

STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES

1 complaint

I CALLED SUBARU ALMOST 5 MONTHS AGO WHEN I CAME ACROSS THERE WAS A RECALL ON BRAKES SINCE WE WERE HAVING THE ISSUE OF THE BRAKES FLASHING AND THE VEHICLE NOT SHIFTING. MANUFACTURER RECALL #: WUE90 ON 2-28-19. NHTSA RECALL #: 19V149000. WHEN I CALLED THEY SAID THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS YET TO FIX. ON 8-29-19 THE CAR WAS IN AN ACCIDENT AND BRAKES LIGHT WAS CHIMING AND FLASHING EARLIER AND MAY BE RELATED TO WHY IT DID NOT STOP IN TIME AND WAS INVOLCED IN A REAR END CRASH WHEN DRIVER IN FRONT SLAMMED ON BRAKES. A AUTO SHOP THEN TELLS ME AFTER THE CAR WAS REPORTED IN THE ACCIDENT SOMMERS SUBARU CALLED THEM ON 9-4-19 TO TELL THE CAR HAD A BRAKE SAFETY RECALL. I HAVE MADE A PREVIOUS COMPLAINT ABOUT THIS VEHICLE ON 4-19-19. COMPLAINT # 11197303

Sep 06, 2019

Crash: 1

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),ENGINE

1 complaint

THE O2 SENSOR WAS REPLACED BY RESALE DEALER, AFTER FILLING CAR WITH GAS THE CHECK ENGINE, TRACTION CONTROL, AND FLASHING CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON. SENSOR WAS RECHECKED BY DEALER, AND IT IS OKAY, CODES WIPED AND RESET. CAR WAS FILLED WITH GAS, LIGHTS CAME BACK ON AFTER COMMUTING BACK HOME. DROVE UNTIL THERE WAS 1/4 TANK LEFT, LIGHTS WENT OFF, FILLED BACK UP WITH GAS ALL THE LIGHTS CAME BACK ON. SENSOR STILL TESTS BACK AS THE PROBLEM, BUT THE SENSOR IS OKAY.

May 30, 2019

WHEELS,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE

1 complaint

TAKATA RECALL AND SAFETY RECALL WUE90 NHTSA CAMPAIGN: 19V149000 BRAKE LAMP SWITCH. ON APRIL 4TH, 2019 I CALLED MULTIPLE DEALERS FOR THIS RECALL AND THE TAKATA RECALL AND THEY COULD NOT GET ME IN UNTIL MAY 11TH FOR AIRBAG AND THE BRAKE RECALL THEY DO NOT HAVE PARTS YET FOR IT AND THE CARS BRAKE LIGHT IS ON. THE LAST WEEK AND A HALF THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN GOOFY AND LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHICH IS PART OF THE RECALL. MONDAY WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 55MPH THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE BLEW. CAR HAS BEEN TOWED BECAUSE IT APPEARS PART OF THE ABS SYSTEM HAS BROKE AND PIERCED THE BRAND NEW TIRE!

Apr 19, 2019

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE

1 complaint

WHEN I BROUGHT MY 2009 SUBARU IMPREZA INTO COLONIAL SUBARU (IN VA) 2 WEEKS AGO, THERE WERE MANY ISSUES, BUT I DIDN'T KNOW THE CAUSE OR IF THEY WERE RELATED. THE STRANGEST THING WAS ALL THE ISSUES STARTED OCCURRING OUT OF NOWHERE OVER THE PAST 4 MONTHS. MY UNCLE IS A CERTIFIED SUBARU MECHANIC IN NJ AND HAS BEEN SERVICING MY CAR SINCE I BOUGHT IT IN 2013. I ALSO TOOK METICULOUS CARE OF IT FOR THE PAST 5 YEARS, AND IT WAS RUNNING PERFECTLY UNTIL NOW. THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT WHEN HE LOOKED AT IT IN SEPT. AND IT PASSED NJ INSPECTION IN OCT. THEN BETWEEN OCT AND FEB (ONLY 4 MONTHS), IT'S FALLING APART AND NEEDS A NEW ENGINE AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER? I ALSO DIDN'T KNOW UNTIL RESEARCHING THE ISSUES (RIGHT BEFORE I TOOK IT INTO COLONIAL) THAT THERE WERE STILL 2 OPEN RECALLS ON IT ' BRAKE LINE AND AIR BAGS (I WASN'T DRIVING MY CAR A LOT AT THE TIME OF THE RECALLS BECAUSE I WAS UNEMPLOYED, AND NEVER EVEN HEARD ABOUT THEM, SO I HAD NO IDEA). WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO COLONIAL, I ASKED FOR THE FREE DIAGNOSTIC AND RECALL REPAIRS, BUT ALSO TOLD THEM EVERYTHING THAT WAS WRONG. THE FULL LIST I GAVE TO THEM IS IN THE ATTACHED DOC. THEY LIED ABOUT THE REAL PROBLEMS, MY CAR WAS TOWED TO HYMAN BROTHERS SUBARU, THEY FOUND THE CAUSE OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER DAMAGE (HEAD GASKET LEAK), BUT THEN REFUSED TO DIAGNOSE THE OTHER CRITICAL PROBLEMS THAT ARE PROVEN LINKS TO THE NEW BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH RECALL...WHICH CAUSES AN ELECTRICITY FLOW INTERRUPTION (CLEARLY SPELLED OUT IN THE NEW RECALL), THAT IS DOCUMENTED AND PROVEN TO CAUSE ELECTROLYSIS (MUTATING THE CHEMICAL ELEMENTS IN THE COOLANT MAKING IT HIGHLY CORROSIVE, EAT THROUGH THE HEATER CORE CONNECTORS, LEAK OUT AND DAMAGE THE HEAD GASKETS (THEN LEAK COOLANT/OIL INTO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER). ALL NEEDED REPAIRS SHOULD BE FREE OF CHARGE BECAUSE THEY ARE A DIRECT RESULT OF THE FAULTY BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH INTERRUPTING THE FLOW OF ELECTRICITY.

Mar 13, 2019

POWER TRAIN,STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 complaint

DURING NORMAL USE OF THE CLUTCH ON THE STREET , THE FIREWALL WELDS BRAKE OFF CAUSING THE FIREWALL TO BEND. ALSO EFFECTS THE CLUTCH PEDAL MAKING IT 'CLICK' IF NOT FIXED CAN CAUSE MORE DAMAGE.

Dec 07, 2018

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES

1 complaint

CLUTCH WELDINGS ON FIREWALL CRACKING AND CAUSING MALFUNCTION OF BRAKE PEDAL. LOST OF THE ABILITY TO SHIFT UP OR DOWN.

Nov 15, 2017

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

1 complaint

I HAD JUST TURNED AND PUSHED ON THE GAS TO GET UP TO SPEED-ABOUT 45MPH. THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP ACCELERATING/REVVING. I WAS HEADING TO A LIGHT TURNING RED. I PUSHED ON THE BRAKE AS HARD AS I COULD AND ALSO BUT ON THE EMERGENCY BREAK. BETWEEN THE TWO, I OVERCAME THE ACCELERATION. ONCE STOPPED, I PUT THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL AND THEN INTO PARK. AT THAT POINT THE ACCELERATION FINALLY STOPPED AND THE CAR SEEMED TO RESET ITSELF. I TOOK IT IN TO BE LOOKED AT-IT HAD NEVER DONE THAT BEFORE-VERY SCARY. I HAVE HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM WITH TOYOTA'S, BUT NEVER SUBARUS.

Jul 05, 2016

AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS,SERVICE BRAKES

1 complaint

FRONT END COLLISION, VEHICLE TOTALED. SEAT BELT FAILURE. BRAKE FAILURE. AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. MULTIPLE INJURIES SUSTAINED. *TR

Apr 29, 2015

Crash: 1

Injuries: 1

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES

1 complaint

MY CAR STARTED MAKING THIS REALLY LOUD POPPING NOISE EVERYTIME I WOULD ENGAGE THE CLUTCH. WHAT HAS HAPPENED IN THE PAST WHEN I PRESS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL MY FOOT HAS SHIFTED OFF THE PEDAL DUE TO A FAST SUDDEN MOVE FROM THE CLUTCH AND BRAKE ASSEMBLY. I DROVE THE CAR TO TEXAS TO VISIT FAMILY AND DECIDED TO TAKE THE CAR FOR OIL CHANGE BEFORE RETURNING TO CALIFORNIA. THERE THE SERVICE MANAGER AT SUBARU IN TEXAS, WHICH DROVE MY CAR TO THE SERVICE AREA, ASKED ME IF I HAD NOTICED THE CLICKING NOISE AND I TOLD HIM YES. HE THEN INFORMED ME THAT MANY 2008-2009 IMPREZA WRX HAVE PROBLEMS WITH WELD SPOTS WHICH HOLD THE BRAKE AND CLUTCH ASSEMBLY TO THE FIRE WALL THAT THEN FAIL AND BRAKE OFF. HE GAVE ADVICE ON HOW TO LOOK FOR BROKEN WELDS, SO AS SOON AS I ARRIVED TO CALIFORNIA I FURTHER INSPECTED FOR THE BROKEN WELDS AND SURE ENOUGH HE WAS RIGHT. SO I CONTACTED SUBARU OF AMERICA AND DESCRIBED THE DEFECT ON MY CAR TO HAVE THEM REPAIR IT SINCE IT'S A SAFETY DEFECT, SPECIALLY WITH CRITICAL COMPONENTS OF THE CAR WHICH ARE THE CLUTCH AND BRAKE PEDAL. AS OF TODAY 11/5/2014 THEY HAVE YET TO DECIDE IF THEY ARE COVERING THE REPAIRS BECAUSE MY CAR IS CURRENTLY 85K AND ITS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. ALSO, THEY ARE BLAMING THE CLUTCH BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN REPLACED PRIOR TO ME PURCHASING THE CAR WITH AN OEM REPLACEMENT CLUTCH. I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED SUCH A NIGHTMARE WITH ANY VEHICLE THAT I HAVE EVER OWNED. I REALLY HOPE NHTSA DOES SOMETHING BEFORE ANY FATALITIES OR ACCIDENTS OCCUR. I AM CURRENTLY GOING THREW THIS RIGHT NOW, SO I HAVE YET TO FIND OUT WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO DO WITH MY CAR. I REALLY NEED HELP FROM NHTSA, EVEN IF THEY FIX MY CAR, SUBARU NEEDS TO NOTIFY OWNERS OF THIS YEAR AND MODELS OF THIS PROBLEM. ALL OVER THE INTERNET THERE ARE PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE AND OTHERS THAT ARE YET TO GO THREW. OWNERS NEED TO BE AWARE AND CAUTIOUS ABOUT THIS IMPORTANT FABRICATION DEFECT. *TR

Nov 06, 2014

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,POWER TRAIN

1 complaint

WHEN ATTEMPTING TO FUEL THE VEHICLE (THE TANK WAS LESS THAN ONE-QUARTER FULL), THE GAS SPLASHED BACK OUT OF THE VEHICLE ON ME AND ALLOVER THE GROUND. I TRIED SEVERAL TIMES TO FUEL, BUT THE TANK WILL NOT ACCEPT GAS. THIS ISSUE CAN CAUSE INJURIES FROM THE GASOLINE SPLASH, AND IT CAN CAUSE STRANDED DRIVERS BECAUSE THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE REFUELED. IT MUST BE INVESTIGATED. THERE ARE PLENTY OF FORUMS ONLINE WHERE PEOPLE COMPLAIN OF THE SAME ISSUE IN THEIR 2009 IMPREZAS... THERE MUST BE A KNOWN DEFECTIVE PART, BUT SUBARU IS NOT RECALLING IT? PLEASE INVESTIGATE. *TR

May 09, 2014

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING

1 complaint

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

Aug 27, 2013

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

1 complaint

AS I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT WORK THE HILL ASSIST LIGHT, VDC LIGHT, AND ABS LIGHT ALL ILLUMINATED. I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND LATER TURNED IT ON AND THE LIGHTS WERE OFF. I DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME AND AS I GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY THE LIGHTS ILLUMINTATED AGAIN. *TR

Nov 20, 2012

POWER TRAIN,SERVICE BRAKES

1 complaint

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

Aug 17, 2012

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

1 complaint

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

Mar 13, 2012

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,EQUIPMENT

1 complaint

MOTOR FAILURE LEAVING ME TO ROLL THOUGH AND STALL IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. *TR

May 11, 2010

VISIBILITY

1 complaint

REAR WINDOW DEFROST IS INADEQUATE -- WILL NOT CLEAR LIGHT SNOW OR FROST UNTIL IT HAS BEEN OPERATING FOR 15-20 MINUTES. IMPEDES REAR VISION IN NORTHERN STATES. *TR

Feb 28, 2010

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

1 complaint

IS NHTSA AWARE OF HOW NEARLY USELESS THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ARE ON SOME SUBARUS? I JUST BOUGHT A NEW 2009 IMPREZA. ITS LOW BEAMS ARE SO DIM THEY'RE DANGEROUS, AND BECAUSE OF THEM I WISH I HADN'T BOUGHT THE CAR. THE FIRST EVENING I DROVE IT, I ALMOST RAN OVER A GROUP OF PEOPLE -- AND WOULD HAVE IF I HADN'T BEEN STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN. THE WAY THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ARE CONFIGURED, I COULDN'T SEE THESE PEOPLE UNTIL THEY STEPPED OFF THE CURB. SUBARU CUSTOMER SERVICE ADVICE? KEEP THE LIGHTS CLEAN. THEY WERE; THEY ARE; I WILL -- BUT NO MATTER HOW IMMACULATE THEY ARE, THEY STILL CAST TOO LITTLE LIGHT. WOULD NHTSA PLEASE CHECK INTO THIS DARKNESS AT SUBARU? AN EMPLOYEE AT THE CAR DEALERSHIP TOLD ME HIS 2008 SUBARU HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. OH AND BY THE WAY, THE FOG LIGHTS DON'T HELP A BIT. THEY MAKE NO DIFFERENCE AT ALL. I HOPE NSC CAN PROMPT SUBARU TO CAST SOME LIGHT! IF THIS PROBLEM IS TYPICAL -- AND I GATHER THAT IT IS -- I THINK A RECALL IS NEEDED. THANK YOU. *TR UPDATED 10/16/09

Oct 13, 2009

2009 SUBARU Impreza Problems & Complaints

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