Total Complaints
72 filings
SUBARU WRX · model year
72 NHTSA complaints, and 10 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2009SUBARUWRX carries 72 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2009 WRX is power train with 33 filings, followed by structure:body (13) and service brakes (11). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 10 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 14 investigation files overlapping the 2009 WRX. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
72 filings
Crashes Reported
0 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 33 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 13 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 11 |
| ENGINE | 4 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 4 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 3 |
| TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM | 1 |
| AIR BAGS | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY | 1 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 1 |
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
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 Hampshi
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
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
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
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, Michi
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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 J
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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, Am
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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, O
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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,
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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 Columbi
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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, Hawai
VEHICLE'S GAS PEDAL STICKS IN THE ACCELERATED POSITION CAUSING THE CAR TO SPEED UP ON IT'S OWN SOMETIME NOT ALLOWING ME TO REMOVE IT FROM GEAR(MANUAL TRANSMISSION). THIS HAS HAPPENED ON THE INTERSTATE AND ON CITY STREETS ALMOST CAUSING A ACCIDENT EVERY TIME. AFTER HAVING LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS IT PROMPTED ME TO LOOK INTO THE ISSUE. I RESEARCHED THE ISSUE ONLINE, PAID THE DEALERSHIP TO LOOK AT IT, AND ALSO PAID A INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO LOOK AT IT. WHAT I HAVE RESEARCHED AND WHAT I WAS TOLD BY THE MECHANICS ARE THE SAME THING, THE PEDAL ASSEMBLY IS BROKE FROM THE FIREWALL. AFTER DOING FURTHER RESEARCH, THE FIREWALL AND PEDAL ASSEMBLY IS A WELL KNOWN MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND SAFETY ISSUE THAT SUBARU HAS NEVER ADDRESSED. I JUST HOPE I AM ABLE TO GET THE CAR FIXED BEFORE IT KILLS ME. ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS THAT SUBARU HAS NOT STEPPED UP AND OFFERED TO FIX THE ISSUE AS IT'S A WIDESPREAD SAFETY CONCERN.
Mileage: 125,000
FAILED WELDS CONNECTING PEDAL PANEL TO THE FIREWALL. RESULTS IN LOUD SQUEAKING WHEN CLUTCH PEDAL IS DEPRESSED/RELEASED AND CAR IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO GET IN OR OUT OF GEAR. CAUSES MOVEMENT OF BRAKE PEDAL AS WELL WHICH COULD CAUSE MAJOR ISSUES. THIS HAPPENS MOVING AND PARKED
Mileage: 120,000
FAILED WELDS CONNECTING PEDAL PANEL TO THE FIREWALL. RESULTS IN LOUD SQUEAKING WHEN CLUTCH PEDAL IS DEPRESSED/RELEASED AND CAR IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO GET IN OR OUT OF GEAR. CAUSES MOVEMENT OF BRAKE PEDAL AS WELL WHICH COULD CAUSE MAJOR ISSUES. THIS HAPPENS MOVING AND PARKED
Mileage: 120,000
FAILED WELDS CONNECTING PEDAL PANEL TO THE FIREWALL. RESULTS IN LOUD SQUEAKING WHEN CLUTCH PEDAL IS DEPRESSED/RELEASED AND CAR IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO GET IN OR OUT OF GEAR. CAUSES MOVEMENT OF BRAKE PEDAL AS WELL WHICH COULD CAUSE MAJOR ISSUES. THIS HAPPENS MOVING AND PARKED
Mileage: 120,000
THE WELDS WHERE THE CLUTCH PEDAL ATTACHES TO THE FIREWALL ARE BREAKING. THE SAME BRACKET IS ATTACHED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE ENTIRE BRAKE & CLUTCH ASSEMBLY COULD BREAK OFF OF THE FIREWALL. THIS COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF BRAKING.
Mileage: 90,000
THE WELDS WHERE THE CLUTCH PEDAL ATTACHES TO THE FIREWALL ARE BREAKING. THE SAME BRACKET IS ATTACHED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE ENTIRE BRAKE & CLUTCH ASSEMBLY COULD BREAK OFF OF THE FIREWALL. THIS COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF BRAKING.
Mileage: 90,000
THE WELDS WHERE THE CLUTCH PEDAL ATTACHES TO THE FIREWALL ARE BREAKING. THE SAME BRACKET IS ATTACHED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE ENTIRE BRAKE & CLUTCH ASSEMBLY COULD BREAK OFF OF THE FIREWALL. THIS COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF BRAKING.
Mileage: 90,000
RECALL NO 16V738 I HAD MY CAR SERVICED TODAY BY THE DEALER FOR THE IDENTIFIED RECALL FOR THE SECONDARY AIR INJECTION PUMP RELAY WHICH COULD CAUSE THE PUMP TO OVERHEAT. ADDITIONALLY, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON INDICATING AN ISSUE WITH THE SECONDARY AIR INJECTION PUMP. WHILE THE DEALER REPLACED THE RELAY, THEY INFORMED ME THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THEM TO CHECK THE PUMP AND FOR ANY REPAIRS ON IT EVEN THOUGH THE RECALL ISSUE COULD CAUSE THE PUMP TO FAIL AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS INDICATING AN ISSUE WITH IT. THE RECALL NOTICE I RECEIVED MENTIONED THAT PUMP REPLACEMENT MAY BE NECESSARY. CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHY I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR A REPAIR CAUSED BY A RECALL? THANK YOU.
Mileage: 90,800
THE FIREWALL ON MY SUBARU WRX HATCHBACK IS FLEXING SO BAD THAT MY CLUTCH WILL NOT FULLY ENGAGE NOR DISENGAGE. I FEEL THAT IT IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUES TO MYSELF AND MY FAMILY/FRIENDS THAT LIVE IN THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE FACT THAT MY BRAKE PEDAL OR CLUTCH PEDAL COULD PENETRATE THE FIREWALL DUE TO THE FLEXING/CRACKING. THE FIREWALL FLEX IS PREVENTING MY CAR FROM GETTING ROUTINE SERVICE THAT IS SCHEDULED IN THE OWNERS MANUAL. I WENT TO GET MY CLUTCH LOOKED AT TODAY (FEBRUARY 20 2017) AT AAMCO TRANSMISSIONS IN WATERTOWN, NY AS THE CLUTCH WAS NOT ENGAGING NOR DISENGAGING FULLY AND THEY NOTIFIED ME THAT THEY FOUND THE FIREWALL WAS FLEXING TO THE POINT THAT THE CLUTCH PEDAL ASSEMBLY MOVING AND COULD NOT COMPLETE ITS REQUIRED ENGAGEMENT AND DISENGAGEMENT POINTS.
Mileage: 109,000
MY CAR HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING A LOUD SQUEAKING AND CLICKING WHEN SHIFTING AND BRAKE PEDAL MOVES WHEN CLUTCH IS DEPRESSED. THIS IS A KNOW DEFECT IN THE FIREWALL IN WHICH THE FIREWALL IS VERY THIN AND FLEXES WHEN THE CLUTCH IS DEPRESSED CAUSING THE SPOT WELDS THAT HOLD THE CLUTCH/BRAKE BRACKET TO SEPARATE FROME THE FIREWALL. THIS CAUSES THE BRAKE PEDAL TO MOVE. IT ALSO CAN POTENTIALLY PREVENT THE CLUTCH FROM DISENGAGING WHILE DRIVING. SUBARU IS NOT RECALLING THIS KNOWN DEFECT BUT THEY DID ACKNOWLEDGE THE ISSUE AS IT WAS THE MECHANIC THAT INFORMED ME OF THIS ISSUE.
Mileage: 80,000
WHEN I BOUGHT MY CAR USED AT A DEALERSHIP, IT WAS THE FIRST TIME I HAD DRIVEN A SUBARU WRX. I THOUGHT THAT IT WAS NORMAL FOR THE BRAKE TO MOVE SLIGHTLY WHEN PRESSING DOWN ON THE CLUTCH. THEN, RECENTLY, I STARTED GETTING A CLICKING SOUND FROM UNDERNEATH THE CAR, TOWARDS THE ENGINE. AFTER RESEARCHING THE WRX OWNER FORUMS. I BEGAN TO NOTICE THAT MANY PEOPLE WERE AND ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR WRX. AND, THAT THE SOURCE OF THEIR PROBLEMS WERE THE FIREWALL WELDS FOR THE CLUTCH AND BRAKE WOULD GET LOOSE AND CAUSE THE CLUTCH TO NOT ENGAGE FULLY.
Mileage: 94,600
**CLUTCH SPOT WELDS** AFTER REPLACING 2 CLUTCHES AND HEARING A CLICKING NOISE I TOOK IT TO A SUBARU SHOP. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE SPOT WELDS ON THE CLUTCH AND BRAKE ARE STARTING TO BREAK LOOSE FROM THE FIREWALL. I THEN RECEIVED A SAFETY BULLETIN FROM SUBARU ABOUT THE SPOT WELDS. SUBARU EXPECTS THE OWNERS TO PAY FOR THIS HAZARDOUS WELL KNOWN SAFETY PROBLEM.
Mileage: 74,722
THE WELDS CONNECTING THE PEDAL ASSEMBLY TO THE FIREWALL HAVE BROKEN. VERIFIED WITH PHOTO PROOF.
Mileage: 94,300
THE WELDS CONNECTING THE PEDAL ASSEMBLY TO THE FIREWALL HAVE BROKEN. VERIFIED WITH PHOTO PROOF.
Mileage: 94,300
THE WELDS CONNECTING THE PEDAL ASSEMBLY TO THE FIREWALL HAVE BROKEN. VERIFIED WITH PHOTO PROOF.
Mileage: 94,300
THE CLUTCH PEDAL ON MY 2009 WRX MAKES A LOUD CREAKING NOISE EVERY TIME IT'S DEPRESSED. WHEN I INVESTIGATED THE NOISE, I NOTICED THAT THE ENTIRE CLUTCH PEDAL BRACKET ASSEMBLY (ATTACHED TO THE FORWARD FIREWALL) SHIFTS APPROX 1/4 INCH EVERY TIME THE CLUTCH PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. I FOUND THAT THE THREE SPOT WELDS SECURING THE CLUTCH PEDAL BRACKET TO THE FORWARD FIREWALL WERE BROKEN. FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE FIREWALL, JUST UNDER THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, I SAW THE SPOT WELDS PULLING AWAY FROM THE FIREWALL EVERY TIME THE CLUTCH PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THIS ALLOWS THE ENTIRE CLUTCH PEDAL BRACKET ASSEMBLY TO MOVE, CAUSING THE CREAKING NOISE. IF THE BRACKET COMPLETELY SEPARATES FROM THE FIREWALL, THE CLUTCH MAY BECOME COMPLETELY INOPERATIVE - ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS WHILE DRIVING.
Mileage: 34,000
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 BRAKE AND GAS PEDALS, AND WHEN THE WELDS FAIL COMPLETELY IT IS A POTENTIAL LIFE THREATENING SITUATION. IF YOU DO A SIMPLE GOOLGE SEARCH FOR SUBARU CLUTCH CLICKING IT IS A HUGE PROBLEM AND MANY MANY PEOPLE ARE EXPERINCING THIS ISSUE WITH THERE CLUTCH'S. IT APPEARS A RECALL IS NEEDED TO FIX THIS.
Mileage: 50,000
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 BRAKE AND GAS PEDALS, AND WHEN THE WELDS FAIL COMPLETELY IT IS A POTENTIAL LIFE THREATENING SITUATION. IF YOU DO A SIMPLE GOOLGE SEARCH FOR SUBARU CLUTCH CLICKING IT IS A HUGE PROBLEM AND MANY MANY PEOPLE ARE EXPERINCING THIS ISSUE WITH THERE CLUTCH'S. IT APPEARS A RECALL IS NEEDED TO FIX THIS.
Mileage: 50,000
ABOUT 6-8 MONTHS AGO I HAD MY WRX IN FOR WORK AND POINTED OUT A LOUD CLUNK THAT WAS HAPPENING AS I DEPRESSED THE CLUTCH PEDAL. I WAS TOLD IT WAS NO CONCERN BUT THAT THEY COULD DIAGNOSE IT FURTHER FOR A COST. THINKING IT WAS FINE I CONTINUE USE, AND EVENTUALLY THE NOISE WENT AWAY. RECENTLY, MY CAR WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE AND MY CLUTCH FELT RATHER STIFF. HAVING LOOKED AT IT THE SPRING BEHIND MY PEDAL WAS BENDING SIDEWAYS AND MY ENTIRE FIREWALL WAS FLEXING AS I PUSHED IN THE CLUTCH. I TOOK THIS BACK TO THE SAME DEALERSHIP THAT TOLD ME THERE WAS NO NOTICEABLE PROBLEM AND THEY TOLD ME THAT I NEEDED. TO REPLACE MY CLUTCH, THEY NEEDED TO R&R MY DASH TO LOOK FOR BROKEN WELDS AND POSSIBLE REPLACE THE PEDAL ASSEMBLY. TO THE PRICE OF $3500.00. I THEN CAME ONLINE TO SEE QUITE A FEW POSTS IN MULTIPLE PLACES OF THE IDENTICAL PROBLEM. *TR
Mileage: 85,000
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 MANUFACTURER FAULT THAT MANY HAVE BROUGHT TO SURFACE WITH THE NHTSA AND THE SOA (SUBARU OF AMERICA) BUT THERE IS NOT ENOUGH OF THE CARS PRODUCED FOR ANYONE TO TAKE ACTION OR FOR SUBARU TO CARE FOR THE SAFETY OF THE OWNERS OF THE VEHICLE. LOSING COMPLETE OPERATION OF THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY DUE TO THE WELDS OF THE VERY POOR SPOT WELDED FIREWALL GOING OUT IS A MAJOR CONCERN AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED AS A HIGH RISK SAFETY HAZARD FOR THE OPERATOR AND OTHERS ON PUBLIC ROADWAYS. I NEED SUBARU TO FIX THE PROBLEM THAT THEY CAUSED FROM THE VERY BEGINNING OF THE MANUFACTURE PROCESS OF MY VEHICLE. *TR
Mileage: 70,000
Occupant Detection System (ODS) Failure
Passenger Front Air Bag Suppression
Front suspension control arm failure
FUEL PUMP LEAKS
FUEL LINE LEAK
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.