2009 Subaru Impreza Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2009 Impreza most often describe two things: a clutch pedal bracket whose spot welds to the firewall break apart, and a fuel tank that will not accept fuel and spits gasoline back out at the pump. The weld problem shows up on manual-transmission cars and starts as a creak or pop that gets worse; the refueling problem can appear at very low mileage. Reported mileages range widely, from a few thousand to well over 150,000.

1. 1
   Body and structure

   Clutch pedal bracket welds break at the firewall

   • 44 complaints (42%)
   • median 68,475 mi at 6.0 yrs old (38 state mileage)
   • filed 2010–2023

   Owners describe a creak, pop or squeak when the clutch pedal is pressed, followed by the whole pedal bracket shifting or flexing at the firewall. Several report that the spot welds holding the pedal box have snapped, so the clutch cannot be fully depressed and shifts become hard or grind, and the brake pedal moves sideways when the clutch is used. Complaints describe shops sometimes quoting a full clutch or pedal-box replacement before finding the broken welds, and some dealers declining repair once the car was out of warranty. Mostly reported between roughly 45,000 and 115,000 miles, on manual-transmission cars, often after repeated normal clutch use.

   What to check: Press the clutch slowly with the engine off and watch the brake pedal and firewall area under the windshield cowl for movement; listen for creaks or pops. Ask whether the pedal bracket welds have been inspected or repaired.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Starting to have problems shifting into gear especially getting into reverse. I took my vehicle to a local auto repair shop. The tech wanted to replace the entire box pedal clutch assembly. After the pedal box was received they noticed it wasn't the box at all, but the firewall welds holding the clutch/break pedal box were broken on the firewall. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10632910, filed 2014-09, 69,950 miles

   “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. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11322790, filed 2020-04, 101,000 miles
2. 2
   Engine

   Engine rod bearing failure and engine knock

   • 25 complaints (24%)
   • median 51,000 mi at 5.1 yrs old (22 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2010–2022

   Owners describe a loud metallic knock, sometimes at low rpm or while cruising, followed by the engine shutting down or needing replacement. Complaints say dealers diagnosed spun rod bearings or connecting-rod bearing failure and that repairs were sometimes declined, with one owner told a modified control module voided coverage. A separate group describes oil leaks traced to a failed head gasket and oil consumption between changes. Knock reports range from about 3,000 to 64,000 miles; head gasket and oil-leak reports appear from roughly 98,000 to 120,000 miles.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Listen for a knock at idle and light throttle on a cold start, check the oil level and condition, and look for leaks or oil residue around the head gasket area.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have a pretty bad oil leak. Mechanic said it's a failed head gasket. He did tell me that my car is too new with a lower than average mileage for it to have failed the way it did. He actually told me to complain to you guys and also fight with the dealership and Subaru of north america because I should not be having this problem. He said it's all on them.”

   NHTSA complaint #11006477, filed 2017-07, 120,000 miles

   “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. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10381348, filed 2011-02, 3,300 miles
3. 3
   Fuel system

   Fuel will not go in; gas sprays back out at the pump

   • 7 complaints (7%)
   • median 38,000 mi at 4.7 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2011–2019

   Complaints describe the tank refusing fuel even when nearly empty, with gasoline backing up and spilling out of the filler neck onto the ground and sometimes onto the person refueling. Some owners report a check engine light for an EVAP pressure code. A few say a fuel tank pressure valve was replaced, in one case twice, without a lasting fix. Reported from about 12,000 to 100,000 miles, with the lowest-mileage cases under 40,000; occurs during refueling at the pump.

   What to check: Ask whether the car fills normally at a pump, and check for a stored EVAP code. Note any fuel smell around the filler neck or under the rear of the car.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10411808, filed 2011-07, 12,000 miles

   “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?”

   NHTSA complaint #10522040, filed 2013-06, 68,100 miles
4. 4
   Brakes

   Brake light switch and brake warning light issues

   • 7 complaints (7%)
   • median 128,060 mi at 10.4 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2015–2023

   Complaints describe the brake warning light flashing or staying lit, the car not shifting out of park, and in one case a brake pedal that felt jammed while cruise control was engaged. Owners report waiting on parts for the brake light switch recall, and one describes rear rotors with surface material breaking away while the pads still looked new. Mostly reported between about 60,000 and 155,000 miles.

   Recall 19V149000Recall 14V830000Recall 14V3110002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Confirm the brake light switch recall work was completed, check that the brake lights work, and have the rear rotors and pads inspected for uneven wear.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11197303, filed 2019-04, 141,000 miles

   “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. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11253629, filed 2019-09, 155,000 miles

Buying note. On a manual car, inspect the firewall and pedal bracket for movement and creaks before buying, since this is the most commonly described problem. Also confirm the open recalls were completed and that the car takes fuel normally.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.