2009 Subaru Impreza Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 7%of 104 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 13,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2009 Subaru Impreza, 7% of the 104 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 13,500 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10331201, filed 2010-05, 25,500 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“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 . …”
NHTSA complaint #10423716, filed 2011-09, 13,500 miles“2009 Subaru Impreza wrx wagon has 5960 miles was a new vehicle purchase in october 2009. Vehicle new car guidelines were followed as were the maintenance procedures. The vehicle engine I feel has a mechanical defect in the engine. The engine has spun a bearing blown a rod and damaged the crankshaft. This from what have researched is not an uncommon problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10324430, filed 2010-04, 5,960 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10198749Jun 7, 2021This bulletin is to advise of SOAâs revised catalytic converter recycling program shipping procedure.
- 10186364Jan 12, 2021This bulletin announces a design change to the clutch release bearing.
- 10179422Aug 31, 2020This bulletin announces availability of new master cylinder application shaft seals.
- 10179416Aug 26, 2020This service information bulletin announces a design change to the clutch release bearing used on the models listed.
- 10192930Jul 11, 2017Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling 100,127 vehicles including certain 2007-2009 model year Legacy and Outback (turbo models only), 2008-2014 model year Impreza (turbo…
- 10131702Feb 6, 20172.5 Liter N/A engine only. REVISED. Subaru of America, Inc. has determined that vehicles affected by this Service Program require ECM reprogramming. A modification to the Engine…
- 10111069Dec 27, 2016This Service Information bulletin announces a design change to the internal contact portion of the oil pressure switch to increase durability
- 10235911Oct 10, 2014Intercooler/Intake Air Duct
- 10233441Apr 17, 2014Intercooler/Intake Air Duct
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 2 | 1% |
| 2015 | 1 | 1% |
| 2013 | 2 | 1% |
| 2012 | 1 | 0% |
| 2011 | 3 | 5% |
| 2010 | 3 | 7% |
| 2009 | 7 | 7% |
| 2008 | 14 | 8% |
| 2007 | 5 | 7% |
| 2006 | 7 | 13% |
| 2005 | 3 | 4% |
| 2004 | 5 | 5% |
| 2003 | 4 | 6% |
| 2002 | 19 | 7% |
| 2000 | 3 | 7% |
| 1999 | 1 | 5% |
| 1998 | 7 | 23% |
| 1997 | 1 | 3% |
| 1996 | 2 | 10% |
| 1995 | 4 | 9% |
Other parts of the 2009 Subaru Impreza
30 complaintsBody and structure
22 complaintsBrakes
15 complaintsEngine
13 complaintsAir bags
12 complaintsVehicle speed control
9 complaintsElectrical system
8 complaintsFuel system
8 complaintsOther or unknown
7 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaintsElectronic stability control
3 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2009 Subaru Impreza
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology