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EnginePart report

2009 Subaru WRX Engine Problems

Complaints
4about this part
Share
10%of 41 total for the year
Median mileage
75,144miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the engine of the 2009 Subaru WRX, 10% of the 41 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 75,144 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.

“I purchased this vehicle about 100 miles from my residence. I drove it home from the dealership and within 2 hours of driving I heard a loud whipping noise from underneath the hood. Sounded like a belt snapped and I knew something was wrong. …”

NHTSA complaint #10579242, filed 2014-04, 74,301 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 clutch & brake pedals would break away. I researched the clutch problem last night. The crack in the mounting of the clutch to the firewall is a defect known to Subaru of america. All WRX's from 2008 forward have this issue no recall. …”

NHTSA complaint #10557410, filed 2013-12, 75,986 miles

“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 position approx. 1/3 of an inch same with the brake pedal. The welds connecting the pedal bracket to the firewall are not welded correctly. It needs to be reinforced by something else to assure me that the clutch and the brake pedal will not move whilst driving. …”

NHTSA complaint #10551649, filed 2013-11, 76,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202417%
2023222%
20221560%
2021538%
2020317%
20191137%
20181228%
20171223%
2016826%
20151835%
2014233%
2013114%
2009410%
200823%
2006214%
2005211%
200425%
200220%

Other parts of the 2009 Subaru WRX

Transmission and drivetrain
33 complaints
Body and structure
13 complaints
Brakes
11 complaints
Other or unknown
5 complaints
Vehicle speed control
3 complaints
Air bags
1 complaints
Fuel system
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2009 Subaru WRX

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