2009 Subaru WRX Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 33about this part
- Share
- 80%of 41 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 65,844miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 33 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2009 Subaru WRX, 80% of the 41 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 65,844 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“**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.”
NHTSA complaint #10745730, filed 2015-08, 74,722 miles“I have an '09 WRX that I took in to have oil changed and mentioned having a squeaky and clicking clutch pedal. Mechanic found bulkhead welds were broken.the issue is a broken welds between the mount for the pedal and the firewall. The firewall actually gaps when the clutch is depressed.”
NHTSA complaint #10536754, filed 2013-08, 65,689 miles“When I bought the car from the used car lot I noticed the clutch pedal when being pressed and depressed made a squeaking noise. I figured it was probably lack of lubrication so I went ahead and lubricated the pedal assembly and the noise stayed the same. Couple months go by and the noise got much louder and sometimes a loud pop would occur. Recently I did some research and found out that many other WRX owners have had the same issue. …”
NHTSA complaint #10654643, filed 2014-11, 72,000 miles“On my 2009 Subaru impreza WRX, I've dealt with a squeaky clutch pedal for quite some time, close to 30k miles now. Within the past 5k miles, a clicking sound has occurred at the same time and within the past 1k miles the sound has grown significantly worse with a grinding sound in addition to all previous sounds. Upon further inspection the entire pedal bracket assembly moves upon clutch or brake pedal engagement. In addition, clutch cylinder moves when it should be static. …”
NHTSA complaint #10559412, filed 2014-01, 56,740 miles“I was driving slowly through my neighborhood, put in the clutch and heard a loud crack. I couldn't figure out what it was so after taking a quick look I kept driving. Every time I put the clutch in I heard a loud creak or squeak. It got worse over the next months. Yesterday, I realized that the firewall had cracked where the clutch and brake pedal mount. The metal flexes when clutching or braking. If I use the clutch I can see the brake pedal move about half an inch back. …”
NHTSA complaint #10536808, filed 2013-08, 47,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11033056May 4, 2026This announcement provides information on the remanufactured CVT transmission program.
- 11032040Apr 24, 2026This bulletin announces the service manual correction regarding clutch master cylinder reservoir service procedures.
- 11022305Aug 11, 2025Subaru Service Technical Support Newsletter special edition.
- 11005624Jul 24, 2024This annoucement provides parts personnel information about remanufactured transmissions that will no longer be available.
- 10090413May 28, 2015Subaru of america, inc. Will be releasing a warranty extension to address cracks or breakage around spot welds where the clutch pedal assembly mounting bracket attaches to the…
- 10090409May 28, 2015If you receive a customer concern of a creak or popping-type sound heard when depressing the clutch pedal, there is a possibility the spot weld(s) attaching the clutch pedal…
- 10055441Feb 20, 2014Subaru: the custiomer may complain of the intermittent operation of the hill start assist warning lamp. Stored dtc c0076 with detail codes 2610h and/or 2620h.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 3 | 21% |
| 2023 | 1 | 11% |
| 2022 | 4 | 16% |
| 2021 | 6 | 46% |
| 2020 | 3 | 17% |
| 2019 | 2 | 7% |
| 2018 | 6 | 14% |
| 2017 | 11 | 21% |
| 2016 | 4 | 13% |
| 2015 | 18 | 35% |
| 2014 | 1 | 17% |
| 2013 | 6 | 86% |
| 2009 | 33 | 80% |
| 2008 | 48 | 74% |
| 2006 | 4 | 29% |
| 2005 | 2 | 11% |
| 2004 | 1 | 2% |
| 2003 | 4 | 7% |
| 2002 | 16 | 4% |
Other parts of the 2009 Subaru WRX
13 complaintsBrakes
11 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaintsEngine
4 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaintsAir bags
1 complaintsFuel 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 30, 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