RoadVitals

2009 Subaru WRX

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
41
Latest Nov 22, 2018
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
10
Latest Jan 2, 2020
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 41 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2009 Subaru WRX, most frequently naming the powertrain (other), body & structure and brakes categories. 10 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 165 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

10 campaigns cover this model year

View all 10

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
20V001000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Jan 2, 2020
258,813 units potentially affected
The defect: 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, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators with alternate inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-20.
Subaru of America, Inc.Manufacturer number TKA-20View on NHTSA.gov
20V003000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Jan 2, 2020
111,562 units potentially affected
The defect: 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, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKC-20.
Subaru of America, Inc.Manufacturer number TKC-20View on NHTSA.gov
20V002000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Jan 2, 2020
127,547 units potentially affected
The defect: 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 Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-20.
Subaru of America, Inc.Manufacturer number TKB-20View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 41
Driver assistance
Filed Nov 22, 2018

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.

NHTSA ID
11153208
Incident
Oct 1, 2018
Mileage
125,000 mi
Body & structureBrakesPowertrain (other)
Filed Jan 14, 2018

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

NHTSA ID
11062717
Incident
Jan 1, 2018
Mileage
120,000 mi
Body & structureBrakesPowertrain (other)
Filed Mar 18, 2017

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.

NHTSA ID
10966672
Incident
Dec 1, 2013
Mileage
90,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Feb 23, 2017

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.

NHTSA ID
10956645
Incident
Feb 23, 2017
Mileage
90,800 mi
Body & structure
Filed Feb 20, 2017

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.

NHTSA ID
10955642
Incident
Feb 20, 2017
Mileage
109,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Feb 19, 2017

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.

NHTSA ID
10955555
Incident
Nov 1, 2016
Mileage
80,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jun 19, 2016

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.

NHTSA ID
10875098
Incident
Jun 13, 2016
Mileage
94,600 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Aug 3, 2015

**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 ID
10745730
Incident
Aug 3, 2015
Mileage
74,722 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

SubaruNet Annoucement (E

This announcement is requesting retailer staff to retain the EyeSight protective hood covers from Generation 4 EyeSight cameras.

01-167-08R

This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models.

SubaruNet Announcement (R

POWER TRAIN

This announcement provides information on the remanufactured CVT transmission program.

07-240-26R

This Service Information Bulletin was developed to provide interim guidance for vehicles exhibiting DTC B2A20.

03-97-26

POWER TRAIN

This bulletin announces the service manual correction regarding clutch master cylinder reservoir service procedures.

01-167-08R

This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Subaru WRX by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026000—
2025200—
2024130037.5
2023710—
2022251048.6
2021131035.5
2020171042.4
2019302047.7
2018422057.6
2017531052.1
2016313046.1
2015523044.0
20146100—
20137110—
20122120—
20114110—
20101120—
2009Viewing4110044.8
2008657044.9
2007030—
2006144045.9
2005195041.8
2004425154.4
2003602563.0
20024272558.4

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.