RoadVitals

2009 Subaru WRX Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints 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
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
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Mar 21, 2013

What this page shows

Our database holds 41 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2009 Subaru WRX. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

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

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 41 · page 1 of 2

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
BrakesPowertrain (other)
Filed Jun 19, 2015

THE WELDS CONNECTING THE PEDAL ASSEMBLY TO THE FIREWALL HAVE BROKEN. VERIFIED WITH PHOTO PROOF.

NHTSA ID
10726306
Incident
Jun 15, 2015
Mileage
94,300 mi
Filed Jun 8, 2015

THE CLUTCH PEDAL ON MY 2009 WRX MAKES A LOUD CREAKING NOISE EVERY TIME IT'S DEPRESSED. WHEN I INVESTIGATED THE NOISE, I NOTICED THAT THE ENTIRE CLUTCH PEDAL BRACKET ASSEMBLY (ATTACHED TO THE FORWARD FIREWALL) SHIFTS APPROX 1/4 INCH EVERY TIME THE CLUTCH PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. I FOUND THAT THE THREE SPOT WELDS SECURING THE CLUTCH PEDAL BRACKET TO THE FORWARD FIREWALL WERE BROKEN. FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE FIREWALL, JUST UNDER THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, I SAW THE SPOT WELDS PULLING AWAY FROM THE FIREWALL EVERY TIME THE CLUTCH PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THIS ALLOWS THE ENTIRE CLUTCH PEDAL BRACKET ASSEMBLY TO MOVE, CAUSING THE CREAKING NOISE. IF THE BRACKET COMPLETELY SEPARATES FROM THE FIREWALL, THE CLUTCH MAY BECOME COMPLETELY INOPERATIVE - ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA ID
10724146
Incident
Aug 9, 2012
Mileage
34,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed May 15, 2015

WHEN I DEPRESS THE CLUTCH PEDAL THERE IS A VERY NOTICEABLE, AUDIBLE, "CLICKING" NOISE, AND A STIFF CLUTCH PEDAL. IT APPEARS TO BE BROKEN SPOT WELDS AND A DEFECTIVE CLUTCH. HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE REPAIRED BY SUBARU ONCE BUT HAS RETURNED MULTIPLE TIMES. IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE CLUTCH ASSEMPLY IS DIRECTLY TIED TO BRAKE AND GAS PEDALS, AND WHEN THE WELDS FAIL COMPLETELY IT IS A POTENTIAL LIFE THREATENING SITUATION. IF YOU DO A SIMPLE GOOLGE SEARCH FOR SUBARU CLUTCH CLICKING IT IS A HUGE PROBLEM AND MANY MANY PEOPLE ARE EXPERINCING THIS ISSUE WITH THERE CLUTCH'S. IT APPEARS A RECALL IS NEEDED TO FIX THIS.

NHTSA ID
10716685
Incident
Mar 1, 2013
Mileage
50,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Apr 7, 2015

ABOUT 6-8 MONTHS AGO I HAD MY WRX IN FOR WORK AND POINTED OUT A LOUD CLUNK THAT WAS HAPPENING AS I DEPRESSED THE CLUTCH PEDAL. I WAS TOLD IT WAS NO CONCERN BUT THAT THEY COULD DIAGNOSE IT FURTHER FOR A COST. THINKING IT WAS FINE I CONTINUE USE, AND EVENTUALLY THE NOISE WENT AWAY. RECENTLY, MY CAR WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE AND MY CLUTCH FELT RATHER STIFF. HAVING LOOKED AT IT THE SPRING BEHIND MY PEDAL WAS BENDING SIDEWAYS AND MY ENTIRE FIREWALL WAS FLEXING AS I PUSHED IN THE CLUTCH. I TOOK THIS BACK TO THE SAME DEALERSHIP THAT TOLD ME THERE WAS NO NOTICEABLE PROBLEM AND THEY TOLD ME THAT I NEEDED. TO REPLACE MY CLUTCH, THEY NEEDED TO R&R MY DASH TO LOOK FOR BROKEN WELDS AND POSSIBLE REPLACE THE PEDAL ASSEMBLY. TO THE PRICE OF $3500.00. I THEN CAME ONLINE TO SEE QUITE A FEW POSTS IN MULTIPLE PLACES OF THE IDENTICAL PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10704309
Incident
Aug 1, 2014
Mileage
85,000 mi
Body & structurePowertrain (other)
Filed Mar 4, 2015

I GOT OFF WORK AND WAS ON MY WAY HOME, PUSHED THE CLUTCH IN TO HEAR A WONDERFUL SNAP AND I HAD ZERO CONTROL OF MY CLUTCH CAUSING ME TO NOT BE ABLE TO SHIFT INTO OR OUT OF ANY GEAR. CHASSIS FATIGUE AND CRACKING RESULTING IN DAMAGE/POTENTIAL COMPROMISE OF DRIVER CONTROLS. WELDS ON THE FIREWALL ARE POOR AND ITS A MANUFACTURER FAULT THAT MANY HAVE BROUGHT TO SURFACE WITH THE NHTSA AND THE SOA (SUBARU OF AMERICA) BUT THERE IS NOT ENOUGH OF THE CARS PRODUCED FOR ANYONE TO TAKE ACTION OR FOR SUBARU TO CARE FOR THE SAFETY OF THE OWNERS OF THE VEHICLE. LOSING COMPLETE OPERATION OF THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY DUE TO THE WELDS OF THE VERY POOR SPOT WELDED FIREWALL GOING OUT IS A MAJOR CONCERN AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED AS A HIGH RISK SAFETY HAZARD FOR THE OPERATOR AND OTHERS ON PUBLIC ROADWAYS. I NEED SUBARU TO FIX THE PROBLEM THAT THEY CAUSED FROM THE VERY BEGINNING OF THE MANUFACTURE PROCESS OF MY VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10692170
Incident
Mar 17, 2014
Mileage
70,000 mi
Body & structurePowertrain (other)
Filed Feb 25, 2015

THIS IS THE WELL KNOWN AND DOCUMENTED FIREWALL WELD ISSUE FOR THE PEDAL BRACKET. THE WELDS HAVE BROKEN AND THE PEDAL BRACKET NOW SHIFTS WHEN I PRESS DOWN ON THE CLUTCH. IT MAKES A LOUD POPPING NOISE AS WELL AS CREAKING AND SQUEAKING. IF LEFT UNCHECKED, THE ISSUE WILL WORSEN AND THE ENTIRE BRACKET MAY BREAK OFF WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN. SUBARU NEEDS TO BE FORCED TO RECALL THIS AND PAY TO FIX ALL OF THEM.

NHTSA ID
10690565
Incident
Oct 15, 2014
Mileage
78,500 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Feb 9, 2015

I PURCHASED MY WRX IN 2009 FROM THE LOCAL SUBARU DEALER HERE IN CHICAGO. I AM ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE. A YEAR AGO I FIRST NOTICED A PROBLEM WITH THE CLUTCH PEDAL. WHEN FULLY PRESSED IT MADE A LOUD CREAKING NOISE. WHEN I INVESTIGATED THE NOISE I NOTICED THAT THE ENTIRE CLUTCH + PEDAL BRACKET ASSEMBLY MOVES AND SHIFTS APPROXIMATELY 1/4 INCH. WHEN I REMOVED WINDSHIELD WIPERS I NOTICED THAT 4 SPOT WELDS THAT SECURE THE CLUTCH PEDAL BRACKET TO THE FORWARD FIREWALL ARE BROKEN. I CAN SEE HOLES IN THE FIREWALL SHEET METAL EVERY TIME I PRESS THE CLUTCH PEDAL. THE ENTIRE CLUTCH BRACKET ASSEMBLY MOVES OUT OF ALIGNMENT CAUSING THIS CRACKING NOISE. FINALLY TWO WEEKS AGO THE NOISE WENT AWAY ALL BY ITSELF. I NOTICED THAT THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY SHIFTS EVEN MORE TO ONE SIDE WHEN CLUTCH IS PRESSED AND I HAVE EXTREME TROUBLE SHIFTING INTO A GEAR. I THINK THAT ENTIRE BRACKET SEPARATED FROM THE MOUNTING POINTS. I FEAR THAT CLUTCH MAY BECOME INOPERABLE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10682224
Incident
Feb 6, 2015
Mileage
62,000 mi
Body & structureBrakesPowertrain (other)
Filed Nov 13, 2014

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. SO I FOLLOWED THE PROCEDURES TO CHECK THE CAUSE OF THE NOISE AND IT SEEMS TO BE THAT THE WELDS ON THE FIREWALL HAVE BEEN BROKEN AND ARE CAUSING THE NOISE.I ALSO NOTICED MY BRAKE PEDAL SHIFTS EVERY TIME I PRESS THE CLUTCH PEDAL. AS TIME PROGRESSES IT FEELS AS IF ITS GETTING HARDER TO SHIFT. I'M AFRAID THAT THIS ISSUE IS CAUSING PREMATURE WEAR OF THE TRANSMISSION. EVERY TIME I PRESS THE CLUTCH PEDAL I FEAR THAT THE CLUTCH PEDAL ASSEMBLY IS GOING TO RIP OFF THE FIREWALL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10654643
Incident
Apr 15, 2014
Mileage
72,000 mi
Powertrain (other)Transmission
Filed Jul 9, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX (N/A). THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE HAD A LOSS OF POWER AS THE SPEED REDUCED TO 30 MPH INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLUTCH AND THE FLY WHEEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000.

NHTSA ID
10609441
Incident
Jul 8, 2014
Mileage
77,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jun 26, 2014

I RECENTLY STARTED HAVING A CREAKING NOISE EVERY TIME I WOULD DEPRESS THE CLUTCH ON MY 2009 WRX SEDAN. WHEN I PUSH THE CLUTCH IN I NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD ALSO MOVE APPROXIMATELY A OF AN INCH. WHAT REALLY GOT ME WORRIED WAS SEEING THE FIREWALL FLEXING AND MOVING. THE MASTER CYLINDER BRACE WAS ALSO MOVING AROUND AS THE CLUTCH WAS BEING PRESSED. I WAS ABLE TO SEE BOTH BY HAVING THE WINDOW COWL OFF AND HOOD OPENED. AFTER THAT HAPPENED I WENT ONLINE AND SAW THAT OTHER 2008+ WRX OWNERS ARE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM AND THE DIAGNOSIS WAS FAILING/BROKEN FIREWALL SPOT WELDS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10606250
Incident
Jun 19, 2014
Mileage
29,000 mi
Body & structurePowertrain (other)
Filed Jun 11, 2014

I AM THE ONLY OWNER OF A 2009 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX SEDAN. I NOTICED MY CLUTCH SQUEAKING ABOUT 10,000 MILES AGO. I BROUGHT IT INTO A SUBARU DEALER TO HAVE IT CHECK OUT AT THE TIME OF OCCURRENCE AND THEY TOLD ME NOTHING WAS WRONG. ABOUT 3000 MILES AGO, THE CLUTCH STARTED TO "CLICK" INSIDE THE VEHICLE. FOR MY 50,000 MILE SERVICE, I ASKED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO CHECK OUT THE NOISE. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT CAME BACK TO ME AND TOLD ME THAT MY FIREWALL HAS TORN. THEY TOLD ME THEY HAVE SEEN THIS BEFORE AND THAT IT WAS A RESULT OF POOR SPOT WELDS ON THE FIREWALL DONE BY THE FACTORY. AS A RESULT, THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID MY CLUTCH WILL NEED REPLACING BECAUSE THE TEAR IN THE FIREWALL HAS MESSED UP THE CLUTCH ALIGNMENT. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT ALSO TOLD ME THAT I AM LUCKY I CAUGHT THIS PROBLEM EARLY BECAUSE IN A SIMILAR CASE THEY SAW IT DESTROYED THE TRANSMISSION OF A DIFFERENT WRX. CURRENTLY, SUBARU IS TRYING TO BRUSH THIS UNDER THE RUG OFFERING TO FIX THE FIREWALL FOR FREE BUT WANTS TO CHARGE ME $1000 TO REPLACE THE CLUTCH. I HAVE CALLED SUBARU OF AMERICA TO REPORT THE ISSUED AND TO SEE IF THEY WILL COVER THE REPAIR. SUBARU OF AMERICA SAID THEY ARE AWARE OF THIS BEING AN ISSUE WITH THEIR VEHICLES AND WILL INVESTIGATE THIS SPECIFIC CASE. I AM AN AVID SUBARU ENTHUSIAST AND HAVE BEEN READING ABOUT HUNDREDS OF OTHER IMPREZA OWNERS FACING THE SAME ISSUE AS MINE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10597713
Incident
Jun 9, 2014
Mileage
50,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jun 9, 2014

CLUTCH PEDAL STARTING SQUEAKING AND GEARS WOULD NOT SYNCH WELL DURING SHIFTING WHICH INDICATED THE CLUTCH WOULD NOT FULLY DISENGAGE. BROUGHT TO DEALER AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLUTCH PEDAL MOUNTING BRACKET HAS BROKEN FREE OF THE FIREWALL, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE FIREWALL AND CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BE INOPERABLE. SUBARU WILL NOT COVER THE REPAIR AND THERE IS NO RECALL ON FILE. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10597041
Incident
Jun 5, 2014
Mileage
108,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jun 2, 2014

CAR WAS IN THE SHOP FOR ANOTHER SERVICE WHEN THIS ISSUE WAS BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION. THE TECH SHOWED ME HOW THE PEDAL ASSEMBLY WOULD MOVE WHEN THE CLUTCH PEDAL WAS PRESSED, CAUSED BY THE WELDS ON THE PEDAL ASSEMBLY BREAKING AND BECOMING DISCONNECTED FROM THE FIREWALL. HE INFORMED ME THAT THIS WAS AN ISSUE THAT HAD STARTED OCCURRING ON SEVERAL SAME MAKE AND MODEL CARS. THE ISSUE HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE, THERE IS AN AUDIBLE CLICK AND SQUEAK/CREAK WHEN PRESSING AND RELEASING THE CLUTCH PEDAL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10595695
Incident
Oct 19, 2012
Mileage
89,000 mi
BrakesPowertrain (other)
Filed May 13, 2014

THE CLUTCH PEDAL ON MY 2009 WRX MAKES A LOUD CREAKING NOISE EVERY TIME IT'S DEPRESSED. WHEN I INVESTIGATED THE NOISE, I NOTICED THAT THE ENTIRE CLUTCH PEDAL BRACKET ASSEMBLY (ATTACHED TO THE FORWARD FIREWALL) SHIFTS APPROX 1/4 INCH EVERY TIME THE CLUTCH PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. I FOUND THAT THE SPOT WELDS SECURING THE CLUTCH PEDAL BRACKET TO THE FORWARD FIREWALL SEEM TO BE BROKEN. THIS ALLOWS THE ENTIRE CLUTCH PEDAL BRACKET ASSEMBLY TO MOVE, CAUSING THE CREAKING NOISE. I AM AFRAID THAT IF THE PROBLEM GETS WORSE THE CLUTCH WILL FAIL TO DISENGAGE COMPLETELY. IF THE BRACKET COMPLETELY SEPARATES FROM THE FIREWALL, THE CLUTCH MAY BECOME COMPLETELY INOPERATIVE - ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS WHILE DRIVING. IT IS ESPECIALLY DISCONCERTING TO WATCH THE BRAKE PEDAL MOVE BACK AND FORTH WHEN THE CLUTCH PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10588125
Incident
Sep 2, 2013
Mileage
58,000 mi
AirbagsEngineOther / unspecified
Filed Apr 11, 2014

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. AFTER THE INCIDENT THE FOLLOWING SENSORS AND OTHER ISSUES OCCURRED: -CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON -P0011 DIAGNOSTIC READING: 'A CAMSHAFT POSITION TIMING OVER ' ADVANCED SYSTEM PERFORMANCE BANK 1' -TURBO NOT WORKING CORRECTLY -WHITE SMOKE FROM EXHAUST -TRACTION CONTROL WON'T COME OFF -SAYS PASSENGER AIR BAG IS OFF -SOMETIMES HAS HARD TIME STARTING -- I SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT FOR APRIL 10TH AT A AUTHORIZED SUBARU DEALERSHIP AND THE MECHANICS DETERMINED THE TURBO CONNECTED TO THE ENGINE FAILED AND WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED ($3000 DOLLAR ESTIMATE). I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND LEFT A MESSAGE AS DID SUBARU. THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT RESPONDED BACK AND IS IGNORING MY MESSAGES. I FEEL EVEN THOUGH I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE "AS IS", IT WAS STILL UNDER AN IMPLIED WARRANTY OF BEING 'FIT FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE', THAT IS THAT IT WAS DRIVABLE AND OPERATIONAL AS IT IS OBVIOUSLY NOT. SUBARU TOLD ME THERE IS NO WAY THE DEALER COULD NOT HAVE BEEN AWARE OF SUCH AN IMMENSE ISSUE WITH THE ENGINE. *JS

NHTSA ID
10579242
Incident
Mar 25, 2014
Mileage
74,301 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Apr 4, 2014

MY CLUTCH PEDAL HAS BEEN CREAKING HORRIBLY THE PAST 12 MONTHS. I'VE READ NUMEROUS PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT A FAULTY WELD ON THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY MOUNTING TO THE FIREWALL, BUT DIDN'T THINK IT COULD HAPPEN TO MY CAR. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY WANTED TO CHARGE ME $1500 JUST TO PULL OUT THE TRANSMISSION AND LOOK AT THE CLUTCH WHEN IT'S OBVIOUS THE WELDS ARE FAULTY AND HAVE GONE BAD! I TOLD HIM THE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE EXACT SAME ISSUE AND THAT SUBARU OF AMERICA WAS AWARE OF THE "KNOWN ISSUE" BUT NO DICE. THEY INSISTED ON A $1500 DIAGNOSTIC CHECK WHICH DIDN'T EVEN INCLUDE THE PRICE FOR AN ACTUAL FIX! SOA WASN'T MUCH HELP, THE SENT A TECH DOWN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE MECHANIC HAD HIM CONVINCED THEY SHOULD PULL OUT THE TRANSMISSION BEFORE DOING ANYTHING ELSE. MY BREAK PEDAL AND CLUTCH PEDAL BOTH MOVE SIGNIFICANTLY MORE THAN BEFORE, ALMOST 2-3 INCHES. I'M AFRAID ONE DAY I'LL BE DRIVING AND I'LL FIND THE WHOLE ASSEMBLY LYING ON THE FLOOR IN MY CAR AND WILL NOT BE ABLE TO BRAKE. THIS IS REALLY POOR DESIGN AND I'M SURPRISED A RECALL HAS NOT BEEN GIVEN. THERE IS A SERIOUS RISK OF SAFETY HERE AND SUBARU SHOULD BE TAKING INITIATIVE TO FIX THE PROBLEM BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE AND FOLKS START TOTALING CARS AND BRINGING RISK TO PEOPLE AROUND THEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10577290
Incident
Oct 1, 2013
Mileage
57,000 mi
Body & structurePowertrain (other)
Filed Feb 8, 2014

I HAVE BEEN HAVING A STRANGE NOISE COMING FROM MY CLUTCH EVERY TIME I WOULD GO TO SWITCH GEARS. I THEN CALLED SUBARU OF AMERICA AND FILED A CASE IN THERE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THEY THEN TOLD ME TO TAKE IT INTO A DEALER TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. AFTER TAKING MY SUBARU TO A LOCAL DEALER AND HAVING MY CAR LOOKED AT THE MECHANIC IN HIS SERVICE WRITE UP SAID "CLUTCH PEDAL ASSEMBLY LOOSE AND MOVING". I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THE REASON FOR THIS ISSUE WAS BECAUSE THE WELDS HOLDING THE ASSEMBLY TO THE FIREWALL HAD BROKEN OFF AND NOW NEED TO BE RE-WELDED BACK TOGETHER SO THAT THEY WILL WORK AGAIN. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THEY DO NOT FEEL THAT IT IS THAT BIG OF A SAFETY ISSUE AND RELEASED ME WITH THE CAR TO GO BACK HOME IN. HOWEVER EVERY TIME THE PEDAL IS PRESSED THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY MOVES SIDE TO SIDE MAKING THE WELDS EVEN LESS STRONG. AFTER LOOKING THIS ISSUE UP ONLINE I NOTICED THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY OTHER PERSON THAT HAS HAD THIS ISSUE AND MANY FEEL LIKE IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT SUBARU IS FAILED TO LOOK INTO. *TR

NHTSA ID
10563479
Incident
Feb 7, 2014
Mileage
99,240 mi

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