Model year record

2009 Subaru WRX recalls & problems

The 2009 Subaru WRX has 10 safety recalls and 41 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is power train (34 complaints).

Recalls10safety recalls

Complaints41filed by owners

Crashes · fires0 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Air bagsJan 2, 2020

Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

Recall 20V001000258,813 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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.

Air bagsJan 2, 2020

Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

Recall 20V003000111,562 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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.

Air bagsJan 2, 2020

Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

Recall 20V002000127,547 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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.

Electrical systemApr 11, 2019

Ignition › Switch

Recall 19V297000511 vehicles

Problem: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, 2008-2011 Impreza vehicles, 2008-2014 WRX vehicles, 2005-2014 Legacy vehicles, 2005-2014 Outback vehicles and 2006-2008 Tribeca vehicles equipped with a mechanical key ignition switch installed as a replacement part. The ball spring inside the switch may break, reducing the strength of the ignition switch. If this occurs, the weight on the key ring and certain road conditions could cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position to the accessory position, turning off the engine.
Risk: The engine turning off unexpectedly can increase the risk of a crash. If a crash occurs under this condition, the air bag may not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ignition switch, replacing the ignition switch, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 10, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUF-91.

Exterior lightingFeb 28, 2019

Brake lights › Switch

Recall 19V1490001,303,530 vehicles

Problem: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Forester, 2008-2016 Impreza sedans, 2012-2016 Impreza station wagons, 2008-2014 WRX sedans (including STI), and 2013-2017 Crosstrek vehicles. Exposure to certain contaminants may cause the brake light switch to malfunction, preventing the brake lights from illuminating and also preventing keyless ignition vehicles from starting and CVT/automatic transmissions from being able to be shifted out of Park.
Risk: Brake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of crash.
Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake light switch, free of charge. The recall began April 15, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUE-90.

Air bagsJan 9, 2018

Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

Recall 18V01200064,179 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Legacy, Forester, Tribeca, WRX and Outback vehicles, and 2009-2011 Impreza vehicles 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. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Risk: An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on February 9, 2018. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-18.

Air bagsJan 9, 2018

Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

Recall 18V01400072,150 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009 Tribeca, Impreza, Forester, WRX, Legacy, and Outback vehicles 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. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Risk: An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began on February 9, 2018. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is TKC-18.

Air bagsJan 9, 2018

Frontal › Passenger side › Inflator module

Recall 18V01300093,209 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2010 Tribeca, Impreza, Forester, WRX, Legacy, and Outback vehicles 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. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Risk: An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on February 9, 2018. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-18.

Service brakes, hydraulicDec 31, 2014

Service brakes, hydraulic

Recall 14V830000200,064 vehicles

Problem: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Impreza, 2008-2014 WRX and STI, and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, currently, or formerly, registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia that were remedied under recall 14V-311 prior to December 23, 2014. The brake lines may experience brake line corrosion due to salt water splashing on the brake lines through a gap in the fuel tank protector.
Risk: Brake fluid may leak due to the brake line corrosion and may result in longer distances being required to slow or stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will apply an anti-corrosion wax to the four-way joint connector area of the brake line system, free of charge. The recall began on January 27, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQQ-52. Notes: This recall is specific to affected Forester, Impreza, WRX, and STI customers who had their car remedied under NHTSA recall no. 14V-311 prior to December 23, 2014. Subaru has determined that this remedy was inadequate due to incomplete repair instructions provided to dealers. Affected Forester, Impreza, WRX, and STI vehicles that were not repaired under NHTSA recall no. 14V-311 prior to December 23, 2014 will continue to be processed under NHTSA recall no. 14V-311. Affected vehicles not currently, or formerly, registered in the salt belt states identified in this recall are eligible for repair, at no cost to the customer, upon request.

Service brakes, hydraulicJun 10, 2014

Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 14V311000461,338 vehicles

Problem: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Outback and Legacy, 2008-2011 Impreza and 2008-2014 Impreza WRX/STI, and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, currently, or formerly, registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. Salt water could splash on the brake lines through a gap in the fuel tank protector, resulting in excessive corrosion of the brake lines. Note that affected vehicles not currently, or formerly registered, in the salt belt states identified above are eligible for repair, at no cost to the customer, upon request.
Risk: Brake line corrosion may result in brake fluid leakage. Fluid leakage may result in longer distances being required to slow or stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will test the brake system by depressing the brake pedal and inspecting for brake fluid leaks. If no brake fluid seepage is observed, the affected areas will be rustproofed with anti-corrosion wax. If brake fluid seepage is observed, the brake lines will be replaced followed by rustproofing with anti-corrosion wax. These services will be performed free of charge. The recall began July 2014 and second notifications will run through November 2014. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's recall campaign number is WQK-47. Note: This recall supersedes recall 13V-110 which applied to certain 2005-2009 Legacy/Outback vehicles. Vehicles that were remedied under the previous campaign still need additional areas rust-proofed.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Typical mileage*
Power trainClutch assembly	34	66,000 mi
StructureBody	13	72,000 mi
Service brakes	11	75,986 mi
Engine	4	75,143 mi
Unknown or other	4	64,250 mi
Vehicle speed control	3	76,000 mi
Traction control system	1	—
Air bags	1	—
Fuel/propulsion system	1	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Vehicle speed control
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…
Oct 1, 2018 · 125,000 miles
Structure › Body
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
Jan 1, 2018 · 120,000 miles
Structure › Body
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.
Dec 1, 2013 · 90,000 miles
Fuel/propulsion system
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.
Feb 23, 2017 · 90,800 miles
Structure › Body
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…
Feb 20, 2017 · 109,000 miles
Service brakes
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.
Nov 1, 2016 · 80,000 miles
Power train
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.
Jun 13, 2016 · 94,600 miles
Power train
**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.
Aug 3, 2015 · 74,722 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.