2009 Subaru WRX Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2009 Subaru WRX has a complaint index of 75, ranking 6th worst among 21 model years, with 41 complaints and 10 recalls. Owners report a firewall/clutch pedal bracket cracking issue at a median 65,845 miles, which is the top problem area, giving it an Avoid verdict relative to other WRX years.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 75/100
- #6 of 21 WRX years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 41
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 10
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
Top 2009 Subaru WRX problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain33 (80%)
- Structure & Body13 (32%)
- Brakes12 (29%)
- Engine5 (12%)
- Other4 (10%)
- Airbags1 (2%)
- Fuel System1 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners describe a squeaking or clicking noise from the clutch pedal that worsens over time.
- Several report the clutch pedal bracket's spot welds breaking away from the firewall, causing the bracket to shift.
- Depressing the clutch pedal moves the brake pedal sideways because the pedal assembly is no longer firmly mounted.
- Some owners hear a loud pop or crack when depressing the clutch before diagnosing the cracked firewall.
- The clutch becomes harder to depress as the metal around the pedal mount flexes and deteriorates further.
2009 Subaru WRX recalls
10 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 20V001000Jan 2, 2020Airbags258,813 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
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.
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.
- NHTSA 20V003000Jan 2, 2020Airbags111,562 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
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.
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.
- NHTSA 20V002000Jan 2, 2020Airbags127,547 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
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.
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.
2009 compared with other WRX years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2009 Subaru WRX reliable?
- Compared with other WRX model years, the 2009 ranks 6th worst out of 21 years tracked, with a complaint index of 75 and an Avoid verdict.
- What is the main problem with the 2009 Subaru WRX?
- Transmission and powertrain issues make up 80% of complaints, mostly centered on a clutch pedal bracket cracking away from the firewall, with a median failure mileage of 65,845 miles.
- Does the 2009 Subaru WRX have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns for the 2009 WRX, covering airbags and electrical system components like ignition switches and brake light switches.
- Are there crashes or injuries linked to 2009 WRX complaints?
- NHTSA data shows 0 crashes, 0 fires, and 0 injuries reported among the 41 complaints for the 2009 WRX.
- How does the 2009 WRX compare to the 2008 WRX?
- The 2008 WRX has a higher complaint index of 80 and is also rated Avoid, while the 2009 WRX sits close behind at a complaint index of 75.