Subaru Impreza problems
0 safety recalls. 112 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR IS FAULTY. WE REPLACED IT 12 MONTHS AGO AND IT IS BROKEN AGAIN. THE INTERNAL SPRING/CLIP FAILS, SO THE SUN VISOR HANGS DOWN, AND IMPAIRS VISION WHEN DRIVING. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS, AND WE HAVE NEARLY CRASHED TWICE DUE TO THIS. I HAVE CONTACTED SUBARU…
ENGINE ROD BEARING FAILURE @ 64000 MILES WITH REGULAR OIL CHANGES. DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS DUE TO INSUFFICIENT LUBRICATION; HOWEVER, THERE WAS PLENTY OF OIL WHEN I BROUGHT IN THE CAR AND OIL WAS NEVER ADDED TO CHANGE THEIR JUDGMENT. THIS, IN MY OPINION, IS "NOT" DUE TO LACK OF…
MOTOR WENT OUT WITH 72000 MILES WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY DRIVING. TRANSFER CASE BEARINGS SHOT. POWER STEERING RACK DONE AND FIREWALL HAS CRACKED FOR A 2ND TIME. SUBARU ARE PROBABLY THE MOST UNSAFE VEHICLES ON THE ROAD.
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V358000 (AIR BAGS) WAS RECEIVED IN MAY. AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE…
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Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2009 Subaru Impreza reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.8 out of 10 based on 112 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 Subaru Impreza is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
What's the most common problem on the 2009 Subaru Impreza?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 27 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Subaru Impreza has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2009 Subaru Impreza?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 112 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $2,500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans aren't always better value.