Subaru Impreza problems
112 owner complaints with NHTSA, no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 7.8/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2009 Subaru Impreza? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- powertrain — 27 owner reports · tends to show around 63,538 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
- engine — 24 owner reports · tends to show around 38,092 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
- body — 13 owner reports · tends to show around 87,658 mi · ~$1,500 to fix
- airbags — 12 owner reports · tends to show around 78,000 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: body is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 87,658 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 7.8/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2009 Subaru Impreza
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
Your road ahead on this 2009 Subaru Impreza
When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you, what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
- ~13,500 miengine~$3,100
- ~62,000 mipowertrain~$2,500
- ~90,000 mibody~$1,500
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
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…
Estimate your repair exposure
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.
Should you avoid the 2009 Subaru Impreza?
On the NHTSA data, the 2009 Subaru Impreza does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 7.8/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2009 Subaru Impreza?
Inspect the powertrain first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 27 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 63,538 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2009 Subaru Impreza a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.8 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 112 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is powertrain. Typical failure occurs around 63,538 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
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. Typical failure occurs around 63,538 miles. 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. Typical failure occurs around 63,538 miles. 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 are not always better value.