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ProblemsByVinFile / 2009-SUBARU-IMPREZANHTSA data synced 5 days ago
Subaru
2009 Subaru Impreza problems
The 2009 Subaru Impreza has 9 critical safety recalls on file — the kind NHTSA opens when crashes, fires, or injuries are documented. 112 owner complaints alongside. Read those first.
The 2009 Subaru Impreza has 112 NHTSA owner complaints and 15 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is powertrain at 27 complaints, typically surfacing around 63,538 miles (~$2,500 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Significant reliability concerns on file. Read the trouble spots before buying.
9
Critical
6
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2009 Impreza?
High-risk ownership
Repair exposure runs above average — only with money set aside and eyes open.
Reliability score 2.0/10 — below the segment average
15 recall campaigns on file
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 — 15 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 2.0/10 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.
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.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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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.
"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
2009 Impreza· visibility
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…
Had a problem with your 2009 Subaru Impreza?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
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.
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.
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.
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 2.0 out of 10 based on 112 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 Subaru Impreza has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.
Should you avoid the 2009 Subaru Impreza?
The 2009 Subaru Impreza is a higher-risk ownership prospect. Repair exposure runs above average — only with money set aside and eyes open. The record behind that call: Reliability score 2.0/10 — below the segment average; 15 recall campaigns on file. 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 2.0 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.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 5 days ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2009/Subaru/Impreza.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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