This bulletin announces the service manual correction regarding clutch master cylinder reservoir service procedures.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2009 Subaru Impreza powertrain problems
moderate 27 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
27
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
When does it fail?
Of the 27 powertrain complaints filed for the 2009 Subaru Impreza, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 27 powertrain complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Among the 15 model years of Subaru Impreza in our records for powertrain problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This Service Information bulletin announces a design change to the clutch release bearing used on the models as listed above. During assembly of the bearing, a different type of grease is used which has a higher resistance to heat. In cases where the operator keeps a foot on the clutch pedal for extended periods, an increased amount of heat is generated which can cause the grease inside the bearing to deteriorate. In a case of prolonged clutch pedal application, seizure of the bearing can occur with potential damage to other related components.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Service Information bulletin announces a design change to the clutch release bearing used on the models as listed above. During assembly of the bearing, a different type of grease is used which has a higher resistance to heat. In cases where the operator keeps a foot on the clutch pedal for extended periods, an increased amount of heat is generated which can cause the grease inside the bearing to deteriorate. In a case of prolonged clutch pedal application, seizure of the bearing can occur with potential damage to other related components.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Bulletin provides production change, repair procedure and parts information to address a customer concern of a high-pitched sound coming from the transmission extension housing area.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The dominant complaint across 24 of 27 narratives is a systematic failure of the spot welds securing the clutch pedal bracket to the forward firewall. Owners report the bracket shifts roughly 1/4 inch every time the clutch is depressed, causing creaking, clicking, or squeaking noises within the first year or two of ownership. As the welds degrade, the brake pedal begins moving sideways when you engage the clutch—up to 3/4 inch in some cases—and shifting becomes difficult or impossible, especially into reverse and first gear.
The problem stems from firewall flex during normal clutch operation; the spot weld design cannot handle the stress. Owners who investigated found the welds literally pulling away from the firewall underneath the windshield wiper area. This allows the entire pedal assembly to float, preventing full clutch disengagement. Repair requires removing the dashboard and continuous-seam welding the bracket instead of relying on spot welds—a $1600–$2000+ job taking 2 to 8 weeks.
One owner experienced catastrophic clutch failure at 22,000 miles and was stranded on an interstate; Subaru denied warranty coverage claiming driver misuse. Two narratives reference TSBs (issued February 2017) but note Subaru's warranty extension for this issue expired in 2013. Many owners found dealers either unaware of the flaw, dismissive, or outright refusing repair.
Same Subaru Impreza powertrain reports on nearby years: 2008 · 2012
Failure modes owners describe
Clutch pedal bracket spot weld failure on firewall
The mounting bracket securing the clutch and brake pedal assembly to the forward firewall is held by spot welds that fail under normal driving conditions. As the firewall flexes with each clutch depression, the spot welds crack and pull away, allowing the entire pedal bracket to shift 1/4 inch or more. This weld defect appears endemic to the 2008-2014 model years.
When: Early life to mid-life: between 580 miles (new) and 54,000 miles; some owners report issues developing gradually over months to years
Symptoms owners cite: Loud creaking or squeaking noise when clutch pedal is depressed; Brake pedal moves when clutch is depressed (up to 3/4 inch reported); Shifting becomes difficult or impossible, especially into reverse and first gear; Clutch engagement becomes sluggish or requires pedal adjustments; Clutch pedal travels reduce, preventing full disengagement; Audible clicking, popping, or clicking noise from pedal area; Brake pedal loses proper function alongside clutch issues
Repairs/costs cited: Repair requires removing the entire dashboard to access and reweld the bracket. Third-party body shops use continuous seam welding rather than spot welds. Repair costs reported at $1600–$2000+ with labor times of 2 weeks to 2 months. Some dealers have covered repairs as one-time goodwill gestures after warranty expiration.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSBs issued (NHTSA ID 10090413 WE; NHTSA ID 10090409 TSB 12-184-15, dated February 3, 2017) but warranty extension expired in 2013. Subaru of America initially denied knowledge of widespread issue, denied warranty coverage blaming owner misuse, and refused coverage after warranty expiration despite TSBs. Some dealers have denied the problem exists or suggested not repairing vehicles.
Clutch assembly failure with catastrophic loss of function
Clutch components fail completely, rendering the vehicle unable to disengage or shift into gear. One owner reported catastrophic failure at 22,000 miles on a new vehicle; Subaru denied warranty coverage claiming misuse despite normal daily driving.
When: 22,000 miles reported; one case at 580 miles with progressive failure by 22,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Persistent foul odor when taking off and switching gears; Difficulty placing car in reverse and first gear; Tachometer jumping around with no identifiable cause; Clutch stops working completely, vehicle becomes immobilized
Repairs/costs cited: Complete clutch replacement required. One case cited $1600 cost (2012 pricing). Vehicle became disabled in the middle of an interstate highway.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru of America claimed clutch was misused ('launching') despite owner's normal commute and road trip usage. Warranty denial based on misuse allegation. Dealership initially dismissed odor concerns as normal WRX behavior.
Engine rod knock / bearing failure
One owner reported total engine failure attributed to rod knock and spun bearing due to incorrect manufacturing tolerances.
When: <UNKNOWN>
Symptoms owners cite: Engine failure
Synthesized from 27 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
My Subaru's clutch pedal is breaking the spot welds. Pretty soon the clutch pedal will fall off. Subaru wont replace it although it is clearly a manufacturer defect because the car is out of warranty. God forbid I am coming off the highway and this clutch pedal finishes falling off and I can not disengage the car out of gear. This is now happening to the 2008 and 2009 wrx but not the sti…
During normal use of the clutch on the street , the firewall welds brake off causing the firewall to bend. Also effects the clutch pedal making it 'click' if not fixed can cause more damage.
Due to the firewall flexing every time the clutch pedal is depressed, over time the spot welds connecting the clutch pedal mounting bracket to the firewall fail. This allows for play in the entire clutch/brake pedal assembly. Given enough of the welds break, the vehicle can no longer by put into gear. I became unable to put the car into reverse or first gear from a dead stop. It took about…
Car used as daily driver to commute less than 14 miles round trip for work. Clutch began to develop a pop noise which then turned into a loud squeak followed by more than a 1/2" of movement to the left that the brake pedal would start to move when the clutch would be depressed. After further investigation of reading local owners threads and asking around I have found that the welds that hold my…
Started having issues getting the car into gear. Thought it might be the clutch brought it into a shop to get the clutch disc replaced. They determined that the issue was from a broken weld on the firewall. *tr
Had powertrain trouble with your 2009 Subaru Impreza?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2009 Subaru Impreza?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 27 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 25 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 47,850 and 80,000 miles, with the median around 62,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 47,850; a quarter make it past 80,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2009/Subaru/Impreza.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.