Loose Windshield-Mounted Rear-View Mirror
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2009 Subaru Impreza visibility problems
moderate 3 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $350 · see visibility across all vehicles →
Complaints
3
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$350
When does it fail?
Of the 3 visibility 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
No new NHTSA visibility complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 12 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering visibility 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 BULLETIN PROVIDES AN INSPECTION AND REPAIR PROCEDURE TO ADDRESS A MISALIGNMENT OF THE REAR UPPER AND LOWER WINDOW SASH WHICH MAY CAUSE THE FRONT DOOR GLASS TO BIND OR MOVE SLOWLY WHEN OPENING OR CLOSING. THIS CONDITION MAY ALSO CAUSE ERRATIC OPERATION OF THE POWER WINDOW AUTO-UP FEATURE (IF EQUIPPED). IN SOME CASES, WHEN CLOSING THE WINDOW, THE SYSTEM MAY MIS-INTERPRET THE BINDING CONDITION AND ACTIVATE THE PINCHING HAZARD PREVENTION FEATURE AND REVERSE THE MOTORS DIRECTION.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Front Door Glass Does Not Close Properly
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
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 to inform them of this. A quick google search proves it's a well-known issue, and has been since 2000. Please help make…
Had visibility 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 visibility problem on the 2009 Subaru Impreza?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 3 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $350 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the visibility typically fail?
Based on the 3 complaints filed, visibility issues most often appear around 32,700 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $350 for visibility 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 visibility?
No active recalls currently cover visibility 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.