Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2009 Subaru Impreza owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The head gaskets have failed multiple times with this vehicle within a 6 month timeframe. The head gaskets have been a reported recall issue for other models of Subaru Impreza's except the non-turbo ones which this one is. The shop where is has been repaired at repairs several Subaru's that are non-turbo models monthly due to blown head gaskets. The head gasket failure in my vehicle has caused other components to fail, i.e. the radiator, power steering rack and 2 catalytic converters. I have all of my receipts for the repairs that where a direct result of the head gaskets being blown twice within 6 months and the total spent was $4,558.53 the car cost $5750.00 to buy.
This is a problem about a 2009 Subaru Impreza outback sport wagon, which only had 105,000 miles on it and found out the oil leaked is due to head gasket is already leaked. The Subaru dealer, planet Subaru, had a repair quote for $2,000.00. Did research about the issue, and found that this is an ongoing problem and that the engines are known to consume too much oil between oil changes. Subaru has a class action lawsuit against them for the same problem but not the specific year of vehicle.however, had contact Subaru few times but Subaru customer service decline to assist and suggest stay away from Subaru.
Takata recall and safety recall wue90 NHTSA campaign: 19V149000 brake lamp switch. On April 4th, 2019 I called multiple dealers for this recall and the Takata recall and they could not get me in until May 11th for airbag and the brake recall they do not have parts yet for it and the cars brake light is on. The last week and a half the brakes have been goofy and light illuminated which is part of the recall. Monday while driving on the highway at 55mph the rear passenger tire blew. Car has been towed because it appears part of the ABS system has broke and pierced the brand new tire!
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Subaru imreza. The contact stated that a piston prematurely fractured, causing catastrophic failure to the engine assembly. The vehicle was unable to be driven. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and then to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine assembly needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but provided no solution. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 98,000.
I have a pretty bad oil leak. Mechanic said it's a failed head gasket. He did tell me that my car is too new with a lower than average mileage for it to have failed the way it did. He actually told me to complain to you guys and also fight with the dealership and Subaru of north America because I should not be having this problem. He said it's all on them.
2009 Subaru with less than 100,000 has a head gasket linking onto catalitic converter.had same problem with 2005 Impreza with 95,000 miles .when I bought 2009 I wait was told problem had been resolved.obviously not ! Now I have to pay 1,600 dollars to have it repaired.not happy with Subaru,will not buy another one.
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.
Engine knock sound while traveling on highway, pulled off next exit and car shut down. No check engine lights or oil lights indicating an issue. Upon restart knocking sound was louder and had a metal sound to it. I immediately shut the car off and called roadside assistance and had the car towed to local dealer. Upon first review dealer identified it as "internal connecting-rod bearing failure" which caused catastrophic engine damage. Subaru of America denied the repair due to the ECM being modified, stating "our engineers reviewed your file and deemed it to be caused by the ECM modification". I have found numerous cases of the exact issue on the internet, as well as a my dealership telling me there is a TSB for this failure. Soa is providing a "one time good faith repair" but I am responsible to replace the ECM. …
When I brought my 2009 Subaru Impreza into colonial Subaru (in va) 2 weeks ago, there were many issues, but I didn't know the cause or if they were related. The strangest thing was all the issues started occurring out of nowhere over the past 4 months. My uncle is a certified Subaru mechanic in nj and has been servicing my car since I bought it in 2013. I also took meticulous care of it for the past 5 years, and it was running perfectly until now. There was nothing wrong with it when he looked at it in sept. And it passed nj inspection in oct. Then between oct and feb (only 4 months), it's falling apart and needs a new engine and catalytic converter? …
2009 Subaru Impreza wrx, ~25K miles. Driving on a back road, all of a sudden engine starts knocking. Have to get it towed to Subaru dealership. They need to replace the engine. I was on my way back to boston visiting family with my dog in the car. This caused me to have to pay for a flight back home and miss half a day's work. My car is out of commission in nj while I'm up in boston for 2 weeks. This problem has happened to over a hundred people so far with this model car. Subaru admitted a default in manufacturing for those people with cars in a build date range of 7/08 and 8/08 but did not send out letters to owners in that build date range. This is a catastrophic engine failure and should result in a recall, especially since they know about the issue and refused to do anything to notify the users or preemptively fix the problem. …
Engine complaints in other Impreza years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2009 Subaru Impreza?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2009 Subaru Impreza, 19% of the model year's 104 complaints. The component named most often is engine (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2009 Subaru Impreza engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2009 Subaru Impreza, though it has 14 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2009 Subaru Impreza engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 72,000 miles, and 35% before 25,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.