Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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 contact owns a 2009 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the transmission failed to properly shift. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to pull over on the side of the road and shut off the vehicle. Once the contact restarted the vehicle, the vehicle started operating normally; however, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the clutch pedal bracket had fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was under recall however, the recall had expired. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 54,000.
The clutch pedal on my 2009 wrx constantly requires adjustment to enable the release of the clamp pressure on the driven plate of the clutch assembly when the clutch foot pedal is depressed. Upon investigating a creaking noise, I noticed that the entire clutch pedal bracket assembly (attached to the forward firewall) shifts approx 1/4 inch to the left and down each time the clutch pedal is activated. This clutch pedal bracket assembly has three broken spot welds securing the clutch pedal bracket to the forward firewall. From the outside of the firewall, underneath the driver's side windshield wiper, I confirmed the manufacturer's spot welds are pulling away from the firewall each time the clutch pedal is depressed. …
Chassis fatigue and cracking resulting in damage/potential compromise of driver controls. Clutch pedal assembly broke and will no longer dissengage the clutch(drivetrain system). This happened while driving on a local highway at a speed of approximately 45mph. I was forced to drive the vehicle off of the road to avoid a potential collision with another vehicle. The whole assembly is comprised of both the clutch and the brake pedals. Due to the assembly failure the brake pedal has significant play in it as well and doesnt function properly. Upon inspection I found that structural welds on the firewall, where the assembly is mounted, have failed. I called subaruofamerica about the issue on 08 May 2018. I referenced two different TSB's regarding this issue on my year range of vehicle. …
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 5 minutes of trying to get it into 1st to get home. Luckily this did not occur while at speed.
09 wrx hatch, when the clutch is depressed it will make a creaking noise. Upon further inspection, the firewall flexes a lot while the clutch is pressed in. It is getting louder and is starting to affect the brake pedal by moving it everytime the clutch is depressed.
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.
The clutch pedal on my 2009 wrx makes a loud creaking noise every time it's depressed. When I investigated the noise, I noticed that the entire clutch pedal bracket assembly (attached to the forward firewall) shifts approx 1/4 inch every time the clutch pedal is depressed. I found that the three spot welds securing the clutch pedal bracket to the forward firewall were broken. From the outside of the firewall, just under the windshield wipers, I saw the spot welds pulling away from the firewall every time the clutch pedal was depressed. This allows the entire clutch pedal bracket assembly to move, causing the creaking noise. If the bracket completely separates from the firewall, the clutch May become completely inoperative - especially dangerous while driving. …
Subaru of America inc. Should recall 2008-2014 Impreza, Impreza wrx, and Impreza wrx sti. These vehicles just above the drivers feet, use 6 spots welds to hold a mounting bracket for the pedal assembly to the inside of the firewall.this design flaw, where the pedal mounting box is spot-welded to the firewall using only a handful of tiny spot welds is dangerous. The firewall itself is of a weak design and inherently has quite a bit of flex and over time and normal use these spot welds fail from too much stress and the pedals will begin to squeak, creak, pop and eventually the pedals will move away from the firewall when depressed. Once this happens the clutch and other pedals will no longer properly engage or disengage and the car will no longer be drivable. In the event of this failure at highway speeds potentially catastrophic loss of life and endangering the public. …
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 brake and clutch together have broken and are continuing to break which could lead to my clutch pedal assembly falling down to the floor board which could potentially render me from using my brake pedal. This is a common issue with all Subaru Impreza wrx and sti owners which can be found on multiple local owners club websites and could affect bodily harm to drivers of the cars and other drivers on the road! …
The clutch pedal makes a loud creaking noise every time it's depressed. When I investigated the noise, I found that the entire clutch pedal bracket assembly (attached to the forward firewall) shifts approx 1/4 inch when the clutch pedal is pressed. I noticed that the three spot welds securing the clutch pedal bracket to the forward firewall are broken. From the outside of the firewall, just under the windshield wipers, I saw the spot welds pulling away from the firewall ever time the clutch pedal was depressed. This allows the entire clutch pedal bracket assembly to move, causing the creaking noise. If the bracket completely separates from the firewall, the clutch May become completely inoperative - especially dangerous while driving.
Transmission complaints in other Impreza years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2009 Subaru Impreza?
NHTSA has 30 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2009 Subaru Impreza, 29% of the model year's 104 complaints. The component named most often is manual transmission (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2009 Subaru Impreza transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 65,000 miles, and 11% 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.