There are 24 owner-reported engine complaints for the 2009 Subaru Imprezain NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
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.
HEAD GASKET FAILURE AT 80,000 MILES. LEAKED OUT 1.5 QUARTS OF OIL ON ROAD TRIP
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.
2009 SUBARU IMPREZA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO FAILED HEAD GASKET. *LD *JS
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.
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.
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.
WHILE DRIVING ON I-74 BETWEEN CINCINNATI OH AND INDIANAPOLIS IN I NOTICED THE DEVELOPMENT OF A ENGINE KNOCK AT AROUND SHELBYVILLE IN. NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED BUT I PULLED OVER AND INSPECTED THE ENGINE AND COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING OBVIOUSLY WRONG SO I CONTINUED ON MY TRIP. AFTER REACHING I-465 IN INDIANAPOLIS THE KNOCK BEGAN TO GET PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. AT THE INTERSECTION OF I-465 AND I-65 THE CAR WITHOUT WARNING ENGINE SHUTDOWN AND I LOST ALL FUNCTIONALITY (POWER STEERING, TURN SIGNALS, ETC). AT THE TIME OF POWER LOSS I WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH DURING RUSH HOUR IN THE FAST LANE. LUCKILY THE DRIVER BEHIND ME WAS FOLLOWING AT A SAFE DISTANCE AND I WAS ABLE TO AVOID A COLLISION AND SAFELY GET ONTO THE LEFT HAND SHOULDER. I WAS THEN ABLE TO GET THE CAR RESTARTED AND ATTEMPTED TO GET OFF OF I-465 FOR MY SAFETY. HOWEVER, AT THE NEXT EXIT THE ENGINE ONCE AGAIN SHUTDOWN. I WAS ONCE AGAIN ABLE TO SAFELY GET TO THE SHOULDER BUT WAS UNABLE TO GET THE CAR STARTED AGAIN. BASED ON FEEDBACK FROM THE DEALER AND MY EXPERIENCE AS A MECHANICAL ENGINEER I BELIEVE THAT THE CAUSE OF THIS CATASTROPHIC FAILURE WAS A FAILED BEARING WITHIN THE ENGINE. THE FACT THAT THIS POTENTIALLY FATAL FAILURE COULD OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING ON A CAR THAT IS LESS THAN 6 YEARS OLD WITH LESS THAN 100K MILES IS VERY CONCERNING TO ME. IF THE OTHER DRIVERS ON THE INTERSTATE HAD NOT BEEN PAYING AS CLOSE ATTENTION AS THEY WERE I BELIEVE THAT THIS CRASH COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL TO MYSELF AND POTENTIALLY OTHERS. MY CAR HAS HAD ALL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE AND OIL CHANGES AND IS WELL CARED FOR SO THE EARLY CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE ENGINE CANNOT BE DUE TO NEGLECT. SUBARU HAS ESTIMATED THE COST OF THE REPAIR AT $11K FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE ENGINE AND IS CURRENTLY NOT OFFERING TO COVER ANY OF THE COSTS EVEN THOUGH THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE ENGINE AND NOT DUE TO LACK OF MAINTENANCE. *TR
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 OIL. THIS IS A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM. BUILD DATE WAS AUG. 9TH 2008. THERE ARE MANY OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SAME PROBLEM FROM THE START. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THERE HASN'T BEEN ISSUED A RECALL IF SOA KNOWS OF THESE HUNDREDS OF ISSUES. THERE'S NOTHING LIKE BUYING A $25,000 LEMON! *TR
WHITE SMOKE WHEN START UP, AND SMOKE IN THE OIL WHEN CAR IS RUNNING, POSSIBLE BLOWN RING LAND DUE TO WEAK DESIGN, COMPRESSION TEST NEEDED TO TELL. *KB
I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW SUBARU IMPREZA ON JULY 27, 2009 FROM SUBARU DEALER, GRAND SUBARU, AT BENSENVILLE, IL 60106 FOR $18,000 WITH WARRANTY FOR 30-60K MILES. IT BROKE DOWN WHEN IT HAD JUST 9,221 MILES ON IT SHOWING "ENGINE FAILURE" ON NOV. 09, 2010. THE SUBARU DEALER WHO FIXED IT AFTER LOT OF HASSLE, STATED IN HIS INVOICE AS SOME "COIL" IS CRACKED IN THE IGNITION. I CAN SEND YOU THE RECEIPT THAT I HAVE IN MY POSSESSION FOR YOUR RECORD. I AM DISAPPOINTED WITH THIS AND WANT SUBARU TO COVER ANY SUCH PROBLEMS WITH ITS ENGINE FOR ANOTHER 1 YEARS FREE OF COST. I SHALL CONSIDER REPORTING THIS FAILURE OF THE CAR VIA INTERNET TO MAKE AWRY OF OTHER PROSPECTIVE AND SUBARU OWNERS, IF I DO NOT GET A SATISFACTORY RESPONSE WITHIN 10 DAYS. THANKS YOU [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
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. IN MY OPINION THIS ISSUE WHICH SOA IS AWARE OF AND ACKNOWLEDGES WITH A TSB SHOULD BE A RECALL - THE ENGINE FAILURE AT HIGHWAY SPEED HAS POTENTIAL TO CAUSE BODILY HARM - LOSS OF POWER, ENGINE SEIZE RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. I WAS LUCKY TO NOT BE INVOLVED IN ANY SORT OF ACCIDENT. FURTHER I AM TOTALLY UNSURE OF HOW SOA CAN CLAIM THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO ECM MODIFICATION WITHOUT EVER PHYSICALLY SEEING OR HAVING THE MOTOR PULLED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE ECM MODIFICATION IS AN EXCUSE TO NOT FULLY COVER THE REPAIR.
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. BY WILLINGLY KNOWING THAT A CUSTOMER'S ENGINE COULD FAIL AND WAITING UNTIL THE FAILURE OCCURS, CAUSING HARDSHIP ON THE OWNER, THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT WARRANTS A RECALL. *TR
ENGINE FAILURE. *TR
MOTOR FAILURE LEAVING ME TO ROLL THOUGH AND STALL IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. *TR
2009 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX WAGON HAS 5960 MILES WAS A NEW VEHICLE PURCHASE IN OCTOBER 2009. VEHICLE NEW CAR GUIDELINES WERE FOLLOWED AS WERE THE MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES. THE VEHICLE ENGINE I FEEL HAS A MECHANICAL DEFECT IN THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE HAS SPUN A BEARING BLOWN A ROD AND DAMAGED THE CRANKSHAFT. THIS FROM WHAT HAVE RESEARCHED IS NOT AN UNCOMMON PROBLEM. *TR
2009 IMPREZA WRX THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT A FAILURE WAS GOING TO OCCUR BEFORE IT HAPPENED. I HAD DRIVEN THE CAR NORMALLY FOR ALMOST 4 MONTHS. THE ENGINE BEGAN TO MAKE A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE AROUND 2000 RPM, SOUNDING LIKE METAL HITTING METAL AS I PULLED UP TO A STOP SIGN. FORTUNATELY I HAD JUST ENTERED MY NEIGHBORHOOD SO I WAS ABLE TO GET HOME AND HAVE MY CAR TOWED. SUBARU ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE TOWED THE CAR AND I WAS GIVEN A RENTAL FOR 20 DAYS. SUBARU DEALER SAID IT WAS A SPUN ROD BEARING AND ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. EVEN THOUGH I REQUESTED A LONG BLOCK REPLACEMENT I ONLY GOT A SHORT BLOCK, SO THE TURBO IS THE SAME. SINCE THIS OCCURRED I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS OTHER PROBLEMS, CLUTCH THROWOUT BEARING REPLACEMENT, STARTER, AIR CONDITIONING PROBLEMS. THIS CAR IS A LEMON BUT ITS IMPOSSIBLE TO CONVINCE SUBARU OF THAT FACT. ENGINE BLOWN AT 3300 MILES. CLUTCH PROBLEM AT 7000 MILES. STARTER FAILURE AT 9600 MILES (2/2011). REPORTED TO SOA. *TR
PISTON RINGLAND FAILURE AFTER 10K MILES ON BRAND NEW 2009 SUBARU IMPREZA STI. ENTIRE ENGINE BEING REPLACED BY SUBARU UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX. HE STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE ENGINE STARTED TO MAKE A NOISE WHILE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN AND SHUT OFF. HE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND DRIVE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER; HOWEVER, THE NOISE BECAME LOUDER AND MORE FREQUENT AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AT THEIR EXPENSE. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE ENGINE WAS DESTROYED AND COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT BEFORE THE VEHICLE LEFT THE FACTORY THAT THE ENGINE WAS NOT INSPECTED PRIOR TO BEING INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED PER THE WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1400 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1600.
ENGINE FAILURE. *TR
Showing 1–20 of 24 complaints
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 25, 2026