CarBrief

The 2009 Impreza/Outback Sport has 119 owner complaints and 14 recalls on file with NHTSA, so confirm every recall is done before you buy[1][2][3]. In the complaint samples we read, owners describe early engine failures and a clutch pedal bracket that came loose[4][5].

119owner complaints[1]
14recalls[6]
19–22MPG combined (EPA)[7]

Most reported problems

NHTSA has 119 owner complaints on file for the 2009 Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport[1]. Two mention a crash, five a fire and two an injury. No deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name several parts.

The biggest groups by count:

Component group Complaints Median miles at failure
Power train[8] 32 62,000
Engine[4] 29 20,000
Structure[5] 22 90,000
Brakes[9] 15 82,500
Air bags[10] 14 not listed
Speed control[11] 9 48,117
Electrical system[12] 8 60,000

We read a small sample of 12 complaint texts in each of the four biggest groups. What owners describe is not a share of all owners, but it shows what the reports look like.

Engine. In a sample of complaints we read, 9 of 12 describe a knocking noise or internal engine damage, such as a spun bearing[4]. Several say the engine was replaced, some at low mileage[4]. The engine group's median mileage at failure is 20,000, the lowest of the groups that list one[4]. One engine complaint also mentions a fire[4].

Power train. In the sample, 7 of 12 describe a clutch pedal that creaks or comes loose from the firewall because its mounting welds broke, which can make shifting hard[8]. Two of 12 describe transmission or center differential bearing and gear damage[8].

Structure. In the sample, 11 of 12 describe the same pedal bracket: broken spot welds or a flexing firewall when the clutch is pressed[5].

Brakes. In the sample, 7 of 12 describe a brake pedal that moves or feels loose because it shares that bracket with the clutch pedal[9]. Brake complaints include 2 crashes, 1 fire and 1 injury[9].

Air bags have 14 complaints, including 1 crash, 1 fire and 1 injury[10]. Speed control has 9 complaints and no crashes, fires or injuries[11]. Electrical complaints include 2 fires[12].

Recalls

NHTSA lists 14 recalls for this car[2][3]. Nine are for passenger air bag inflators. Each lists a free remedy that has begun, so ask a Subaru dealer whether a given car is covered. Many recalls apply only to cars registered in certain states, so a car can be covered even if a friend's is not.

Fuel economy

EPA lists several versions of this car, all with all-wheel drive. Ratings are city / highway / combined MPG. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new[25].

Version MPG Annual fuel cost
2.5L, 5-speed manual, regular[7] 20 / 27 / 22 $3,050
2.5L, Automatic (S4), regular[26] 20 / 26 / 22 $3,050
2.5L turbo, Automatic (S4), premium[25] 19 / 24 / 21 $3,900
2.5L turbo, 5-speed manual, premium[27] 18 / 25 / 21 $3,900
2.5L turbo, 6-speed manual, premium[28] 17 / 23 / 19 $4,350

The turbo versions are rated on premium fuel and cost more to run each year[25].

Safety ratings

NHTSA lists a rollover rating of 4 stars for the 2009 Impreza 4-door wagon and the 4-door model, with a rollover risk of 10.3%[29][30]. Our data has no other star ratings for this car.

Engine and size

Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models. Our data does not list horsepower for this car.

Variant Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
2.5i/Sport sedan[31] 180 in 69 in 58 in 103 in 3,053 lb
2.5i/Sport wagon[32] 174 in 69 in 58 in 103 in 3,053 lb
WRX sedan[33] 180 in 69 in 58 in 103 in 3,142 lb
WRX wagon[34] 174 in 69 in 58 in 103 in 3,142 lb
WRX STI hatch[35] 174 in 71 in 58 in 103 in 3,395 lb

How 2009 compares with other years

1995: 46 complaints, 1 recalls19951996: 20 complaints, 0 recalls1997: 30 complaints, 0 recalls19971998: 30 complaints, 0 recalls1999: 22 complaints, 0 recalls19992000: 41 complaints, 0 recalls2001: 11 complaints, 0 recalls20012002: 292 complaints, 6 recalls2003: 62 complaints, 6 recalls20032004: 96 complaints, 8 recalls2005: 75 complaints, 6 recalls20052006: 60 complaints, 10 recalls2007: 68 complaints, 9 recalls20072008: 213 complaints, 14 recalls2009: 119 complaints, 14 recalls11920092010: 46 complaints, 15 recalls2011: 58 complaints, 14 recalls20112012: 243 complaints, 6 recalls2013: 251 complaints, 4 recalls20132014: 108 complaints, 3 recalls2015: 79 complaints, 2 recalls20152016: 75 complaints, 1 recalls2017: 125 complaints, 7 recalls2017
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Impreza/Outback Sport model year. The 2009 is highlighted[6].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
1995461
1996200
1997300
1998300
1999220
2000410
2001110
20022926
2003626
2004968
2005756
20066010
2007689
200821314
200911914
20104615
20115814
20122436
20132514
20141083
2015792
2016751
20171257

Among the 23 model years listed, 2009 has the sixth most complaints at 119[6]. Higher counts are 2002 with 292, 2013 with 251, 2012 with 243, 2008 with 213 and 2017 with 125[6].

For recalls, 2009 has 14, tied with 2008 and 2011[6]. Only 2010 has more, with 15[6]. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold.

Should you buy a used 2009 Impreza/Outback Sport?

Check the recalls first. This car has 14 on file, nine of them for air bag inflators, and each lists a free remedy[2][23].

In the complaint samples we read, owners describe early engine failures and a clutch and brake pedal bracket whose welds broke, but these are small samples that show what to ask about, not how likely a problem is[4][5]. Turbo versions cost more to fuel, at $3,900 or more a year at EPA's price assumptions[25][28].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2009 Subaru Impreza?
NHTSA lists 119 complaints[1]. The largest groups are power train with 32, engine with 29 and structure with 22[1][8][4][5]. In a sample we read, owners describe engine knocking and a loose clutch pedal bracket[4][5].
Does the 2009 Subaru Impreza have recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 14 recalls, nine of them for passenger air bag inflators[2][23]. Each lists a free dealer remedy[2][3].
What gas mileage does a 2009 Subaru Impreza get?
EPA ratings range from 17 city and 23 highway to 20 city and 27 highway, depending on engine and transmission[28][7].
Is the 2009 Impreza a worse year than others?
Its 119 complaints rank sixth of the 23 years listed, and its 14 recalls tie for second most behind 2010[6]. Counts are not adjusted for sales.
How safe is the 2009 Subaru Impreza?
NHTSA gives it 4 stars for rollover, with a 10.3% rollover risk[29][30].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 119 owner complaints on file for the 2009 Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport (2 mention a crash, 5 a fire, 2 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Recall 20V001, filed January 2, 2020: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  3. Recall 14V311, filed June 10, 2014: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines / Piping, And Fittings. NHTSA recall database
  4. 29 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 20,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  5. 22 complaints name the structure component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 90,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  6. Owner complaints and recalls for every Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  7. EPA rating for Impreza AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 27 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  8. 32 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 62,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 15 complaints name the brakes component group (2 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 82,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 14 complaints name the air bags component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 9 complaints name the speed control component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 48,117). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 8 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 60,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. Recall 20V003, filed January 2, 2020: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  14. Recall 20V002, filed January 2, 2020: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 19V297, filed April 11, 2019: Electrical System › Ignition › Switch. NHTSA recall database
  16. Recall 19V149, filed February 28, 2019: Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights › Switch. NHTSA recall database
  17. Recall 18V013, filed January 9, 2018: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  18. Recall 18V012, filed January 9, 2018: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  19. Recall 18V014, filed January 9, 2018: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  20. Recall 17V026, filed January 11, 2017: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  21. Recall 17V014, filed January 10, 2017: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  22. Recall 16V738, filed October 13, 2016: Electrical System. NHTSA recall database
  23. Recall 16V358, filed May 25, 2016: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
  24. Recall 14V830, filed December 31, 2014: Service Brakes, Hydraulic. NHTSA recall database
  25. EPA rating for Impreza AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S4), Premium, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 24 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  26. EPA rating for Impreza AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (S4), Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 26 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  27. EPA rating for Impreza AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 5-spd, Premium, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 25 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  28. EPA rating for Impreza Wagon/Outback SPT AWD, 2.5L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 6-spd, Premium, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 23 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  29. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4-DR WAGON W/SAB AWD: rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 10.3%. NHTSA vehicle records
  30. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4-DR W/SAB AWD: rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 10.3%. NHTSA vehicle records
  31. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, IMPREZA 2.5i/SPORT 4DR SEDAN AWD: length 180 in, width 69 in, height 58 in, wheelbase 103 in, curb weight 3,053 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  32. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, IMPREZA 5-DOOR 2.5i/SPORT WAGON AWD: length 174 in, width 69 in, height 58 in, wheelbase 103 in, curb weight 3,053 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  33. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, IMPREZA WRX 4DR SEDAN AWD: length 180 in, width 69 in, height 58 in, wheelbase 103 in, curb weight 3,142 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  34. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, IMPREZA 5-DOOR WRX WAGON AWD: length 174 in, width 69 in, height 58 in, wheelbase 103 in, curb weight 3,142 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  35. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, IMPREZA WRX STI 5DR HATCH AWD: length 174 in, width 71 in, height 58 in, wheelbase 103 in, curb weight 3,395 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.