2009 Subaru Impreza Recalls, Problems & Safety Rating

14 safety recalls on file

The 2009 Subaru Impreza has 14 safety recalls on file with NHTSA.

Owners have filed 104 complaints with NHTSA, including 2 crashes, 3 fires, 2 injuries.

The most-reported problem area is Power Train (30 reports).

14Recalls
104Owner complaints
2Crashes reported
n/aNHTSA safety rating
Is the repair still open on your Impreza?

A recall covers specific vehicles. Your VIN shows whether yours still needs the free repair.

2009 Subaru Impreza recalls

Passenger Airbag May Explode, Sending Metal Fragments

Recall 20V001Jan 2, 2020258,813 vehicles affected

The passenger frontal airbag inflator in these vehicles can rupture.

Passenger airbag inflator may explode, sending metal fragments

Recall 20V002Jan 2, 2020127,547 vehicles affected

Some vehicles had their passenger frontal airbag inflators replaced under an earlier recall, but the replacement inflators use the same design.

Passenger airbag inflator may explode, sending metal shrapnel

Recall 20V003Jan 2, 2020111,562 vehicles affected

The passenger frontal airbag inflator in these vehicles can rupture.

Ignition Switch May Turn Off Engine, Disabling Airbags

Recall 19V297Apr 11, 2019511 vehicles affected

The ignition switch on these vehicles may have a ball spring inside that can break, weakening the switch.

Brake lights may fail to light, raising crash risk

Recall 19V149Feb 28, 20191,303,530 vehicles affected

The brake light switch can malfunction after exposure to certain contaminants.

Passenger airbag inflator may explode, sending metal fragments

Recall 18V012Jan 9, 201864,179 vehicles affected

The passenger-side frontal airbag inflator in these vehicles can rupture when the airbag deploys in a crash.

Passenger airbag inflator may rupture in a crash

Recall 18V013Jan 9, 201893,209 vehicles affected

The passenger-side front airbag inflator in certain vehicles may explode when the airbag deploys in a crash.

Passenger airbag inflator may explode, sending metal fragments

Recall 18V014Jan 9, 201872,150 vehicles affected

Certain 2009 Subaru vehicles have a passenger-side frontal airbag inflator that may rupture when the airbag deploys in a crash.

Passenger airbag inflator may rupture and spray metal fragments

Recall 17V026Jan 11, 201769,529 vehicles affected

The passenger-side front airbag inflator in certain Subaru vehicles may rupture during a crash that requires the front airbags to deploy.

Passenger airbag inflator may rupture, sending metal fragments at occupants

Recall 17V014Jan 10, 201753,480 vehicles affected

The passenger-side front airbag inflator in these vehicles can rupture when the airbag deploys in a crash.

Relay can fail, causing pump overheating and fire risk

Recall 16V738Oct 13, 2016100,127 vehicles affected

A relay that controls the secondary air injection pump may fail, causing the pump to run continuously and overheat.

Passenger airbag inflator may rupture, spraying metal fragments

Recall 16V358May 25, 2016302,127 vehicles affected

The passenger-side frontal airbag inflator in these vehicles may rupture during a crash that requires the front airbags to deploy.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Recall 14V830Dec 31, 2014200,064 vehicles affected

Most common 2009 Subaru Impreza problems

Problem areas named in the 104 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.

Problem areaReports
Power Train30
Structure22
Service Brakes14
Engine13
Air Bags12
Electrical System9
Vehicle Speed Control9
Engine And Engine Cooling7
Unknown Or Other7
Fuel/Propulsion System5

What owners report

2026-09-30, Visibility
The contact owns a 2009 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that on two separate occasions while driving at various speeds, the rear-view mirror detached from the windshield. The smart rear-view mirror was attached to the mirror by a cord and was swinging back and forth after detaching. The contact was severely traumatized after the failure, and the mirror became a distraction while driving. After the first failure, the vehicle was taken to the dealer and repaired under warranty. After the second failure, the vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 36,560.
2025-11-26, Electrical System
Odometer Fraud. The contact recently purchased a 2009 Subaru Impreza. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 189,822. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced failures and was taken to AutoZone, where it was discovered that the mileage on the title of the vehicle was 202,000.
2023-07-17, Power Train
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
2023-01-14, Electrical System
There was a brake light switch failure which was under recall. The failure caused a short in my electrical system and wires in my bulk head wiring harness melted and fused together causing a ultimate failure of the vehicle being able to start. The vehicle was towed to subaru, the brake light switch was fixed per the recall but the wiring harness is no longer made by subaru so my vehicle could not be repaired. Ultimately my vehicle was ruined. The brake switch failure is the cause of the short that ruined this vehicle valued at 4800$ and subaru wont fix it because they cant find the parts needed
2022-08-23, Engine
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.

2009 Subaru Impreza questions

Does the 2009 Subaru Impreza have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 14 safety recalls for the 2009 Subaru Impreza: Passenger Airbag May Explode, Sending Metal Fragments; Passenger airbag inflator may explode, sending metal fragments; Passenger airbag inflator may explode, sending metal shrapnel; Ignition Switch May Turn Off Engine, Disabling Airbags; Brake lights may fail to light, raising crash risk. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.

What are the most common problems with the 2009 Subaru Impreza?

Based on 104 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Power Train (30), Structure (22), Service Brakes (14).

How do I check if a recall on my 2009 Subaru Impreza has been fixed?

Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.

Other Subaru Impreza years

Other 2009 Subaru models