The Lemon Index2009 Subaru Impreza.
The 2009 Subaru Impreza is about average by owner complaints: 37 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 99, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about engine, it has 15 recalls, and it gets 21 to 22 mpg combined. The best Subaru Impreza year is 2010.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 156 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Subaru Impreza year. 2009 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 38K to 91K miles on the car (131 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 50K–79K miles
- body structure complaints mostly came at 58K–109K miles
- brakes complaints mostly came at 61K–97K miles
Recalls 15
- airbags 2020
" These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall us.
- airbags 2020
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- airbags 2020
" These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior.
Show all 15 recalls
- electrical 2019
The ball spring inside the switch may break, reducing the strength of the ignition switch.
- lights 2019
Exposure to certain contaminants may cause the brake light switch to malfunction, preventing the brake lights from illuminating and also preventing keyless ignition vehicles from starting and CVT/automatic transmissions …
- airbags 2018
These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment.
- airbags 2018
These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment.
- airbags 2018
An explosion of an inflator within the passenger frontal air bag module may result in sharp metal fragments striking the front seat passenger, driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- airbags 2017
These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as ori.
- airbags 2017
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- electrical 2016
The relay that controls the secondary air injection pump may fail, causing the pump to continuously operate and overheat.
- airbags 2016
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- brakes 2014
The brake lines may experience brake line corrosion due to salt water splashing on the brake lines through.
- brakes 2014
Salt water could splash on the brake lines through a gap in the fuel tank protector, resulting in excessive corrosion of the brake lines.
- equipment 2009
THIS MAY RESULT IN THE BOLT(S) SNAPPING OFF DURING USE OR WITHOUT A LOAD. THE UNSECURED RACK AND LOAD CAN THEN COME LOOSE WHILE DRIVING CREATING A POTENTIAL ROAD HAZARD, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Subaru told dealers about
Subaru sent dealers 240 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Information regarding replacement revision of air intake duct for turbocharger where insulator
- Should you receive a customer concern of a loose windshield mounted auto-dimming compass…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2900–3800 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.5L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
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.
2009 Subaru Impreza owner · NHTSA complaint 10419906
More owner reports
Motor failure leaving me to roll though and stall in the middle of an intersection.
NHTSA complaint 10329826
Piston ringland failure after 10k miles on brand new 2009 Subaru Impreza sti. Entire engine being replaced by Subaru under warranty.
NHTSA complaint 10290784
Quick answers
Is the 2009 Subaru Impreza reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew about the average number of complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 99; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Subaru Impreza year by this measure is 2010.
What are the most common 2009 Subaru Impreza problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (43%), transmission & drivetrain (24%) and speed control (8%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2009 Subaru Impreza have?
15 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2009 Subaru Impreza get?
21 to 22 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2009 Subaru Impreza problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 38,000 and 91,000 miles. The middle report was at 65,000 miles, from 131 complaints.
Does the 2009 Subaru Impreza have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 24% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2009 Subaru Impreza cost in fuel a year?
About $2900 to $3800 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2009 Subaru Impreza have?
2.5L 4-cyl.
What Subaru Impreza year is better than the 2009?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2010, 2014 and 2011.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works