Auto Recall Watch
U.S. public vehicle records

Subaru IMPREZA WRX problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

8 owner complaints analyzed

0 distinct recall campaigns

6,082 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2009 to 2015 model years. Data updated: . 8 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 8 complaints (75.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Engine operation337.5%
Transmission and shifting112.5%
Steering behavior112.5%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
6
Power Train
1
Steering
1
Vehicle Speed Control
1
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine6
Power Train1
Steering1
Vehicle Speed Control1

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 6; Power Train: 1; Steering: 1; Vehicle Speed Control: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
6
25,000 to 49,999
0
50,000 to 74,999
1
75,000 to 99,999
1
100,000 to 149,999
0
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0006
25,000 to 49,9990
50,000 to 74,9991
75,000 to 99,9991
100,000 to 149,9990
150,000 and above0

Under 25,000: 6; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 0 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2009
6
2018
2
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20096
20182

2009: 6; 2018: 2

Pattern summary

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10267601 · 2009-05-03 (May 3, 2009)

I PURCHASED A 2009 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX (BUILD DATE OF 07/08) IN SEPTEMBER, 2008. ON DECEMBER 12, 2008 (W/ APPROX 3870 MILES ON THE ODOMETER) DURING MY COMMUTE LEAVING WORK UPON MERGING INTO TRAFFIC THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. THANKFULLY AT THIS TIME TRAFFIC WAS LIGHT AND THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE AT THIS TIME EXHIBITED A RATHER PRONOUNCED CYCLIC KNOCKING SOUND AND HARSH VIBRATION. I WAS ABLE TO LIMP THE VEHICLE TO THE HOME OF A FAMILY MEMBER (VEHICLE AT THIS POINT HAD 3892 MILES ON THE ODOMETER); SHORTLY THEREAFTER…

Owner-reported narrative. 3,870 miles reported. Look up ODI 10267601 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10295689 · 2009-12-14 (December 14, 2009)

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…

Owner-reported narrative. 1,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10295689 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11144179 · 2018-10-30 (October 30, 2018)

A CVT DEFECT IS CAUSING ERRATIC, UNCONTROLLABLE, AND VIOLENT CHANGES IN ENGINE RPM, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO: RAPID VIOLENT OSCILLATIONS IN RPM, NON-SHIFTING, SUSTAINED HOLDING OF RPM NEAR ENGINE RED-LINE, ABRUPT DECREASES OF RPM AND SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF POWER DESPITE THE ACCELERATOR IS STILL BEING APPLIED. THESE DEFECTS HAVE OCCURRED UNDER AN ARRAY OF DRIVING CONDITIONS, SPEEDS, THROTTLE POSITIONS, ROAD GRADIENTS, AMBIENT TEMPERATURES, ALTITUDES, AND ENGINE TEMPERATURES. SUBARU WAS PROVIDED WITH VIDEOS OF THE DASHBOARD GAUGES TAKEN DURING MA…

Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11144179 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11155508 · 2018-12-02 (December 2, 2018)

STEERING WHEEL PEELING STARTED AT 68,000 AND GETTING WORSE

Owner-reported narrative. 68,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11155508 at NHTSA ↗

Compare model years

Recalls by model year

All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.

Recall campaigns

Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.

2009
0
2015
0
Recall campaigns data
CategoryCount
20090
20150

2009: 0; 2015: 0

Year-by-year records

Subaru IMPREZA WRX model-year comparison
Model yearComplaintsRecallsChange in recalls
200960Not available
201520Not available
Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

8 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

100.0%Usable mileage8 / 8 records
100.0%Valid incident date8 / 8 records
100.0%Valid filing date8 / 8 records
100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates8 / 8 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

Component complaint heatmap
Component20092015
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
6100.0%
ODI 10267401 · 9,300 mi

MY 2009 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX, WHICH I USE AS A DAILY DRIVER, HAD A MAJOR ENGINE BREAKDOWN AT ABOUT 9000 MILES CONSISTING OF A LOUD KNOCKING SOUND AND EXTREME ENGINE VIBRATION. THE SYMPTOMS WERE CONFIRMED BY MY DEALER AS A SPUN ROD BEARING (#4). MY ENGINE AND TURBOCHARGER WERE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY (AFTER A 24 DAY WAIT). SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE HAD BEEN DONE PRIOR TO THE FAILURE (OIL CHANGES). WHILE THE FAILURE DID NOT CAUSE AN IMMEDIATE SAFETY SITUATION, AS I WAS VERY CLOSE TO HOME AT THE TIME, I FEEL THAT AN ISSUE LIKE THIS COULD PRESENT AN UNSA…

Look up ODI 10267401 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Power Train
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

150.0%
ODI 11144179 · 80,000 mi

A CVT DEFECT IS CAUSING ERRATIC, UNCONTROLLABLE, AND VIOLENT CHANGES IN ENGINE RPM, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO: RAPID VIOLENT OSCILLATIONS IN RPM, NON-SHIFTING, SUSTAINED HOLDING OF RPM NEAR ENGINE RED-LINE, ABRUPT DECREASES OF RPM AND SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF POWER DESPITE THE ACCELERATOR IS STILL BEING APPLIED. THESE DEFECTS HAVE OCCURRED UNDER AN ARRAY OF DRIVING CONDITIONS, SPEEDS, THROTTLE POSITIONS, ROAD GRADIENTS, AMBIENT TEMPERATURES, ALTITUDES, AND ENGINE TEMPERATURES. SUBARU WAS PROVIDED WITH VIDEOS OF THE DASHBOARD GAUGES TAKEN DURING MA…

Look up ODI 11144179 at NHTSA ↗

Steering
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

150.0%
ODI 11155508 · 68,000 mi

STEERING WHEEL PEELING STARTED AT 68,000 AND GETTING WORSE

Look up ODI 11155508 at NHTSA ↗

Vehicle Speed Control
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

150.0%
ODI 11144179 · 80,000 mi

A CVT DEFECT IS CAUSING ERRATIC, UNCONTROLLABLE, AND VIOLENT CHANGES IN ENGINE RPM, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO: RAPID VIOLENT OSCILLATIONS IN RPM, NON-SHIFTING, SUSTAINED HOLDING OF RPM NEAR ENGINE RED-LINE, ABRUPT DECREASES OF RPM AND SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF POWER DESPITE THE ACCELERATOR IS STILL BEING APPLIED. THESE DEFECTS HAVE OCCURRED UNDER AN ARRAY OF DRIVING CONDITIONS, SPEEDS, THROTTLE POSITIONS, ROAD GRADIENTS, AMBIENT TEMPERATURES, ALTITUDES, AND ENGINE TEMPERATURES. SUBARU WAS PROVIDED WITH VIDEOS OF THE DASHBOARD GAUGES TAKEN DURING MA…

Look up ODI 11144179 at NHTSA ↗

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
ComponentMileage range (25th–75th percentile)MedianUsable recordsExamples
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine4,344–6,138 mi5,867 mi6
ODI 10267401 · 9,300 mi

MY 2009 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX, WHICH I USE AS A DAILY DRIVER, HAD A MAJOR ENGINE BREAKDOWN AT ABOUT 9000 MILES CONSISTING OF A LOUD KNOCKING SOUND AND EXTREME ENGINE VIBRATION. THE SYMPTOMS WERE CONFIRMED BY MY DEALER AS A SPUN ROD BEARING (#4). MY ENGINE AND TURBOCHARGER WERE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY (AFTER A 24 DAY WAIT). SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE HAD BEEN DONE PRIOR TO THE FAILURE (OIL CHANGES). WHILE THE FAILURE DID NOT CAUSE AN IMMEDIATE SAFETY SITUATION, AS I WAS VERY CLOSE TO HOME AT THE TIME, I FEEL THAT AN ISSUE LIKE THIS COULD PRESENT AN UNSA…

Look up ODI 10267401 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10267601 · 3,870 mi

I PURCHASED A 2009 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX (BUILD DATE OF 07/08) IN SEPTEMBER, 2008. ON DECEMBER 12, 2008 (W/ APPROX 3870 MILES ON THE ODOMETER) DURING MY COMMUTE LEAVING WORK UPON MERGING INTO TRAFFIC THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. THANKFULLY AT THIS TIME TRAFFIC WAS LIGHT AND THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE AT THIS TIME EXHIBITED A RATHER PRONOUNCED CYCLIC KNOCKING SOUND AND HARSH VIBRATION. I WAS ABLE TO LIMP THE VEHICLE TO THE HOME OF A FAMILY MEMBER (VEHICLE AT THIS POINT HAD 3892 MILES ON THE ODOMETER); SHORTLY THEREAFTER…

Look up ODI 10267601 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10267605 · 6,194 mi

THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT A FAILURE WAS GOING TO OCCUR BEFORE IT HAPPENED. I HAD DRIVEN THE CAR NORMALLY FOR ALMOST 6 MONTHS. THE ENGINE BEGAN TO MAKE A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE AROUND 2000 RPM, SOUNDING LIKE METAL HITTING METAL. LUCKILY FOR ME, I WAS APPROACHING A PARKING LOT SO I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND HAVE MY CAR TOWED. I WAS TOLD THAT IF I HAD KEPT DRIVING THE CAR WOULD HAVE JUST STOPPED FUNCTIONING ENTIRELY AND LEFT ME STRANDED WHEREVER IT DIED. THE FAILURE, WHICH TURNED OUT TO BE A SPUN BEARING IN THE 2ND PISTON, WAS RECTIFIED BY RE…

Look up ODI 10267605 at NHTSA ↗

Power TrainToo few reports for a range80,000 mi1 (sparse)
ODI 11144179 · 80,000 mi

A CVT DEFECT IS CAUSING ERRATIC, UNCONTROLLABLE, AND VIOLENT CHANGES IN ENGINE RPM, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO: RAPID VIOLENT OSCILLATIONS IN RPM, NON-SHIFTING, SUSTAINED HOLDING OF RPM NEAR ENGINE RED-LINE, ABRUPT DECREASES OF RPM AND SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF POWER DESPITE THE ACCELERATOR IS STILL BEING APPLIED. THESE DEFECTS HAVE OCCURRED UNDER AN ARRAY OF DRIVING CONDITIONS, SPEEDS, THROTTLE POSITIONS, ROAD GRADIENTS, AMBIENT TEMPERATURES, ALTITUDES, AND ENGINE TEMPERATURES. SUBARU WAS PROVIDED WITH VIDEOS OF THE DASHBOARD GAUGES TAKEN DURING MA…

Look up ODI 11144179 at NHTSA ↗

SteeringToo few reports for a range68,000 mi1 (sparse)
ODI 11155508 · 68,000 mi

STEERING WHEEL PEELING STARTED AT 68,000 AND GETTING WORSE

Look up ODI 11155508 at NHTSA ↗

Vehicle Speed ControlToo few reports for a range80,000 mi1 (sparse)
ODI 11144179 · 80,000 mi

A CVT DEFECT IS CAUSING ERRATIC, UNCONTROLLABLE, AND VIOLENT CHANGES IN ENGINE RPM, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO: RAPID VIOLENT OSCILLATIONS IN RPM, NON-SHIFTING, SUSTAINED HOLDING OF RPM NEAR ENGINE RED-LINE, ABRUPT DECREASES OF RPM AND SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF POWER DESPITE THE ACCELERATOR IS STILL BEING APPLIED. THESE DEFECTS HAVE OCCURRED UNDER AN ARRAY OF DRIVING CONDITIONS, SPEEDS, THROTTLE POSITIONS, ROAD GRADIENTS, AMBIENT TEMPERATURES, ALTITUDES, AND ENGINE TEMPERATURES. SUBARU WAS PROVIDED WITH VIDEOS OF THE DASHBOARD GAUGES TAKEN DURING MA…

Look up ODI 11144179 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

1 reports2024-112026-10

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
Monthly complaint and recall timeline
MonthComplaintsCampaigns announcedExamples
2024-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2024-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-090None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-100None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-090None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-10 (partial)0None

No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Age 0Age 1Age 25 reports

2009: 5 complaints · 2015: 0 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model yearThrough age 0Through age 1Through age 2
2009555
2015000
Date coverage across each selected cohort
Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
YearIncident dates usedFiling date fallbacksExcluded dates
2009501
2015200

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
ComponentEngine And Engine Cooling:EnginePower TrainSteeringVehicle Speed Control
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine—000
Power Train0—0
1
ODI 11144179 · 80,000 mi

A CVT DEFECT IS CAUSING ERRATIC, UNCONTROLLABLE, AND VIOLENT CHANGES IN ENGINE RPM, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO: RAPID VIOLENT OSCILLATIONS IN RPM, NON-SHIFTING, SUSTAINED HOLDING OF RPM NEAR ENGINE RED-LINE, ABRUPT DECREASES OF RPM AND SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF POWER DESPITE THE ACCELERATOR IS STILL BEING APPLIED. THESE DEFECTS HAVE OCCURRED UNDER AN ARRAY OF DRIVING CONDITIONS, SPEEDS, THROTTLE POSITIONS, ROAD GRADIENTS, AMBIENT TEMPERATURES, ALTITUDES, AND ENGINE TEMPERATURES. SUBARU WAS PROVIDED WITH VIDEOS OF THE DASHBOARD GAUGES TAKEN DURING MA…

Look up ODI 11144179 at NHTSA ↗

Steering00—0
Vehicle Speed Control0
1
ODI 11144179 · 80,000 mi

A CVT DEFECT IS CAUSING ERRATIC, UNCONTROLLABLE, AND VIOLENT CHANGES IN ENGINE RPM, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO: RAPID VIOLENT OSCILLATIONS IN RPM, NON-SHIFTING, SUSTAINED HOLDING OF RPM NEAR ENGINE RED-LINE, ABRUPT DECREASES OF RPM AND SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF POWER DESPITE THE ACCELERATOR IS STILL BEING APPLIED. THESE DEFECTS HAVE OCCURRED UNDER AN ARRAY OF DRIVING CONDITIONS, SPEEDS, THROTTLE POSITIONS, ROAD GRADIENTS, AMBIENT TEMPERATURES, ALTITUDES, AND ENGINE TEMPERATURES. SUBARU WAS PROVIDED WITH VIDEOS OF THE DASHBOARD GAUGES TAKEN DURING MA…

Look up ODI 11144179 at NHTSA ↗

0—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

1 patterns with matching reports.

Stalling or loss of power

3 mentions · 37.5% of complaints

Median mileage: 3,870 mi (3 usable records).

ODI 10267601 · 3,870 mi

I PURCHASED A 2009 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX (BUILD DATE OF 07/08) IN SEPTEMBER, 2008. ON DECEMBER 12, 2008 (W/ APPROX 3870 MILES ON THE ODOMETER) DURING MY COMMUTE LEAVING WORK UPON MERGING INTO TRAFFIC THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. THANKFULLY AT THIS TIME TRAFFIC WAS LIGHT AND THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE AT THIS TIME EXHIBITED A RATHER PRONOUNCED CYCLIC KNOCKING SOUND AND HARSH VIBRATION. I WAS ABLE TO LIMP THE VEHICLE TO THE HOME OF A FAMILY MEMBER (VEHICLE AT THIS POINT HAD 3892 MILES ON THE ODOMETER); SHORTLY THEREAFTER…

Look up ODI 10267601 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10295689 · 1,400 mi

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…

Look up ODI 10295689 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 11144179 · 80,000 mi

A CVT DEFECT IS CAUSING ERRATIC, UNCONTROLLABLE, AND VIOLENT CHANGES IN ENGINE RPM, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO: RAPID VIOLENT OSCILLATIONS IN RPM, NON-SHIFTING, SUSTAINED HOLDING OF RPM NEAR ENGINE RED-LINE, ABRUPT DECREASES OF RPM AND SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF POWER DESPITE THE ACCELERATOR IS STILL BEING APPLIED. THESE DEFECTS HAVE OCCURRED UNDER AN ARRAY OF DRIVING CONDITIONS, SPEEDS, THROTTLE POSITIONS, ROAD GRADIENTS, AMBIENT TEMPERATURES, ALTITUDES, AND ENGINE TEMPERATURES. SUBARU WAS PROVIDED WITH VIDEOS OF THE DASHBOARD GAUGES TAKEN DURING MA…

Look up ODI 11144179 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b