AI DamageSubaru Impreza WRX: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Subaru Impreza WRX across 2 model years: 8 owner complaints and 0 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
| Year | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) | YouTube repair videos |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2009 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
What fails most often
- 1 Engine and cooling 75% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 13% of all complaints
- 3 Steering 13% of all complaints
- 4 Vehicle speed control 13% of all complaints
- Engine and cooling: 6 complaints (75% of all).
- Powertrain: 1 complaints (13% of all).
- Steering: 1 complaints (13% of all).
- Vehicle speed control: 1 complaints (13% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 8 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and cooling | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
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.
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.
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 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.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Vehicle speed control. Accelerator pedal, cruise control, throttle codes.
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-06.