Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2009 Subaru WRX
NHTSA data on file today
The 2009 Subaru WRX has 10 NHTSA recall campaigns and 41 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #20V003000 Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #20V002000 Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #20V001000 Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #19V297000 Ignition Switch may Turn Off NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #19V149000 Brake Lights May Not Illuminate NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #18V013000 Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #18V012000 Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #18V014000 Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #14V830000 Brake Line Corrosion at Four-Way Connector NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #14V311000 Brake Lines may Fail due to Corrosion NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Power Train 33 complaints
- Structure 13 complaints
- Service Brakes 11 complaints
- Engine 4 complaints
- Unknown or Other 4 complaints
- Vehicle Speed Control 3 complaints
Average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $6,000–$10,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2009 Subaru WRX has a mixed reliability record. Frequent recalls, particularly surrounding airbag inflators and brake issues, slightly tarnish its reputation, although many are addressable by recalls. Owner complaints focus on power train and structure, suggesting moderate reliability over five years.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| power train | 80,000–120,000 miles | $1,000–$3,000 | very common |
| brake system | 50,000–100,000 miles | $500–$1,500 | common |
| ignition switch | 70,000–100,000 miles | $150–$400 | common |
| vehicle structure | 100,000–150,000 miles | $800–$2,000 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter changes
- Brake fluid replacement
- Timing belt replacement
- Coolant flush
- Tire rotation and balance
- Cabin air filter replacement
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Rattling noises under chassis
- Delayed shifting in transmission
- Brake pedal feels spongy
- Unusual ignition behavior
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2009 Subaru WRX at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.