2009 Subaru Impreza: engine failure

Filed Mar 13, 2019 · Brakes, Electrical · 128,060 miles · VA

When I brought my 2009 subaru impreza into colonial subaru (in va) 2 weeks ago, there were many issues, but I didn't know the cause or if they were related. The strangest thing was all the issues started occurring out of nowhere over the past 4 months. My uncle is a certified subaru mechanic in nj and has been servicing my car since I bought it in 2013. I also took meticulous care of it for the past 5 years, and it was running perfectly until now. There was nothing wrong with it when he looked at it in sept. And it passed nj inspection in oct. Then between oct and feb (only 4 months), it's falling apart and needs a new engine and catalytic converter? I also didn't know until researching the issues (right before I took it into colonial) that there were still 2 open recalls on it ' brake line and air bags (I wasn't driving my car a lot at the time of the recalls because I was unemployed, and never even heard about them, so I had no idea). When I took the car to colonial, I asked for the free diagnostic and recall repairs, but also told them everything that was wrong. The full list I gave to them is in the attached doc. They lied about the real problems, my car was towed to hyman brothers subaru, they found the cause of the catalytic converter damage (head gasket leak), but then refused to diagnose the other critical problems that are proven links to the new brake light switch recall...which causes an electricity flow interruption (clearly spelled out in the new recall), that is documented and proven to cause electrolysis (mutating the chemical elements in the coolant making it highly corrosive, eat through the heater core connectors, leak out and damage the head gaskets (then leak coolant/oil into the catalytic converter). All needed repairs should be free of charge because they are a direct result of the faulty brake light switch interrupting the flow of electricity.

Filed Sep 1, 2011 · Engine · 13,500 miles · NY

Engine knock sound while traveling on highway, pulled off next exit and car shut down. No check engine lights or oil lights indicating an issue. Upon restart knocking sound was louder and had a metal sound to it. I immediately shut the car off and called roadside assistance and had the car towed to local dealer. Upon first review dealer identified it as "internal connecting-rod bearing failure" which caused catastrophic engine damage. Subaru of america denied the repair due to the ECM being modified, stating "our engineers reviewed your file and deemed it to be caused by the ECM modification". I have found numerous cases of the exact issue on the internet, as well as a my dealership telling me there is a tsb for this failure. Soa is providing a "one time good faith repair" but I am responsible to replace the ECM. In my opinion this issue which soa is aware of and acknowledges with a tsb should be a recall - the engine failure at highway speed has potential to cause bodily harm - loss of power, engine seize resulting in an accident. I was lucky to not be involved in any sort of accident. Further I am totally unsure of how soa can claim the failure was due to ECM modification without ever physically seeing or having the motor pulled from the vehicle. The ECM modification is an excuse to not fully cover the repair.

Filed Feb 9, 2011 · Engine · 3,300 miles · CA

2009 impreza wrx there was no indication that a failure was going to occur before it happened. I had driven the car normally for almost 4 months. The engine began to make a loud knocking noise around 2000 RPM, sounding like metal hitting metal as I pulled up to a stop sign. Fortunately I had just entered my neighborhood so I was able to get home and have my car towed. Subaru road side assistance towed the car and I was given a rental for 20 days. Subaru dealer said it was a spun rod bearing and engine needed to be replaced. Even though I requested a long block replacement I only got a short block, so the turbo is the same. Since this occurred I have had numerous other problems, clutch throwout bearing replacement, starter, air conditioning problems. This car is a lemon but its impossible to convince subaru of that fact. Engine blown at 3300 miles. Clutch problem at 7000 miles. Starter failure at 9600 miles (2/2011). Reported to soa.

Filed Nov 30, 2010 · Engine · 9,221 miles · IL

I bought a brand new subaru impreza on july 27, 2009 from subaru dealer, grand subaru, at bensenville, il 60106 for $18,000 with warranty for 30-60k miles. It broke down when it had just 9,221 miles on it showing "engine failure" on nov. 09, 2010. The subaru dealer who fixed it after lot of hassle, stated in his invoice as some "coil" is cracked in the ignition. I can send you the receipt that I have in my possession for your record. I am disappointed with this and want subaru to cover any such problems with its engine for another 1 years free of cost. I shall consider reporting this failure of the car via internet to make awry of other prospective and subaru owners, if I do not get a satisfactory response within 10 days. Thanks you [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Jun 21, 2010 · Transmission · 16,500 miles · VA

Total engine failure due to rod knock / spun bearing due to manufacture to incorrect tolerances.

Filed May 19, 2010 · Engine · 25,500 miles · MA

2009 subaru impreza wrx, ~25k miles. Driving on a back road, all of a sudden engine starts knocking. Have to get it towed to subaru dealership. They need to replace the engine. I was on my way back to boston visiting family with my dog in the car. This caused me to have to pay for a flight back home and miss half a day's work. My car is out of commission in nj while I'm up in boston for 2 weeks. This problem has happened to over a hundred people so far with this model car. Subaru admitted a default in manufacturing for those people with cars in a build date range of 7/08 and 8/08 but did not send out letters to owners in that build date range. This is a catastrophic engine failure and should result in a recall, especially since they know about the issue and refused to do anything to notify the users or preemptively fix the problem. By willingly knowing that a customer's engine could fail and waiting until the failure occurs, causing hardship on the owner, this is a very dangerous situation that warrants a recall.

Filed May 12, 2010 · Engine · 18,655 miles · VA

Engine failure.