Failed welds connecting pedal panel to the firewall. Results in loud squeaking when clutch pedal is depressed/released and car is extremely difficult to get in or out of gear. Causes movement of brake pedal as well which could cause major issues. This happens moving and parked
2009 Subaru WRX brakes problems
11 complaints (27% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 75,986.
- owner complaints
- 11
- of this car's complaints
- 27%
- typical mileage
- 75,986
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 2
Which part fails
Owners did not name a specific part.
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Subaru WRX brakes problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2009 Subaru WRX brakes
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic
- What is wrong
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Impreza, 2008-2014 WRX and STI, and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, currently, or formerly, registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia that were remedied under recall 14V‑311 prior to December 23, 2014. The brake lines may experience brake line corrosion due to salt water splashing on the brake lines through a gap in the fuel tank protector.
- Risk
- Brake fluid may leak due to the brake line corrosion and may result in longer distances being required to slow or stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will apply an anti-corrosion wax to the four-way joint connector area of the brake line system, free of charge. The recall began on January 27, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1‑800‑782‑2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQQ-52. Notes: This recall is specific to affected Forester, Impreza, WRX, and STI customers who had their car remedied under the federal safety agency recall no. 14V‑311 prior to December 23, 2014. Subaru has determined that this remedy was inadequate due to incomplete repair instructions provided to dealers. Affected Forester, Impreza, WRX, and STI vehicles that were not repaired under the federal safety agency recall no. 14V‑311 prior to December 23, 2014 will continue to be processed under the federal safety agency recall no. 14V‑311. Affected vehicles not currently, or formerly, registered in the salt belt states identified in this recall are eligible for repair, at no cost to the customer, upon request.
Recall number 14V830000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Outback and Legacy, 2008-2011 Impreza and 2008-2014 Impreza WRX/STI, and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, currently, or formerly, registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. Salt water could splash on the brake lines through a gap in the fuel tank protector, resulting in excessive corrosion of the brake lines. Note that affected vehicles not currently, or formerly registered, in the salt belt states identified above are eligible for repair, at no cost to the customer, upon request.
- Risk
- Brake line corrosion may result in brake fluid leakage. Fluid leakage may result in longer distances being required to slow or stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will test the brake system by depressing the brake pedal and inspecting for brake fluid leaks. If no brake fluid seepage is observed, the affected areas will be rustproofed with anti-corrosion wax. If brake fluid seepage is observed, the brake lines will be replaced followed by rustproofing with anti-corrosion wax. These services will be performed free of charge. The recall began July 2014 and second notifications will run through November 2014. Owners may contact Subaru at 1‑800‑782‑2783. Subaru's recall campaign number is WQK-47. Note: This recall supersedes recall 13V‑110 which applied to certain 2005-2009 Legacy/Outback vehicles. Vehicles that were remedied under the previous campaign still need additional areas rust-proofed.
Recall number 14V311000 · Recall details
What 2009 Subaru WRX owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The welds where the clutch pedal attaches to the firewall are breaking. The same bracket is attached to the brake pedal. The entire brake & clutch assembly could break off of the firewall. This could result in a loss of braking.
My car has been experiencing a loud squeaking and clicking when shifting and brake pedal moves when clutch is depressed. This is a know defect in the firewall in which the firewall is very thin and flexes when the clutch is depressed causing the spot welds that hold the clutch/brake bracket to separate frome the firewall. This causes the brake pedal to move. It also can potentially prevent the clutch from disengaging while driving. Subaru is not recalling this known defect but they did acknowledge the issue as it was the mechanic that informed me of this issue.
The welds connecting the pedal assembly to the firewall have broken. Verified with photo proof.
When I bought the car from the used car lot I noticed the clutch pedal when being pressed and depressed made a squeaking noise. I figured it was probably lack of lubrication so I went ahead and lubricated the pedal assembly and the noise stayed the same. Couple months go by and the noise got much louder and sometimes a loud pop would occur. Recently I did some research and found out that many other wrx owners have had the same issue. So I followed the procedures to check the cause of the noise and it seems to be that the welds on the firewall have been broken and are causing the noise.I also noticed my brake pedal shifts every time I press the clutch pedal. As time progresses it feels as if its getting harder to shift. I'm afraid that this issue is causing premature wear of the transmission. Every time I press the clutch pedal I fear that the clutch pedal assembly is going to rip off the firewall.
The clutch pedal on my 2009 wrx makes a loud creaking noise every time it's depressed. When I investigated the noise, I noticed that the entire clutch pedal bracket assembly (attached to the forward firewall) shifts approx 1/4 inch every time the clutch pedal is depressed. I found that the spot welds securing the clutch pedal bracket to the forward firewall seem to be broken. This allows the entire clutch pedal bracket assembly to move, causing the creaking noise. I am afraid that if the problem gets worse the clutch will fail to disengage completely. If the bracket completely separates from the firewall, the clutch may become completely inoperative - especially dangerous while driving. It is especially disconcerting to watch the brake pedal move back and forth when the clutch pedal is depressed.
Said bracket ripped almost in half on one side. It's about a 3 inch tard from a factory drilled hole in bracket. Now the clutch pedal will not fully return and brake pedal moves sideways.
On december 23rd, I had my son, take his subaru wrx to brown's subaru in manassas, va for an oil & filter change and to have fixed an annoying click sound which occurs each time the clutch pedal is depressed. Brown's determined that the clutch mounting to the firewall was cracked and would have to be fixed or the clutch & brake pedals would break away. I researched the clutch problem last night. The crack in the mounting of the clutch to the firewall is a defect known to subaru of america. All wrx's from 2008 forward have this issue no recall. If it is not fixed, the clutch pedal and brake which are on the same mounting will break away completely. It seems to me that this is a very serious safety issue.
2009 subaru wrx. Noticed that there was a loud clicking noise when the clutch was pressed. Upon investigation, the clutch pedal assembly had sheared off the firewall causing the plate and brake/clutch pedals to move sideways. Upon investigation of removing wiper cowling, noticed that three welds had broken thru the firewall and entire clutch master cylinder was moving in the engine bay. Dash had to be removed and pedal assembly bracket had to be re-welded and reinforced.
I bought my subaru in february of 2013 with approx 75000 miles on the odo. I believe the defect had already been there when I bought it and I hadn't noticed it until it got slightly worse. The brake pedal and the clutch flexes when I press either of them. Pressing the clutch will move the brake pedal in the down position approx. 1/3 of an inch same with the brake pedal. The welds connecting the pedal bracket to the firewall are not welded correctly. It needs to be reinforced by something else to assure me that the clutch and the brake pedal will not move whilst driving. It scares me to drive my vehicle to and from work because of the possibility that these welds will break. Which will make me unable to press either pedal and I could lose my ability to clutch and brake. Which could result in me going 70mph possibly (interstate speeds) into another car or obstacle. Or simply rear ending someone in traffic or rolling back into them being unable to brake. If this bracket breaks off of the bulkhead/firewall I will have no brakes or clutch then my car becomes a public safety issue. Someone or people could get hurt if this happens and it could.
Questions about the 2009 Subaru WRX brakes
Does the 2009 Subaru WRX have brakes problems?
Owners have filed 11 complaints about the brakes of the 2009 Subaru WRX, 27% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2009 Subaru WRX brakes problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 75,986 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2009 Subaru WRX brakes?
Yes, 2 recalls: 14V830000, 14V311000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Subaru WRX have bad brakes?
The Subaru WRX model years with the most brakes complaints are 2002 (80 complaints), 2008 (25 complaints) and 2003 (20 complaints).
Other 2009 Subaru WRX problems
Transmission 33Body 13Engine 4Acceleration 3Airbags 1Driver assistance 1Fuel system 1
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