Check a VIN

2009 Subaru WRX transmission problems

33 complaints (80% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 66,000.

owner complaints
33
of this car's complaints
80%
typical mileage
66,000
crashes
0
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Clutch assembly
    1

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 transmission problems in other years

20022005201520202024

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

What 2009 Subaru WRX owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jan 14, 2018 · Body, Brakes · 120,000 miles · NY

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

Filed Mar 18, 2017 · Body, Brakes · 90,000 miles · MA

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.

Filed Jun 19, 2016 · Transmission · 94,600 miles · IL

When I bought my car used at a dealership, it was the first time I had driven a subaru wrx. I thought that it was normal for the brake to move slightly when pressing down on the clutch. Then, recently, I started getting a clicking sound from underneath the car, towards the engine. After researching the wrx owner forums. I began to notice that many people were and are having the same problem with their wrx. And, that the source of their problems were the firewall welds for the clutch and brake would get loose and cause the clutch to not engage fully.

Filed Aug 3, 2015 · Transmission · 74,722 miles · GA

**clutch spot welds** after replacing 2 clutches and hearing a clicking noise I took it to a subaru shop. They informed me that the spot welds on the clutch and brake are starting to break loose from the firewall. I then received a safety bulletin from subaru about the spot welds. Subaru expects the owners to pay for this hazardous well known safety problem.

Filed Jun 19, 2015 · Brakes, Transmission · 94,300 miles · CO

The welds connecting the pedal assembly to the firewall have broken. Verified with photo proof.

Filed May 15, 2015 · Transmission · 50,000 miles · AK

When I depress the clutch pedal there is a very noticeable, audible, "clicking" noise, and a stiff clutch pedal. It appears to be broken spot welds and a defective clutch. Have had this issue repaired by subaru once but has returned multiple times. Is a major safety concern because clutch assemply is directly tied to brake and gas pedals, and when the welds fail completely it is a potential life threatening situation. If you do a simple goolge search for subaru clutch clicking it is a huge problem and many many people are experincing this issue with there clutch's. It appears a recall is needed to fix this.

Filed Apr 7, 2015 · Transmission · 85,000 miles · OH

About 6-8 months ago I had my wrx in for work and pointed out a loud clunk that was happening as I depressed the clutch pedal. I was told it was no concern but that they could diagnose it further for a cost. Thinking it was fine I continue use, and eventually the noise went away. Recently, my car was unable to shift into reverse and my clutch felt rather stiff. Having looked at it the spring behind my pedal was bending sideways and my entire firewall was flexing as I pushed in the clutch. I took this back to the same dealership that told me there was no noticeable problem and they told me that I needed. To replace my clutch, they needed to r&r my dash to look for broken welds and possible replace the pedal assembly. To the price of $3500.00. I then came online to see quite a few posts in multiple places of the identical problem.

Filed Mar 4, 2015 · Body, Transmission · 70,000 miles · KS

I got off work and was on my way home, pushed the clutch in to hear a wonderful snap and I had zero control of my clutch causing me to not be able to shift into or out of any gear. Chassis fatigue and cracking resulting in damage/potential compromise of driver controls. Welds on the firewall are poor and its a manufacturer fault that many have brought to surface with the federal safety agency and the soa (subaru of america) but there is not enough of the cars produced for anyone to take action or for subaru to care for the safety of the owners of the vehicle. Losing complete operation of the clutch assembly due to the welds of the very poor spot welded firewall going out is a major concern and should be addressed as a high risk safety hazard for the operator and others on public roadways. I need subaru to fix the problem that they caused from the very beginning of the manufacture process of my vehicle.

Filed Feb 25, 2015 · Body, Transmission · 78,500 miles · UT

This is the well known and documented firewall weld issue for the pedal bracket. The welds have broken and the pedal bracket now shifts when I press down on the clutch. It makes a loud popping noise as well as creaking and squeaking. If left unchecked, the issue will worsen and the entire bracket may break off while driving, causing a huge safety concern. Subaru needs to be forced to recall this and pay to fix all of them.

Filed Feb 9, 2015 · Transmission · 62,000 miles · IL

I purchased my wrx in 2009 from the local subaru dealer here in chicago. I am original owner of this vehicle. A year ago I first noticed a problem with the clutch pedal. When fully pressed it made a loud creaking noise. When I investigated the noise I noticed that the entire clutch + pedal bracket assembly moves and shifts approximately 1/4 inch. When I removed windshield wipers I noticed that 4 spot welds that secure the clutch pedal bracket to the forward firewall are broken. I can see holes in the firewall sheet metal every time I press the clutch pedal. The entire clutch bracket assembly moves out of alignment causing this cracking noise. Finally two weeks ago the noise went away all by itself. I noticed that the entire assembly shifts even more to one side when clutch is pressed and I have extreme trouble shifting into a gear. I think that entire bracket separated from the mounting points. I fear that clutch may become inoperable.

Questions about the 2009 Subaru WRX transmission

Does the 2009 Subaru WRX have transmission problems?

Owners have filed 33 complaints about the transmission of the 2009 Subaru WRX, 80% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.

At what mileage do 2009 Subaru WRX transmission problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 66,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2009 Subaru WRX transmission?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Subaru WRX have bad transmission?

The Subaru WRX model years with the most transmission complaints are 2008 (48 complaints), 2009 (33 complaints) and 2015 (18 complaints).

Other 2009 Subaru WRX problems

Body 13Brakes 11Engine 4Acceleration 3Airbags 1Driver assistance 1Fuel system 1

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used 2009 Subaru WRX?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history