The 2009 Subaru WRX has 9 recalls, the most serious being a passenger-side airbag inflator that can explode and send metal fragments into the cabin, posing a risk of serious injury or death to occupants.
This airbag defect is the subject of multiple filings covering different vehicle populations, but the hazard is the same across all of them: the front passenger airbag inflator can rupture violently rather than deploy safely. There is also a concern with replacement ignition switches on certain vehicles: a small spring inside the switch can break and cause the engine to shut off unexpectedly while driving, and if a crash follows, the airbags may not deploy. On the brake side, the hydraulic brake lines can corrode and leak fluid, which extends stopping distances and raises crash risk. A separate brake-related issue involves the brake light switch, which can fail to illuminate the brake lights when the pedal is pressed, leaving drivers behind without warning that the vehicle is slowing.