2008 SUBARU IMPREZA Problems
Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2008 Subaru Impreza. This model year has 209 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Transmission / Drivetrain.
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This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about the specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls.
Worst 2008 Subaru Impreza Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Transmission / Drivetrain
Engine Problems
Airbag Malfunctions
Considering a 2008 Subaru Impreza?
This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2008 Subaru Impreza. A single complaint may appear in multiple categories.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 70 | — | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 42 | 1 | — | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 41 | 6 | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 30 | — | 1 | — | |
| Brake System | 27 | 2 | — | — | |
| Visibility | 24 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 9 | — | 4 | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 9 | 2 | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 8 | 1 | — | — | |
| Hydraulic | 7 | 2 | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Traction Control System | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 1 | — | 1 | — | |
| Equipment Adaptive/Mobility | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Door Lock Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electric | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2008 Subaru Impreza. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Showing 209 most recent complaints
There is a weakness in the cars firewall around the master cylinder where the weld inside is breaking and it is cracking all around the master cylinder and I am unable to shift the car. I have taken the car to two different shops and both say the same thing that the firewall is f…
2008 WRX started to make a sqeeking noise when engaging the clutch. The spot welds came apart from firewall and my clutch has gone out twice. The pedal when shifting sticks and while driving I have to put the pedal under my foot and pull upwards for it to work. Very dangerous and…
I was driving to work and the car was running funny after a few blocks when I saw smoke pouring out of the car I pulled over ad got out and watched the car burn to the ground. I cant get to work and the car contained my personal.belongings.
For the last few years, the reverse lights would intermittently work when the six-speed manual transmission was put into reverse. Lately, the lights fail to work more often than actually work. I have read other Subarus have a common reverse light switch failure and I think more …
FUEL PUMP CONNECTOR BURNT , GASOLINE IN CONNECTION AND PUMP STOPPED WORKING. NO START.
THE SPOT WELDS UNDER WINDSHIELD COWL BROKE CAUSING THE BRACKET HOLDING CLUTCH PEDAL ASSEMBLY TO BREAK. BECAUSE OF THESE ISSUES, I CAN ONLY ENGAGE MY REVERSE GEAR HALF THE TIME AND WHILE SHIFTING GEARS IN MOTION, IT TENDS TO BE A BIT DIFFICULT. I'VE ALMOST CRASHED A COUPLE TIMES B…
SUBARU IS UNABLE TO REPAIR MY VEHICLE FOR ALMOST A MONTH, I USE MY VEHICLE FOR WORK AND THIS RECALL IS POTENTIALLY DEADLY.
SPOT WELDS ON FIREWALL THAT SUPPORT THE PEDAL ASSEMBLY HAVE CRACKED/BROKE CAUSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO FLEX AND MOVE WHILE PUSHING DOWN ON THE CLUTCH.
BLEW 3 VALVE GASKETS WITHIN TWO WEEKS AFTER BUYING CAR. BLEW 2 TIRES WITHIN 2 MONTHS OF HAVING THE CAR. THEY 'FIXED' AN OIL CONTROL VALVE AND THEN IT NEEDED ANOTHER. SWAY BAR LINKS NEEDED REPLACED, CV JOINTS NEED REPLACED, BRAKE PADS ARE EXTREMELY LOW. AC DOESN'T WORK. HAD TO BUY…
TAKATA RECALL- I WAS DRIVING IN THE SLOW (RIGHT SIDE) OF THE FREEWAY GOING ABOUT 68 MPH (BETWEEN 65-70), THERE WAS A SMALL AMOUNT OF TRAFFIC. THERE WAS AN EXTRA LANE (TEMPORARY 3 LANE FOR ENTRANCE, BUT NORMAL 2 LANE FREEWAY) TO MY RIGHT AND I BEGAN MERGING (OR POSSIBLY SWERVED FR…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CLUTCH PEDAL BECAME VERY WOBBLY AND ALMOST DETACHED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER SENT HIM A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN EXTENDING THE CLUTCH ATTACHMENT COMPONENT; HOWEVER, THE DEALER (SUBARU SUPER…
3 OF 7 SPOT WELDS HAVE FAILED FOR PEDAL ASSEMBLY SUPPORT BRACKET. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM FAILED DUE TO THE DESIGN OF THE ENGINE VALVES. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE IN SNOWY WEATHER. AN INDEPENDENT MECH…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM FAILED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE IN SNOWY WEATHER. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE AIR VALV…
MY SONS VEHICLE STARTED OFF WITH A SQUEAKING NOISE WHEN HE DEPRESSED THE CLUTCH. THIS WENT ON FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS HE IS NOW HAVING DIFFICULTY SHIFTING THE CAR INTO GEAR AND IT NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT THE OTHER DAY. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY, AND THE CLUTCH IS TOTALLY…
FUEL LEAK , TANK NEED TO BE REPLACED. FIND THE LEAK IN MY GARAGE
THE FIRE WALL BROKE AND THE PISTONS HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS THEN IT BLEW THE CRANK
BOTH HEADLIGHTS GOING OUT AT THE SAME TIME. THIS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT TEN TIMES OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS AND NOW I HAVE NO HEADLIGHTS. I HAVE TRIED THREE DIFFERENT HEADLIGHTS IN THE LAST MONTH, THE FIRST TWO WORKED BRIEFLY AND THE LAST ONE FROM SUBARU DID NOT WORK AT ALL. FROM 20…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU IMPREZA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED DURING THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED EVERY 20,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER (GRAND PRIX…
PROBLEM BEGAN WITH A SQUEAKING SOUND AND WOULD CLICK WHEN DEPRESSING CLUTCH. THEN THE CLUTCH PEDAL WOULD STICK AND NOT COME BACK UP. CLUTCH PEDAL UNABLE TO COMPLETELY ENGAGE MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO GET THE CAR INTO GEAR. MOVEMENT IN CLUTCH/BRAKE PEDAL CAUSING HAZARD WHILE DRIVING …
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2008 Subaru Impreza.
Recalls for 2008 Subaru Impreza
15 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2008 Subaru Impreza. Recalls are free to fix at any authorized dealer. Run a VIN check below to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
2008 Subaru Impreza — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2008 Subaru Impreza reliable?▾
Severe Issues. The 2008 Subaru Impreza has 209 NHTSA owner complaints, 10 crash-related, and 15 recall campaigns. The most reported issue is Transmission / Drivetrain (70 complaints). Source: NHTSA via VinSpector AI.
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Subaru Impreza?▾
#1: Transmission / Drivetrain (70 complaints). #2: Engine Problems (42 complaints). #3: Airbag Malfunctions (41 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2008 Subaru Impreza?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2008 Subaru Impreza?▾
The 2008 Subaru Impreza has 10 crash-related complaints and 4 fire reports out of 209 total NHTSA complaints. 9 injuries were reported. For NCAP lab crash test star ratings, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2008 Subaru Impreza have any recalls?▾
Yes — 15 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2008 Subaru Impreza. The largest issue: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
Should I buy a 2008 Subaru Impreza?▾
The 2008 Subaru Impreza has severe issues — review the top problems before buying. Pay particular attention to Transmission / Drivetrain issues. Always run a VIN check on the specific car you're considering to check for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Subaru Impreza reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Check Your Specific 2008 Subaru Impreza
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99.