RoadVitals

2008 Subaru Impreza Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
176
Latest May 20, 2024
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
17
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
13

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2008 Subaru Impreza, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

51
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 the welds are faulty, it should be a recall items. Subaru can request for a inspection anytime as it is very much needed to be addressed.

NHTSA ID 11544256 · filed Sep 13, 2023

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 BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. MY CAR IS A 2008 SUBARU WRX SEDAN WITH ONLY 74,000 MILES AND I'M CURRENTLY MAKING PAYMENTS ON THE CAR. MONEY IS REALLY TIGHT DUE TO ME BEING A FULL TIME COLLEGE STUDENT AND FULL TIME WORKER SO I'M NOT SURE HOW TO GO ABOUT THIS REALLY BIG PROBLEM. MY CAR IS EVERYTHING TO ME RIGHT NOW AND IF IT FAILS ON ME, I HAVE NO MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION. I ALSO HAVE NO MODIFICATIONS TO THE VEHICLE OTHER THAN WHEELS, AND A BLOW OFF VALVE. THE VEHICLE TENDS TO GIVE ME THE MOST DIFFICULTY ENGAGING REVERSE EVERY MORNING.

NHTSA ID 11310395 · filed Feb 20, 2020
All 51 reports naming powertrain (other)

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

37
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

SUBARU IS UNABLE TO REPAIR MY VEHICLE FOR ALMOST A MONTH, I USE MY VEHICLE FOR WORK AND THIS RECALL IS POTENTIALLY DEADLY.

NHTSA ID 11307107 · filed Feb 4, 2020

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 FROM LOOKING OVER SHOULDER...AND A BEE FLEW INTO ME WHILE I WAS DRIVING ALSO CAUSING ME TO SWERVE A BIT). I ENDED UP IN THE FAST (LEFT) LANE THAT WAS GOING SLOWER DUE TO AN UNKNOWN REASON...WHICH CAUSED ME TO SLAM ON THE BREAKS, BUT I REAR ENDED THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AT AN ANGLE (MY DRIVER SIDE FRONT TO THEIR PASSENGER SIDE BACK) BECAUSE I SWERVED BACK INTO THE LUCKILY EMPTY SPOT NEXT TO ME, BUT IT WASN'T FAST ENOUGH TO NOT HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I DIDN'T SEE MY EXACT SPEED WHEN I HIT THE CAR BUT I WAS GOING OVER THE DOCUMENTED (ON PREVIOUS PAGE) SPEED THAT THE AIRBAG SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED WITH THE AMOUNT OF IMPACT OUR CARS STRUCK...THIS VEHICLE WAS GOING LESS THAN 20 MPH AND I WAS GOING SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 50-60 MPH AND THE IMPACT WAS ALL ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SO FROM WHAT I'VE BEEN READING THAT THE AIRBAG SHOULD HAVE GONE OFF....ESPECIALLY SINCE I HAD THE RECALL FIXED/SERVICED IN DECEMBER 2018, WHERE I HAD TO BRING THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT AN HOUR LATER BECAUSE SOME "HOSING" WASN'T CORRECTLY REINSTALLED. SO I'M CURIOUS IF ANYTHING ELSE WASN'T INSTALLED CORRECTLY THAT CAUSED THE AIRBAG NOT TO GO OFF. I HAD JUST TAKEN FULL COVERAGE OFF MY INSURANCE TO SAVE MONEY THREE DAYS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT BECAUSE I AM IN THE MOVING PROCESS-NOW WITH NO COVERAGE TO MY DAMAGE (WHICH MY INSURANCE QUOTED AROUND 2900$ HAD I HAD FULL COVERAGE STILL), AS WELL AS MEDICAL INSURANCE FOR MYSELF AND I SPENT ABOUT 8 HOURS IN THE ER. WHICH ALSO WON'T BE COVERED. I AM NOT 100% CERTAIN OF HOW THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED BECAUSE I WASN'T SURE WHY TRAFFIC WAS SLOWED SO SUDDENLY; THE AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE GONE OFF?

NHTSA ID 11221633 · filed Jun 21, 2019
All 37 reports naming airbags

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

27
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 ALL NEW TIRES.

NHTSA ID 11243155 · filed Aug 11, 2019

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 MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE AIR VALVES FAILED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE ENGINE AIR VALVES HIMSELF, BUT IT DID NOT CORRECT THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE VALVES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.

NHTSA ID 11164729 · filed Jan 3, 2019
All 27 reports naming engine

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

25
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

SINCE I HAVE OWNER THIS CAR, EVERY TIME IT RAINS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER STOP WORKING AFTER THEY HAVE BEEN OPERATING FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES. DOESN'T MAKE A DIFFERENCE IF IT IS A BRIEF SHOWER OR A DOWN POUR. *BF THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, IT MAY BE A SHORT CIRCUIT. *JB

NHTSA ID 10683308 · filed Feb 10, 2015

THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR INTERNAL CAM BROKE WHILE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN SUCH THAT THE SUN VISOR HANGS AT THE LOWEST POINT, AND IS NO LONGER ADJUSTABLE. THIS OBSCURES THE DRIVER'S FIELD OF VISION WHEN DRIVING THE CAR AND THUS PRESENTS A SAFETY HAZARD. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON DEFECT IN THE SUNVISOR DESIGN/MANUFACTURE BASED UPON IDENTICAL USER FORUM REPORTING. SUBARU AMERICA REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS DEFECT IN DESIGN OR MATERIALS WORKMANSHIP. *TR

NHTSA ID 10608282 · filed Jul 5, 2014
All 25 reports naming visibility

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

24
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. MY CAR IS A 2008 SUBARU WRX SEDAN WITH ONLY 74,000 MILES AND I'M CURRENTLY MAKING PAYMENTS ON THE CAR. MONEY IS REALLY TIGHT DUE TO ME BEING A FULL TIME COLLEGE STUDENT AND FULL TIME WORKER SO I'M NOT SURE HOW TO GO ABOUT THIS REALLY BIG PROBLEM. MY CAR IS EVERYTHING TO ME RIGHT NOW AND IF IT FAILS ON ME, I HAVE NO MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION. I ALSO HAVE NO MODIFICATIONS TO THE VEHICLE OTHER THAN WHEELS, AND A BLOW OFF VALVE. THE VEHICLE TENDS TO GIVE ME THE MOST DIFFICULTY ENGAGING REVERSE EVERY MORNING.

NHTSA ID 11310395 · filed Feb 20, 2020

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.

NHTSA ID 11287844 · filed Dec 9, 2019
All 24 reports naming body & structure

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

21
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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.

NHTSA ID 11287844 · filed Dec 9, 2019

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 ALL NEW TIRES.

NHTSA ID 11243155 · filed Aug 11, 2019
All 21 reports naming brakes

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

9
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 SUPERSTORE OF CHANDLER, 1050 GILBERT RD, CHANDLER, AZ 85286) NEVER HAD THE PARTS TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID 11181097 · filed Feb 19, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN BY A VALET SERVICE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED, THE CLUTCH FAILED AND THE PEDALS MOVED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.

NHTSA ID 10761538 · filed Sep 4, 2015
All 9 reports naming transmission

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

8
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

MANUAL TRANSMISSION 2008 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX, HAVE TROUBLE SWITCHING GEARS, AND SPECIFICALLY PUTTING VEHICLE IN REVERSE FROM A COLD START. FOR A WHILE HEARD A POPPING NOISE WHEN PUSHING THE CLUTCH DOWN. BUT SWITCHING GEARS IS VERY DIFFICULT/CLUNKY AND PLACING THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE FROM A COLD START IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. AFTER DOING RESEARCH THIS APPEARS TO BE RELATED TO SUBARU BULLETIN 12-184-15 (AN ISSUE WITH WELDS ON THE FIREWALL). THE BRACKETS/WELDS ON THE FIREWALL SEEM TO BE BREAKING/ARE BROKEN.

NHTSA ID 10956148 · filed Feb 21, 2017

VEHICLE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, STABILITY CONTROL ASSIST, AND CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT COME ON ALL AT THE SAME TIME RENDERING THOSE SYSTEM USEFUL. ALSO SOMETIMES THE HILL START ASSIST AND ABS LIGHT COME ON RENDERING THOSE UNAVAILABLE AS WELL. MAKING THE VEHICLE NOT AS SECURED AS ADVERTISED. IT STARTED IN 2010 TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY JUST ERASED THE CODES, BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUED, STILL HAPPENING TODAY.

NHTSA ID 10779948 · filed Oct 5, 2015
All 8 reports naming driver assistance

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

8
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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.

NHTSA ID 11542030 · filed Sep 1, 2023

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED WITH THE ENGINE OFF, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY A FAULTY RELAY/FUSE BOX. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ID 10945892 · filed Jan 18, 2017
All 8 reports naming electrical

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE AIR VALVES FAILED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE ENGINE AIR VALVES HIMSELF, BUT IT DID NOT CORRECT THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE VALVES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.

NHTSA ID 11164729 · filed Jan 3, 2019

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 VALVE FAILED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE ENGINE AIR VALVES HIMSELF, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE VALVES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE VALVE DESIGN CAUSED THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM TO FAIL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.

NHTSA ID 11164604 · filed Jan 2, 2019

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

FUEL PUMP CONNECTOR BURNT , GASOLINE IN CONNECTION AND PUMP STOPPED WORKING. NO START.

NHTSA ID 11316936 · filed Mar 9, 2020

FUEL LEAK , TANK NEED TO BE REPLACED. FIND THE LEAK IN MY GARAGE

NHTSA ID 11142148 · filed Oct 23, 2018

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 of the older cars use a similar switch and design to recalled models.

NHTSA ID 11490792 · filed Oct 25, 2022

SUBMISSION FROM SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. RE CONSUMER COMPLAINT- 2008 SUBARU IMPREZA. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED ON JANUARY 24, 2014, THE HIGH BEAM LIGHTS WOULD NOT COME ON. HOWEVER, SHE DID SMELL A BURNT PLASTIC SMELL COMING FROM HER VEHICLE. SHE PURCHASED A REPLACEMENT BULB FROM AN AUTO PARTS STORE. THE CONSUMER LATER WENT TO A LUBE ESTABLISHMENT, TO HAVE THE DRIVER'S SIDE REPLACED. BUT, WHEN THE HOOD WAS OPENED, IT WAS DISCOVERED BOTH HEADLIGHT PLASTIC COVERS HAD MELTED . THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE HER, THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WHEN THE CONSUMER CALLED THE DEALER TO EXPLAIN THE SITUATION, SHE WAS GIVEN AN ESTIMATE OF $1300 TO REPLACE THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES. SOON AFTER, THE PASSENGER HIGH BEAM LIGHT WOULD NOT COME ON. SHE WENT BACK TO THE AUTO PARTS STORE AND PURCHASED ANOTHER BULB. ON FEBRUARY 24, 2014, THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED, SUBARU WOULD PAY 50% FOR THE REPLACEMENT, AS A COURTESY BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. *JB

NHTSA ID 10574572 · filed Mar 25, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I HAVE A 2008 IMPREZA. EVER SINCE I PURCHASED IT THE PASSENGER SIDE SEATBELT LOCKS UP RIGHT AWAY AND TIGHTENS TO THE POINT THAT YOU HAVE TO TAKE IT OFF. IT HAS BEEN REPLACED AND STILL DOES NOT WORK RIGHT. *TR

NHTSA ID 10280931 · filed Aug 18, 2009

WHILE MY AIR BAG WAS DEPLOYED DURING AN ACCIDENT, THE SEAT BELT GOT UNLOCKED AT THE SAME TIME. *TR

NHTSA ID 10243027 · filed Sep 22, 2008

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

2008 SUBARU IMPREZA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO STEERING RACK FAILURE ISSUES *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAD ABOUT 47,500 MILES WHEN THE STEERING SUDDENLY BECAME TIGHT AND MADE A HORRIBLE NOISE. THE STEERING RACK WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF $1400. *JB

NHTSA ID 10445373 · filed Jan 26, 2012

2008 SUBARU IMPREZA. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE CLUTCH *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A SCREECHING/RUBBING NOISE WHEN THE CLUTCH WAS APPLIED AND A LOUD POP NOISE FROM NEUTRAL TO 1ST GEAR. THE VEHICLE WOULD POP OUT OF 6TH GEAR AT HIGH SPEEDS. THE ENGINE MADE A LOUD RATTLE NOISE ON COLD STARTS, THE RIGHT REAR WINDOW WASHER WAS INOPERABLE, THE PASSENGER AIR BAG OCCASIONALLY DID NOT RECOGNIZE A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT. THE HOOD WAS LOOSE AND RATTLED, THE RIGHT REAR DOOR WAS DIFFICULT TO CLOSE, THE LEFT REAR WHEEL STUDS WOULD NOT SECURE THE LUG NUT, THE BATTERY AND POWER STEERING PUMP WAS PUMPING. *JB

NHTSA ID 10405092 · filed Jun 9, 2011

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I WAS OUT ALL MORNING RUNNING ERRANDS. I CAME HOME FROM ABOUT 4 HOURS OF DOING THE RUN AROUND. AT 12:25 PM I GOT HOME , TOOK MY BABIES OUT OF THE CAR AND PUT THEM DOWN FOR A NAP. I WENT OUT ABOUT 40 MINS LATER TO THE CAR AND THE KEY FOBS WERE NOT WORKING SO I THEN WENT TO UNLOCK THE DRIVER DOOR WITH THE KEY AND WHEN I OPENED IT BLACK SMOKE STARTED ROLLING OUT. I THEN CALLED 911 AND REPORTED THE FIRE. THE FIRE ITSELF WAS OUT BUT THE INSIDE OF THE CAR ALL UNDER THE DRIVER SEAT WAS BURNED UP. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STARTED GOING THREW THE CAR AND SAID THEY ARE CLAIMING IT AS ELECTRICAL. I REPORTED IT TO MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND NOW THEY ARE INVESTIGATED IT AS WELL. THE CAR WAS TOTALED OUT BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY SINCE THERE WAS SO MUCH DAMAGE TO THE INSIDE. *TT

NHTSA ID 10459494 · filed May 23, 2012

2008 SUBARU IMPREZA. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE CLUTCH *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A SCREECHING/RUBBING NOISE WHEN THE CLUTCH WAS APPLIED AND A LOUD POP NOISE FROM NEUTRAL TO 1ST GEAR. THE VEHICLE WOULD POP OUT OF 6TH GEAR AT HIGH SPEEDS. THE ENGINE MADE A LOUD RATTLE NOISE ON COLD STARTS, THE RIGHT REAR WINDOW WASHER WAS INOPERABLE, THE PASSENGER AIR BAG OCCASIONALLY DID NOT RECOGNIZE A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT. THE HOOD WAS LOOSE AND RATTLED, THE RIGHT REAR DOOR WAS DIFFICULT TO CLOSE, THE LEFT REAR WHEEL STUDS WOULD NOT SECURE THE LUG NUT, THE BATTERY AND POWER STEERING PUMP WAS PUMPING. *JB

NHTSA ID 10405092 · filed Jun 9, 2011

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 ALL NEW TIRES.

NHTSA ID 11243155 · filed Aug 11, 2019

WHEN DRIVEN ON DRY PAVEMENT THE CAR BEHAVES NORMALLY. HOWEVER, WHEN THE CAR IS DRIVEN ON HARD PACKED SNOW OR WET PAVEMENT THE REAR END OF THE CAR WOBBLES VIOLENTLY FROM SIDE TO SIDE, MAKING IT HIGHLY UNSTABLE. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS AT RELATIVELY SLOW SPEEDS (BELOW 50 MPH). THIS PROBLEM INCREASES WHEN THE CAR IS SUBJECT TO LOADS SUCH AS ADDITIONAL PASSENGERS OR CARGO. SIMILAR COMPLAINTS HAVE REFERRED TO THE PROBLEM AS "GHOST WALKING". *TR

NHTSA ID 10442597 · filed Jan 5, 2012

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Heating & air conditioning

Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

I STARTED TO GET A FILM ON THE WINDSHIELD OF MY 2008 SUBARU. I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY DID A TEST AND FOUND A PROBLEM WITH THE A/C UNIT; THEY TOLD ME THE FILM ON THE WINDSHIELD WAS SAFE AND CAR WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. I TOOK THE CAR IN AGAIN WHILE THEY WERE WAITING FOR PARTS, FOR ANOTHER ISSUE, AND I REQUESTED A COPY OF THE TECH NOTES AND THE FILM THAT WAS ON THE WINDSHIELD WAS FREON!- HEALTH HAZARD. THEY FIXED THIS PROBLEM WITH THE FREON FILM, AND NOW NOT A MONTH LATER ITS BACK, AND WORSE. I AGAIN TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER AND HE TOLD ME THIS IS NATURAL, THAT THE GAS IN THE UPHOLSTERY NEEDED TO GET OUT AND THAT THE GAS IS AGAIN SAFE. I ASKED THE SALESMEN THAT I GOT THE CAR FROM,HE NEVER HEARD OF THIS. STILL NOT FIXED AS THIS IS A NATURAL ISSUE,THERE IS ALSO A FOUL ODOR COMING OUT OF THE AC/HEATER SYSTEM. I HAVE ALSO HAD ISSUES WITH THE TRACTION CONTROL WHEN ACTIVATED THE VEHICLE LOSES POWER IN ALL OF VEHICLE, HAS A LOUD NOISE COMING FORM THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE CAR WHEN THE SYSTEM IS ENGAGED; NAV SYSTEM WHEN ITS TURNED ON WILL GO TO BLANK WHITE SCREEN,WILL ALSO NOT RESPOND SOMETIMES; NEED SEAT BELT SYSTEM REPLACED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, WAS RETRACTING WHEN NOT NEEDED; ISSUES STARTING- HARD CRANK OVER, SOMETIMES HAD TO REPEAT TO START,OR TURN KEY OVER FOR LONG PERIOD OF TIME. I AM NOW HAVING HEALTH ISSUES AS I DRIVE THE CAR EVERYDAY FOR HOURS. I HAVE ALMOST BEEN IN MANY ACCIDENTS DUE TO THIS ISSUE. WIPING OFF DON'T HELP. *TR

NHTSA ID 10214954 · filed Jan 15, 2008

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .