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2008 Subaru Impreza Sti Problems and Recalls

Owners filed 33 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Subaru Impreza Sti, most often about the engine (46% of complaints, typically around 28,000 miles). It is the most complained-about Impreza Sti model year since 2000.

Complaints33
Recalls0
Crashes reported1
Fires reported0
Injuries reported0

Most common 2008 Subaru Impreza Sti problems

  1. Engine

    15 complaints · 46%

    Half of these problems showed up before 28,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine.

    My 2008 Subaru impreza wrx sti had a number four piston failure with only 28,000 miles on the vehicle. The vehicle was immediately taken to a local auto shop when a problem was noticed. The shop did a compression test and found the number four piston to be at fault. Due to the possibility of damage to the cylinder…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2009, at 28,000 miles
    Driving the car on a windy road, accelerated out of a corner in 3rd gear. Car started shaking, clicking, and running poorly. Failure of connecting rod bearings on the crank shaft. Engine long block needs to be replaced.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2010, at 28,000 miles

  2. Transmission

    11 complaints · 33%

    Half of these problems showed up before 53,500 miles.

    The firewall is flexing under clutch pedal movement or braking. Upon research I have found numerous claims by 08/09 impreza owners of soft welds on the firewall cracking and causing the firewall to flex under operation of the brakes or clutch. Further failure of the welds could cause serious accident if braking or…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2012, at 47,000 miles
    The clutch bracket on the firewall has only 4 small tack welds from the factory. This bracket takes all the force of your leg pushing in the clutch every time you change a gear. It appears to be very common on the Subaru wrx sti for these small tacks to break away from the firewall and cause accelerated clutch wear…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2014, at 60,500 miles

  3. Body and structure

    6 complaints · 18%

    Half of these problems showed up before 65,500 miles. Parts named most often: body.

    Firewall spot welds broke, resulting in movement of the brake pedal assembly and clutch assembly. This is causing the clutch to not disengage fully and also making it very difficult to shift due to the flex. As this has the potential to be dangerous and is most definitely a manufacturing defect, it should be subject…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2014, at 65,453 miles
    There is a loud squeak noise when the clutch is being pressed, and at times when the structure flexes,it interferes with changing gears. Not only does it interfere with changing gears but,it also causes the break pedal assembly moves when pressing the clutch. I have verified that some weld spot have broken off and…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2014, at 78,000 miles

  4. Brakes

    6 complaints · 18%

    Half of these problems showed up before 56,000 miles.

    The firewall is flexing under clutch pedal movement or braking. Upon research I have found numerous claims by 08/09 impreza owners of soft welds on the firewall cracking and causing the firewall to flex under operation of the brakes or clutch. Further failure of the welds could cause serious accident if braking or…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2012, at 47,000 miles
    Firewall spot welds broke, resulting in movement of the brake pedal assembly and clutch assembly. This is causing the clutch to not disengage fully and also making it very difficult to shift due to the flex. As this has the potential to be dangerous and is most definitely a manufacturing defect, it should be subject…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2014, at 65,453 miles

  5. Air bags

    4 complaints · 12%

    Parts named most often: frontal.

    1. Has happened since car was new 2. Passenger airbag indicator light shows off and on intermittently while someone is sitting in the passenger seat. Occurs randomly when anyone is seated in the passenger seat. Consequences could include injury to the passenger if the airbag does not deploy when it should. 3. Nothing…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2009, at 6,200 miles
    The airbag light on the dash does not say the airbag is on when my wife is sitting in the front passenger seat. She is 103 pounds and should turn the airbag light on according to Subaru. The airbag light goes on when I sit in the seat (160pounds) or when anyone over say 130 pounds sits in it.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2009, at 12,000 miles

Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.

2008 Subaru Impreza Sti recalls

NHTSA lists no recalls for this model year.

Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.

Questions about the 2008 Subaru Impreza Sti

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Subaru Impreza Sti?
By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (15 complaints, typically around 28,000 miles); transmission (11 complaints, typically around 53,500 miles); body and structure (6 complaints, typically around 65,500 miles).
How many recalls does the 2008 Subaru Impreza Sti have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2008 Subaru Impreza Sti. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls in case one is issued later.
Is the 2008 a bad year for the Subaru Impreza Sti?
It is the most complained-about Impreza Sti model year since 2000, with 33 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.

Other Subaru Impreza Sti years

Subaru Impreza Sti problems by year