There are no safety recalls for the 2008 Subaru Impreza STI, but owners have filed 33 complaints with NHTSA.
2008 Subaru Impreza STI problems reported by owners
| Problem area | Reports | |
|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 14 | |
| Power Train | 11 | |
| Structure | 6 | |
| Service Brakes | 5 | |
| Air Bags | 4 | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 | |
| Engine | 2 | |
| Unknown or Other | 2 | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 | |
| Electrical System | 1 | |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | |
Most reported parts
- Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine — 8
- Structure › Body — 6
- Air Bags › Frontal — 1
Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 30,000 miles (median of owner reports).
Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.
Recent 2008 Subaru Impreza STI complaints
Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.
Electrical System · at 127,732 miles · reported Aug 7, 2018
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 2005 - 20011 subaru has recalled other models for the same problem but as I was told, "the impreza is the cheap car"
Power Train · reported Sep 14, 2017
What is the issue? Basically the firewall is so thin that it flexes terribly every time the clutch or brake pedal is pressed. The big problem is the way the clutch/brake assembly is secured to the thin firewall. It only has 6 small spot welds that rip off the firewall after time. This makes it so you can't get in and out of gear. Clutch becomes useless. Who? 2008-2014 gh/gr impreza (2.5i/obs/wrx/sti). I don't think the issue can be linked to a certain batch of vehicles, certain climate/location, or certain year. This has happened all over the world, all years 08-14, and all models (Within the…
Unknown or Other · reported Oct 3, 2016
The clutch pedal on my 2008 wrx makes a loud creaking noise every time it's depressed. When I investigated the noise, I noticed that the entire clutch pedal bracket assembly (Attached to the forward firewall) shifts approx 1/4 inch every time the clutch pedal is depressed. I found that the three spot welds securing the clutch pedal bracket to the forward firewall were broken. From the outside of the firewall, just under the windshield wipers, I saw the spot welds pulling away from the firewall every time the clutch pedal was depressed. This allows the entire clutch pedal bracket assembly to…
Structure · reported Mar 17, 2016
Broken firewall welds/clutch squeak im having loud creaking noise with depression of clutchpedalover last few years which did not respond tolithiumgreaselubricationat pivot bolt whereclutch pedalhingeson bracket attached to firewall. According to my mechanic (Subarucertified) there is a failure of a weld on the firewall next to clutch bracket causing a bowing outward of a portion of the firewall and consequentially a loud creaking noise.
Engine · at 60,500 miles · reported Dec 31, 2014
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 and eventually clutch failure. My clutch failed and the dealer is now telling me that there is no knowledge of the problem and the repair for this manufacturing defect will not be covered by subaru. Talking to other people and checking the sti forums this is a common problem that…
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2008 Subaru Impreza STI have any recalls?
No. NHTSA has no safety recalls for the 2008 Subaru Impreza STI as of this update. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the latest status.
What is the most common problem with the 2008 Subaru Impreza STI?
Owners report engine and engine cooling problems most often (14 reports), followed by power train (11). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 30,000 miles.
Are Subaru recall repairs free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Subaru dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.