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2008 Subaru Impreza STI problems

The most common problem on the 2008 Subaru Impreza STI is engine and cooling, typically around 28,000 miles. Its complaint count is close to a typical Impreza STI model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Year score
75/100
Owner complaints
33
Recalls
0
Service bulletins
124
Worst area
Engine

The worst 2008 Subaru Impreza STI problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Technical service bulletins for the 2008 Subaru Impreza STI 124

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 124 bulletins for the 2008 Subaru Impreza STI

What 2008 Subaru Impreza STI owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Aug 7, 2018 · Electrical, Lights · 127,732 miles · CO

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"

Filed Sep 14, 2017 · Transmission · AZ

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 gh/gr chassis).

Filed Oct 26, 2016 · Airbags · OH

We have not heard from the dealer about replacing the air bag we had an email in july 2016 called to make an appointment and they said they did not have the part in thats what they were waiting for this is october 2016 and we have not heard anything yet. Were scared to drive it but we need our car and we don't let anyone sit in the passenger seat.

Filed Oct 3, 2016 · NC

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 move, causing the creaking noise. If the bracket completely separates from the firewall, the clutch may become completely inoperative - especially dangerous while driving.

Filed Mar 17, 2016 · Body · MD

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.

Filed Oct 29, 2015 · Transmission · 60,000 miles · IL

Clutch squeaks when pedal is pressed in. Sound comes from inside the cabin or firewall area.

Filed Dec 31, 2014 · Engine, Transmission · 60,500 miles · PA

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 subaru has paid for for some people. They are refusing to cover this for me.

Filed Dec 23, 2014 · Acceleration, Body · 92,000 miles · CA

Welds on bracket that holds clutch and brake pedal to firewall failing. Causing clutch pedal inconsistency along with brake pedal movement upon clutch pedal depression.

Filed Dec 9, 2014 · Brakes, Transmission · 19,000 miles · FL

Clutch and brake master cylinders have poor design. My clutch pedal currently squeeze and wobbles while my brake pedal is wobbley. The minimal/poor spot welds for the master cylinders on the firewall have cracked.

Filed Nov 27, 2014 · Body, Brakes · 78,000 miles · CA

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 have become loose. This is a big problem seeing as how it is a safety issue. When it completely separates, due to shotty welding, not only could the clutch go out while driving but it could cause the breaks to go out as well. This is not wear and tear, I've only had the car for about a 1.5 years. Welds should not bust that quickly. I have verified in the subaru community that this is a common problem manual transmission imprezas.

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Other model years

20082009

Questions about the 2008 Subaru Impreza STI

Is the 2008 Subaru Impreza STI reliable?

Owners have filed 33 complaints about the 2008 Subaru Impreza STI, close to a typical Impreza STI model year.

What is the 2008 Subaru Impreza STI year score?

The 2008 Subaru Impreza STI scores 75 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Subaru Impreza STI: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2008 Subaru Impreza STI?

Engine and cooling, with 15 complaints, typically around 28,000 miles. Next is transmission (11).

How many recalls does the 2008 Subaru Impreza STI have?

No recalls on record.

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