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.
2008 Subaru Impreza: check engine light
5 of the 176 complaints about the 2008 Subaru Impreza describe check engine light.
- owner complaints
- 5
- of this car's complaints
- 3%
- typical mileage
- 57,000
- recalls
- 1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall and 21 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Check engine light by model year
What owners say
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.
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.
According to the dealership the catalytic converter in my 2008 subaru impreza has prematurely failed. The vehicles check engine light came on and the car went into "limp" mode while driving, in conjunction with the check engine light my vehicle has been experiencing very poor gas mileage for the last month. The dealership has quoted me over $2000 for the repair of my car. It was brought to my attention that several other same model year subaru's have recalls due to the catalytic converter not performing to emission standards. Some of these cars have the exact catalytic converter part number as my car, I do not understand why car would not be recalled also.
Smoke coming from the exhaust, rough idle, oil consumption were my first signs. The dealer wouldn't do a compression check on the motor since there was no check engine light on, so I had to pay with my own cash and take it to a private shop and found out that in fact cylinder #2 had a shot ringland. They replaced the piston but the motor doesn't seem to be right still since I have a car that was involved in a "stop sale" that involved some engines having some debris in the motor and was causing knocking and throwing bearings. Subaru should have replaced the short block but didn't.
Service bulletins that may apply
- This bulletin provides a step-by-step diagnostic procedure for resolving Remote Engine Start (RES)...
- This announcement provides information on an outage affecting the Subaru Select Monitor 5 application.
- This Bulletin provides the diagnostic procedure for the STARLINK® Remote Engine Start (RES).
- This Bulletin announces the diagnostic procedures to be followed when diagnosing engine oil leakage on FA...
- The purpose of
- This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for...
- This Service Information Bulletin announces the diagnostic procedures to be followed when diagnosing...
- This bulletin announces availability of the NEW genuine Subaru engine oil filter.
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling: engine
- What is wrong
- Subaru is recalling 16,715 my 2007-2008 legacy sedans and wagons, my 2008 impreza sedans and wagons, and my 2009 forester vehicles. Some vehicles may have the cylinder head-side oil supply pipe and turbocharger-side pipe improperly assembled.
- Risk
- Vibration would occur while driving and, over time, could eventually result in cracking the pipe which would allow oil to leak. If leaking oil contacts components operating at high temperatures, an engine compartment fire could occur.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect for cracking or an oil leak at the oil supply pipe at the cylinder head-side. An additional bracket will be installed to increase rigidity of the pipe and the pipe assembly will be replaced with a modified part. The recall began on october 20, 2008. Owners may contact subaru at 1‑800‑782‑2783.
Recall number 08V460000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2008 Subaru Impreza check engine light
Is check engine light a common problem on the 2008 Subaru Impreza?
5 of 176 owner complaints about the 2008 Subaru Impreza (3%) mention check engine light. The model year with the most reports is 2013.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2008 Subaru Impreza?
There is 1 recall and 21 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2008 Subaru Impreza
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