2008 Subaru Impreza: headlights failing or too dim

Filed Mar 25, 2014 · Lights · AK

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.

Filed Apr 13, 2010 · Electrical, Lights · 40,000 miles · WI

High beams fail, vehicle has not been repaired. Dealer states unsure what problem is, after 1 hour charge of diagnostics,sent me on my way.

Filed Feb 12, 2009 · Electrical · 35,005 miles · AZ · fire

Car was parked and locked in my driveway .the horn started blaring and headlights came on. Not car alarm. Interior was filled with smoke. Called fire department then tried to open car with remote to extinguish fire. Had to use key to unlock door. Fire origionated from guages/dash area on drivers side. There were several explosions from car as it burned. Horn continued to blare after fire department extinguished fire. Fire fighters then pried into hood and cut battery cables before horn stopped blaring. Total loss of vehicle.

Filed Feb 10, 2009 · Brakes · 610 miles · CO · crash

On nov. 20, 2008, flatirons subaru and subaru of america sold me a new 2008 impreza wrx sti with defective brakes. On dec. 15, 2008, while commuting to work I was involved in a car accident. I pushed down the brake pedal, but the brakes failed to engage (the brake pedal was hard). As I was driving cautiously, no one was injured and no other vehicle, except mine, suffered damage to the front headlight. The car was less than a month old had fewer that 650 miles on odometer. The service department inspected the car on dec. 17, the service representative told me that brake vacuum booster hose valve was defective. The dealer's service manager in refusing to accept any responsibility wrote to me stating the problem is intermittent that only occurs in extreme cold weather, and subaru performs most of the inspections at the factory on new cars. The dealer performs a very limited inspection with a quick test drive before the sale. Although the dealership repaired the brakes defect under warranty on dec. 22, they took no responsibility for the results of the defect or for not properly inspecting the car prior to selling it to me. The only response I have received from subaru of america is that I should take up my damage with my insurance carrier. If subaru can continue to sell poorly inspected cars with defective brakes without any consequences, they will continue to do so. That's not fair to me and certainly not fair to any person who wrecks because of the brake defect and perhaps injures someone. I think car companies should not sell defective, inadequately inspected new cars to the public and I am asking for your help to enforce this. Upon your request, I can provide a copy of the service invoices on the repair done on the brakes; email and mail correspondence with subaru of america and flatirons subaru.

Filed Dec 31, 2008 · Lights · WA

I find the hid headlamps on my 2008 subaru impreza sti to be aimed and/or throw a light pattern that is dangerously low. At night, objects only very close to the vehicle are lit up. I feel unsafe driving the vehicle on unlit roads at night, particularly in the rain. An inquiry with the dealer indicated that several other owners of this make and model have made similar complaints, but that the headlamps cannot be adjusted by the dealer, and subaru has offered no solution.