The welds that attach the brake and clutch peddle to the vehicle brake and allow the whole peddle assembly to move. Because of this, braking efficiency and drive gear engagement become compromised. In the event that a hard stop is needed, the whole assembly could brake and keep the driver from being able to stop. This issue is a huge hazard! This is not a convenience issue, this is a life and safety issue to not only the occupants of the subaru but everyone on the road! I have contacted soa, and they informed me that I would have to take care of the repair myself. This repair is not just some nuts and bolts coming loose or something like that. This is a huge repair that is structural to the vehicle. At costs of well into the thousands! Soa knows of the issue and refuses to do anything about it! My vehicle currently sits at 92k miles because of the poor clutch engagement I had to replace my clutch at 78k. I have video and photo evidence to go along with everything that is stated above, but a quick google search will show you that thousands of subaru wrx and sti owners from 2008 to 2014 are or will experience this exact issue!
2008 Subaru WRX brakes problems
25 complaints (38% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 85,000.
- owner complaints
- 25
- of this car's complaints
- 38%
- typical mileage
- 85,000
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 2
Which part fails
Owners did not name a specific part.
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Subaru WRX brakes problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2008 Subaru WRX brakes
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic
- What is wrong
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Impreza, 2008-2014 WRX and STI, and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, currently, or formerly, registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia that were remedied under recall 14V‑311 prior to December 23, 2014. The brake lines may experience brake line corrosion due to salt water splashing on the brake lines through a gap in the fuel tank protector.
- Risk
- Brake fluid may leak due to the brake line corrosion and may result in longer distances being required to slow or stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will apply an anti-corrosion wax to the four-way joint connector area of the brake line system, free of charge. The recall began on January 27, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1‑800‑782‑2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQQ-52. Notes: This recall is specific to affected Forester, Impreza, WRX, and STI customers who had their car remedied under the federal safety agency recall no. 14V‑311 prior to December 23, 2014. Subaru has determined that this remedy was inadequate due to incomplete repair instructions provided to dealers. Affected Forester, Impreza, WRX, and STI vehicles that were not repaired under the federal safety agency recall no. 14V‑311 prior to December 23, 2014 will continue to be processed under the federal safety agency recall no. 14V‑311. Affected vehicles not currently, or formerly, registered in the salt belt states identified in this recall are eligible for repair, at no cost to the customer, upon request.
Recall number 14V830000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Outback and Legacy, 2008-2011 Impreza and 2008-2014 Impreza WRX/STI, and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, currently, or formerly, registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. Salt water could splash on the brake lines through a gap in the fuel tank protector, resulting in excessive corrosion of the brake lines. Note that affected vehicles not currently, or formerly registered, in the salt belt states identified above are eligible for repair, at no cost to the customer, upon request.
- Risk
- Brake line corrosion may result in brake fluid leakage. Fluid leakage may result in longer distances being required to slow or stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will test the brake system by depressing the brake pedal and inspecting for brake fluid leaks. If no brake fluid seepage is observed, the affected areas will be rustproofed with anti-corrosion wax. If brake fluid seepage is observed, the brake lines will be replaced followed by rustproofing with anti-corrosion wax. These services will be performed free of charge. The recall began July 2014 and second notifications will run through November 2014. Owners may contact Subaru at 1‑800‑782‑2783. Subaru's recall campaign number is WQK-47. Note: This recall supersedes recall 13V‑110 which applied to certain 2005-2009 Legacy/Outback vehicles. Vehicles that were remedied under the previous campaign still need additional areas rust-proofed.
Recall number 14V311000 · Recall details
What 2008 Subaru WRX owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
While driving the vehicle I noticed while depressing my brakes or clutch, I would hear a "popping sound." also I noticed the clutch pedal and the brake pedal would move towards the left together (oppose to just up and down) when depressing the clutch pedal. It seems like the whole firewall where the clutch and brake pedals are attached too is moving when depressed. This happens all the time now when clutch pedal is depressed.
I recently discovered a known issue impacting my particular car and confirmed the problem after inspecting my vehicle myself. The first 130k miles were spent commuting to my job 84 miles a day at over 90% highway driving (very little clutch/break action required), and the last 9k were put on over the last 4 years - car mostly sat since I started working from home. Over time spot welds which hold the clutch/brake assembly to the firewall have broken and assembly is at risk of detaching while driving my car. Numerous cars have been affected over multiple model years and has been well documented see nasioc owners - http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2700583. Subaru has history of denying claims despite issuing extended warranties. Their inconsistent treatment of this issue an unwillingness to address this clear design/engineering flaw needs to be handles at the federal level. I have not requested a dealership inspection or repair due to my cars age and subaru's past history of denying claims.
I had an issue previously with the welds for the clutch pedal assembly cracking on the firewall. It got so bad that the whole pedal assembly with the brake and gas pedal shifted left every time I depressed the clutch. It eventually caused the clutch to not disengage entirely and burn out. Subaru of america fixed the problem by sending it to a body shop to re-weld the pedal assembly to the firewall but now, just a few years later, the pedal is squeaking again just like it did last time the welds broke. I haven't taken it in yet but it is an unmistakable sound.
The clutch pedal on my 2008 wrx makes a squeaking noise every time it's engaged. When I investigated the noise, I noticed that the clutch pedal bracket assembly (forward firewall) shifts approx 1/4 inch every time the clutch pedal is engaged. I found that the three spot welds holding the clutch pedal bracket to the forward firewall were broken. From the outside of the firewall, just under the windshield wipers, the spot welds are separating away from the firewall every time the clutch pedal is engaged. This allows the entire clutch pedal bracket assembly to move,making that squeaking noise. If the bracket completely separates from the firewall, the clutch will not work. This is super super dangerous while driving.
A couple years ago my clutch started to creak. I asked the local subaru dealer to check it when I took it in for a scheduled oil change. I got told they couldn't find a problem. So I thought nothing of it. I just took it back to the dealer and got told the spot welds on the firewall. Subaru offered to fix the welds but I have to pay for a new clutch assembly. If the welds totally fail this could become a serious safety issue as it will affect the brake motion also.
I bought this vehicle used from a dealership in january of 2015 with over 100,000 miles on the odometer. After a few months of driving it I began to hear a click every time I depressed the clutch pedal. I looked into the issue to see if it was a common problem and if there was an easy fix to it. Turns out six of the seven spot welds that hold my clutch and brake assembly to the firewall were cracked. There is a recall for this issue already but they wont service vehicles past 40,000 miles.this does not help me seeing as the car is far past 40,000. Not only is this a safety issue but it is also causing other parts of the car to prematurely wear out such as the clutch and the release bearing. I need help.
The clutch pedal on my 2009 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. I eventually fixed it myself with a custom made brace and some bolts. Updated 12/21/2015
Clutch started making a creaking noise when pressing in and out. Shifting gears has also become more difficult like the clutch isn't fully engaging and disengaging. I also noticed the whole assembly shifts (clutch and brake pedals) when pressing down on the clutch. Turns out the spot welds on the bracket that hold the assembly are completely broken, causing flex to the clutch and brake assembly. If that bracket rips off, could lose braking power. This is unsafe and needs to be recalled.
Basically the welds on the clutch assembly broke loose and has caused damaged to the clutch and brakes. Subaru did try to fix this but is failing again and believe there is a safety issue. When this failed the clutch and brake move about 1.5" when depressed.I am part of a class action law suite and need your help before someone losses a life. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Questions about the 2008 Subaru WRX brakes
Does the 2008 Subaru WRX have brakes problems?
Owners have filed 25 complaints about the brakes of the 2008 Subaru WRX, 38% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2008 Subaru WRX brakes problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 85,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2008 Subaru WRX brakes?
Yes, 2 recalls: 14V830000, 14V311000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Subaru WRX have bad brakes?
The Subaru WRX model years with the most brakes complaints are 2002 (80 complaints), 2008 (25 complaints) and 2003 (20 complaints).
Other 2008 Subaru WRX problems
Transmission 48Body 26Acceleration 4Engine 2Fuel system 2Electrical 1
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