CarModelProblems.com

2008 Subaru Impreza Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Power Train — runs 3.4× the fleet median for that category across the 2391 model-years tracked on this site.
176Complaints
15Recalls
9Crashes
4Fires
9Injured
0Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Power Train (29% of complaints) — has no NHTSA recall or open investigation on file.

Power Train complaints here are 3.4× the median for that category across the 2391 model-years tracked on this site.

3 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 3 rest on owner reports alone.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Power Train51 · 29%No official action
Air Bags24 · 13.6%RecalledRecall 20V001000 · Recall 20V002000 · Recall 20V003000 · Recall 16V359000 · Recall 17V026000 · Recall 17V014000 · Recall 17V016000 · Recall 16V358000
Visibility18 · 10.2%No official action
Structure:body18 · 10.2%No official action
Service Brakes14 · 8%RecalledRecall 14V311000 · Recall 14V830000
Air Bags:frontal13 · 7.4%RecalledRecall 20V001000 · Recall 20V002000 · Recall 20V003000 · Recall 16V359000 · Recall 17V026000 · Recall 17V014000 · Recall 17V016000 · Recall 16V358000

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

POWER TRAIN51 · 29%
AIR BAGS24 · 13.6%
VISIBILITY18 · 10.2%
STRUCTURE:BODY18 · 10.2%
SERVICE BRAKES14 · 8%
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL13 · 7.4%
ENGINE13 · 7.4%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING8 · 4.5%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM7 · 4%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL7 · 4%

Percentages are the share of the 176 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 15 campaigns

Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

NHTSA campaign 19V149000 · 2019 · reported 02/28/2019

Brake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

NHTSA campaign 20V001000 · 2020 · reported 01/02/2020

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

NHTSA campaign 20V002000 · 2020 · reported 01/02/2020

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

NHTSA campaign 20V003000 · 2020 · reported 01/02/2020

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Electrical System:ignition:switch

NHTSA campaign 19V297000 · 2019 · reported 04/11/2019

The engine turning off unexpectedly can increase the risk of a crash. If a crash occurs under this condition, the air bag may not deploy, increasing the risk of injury. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

NHTSA campaign 16V359000 · 2016 · reported 05/25/2016

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

NHTSA campaign 17V026000 · 2017 · reported 01/11/2017

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

NHTSA campaign 17V014000 · 2017 · reported 01/10/2017

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

NHTSA campaign 17V016000 · 2017 · reported 01/10/2017

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Electrical System

NHTSA campaign 16V738000 · 2016 · reported 10/13/2016

If the air injection pump overheats, it may melt and increase the risk of a fire. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

NHTSA campaign 14V311000 · 2014 · reported 06/10/2014

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

NHTSA campaign 14V830000 · 2014 · reported 12/31/2014

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

NHTSA campaign 16V358000 · 2016 · reported 05/25/2016

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

NHTSA campaign 08V460000 · 2008 · reported 09/11/2008

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Equipment

NHTSA campaign 09E011000 · 2009 · reported 04/02/2009

THIS MAY RESULT IN THE BOLT(S) SNAPPING OFF DURING USE OR WITHOUT A LOAD. THE UNSECURED RACK AND LOAD CAN THEN COME LOOSE WHILE DRIVING CREATING A POTENTIAL ROAD HAZARD, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“THIS 2008 SUBARU IMPREZA HAS BEEN PLAGUED AS HAVE MANY OTHERS BY A MANUFACTURER CHASSIS DEFECT. THE FIREWALL/BULKHEAD BETWEEN THE DRIVER AND ENGINE HAS 5…”NHTSA complaint 10552586 — filed 11/16/2013 · POWER TRAIN
“THE WELD THAT HOLDS THE BRACKET FOR THE CLUTCH AND BRAKE TO THE FIRE WALL IS CRACKED. THIS CRACK REPRESENTS A POSSIBLE SAFETY ISSUE IF…”NHTSA complaint 10549884 — filed 10/28/2013 · POWER TRAIN
“CLUTCH PEDAL ON 2008 WRX HAS DEVELOPED A CREAKING NOISE EVERY TIME IT IS DEPRESSED. BRAKE PEDAL SHIFTS FORWARD AND TO THE LEFT UPON DEPRESSION…”NHTSA complaint 10547104 — filed 10/07/2013 · POWER TRAIN

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

162009131820112636201329142015121420177132019412022212024

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Subaru Impreza?

Power train issues are the most-reported category, cited in 51 of 176 NHTSA complaints (29%), followed by air bags (24), visibility (18), structure:body (18). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2008 Subaru Impreza have?

176 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 9 involved a crash, 4 involved a fire, and 9 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 2008 Subaru Impreza have any recalls?

Yes — 15 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 19V149000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2008 Subaru Impreza's reported problems?

3 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.