2008 Subaru Impreza STI Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 39%of 33 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 20,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2008 Subaru Impreza STI, 39% of the 33 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 20,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“In february 2010, I purchased a 2008 Subaru Impreza Sti from a Subaru dealership with factory warranty and I purchased an extended factory warranty. Once I began getting used to the car I noticed there was an issue. When I would accelerate there would be constant dead spots in the power band through out the RPM range. After multiple times of bring the car in for repair the dealership could not figure out the problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #10345175, filed 2010-07, 11,000 miles“At 15,500 miles, my 2008 Subaru sti experienced a ringland failure on the #4 piston. This was verified via a compression/leakdown test. A longblock replacement was approved by Subaru of america. My main concern, without taking engine components off, this mild cracked ringland was almost un-detectable. There was very little degradation in performance, for running on 3.5 of 4 cylinders. In addition, my mechanic also found fuel in the oil pan.”
NHTSA complaint #10290169, filed 2009-10, 15,500 miles“1. I was driving the car on a road trip to nc when the issue arose. 2. The failure to the car was cracked ringlands on the # 2 and 4 pistons. This caused the car to produce a white smoke cloud on start up. Before I purchased this car Subaru issued a stop sale on all 2008 wrx's. The car was repaired at a local dealership under a goodwill repair. To which I was responsible for part of the cost. This repair was conducted in mar 2010. Since then the car has been operating very well until recently to which the engine has developed a knock. …”
NHTSA complaint #10360292, filed 2010-10, 37,852 miles“I own a 2008 sti and have just under 6,000 miles on the odometer. I bought the vehicle new with just under 200 miles on it in december of 2008. In january of 2009, I began to see white smoke coming out of my exhaust on startup. I had just over 1,200 miles at the time. My engine failed suffered a failure at just under 2,000 miles. Subaru replaced the engine under warranty and sent me on my way. Fast forward to june of 2009 and now I'm being told my engine has again failed due to the piston ringlands cracking and breaking off. …”
NHTSA complaint #10273870, filed 2009-06, 1,200 miles“Car has an endemic problem with breaking piston ringlands, resulting in copious oil consumption and eventually a seized engine which, if it happens on the highway, can be the equivalent of slamming on the brakes in traffic. Endangering surrounding vehicles and the vehicle's driver if the oil film on the roadway and the windshields of following cars didn't already cause them problems.”
NHTSA complaint #10394484, filed 2011-04, 1,987 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10198749Jun 7, 2021This bulletin is to advise of SOAâs revised catalytic converter recycling program shipping procedure.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 13 | 39% |
Other parts of the 2008 Subaru Impreza STI
11 complaintsBrakes
6 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaintsAir bags
4 complaintsEngine
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaintsElectrical system
1 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2008 Subaru Impreza STI
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology