2008 Subaru Impreza Problems

What owners report

Complaints on this model year center on two very different things: a clutch/firewall problem on manual-transmission cars that owners describe as a squeak or creak at the pedal that later becomes hard or impossible shifting, and, on early-mileage cars, a passenger airbag occupancy light that switches on and off with a smaller adult in the seat. A cluster of low-mileage complaints also describes a persistent greasy film on the inside of the windshield. Mileage on the sampled complaints ranges from delivery mileage to well over 100,000 miles, with the transmission-related reports spreading across that whole range.

1. 1
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Clutch pedal squeak/creak and broken firewall welds

   • 54 complaints (31%)
   • median 70,000 mi at 5.6 yrs old (47 state mileage)
   • filed 2010–2024

   Owners of manual-transmission cars describe a squeak, creak or popping sound when the clutch pedal is pressed or released, which in many reports was first put down to cold weather or noisy pedal linkage. On inspection, the bracket that carries the clutch and brake pedals is said to have separated from the firewall at its spot welds, letting the whole pedal assembly flex; complaints describe the brake pedal shifting sideways when the clutch is pressed, the firewall visibly moving, and shifting becoming difficult or reverse nearly impossible. According to the complaints, dealers often lubricated the pedal or replaced the clutch and release bearing without resolving it, and some owners were referred to a body shop or told the repair was not covered. Reported from roughly 25,000 miles upward, often after the noise has been present for weeks or months.

   What to check: Press the clutch repeatedly with the hood open and watch the firewall area under the wiper cowl for movement, and listen for squeaks or pops; check for a brake pedal that shifts when the clutch is pressed. Ask whether the firewall welds have ever been repaired or reinforced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The welded clutch bracket behind the dash board broke, making my clutch pedal useless and my master cylinder flex forward badly. This is unacceptable. My car is not under warranty anymore and this is a 14 hour labor job. Any other power train related repair would be expected at this mileage, but there should never be a welded bracket that breaks.”

   NHTSA complaint #10560646, filed 2014-01, 139,000 miles

   “There is a clicking and popping noise coming from under my dash board on the driver side only when pressing and releasing the clutch. Also, the clutch master cylinder is moving due to flex on the fire wall. This is a known problem to Subaru of america and its engineering department and they have also fixed cars with this problem. My car has not been fixed because they have so far yet refused to fix it. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10334664, filed 2010-06, 55,558 miles
2. 2
   Engine

   Early engine problems: oil use, smoke and piston/ringland

   • 11 complaints (6%)
   • median 15,000 mi at 7.5 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2008–2019

   A few owners of turbocharged cars report rough running, exhaust smoke and oil consumption starting within the first few thousand miles, with diagnosis of piston or ringland damage and engine replacement in some cases. Another complaint describes the engine going into limp mode with low oil level and the claim being declined over missing oil-change records; separate reports mention oil weeping from the head gasket area and a loss of power while driving. Mostly reported under about 15,000 miles, with a few at higher mileage.

   Recall 08V460000

   What to check: Check the oil level and look for exhaust smoke or a fuel/oil smell, ask for oil-change records, and have a compression or leak-down check done on a turbocharged car before buying.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10260756, filed 2009-03, 12,500 miles

   “I own a 2008 Subaru Impreza sti which I purchased in feb. Of 08'. 2 months ago the car went into limp mode when I was driving home. I took it to the dealership to have it checked and they said it only had 1 1/2 quarts of oil in it. I had checked the oil the previous week and it had shown full. They requested that I give them record of my previous oil change so I did. Unfortunately, it did not have mileage documented because it was a small shop that did it for me. They refused my claim on the grounds that I did not maintain the car. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10241388, filed 2008-09, 13,000 miles
3. 3
   Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

   Greasy film on inside of windshield

   • 12 complaints (7%)
   • median 2,350 mi at 0.3 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2007–2011

   Owners report a persistent oily or greasy film forming on the inside of the windshield and other windows within days of cleaning, most noticeable at night against oncoming headlights and at sunset, and worse in cold weather when the defroster runs. Complaints describe repeated dealer visits where the windows were cleaned, the car was put in a paint booth, the cabin air filter was replaced, or an A/C component was serviced, with the film returning afterward; in some cases the source was not identified. Reported from delivery mileage through the first few thousand miles.

   What to check: Clean the inside of the windshield and look again after a few days of driving with the defroster and A/C on; ask whether any A/C or heater-core work has been done.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Ever since I purchased my vehicle (new), there has been a terrible film on the windshield and interior windows. Sometimes it is so bad, it is almost impossible to see out of the windows (especially with light reflections and sunsets, etc.). My dealer has informed me that it has had many similar complaints. I have tried cleaning the windows with cleaners and nothing seems to help. The problem is even worse during the winter months when the defroster is being used more often. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10278636, filed 2009-07, 1 miles

   “I started to get a film on the windshield of my 2008 Subaru. I took it into the dealership and they did a test and found a problem with the A/C unit; they told me the film on the windshield was safe and car was safe to drive. I took the car in again while they were waiting for parts, for another issue, and I requested a copy of the tech notes and the film that was on the windshield was freon!- health hazard. They fixed this problem with the freon film, and now not a month later its back, and worse. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10214954, filed 2008-01, 1,800 miles
4. 4
   Air bags

   Passenger airbag light switches on and off

   • 15 complaints (9%)
   • median 200 mi at 0.8 yrs old (11 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2007–2009

   Complaints describe the passenger airbag on/off indicator changing state while a smaller adult — commonly described as around 110 to 130 lb — is seated in the front passenger seat. Owners report visits to the dealer where the seat cushion weight sensor was recalibrated or the seat cushion and sensors were replaced, and the light still behaved the same way afterward; some were told the threshold is set for a heavier occupant and that nothing further could be done. Several complaints note the vehicle was essentially new when this started. Almost all reported at very low mileage, often within the first few thousand miles.

   Recall 20V001000Recall 20V003000Recall 20V002000Recall 17V026000Recall 17V016000Recall 17V014000Recall 16V359000Recall 16V3580005 related service bulletins

   What to check: With a lighter adult seated normally in the passenger seat, watch the airbag status light for a while with the engine running; ask whether the passenger inflator recall has been completed and whether any seat sensor work was done.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Immediately after purchasing a new 08 Subaru Impreza, I noticed that the passenger airbag on/off warning light will intermittently switch back and forth from on to off when a person 5'11' and 160 lb was sitting on the passenger seat. I went to the dealer and they recalibrated the cushion seat weight sensor. This did not solve the problem. I went back and, according to the dealer, following Subaru's instructions, they replaced the seat cushion (including all the sensors in it). This again did not solve the problem. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10241674, filed 2008-09, 500 miles

   “Passenger air bag light goes on and off. My wife weights 120 and it some time goes on and stays on then the next minute it goes off. I have had the dealer address this issue twice now and same response. Don't worry it will deploy regardless if the light goes on or off . Honestly can't believe that. They also said (sherman oaks Subaru that they have addressed the problem to Subaru and they said its a light issue and don't worry about it. That is not a good answer since this is a safety issue. Plus they say they can't duplicate the problem. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10240279, filed 2008-08, 15 miles

Buying note. On a manual car, inspect the firewall and pedal bracket area carefully and road-test the clutch through all gears; on any example, confirm the passenger airbag inflator recalls were completed and check the interior glass for recurring film after cleaning.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.