2008 Subaru Impreza Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 21about this part
- Share
- 12%of 176 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 62,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 21 complaints about the brakes of the 2008 Subaru Impreza, 12% of the 176 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 62,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 3 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My brake pedal / clutch assembly is separating from my firewall on my 2008 wrx sedan at the spot welds. I can see this through my cowl support under the windshield washer motor. I heard lots of squealing and popping and now the assembly moves under light braking and clutch depression. It is now past a noise issue, and now is safety issue. My car only has 42,5000 miles.”
NHTSA complaint #10605663, filed 2014-06, 42,500 miles“I own a 2008 Subaru Impreza wrx with a stock clutch. For approximately 2 years I have been hearing creaking and/or clicking noises when engaging the clutch pedal. In april of 2013 chatham Subaru in ga replaced my clutch due to the metal clutch fork wearing through at the pivot point within the bell-housing. They also noted a very hard clutch pedal and spongy brakes before the repair. They replaced the clutch, flywheel, pressure plate, fork and master cylinder (I replaced the slave cylinder before I brought it in) all of which I paid for. …”
NHTSA complaint #10668724, filed 2014-12, 100,000 miles“This car was purchased by myself brand new with a few miles on the odometer. The clutch pedal was always stiff and squeaky and two local dealerships reassured me this is normal and nothing to worry about. Since about 50k miles my clutch pedal has been unresponsive and requires constant lubrication and bleeding of clutch master and slave cylinder. When pressing either clutch or brake pedal, the other would also move which causes loss of rod travel thus reduced fluid volume to necessary hydraulics. With clutch pedal fully depressed and in gear, the car will roll as if clutch is dragging. …”
NHTSA complaint #10564998, filed 2014-02, 96,000 miles“For several months now on my wife 2008 Subaru Impreza wrx when the clutch is depressed I have heard a cracking/squeaking noise. I brought it to a mechanic and he told me that he sees the firewall flexing when the clutch is beginning to engage. It looks as if the welds on the firewall are cracked and no matter what parts he changes it will not fix the problem that is why it is hard to get the car in gear and will eventually break completely. We looked online and this is a common problem with this car, dealerships are changing several parts and nothing will fix this safety issue. …”
NHTSA complaint #10555166, filed 2013-12, 95,000 miles“My 2008 Subaru Impreza wrx has had a hard clutch pedal . Im an auto tech at a dealer so I took a look at it. I checked the spring and the pedal. I found the pedal would bend the mounting location under the dash when pushed in. I looked on the firewall under my wiper arms where the welds are at. The weld that holds the clutch and brake pedals to the firewall is cracked and now is cutting a hole in the firewall. I checked online for some help with the problem, and I found out im not the only one with this problem. I took the car to my local Subaru dealer. The dealer told me I needed a clutch. …”
NHTSA complaint #10493245, filed 2013-01, 58,300 milesRelated recalls
- 19V149000Feb 28, 2019Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Forester, 2008-2016 Impreza sedans, 2012-2016 Impreza station wagons, 2008-2014 WRX sedans…Covers: Subaru Impreza 2008–2016, WRX 2008–2014, Crosstrek 2013–2017 +1 more
- 14V830000Dec 31, 2014Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Impreza, 2008-2014 WRX and STI, and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, currently, or…Covers: Subaru Impreza 2008–2011, WRX 2008–2014, WRX STI 2008–2014 +1 more
- 14V311000Jun 10, 2014Subaru 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…Covers: Subaru Impreza 2008–2011, WRX 2008–2014, WRX STI 2008–2014 +3 more
Related service bulletins
- 11018903May 6, 2025"The repair instructions previously provided in the WQK-47 recall bulletin as been updated, the WQQ-52 recall will involve applying additional anti-corrosion material to the…
- 11002725Jun 25, 2024This bulletin provides diagnosis and procedure information to be applied when diagnosing potential fluid leaks on front and rear brake calipers. This information has been…
- 10171101Jan 31, 2020This bulletin announces availability of a new stop lamp switch for the models listed above equipped with LED - type rear combination lamps.
- 10168589Nov 8, 2019"Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain Crosstrek, Forester, Impreza, and WRX vehicles to replace the brake lamp switch. A total of 1,303,530 U.S. vehicles will be…
- 10163525Jul 11, 2019This Service Information bulletin announces instruction for application of additional lubrication between the brake caliper support and pad clips. This will prevent the pad from…
- 10161815May 8, 2019Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain Crosstrek, Forester, Impreza, and WRX vehicles to replace the brake lamp switch. A total of 1,303,530 U.S. vehicles will be…
- 10130270Jan 24, 2018This Service Information bulletin provides a measurement and adjustment procedure for the stop lamp switch. An improperly adjusted (or faulty) stop lamp switch can cause any of…
- 10120977Jun 24, 2016(ALL EXCEPT Hybrid Models) REVISED This bulletin announces a design change to the brake light switch (BLS) to reduce the possibility of improper illumination of the ABS and/or…
- 10141514Apr 24, 2015Annoucment to UPDATE ? Subaru Recall Campaign WQQ?52 Brake Line Corrosion
- 10080880Jan 26, 2015This recall is being issued as a result of incomplete repair instructions provided in the impreza and forester repair procedure for the wqk-47 brake line corrosion recall.
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 20% |
| 2024 | 7 | 22% |
| 2022 | 2 | 14% |
| 2021 | 1 | 7% |
| 2020 | 5 | 6% |
| 2019 | 8 | 4% |
| 2018 | 3 | 2% |
| 2017 | 7 | 6% |
| 2016 | 6 | 8% |
| 2015 | 4 | 5% |
| 2014 | 5 | 5% |
| 2013 | 25 | 10% |
| 2012 | 15 | 6% |
| 2011 | 6 | 10% |
| 2010 | 7 | 15% |
| 2009 | 15 | 14% |
| 2008 | 21 | 12% |
| 2007 | 6 | 9% |
| 2006 | 6 | 11% |
| 2005 | 6 | 8% |
| 2004 | 6 | 6% |
| 2003 | 14 | 23% |
| 2002 | 60 | 21% |
| 2001 | 3 | 27% |
| 2000 | 5 | 12% |
| 1999 | 2 | 9% |
| 1998 | 1 | 3% |
| 1997 | 1 | 3% |
| 1996 | 5 | 25% |
| 1995 | 3 | 7% |
| 1993 | 2 | 6% |
Other parts of the 2008 Subaru Impreza
59 complaintsAir bags
37 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
25 complaintsBody and structure
24 complaintsEngine cooling
14 complaintsEngine
13 complaintsElectrical system
8 complaintsOther or unknown
8 complaintsVehicle speed control
7 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsExterior lighting
4 complaintsEquipment
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2008 Subaru Impreza
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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