2008 Subaru Impreza Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 5%of 176 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 45,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the electrical system of the 2008 Subaru Impreza, 5% of the 176 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 45,500 miles. 4 a fire, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
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.
“According to the dealership the catalytic converter in my 2008 Subaru Impreza has prematurely failed. The vehicles check engine light came on and the car went into limp mode while driving, in conjunction with the check engine light my vehicle has been experiencing very poor gas mileage for the last month. The dealership has quoted me over $2000 for the repair of my car. It was brought to my attention that several other same model year Subaru's have recalls due to the catalytic converter not performing to emission standards. …”
NHTSA complaint #10619025, filed 2014-08, 57,000 miles“I was out all morning running errands. I came home from about 4 hours of doing the run around. At 12:25 pm I got home , took my babies out of the car and put them down for a nap. I went out about 40 mins later to the car and the key fobs were not working so I then went to unlock the driver door with the key and when I opened it black smoke started rolling out. I then called 911 and reported the fire. The fire itself was out but the inside of the car all under the driver seat was burned up. The fire department started going threw the car and said they are claiming it as electrical. …”
NHTSA complaint #10459494, filed 2012-05, 51,000 miles“Vehicle check engine light, stability control assist, and cruise control light come on all at the same time rendering those system useful. Also sometimes the hill start assist and ABS light come on rendering those unavailable as well. Making the vehicle not as secured as advertised. It started in 2010 took it to the dealership and they just erased the codes, but the problem continued, still happening today.”
NHTSA complaint #10779948, filed 2015-10, 16,582 miles“Car was parked and locked in my driveway .the horn started blaring and headlights came on. Not car alarm. Interior was filled with smoke. Called fire department then tried to open car with remote to extinguish fire. Had to use key to unlock door. Fire origionated from guages/dash area on drivers side. There were several explosions from car as it burned. Horn continued to blare after fire department extinguished fire. Fire fighters then pried into hood and cut battery cables before horn stopped blaring. Total loss of vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10258424, filed 2009-02, 35,005 miles“I was driving to work and the car was running funny after a few blocks when I saw smoke pouring out of the car I pulled over ad got out and watched the car burn to the ground. I cant get to work and the car contained my personal.belongings.”
NHTSA complaint #11542030, filed 2023-09Related recalls
- 19V297000Apr 11, 2019Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, 2008-2011 Impreza vehicles, 2008-2014 WRX vehicles, 2005-2014 Legacy…Covers: Subaru Impreza 2008–2011, Legacy 2005–2014, Outback 2005–2014 +3 more
- 16V738000Oct 13, 2016Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 model year Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2008-2014 Impreza vehicles and 2009-2013…Covers: Subaru Impreza 2008–2014, Forester 2009–2013, Outback 2007–2009 +1 more
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- 11030561Mar 4, 2026This announcement provides information on the use of aftermarket services or tools for programming immobilizer keys/fobs.
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 3 | 9% |
| 2022 | 1 | 7% |
| 2020 | 4 | 5% |
| 2019 | 19 | 10% |
| 2018 | 12 | 8% |
| 2017 | 21 | 17% |
| 2016 | 14 | 19% |
| 2015 | 20 | 26% |
| 2014 | 17 | 16% |
| 2013 | 34 | 14% |
| 2012 | 30 | 12% |
| 2011 | 9 | 16% |
| 2010 | 5 | 11% |
| 2009 | 8 | 8% |
| 2008 | 8 | 5% |
| 2007 | 7 | 10% |
| 2005 | 2 | 3% |
| 2004 | 1 | 1% |
| 2002 | 6 | 2% |
| 2001 | 1 | 9% |
| 1998 | 3 | 10% |
| 1997 | 2 | 7% |
| 1995 | 4 | 9% |
| 1993 | 2 | 6% |
Other parts of the 2008 Subaru Impreza
59 complaintsAir bags
37 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
25 complaintsBody and structure
24 complaintsBrakes
21 complaintsEngine cooling
14 complaintsEngine
13 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 27, 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