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2008 Subaru Impreza STIProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 33 owner complaints about the 2008 Subaru Impreza STI, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It has no vehicle safety recalls on record.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls0None on recordOwner complaints331 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage18kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 7, 2018. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2008 Subaru Impreza STI has problems

33 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine and engine cooling130
Power train110
Structure60
Service brakes50
Air bags41
Engine20
Vehicle speed control21
Exterior lighting10
Service brakes, hydraulic11
1 other systems10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

0 recalls

2008 Subaru Impreza STI recalls and how many were fixed

No vehicle safety recalls are on record for this model year.

Best & worst years

2008 vs. every other Impreza STI year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Impreza STI median. How we score

'08'09
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
In owners' words

What Impreza STI owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

VEHICLE BEGAN SMOKING ON COLD START UP. COMPRESSION TEST WAS PERFORMED AND CYL 4 RESULTED IN ~50-70 PSI, WHICH IS LESS THAN HALF THE SUBARU SPECIFICATION. SHORTBOCK HAD TO BE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AT APPROX 20,000 MILES. NO ROOT CAUSE FOR THE FAILURE WAS DETERMINED. *TT
Complaint 10445947 · Jan 30, 2012 · 20,000 miles
ENGINE STARTED KNOCKING. SET UP AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER FOR THE NEXT DAY. ON THE WAY TO THE DEALER THE KNOCKING GOT WORSE AND THE ENGINE STARTED SQUEALING AND LOSING POWER. ENGINE SEIZED UP AND WOULD NOT START AGAIN. THE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE. *TR
Complaint 10420784 · Aug 19, 2011 · 45,000 miles
THE CAR WAS SMOKING ON COLD STARTS ONLY. PISTON # 4 RINGLAND CRACKED AT 33,000 MILES ON THE CAR. SHORTBLOCK HAD TO BE REPLACED. *KB
Complaint 10416892 · Aug 3, 2011 · 33,260 miles

Own a 2008 Impreza STI?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.