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2008 Subaru WRXProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 65 owner complaints about the 2008 Subaru WRX, most often about the power train. It is covered by 7 safety recalls, and for recall 14V-311 the manufacturer reports only 45% of affected cars repaired.

2008 Subaru WRX
49
CarFlaw IndexSolid year1.0× the WRX median · #4 of 16 years by complaints
Safety recalls7Lowest repair rate 45%Owner complaints651 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage70kPower train, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through January 2, 2020. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.

Complaints by system

Where the 2008 Subaru WRX has problems

65 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
Power train480
Structure260
Service brakes240
Vehicle speed control40
Fuel/propulsion system20
Engine21
Service brakes, hydraulic10
Electrical system11

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

7 recalls

2008 Subaru WRX recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

82%repaired · 2023 Q2

Passenger side: inflator module

Recall 20V-001 · Jan 2, 2020 · 258,813 vehicles · 212,286 repaired

Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

69%repaired · 2023 Q2

Passenger side: inflator module

Recall 20V-003 · Jan 2, 2020 · 111,562 vehicles · 76,616 repaired

Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

73%repaired · 2023 Q2

Passenger side: inflator module

Recall 20V-002 · Jan 2, 2020 · 127,547 vehicles · 93,276 repaired

Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 3 more recalls
76%repaired · 2020 Q3

Brake lights: switch

Recall 19V-149 · Feb 28, 2019 · 1,303,530 vehicles · 993,791 repaired

Risk. Brake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of crash.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

79%repaired · 2016 Q2

Service brakes, hydraulic

Recall 14V-830 · Dec 31, 2014 · 200,064 vehicles · 158,768 repaired

Risk. Brake fluid may leak due to the brake line corrosion and may result in longer distances being required to slow or stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

45%repaired · 2015 Q4

Foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 14V-311 · Jun 10, 2014 · 461,338 vehicles · 206,870 repaired

Risk. Brake line corrosion may result in brake fluid leakage.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Subaru.

Mileage at failure

When do power train problems start?

70kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 46 power train complaints. 76% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
0under 30k miles35under 100k miles11100k miles or more
Best & worst years

2008 vs. every other WRX 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 WRX median. How we score

'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
In owners' words

What WRX owners report

Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

THE WELDS THAT ATTACH THE BRAKE AND CLUTCH PEDDLE TO THE VEHICLE BRAKE AND ALLOW THE WHOLE PEDDLE ASSEMBLY TO MOVE. BECAUSE OF THIS, BRAKING EFFICIENCY AND DRIVE GEAR ENGAGEMENT BECOME COMPROMISED. IN THE EVENT THAT A HARD STOP IS NEEDED, THE WHOLE ASSEMBLY COULD BRAKE AND KEEP THE DRIVER FROM…
Complaint 11171257 · Jan 21, 2019 · 62,000 miles
FIREWALL SPOT WELDS HAVE FAILED, CAUSING SIGNIFICANT LATERAL PLAY IN THE CLUTCH PEDAL. I HAVE HAD SOME SIGNIFICANT TROUBLE TRYING TO GET IT INTO GEAR. SO I HAVE HAD TROUBLE SHIFTING GEARS WHILE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND HAVE HAD TROUBLE GETTING IT IN REVERSE IN ORDER TO PULL OUT OF A PARKING SPOT. THE…
Complaint 11162027 · Dec 17, 2018 · 100,000 miles
FIREWALL WELDS BROKE AND CLUTCH NEEDS REPLACEMENT AT 88,000 MILES. THE CLUTCH IS STILL STIFF AND MAKES A CREAKING NOISE DESPITE THE FIREWALL WELDS BEING REPAIRED.
Complaint 11139861 · Oct 11, 2018 · 88,500 miles

Own a 2008 WRX?

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