The Lemon Index2008 Subaru Impreza.
The 2008 Subaru Impreza is worse than average by owner complaints: 86 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 177, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about airbags, it has 15 recalls, and it gets 21 to 22 mpg combined. The best Subaru Impreza year is 2010.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 277 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Subaru Impreza year. 2008 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 27K to 85K miles on the car (226 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 46K–92K miles
- body structure complaints mostly came at 54K–92K miles
- brakes complaints mostly came at 57K–100K miles
Recalls 15
- airbags 2020
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- airbags 2020
" These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior.
- airbags 2020
" These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall us.
Show all 15 recalls
- electrical 2019
The ball spring inside the switch may break, reducing the strength of the ignition switch.
- lights 2019
Exposure to certain contaminants may cause the brake light switch to malfunction, preventing the brake lights from illuminating and also preventing keyless ignition vehicles from starting and CVT/automatic transmissions …
- airbags 2017
These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as ori.
- airbags 2017
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- airbags 2017
These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equ.
- electrical 2016
The relay that controls the secondary air injection pump may fail, causing the pump to continuously operate and overheat.
- airbags 2016
" These vehicles may be equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used.
- airbags 2016
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- brakes 2014
The brake lines may experience brake line corrosion due to salt water splashing on the brake lines through.
- brakes 2014
Salt water could splash on the brake lines through a gap in the fuel tank protector, resulting in excessive corrosion of the brake lines.
- equipment 2009
THIS MAY RESULT IN THE BOLT(S) SNAPPING OFF DURING USE OR WITHOUT A LOAD. THE UNSECURED RACK AND LOAD CAN THEN COME LOOSE WHILE DRIVING CREATING A POTENTIAL ROAD HAZARD, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- engine 2008
SUBARU IS RECALLING 16,715 MY 2007-2008 LEGACY SEDANS AND WAGONS, MY 2008 IMPREZA SEDANS AND WAGONS, AND MY 2009 FORESTER VEHICLES.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Subaru told dealers about
Subaru sent dealers 241 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Information regarding replacement revision of air intake duct for turbocharger where insulator
- Should you receive a customer concern of a loose windshield mounted auto-dimming compass…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2900–3800 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.5L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
Passenger airbag on/off light cycles between off and on when a passenger of 100lbs is seated in the seat.
2008 Subaru Impreza owner · NHTSA complaint 10254960
More owner reports
Engine started stuttering and would almost die when trying to accelerate, then started blowing smoke out tale pipe. Car had 3400 miles. Dealer diagnosed as ringland/piston failure.
NHTSA complaint 10260749
Passenger side airbag goes on and off, when my 18 year old daughter sits in seat! She's 5'2" 130lbs. Took to dealer and they had her ride in two Impreza's off the lot and they all did it!
NHTSA complaint 10237652
Quick answers
Is the 2008 Subaru Impreza reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew 1.8× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 177; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Subaru Impreza year by this measure is 2010.
What are the most common 2008 Subaru Impreza problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are airbags (31%), engine (26%) and visibility (26%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2008 Subaru Impreza have?
15 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Subaru Impreza get?
21 to 22 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2008 Subaru Impreza problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 27,200 and 85,000 miles. The middle report was at 58,000 miles, from 226 complaints.
Does the 2008 Subaru Impreza have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 8% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2008 Subaru Impreza cost in fuel a year?
About $2900 to $3800 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2008 Subaru Impreza have?
2.5L 4-cyl.
What Subaru Impreza year is better than the 2008?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2010, 2014 and 2011.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works