Model year guide

2008 Subaru Impreza

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2008 Subaru Impreza is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 116 on record.

2008 Subaru Impreza — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2008 Subaru Impreza at a glance

Safety recalls15
Owner complaints209
Combined21 mpg
Typical price$9,388

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2008 Subaru Impreza recalls 15

Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch NHTSA Campaign #19V149000 · 28/02/2019

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Forester, 2008-2016 Impreza sedans, 2012-2016 Impreza station wagons, 2008-2014 WRX sedans (including STI), and 2013-2017 Crosstrek vehicles. 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 transm…

Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake light switch, free of charge. The recall began April 15, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUE-90.

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module NHTSA Campaign #20V001000 · 02/01/2020

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (STI included), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saip…

Fix: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators with alternate inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact…

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module NHTSA Campaign #20V002000 · 02/01/2020

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, O…

Fix: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assist…

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module NHTSA Campaign #20V003000 · 02/01/2020

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South…

Fix: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assist…

Electrical System:ignition:switch NHTSA Campaign #19V297000 · 11/04/2019

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, 2008-2011 Impreza vehicles, 2008-2014 WRX vehicles, 2005-2014 Legacy vehicles, 2005-2014 Outback vehicles and 2006-2008 Tribeca vehicles equipped with a mechanical key ignition switch installed as a replacement part. The ball spring inside the switch may break, reducing the strength of the ignition switch. If this occurs, the weight…

Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ignition switch, replacing the ignition switch, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 10, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUF-91.

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module NHTSA Campaign #16V359000 · 25/05/2016

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Legacy, Outback, 2006-2008 Impreza, Tribeca, 2006 Saab 9-2x, and 2003-2006 Baja vehicles originally sold or that have ever been registered in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennes…

Fix: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 24, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-856-488-8500. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-16. No…

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module NHTSA Campaign #17V026000 · 11/01/2017

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Baja, 2009 Forester, Legacy and Outback and 2006-2009 Impreza (including WRX and STI models) and Tribeca vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Penns…

Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 6, 2017. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-17.

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module NHTSA Campaign #17V014000 · 10/01/2017

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Subaru Baja, 2006-2011 Impreza (including WRX and STI models), 2006-2012 Tribeca, 2009-2012 Forester, Legacy, Outback, and 2012 WRX vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (S…

Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 6, 2017. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-17.

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module NHTSA Campaign #17V016000 · 10/01/2017

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Baja, 2006-2008 Impreza (including WRX and STI models), Tribeca, and 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin…

Fix: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 8, 2017. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assi…

Electrical System NHTSA Campaign #16V738000 · 13/10/2016

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 model year Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2008-2014 Impreza vehicles and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, all equipped with turbo-charged engines. The relay that controls the secondary air injection pump may fail, causing the pump to continuously operate and overheat.

Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the secondary air injection pump relay, free of charge. The recall began December 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTM-73.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings NHTSA Campaign #14V311000 · 10/06/2014

Subaru 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 Forester vehicles, currently, or formerly, registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia…

Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will test the brake system by depressing the brake pedal and inspecting for brake fluid leaks. If no brake fluid seepage is observed, the affected areas will be rustproofed with anti-corrosion wax. If brake fluid seepage is observed, the brake lines will be …

Service Brakes, Hydraulic NHTSA Campaign #14V830000 · 31/12/2014

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Impreza, 2008-2014 WRX and STI, and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, currently, or formerly, registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Colum…

Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will apply an anti-corrosion wax to the four-way joint connector area of the brake line system, free of charge. The recall began on January 27, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQQ-52. N…

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2008 Subaru Impreza common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 209 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Traction Control System
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

2008 Subaru Impreza MPG & running costs

Combined21 mpg
City19 mpg
Highway26 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,256

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2008 Subaru Impreza worth?

Low
$4,200
Typical price
$9,388
High
$18,000

From 116 comparable 2008 Subaru Impreza listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2008 Subaru Impreza costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$16,280
Depreciation (5 yrs)$7,100
Total$23,380
Per mile$0.31

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($9,388) with the same model 5 model-years older ($2,275), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2008 Subaru Impreza trims & engines on record

Trims
2.5i · WRX · WRX STI · Outback Sport · OUTBACK SPORTS · STI · WRX-S
Engines
2.5L

2008 Subaru Impreza vehicles on record

2008 Subaru Impreza 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STIJF1GR89658L828880 2008 Subaru Impreza 2008 Subaru Impreza 2.5iJF1GH61698H807133 2008 Subaru Impreza 2.5iJF1GH61678H833052 2008 Subaru Impreza 2008 Subaru Impreza Outback SportJF1GH63648G814591 2008 Subaru Impreza 2008 Subaru Impreza WRXJF1GE74668G513057 2008 Subaru Impreza 2008 Subaru Impreza 2.5iJF1GH61618H807983 2008 Subaru Impreza WRXJF1GE74688G515344 2008 Subaru Impreza WRXJF1GE74688G512153 2008 Subaru Impreza 2008 Subaru Impreza 2.5iJF1GH61698G804514 2008 Subaru Impreza 2008 Subaru Impreza WRXJF1GH74668G802852 2008 Subaru Impreza 2008 Subaru Impreza 2.5iJF1GE61658G526736 2008 Subaru Impreza 2008 Subaru Impreza 2.5iJF1GE61648G507773 2008 Subaru Impreza 2008 Subaru Impreza 2.5iJF1GE61648H510666 2008 Subaru Impreza 2.5iJF1GE61648H520484 2008 Subaru Impreza 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STIJF1GR89698L834133 2008 Subaru Impreza 2.5iJF1GH61648H817410 2008 Subaru Impreza 2008 Subaru Impreza 2.5iJF1GH61668G831704 2008 Subaru Impreza WRXJF1GE75608G513862 2008 Subaru Impreza 2008 Subaru Impreza 2.5iJF1GH61638G807862 2008 Subaru Impreza 2008 Subaru Impreza WRXJF1GH74688G807373 2008 Subaru Impreza 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX STIJF1GR89688L828288 2008 Subaru Impreza 2008 Subaru Impreza Outback SportJF1GH63658H819244 2008 Subaru Impreza 2.5iJF1GH61688H803140 2008 Subaru Impreza 2008 Subaru Impreza 2.5iJF1GE61678H526912

Other Subaru Impreza model years

2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2000 1999 1998 1996

2008 Subaru Impreza — frequently asked questions

Does the 2008 Subaru Impreza have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 15 safety recalls for the 2008 Subaru Impreza. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Subaru Impreza?

Based on 209 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are power train, structure, engine.

What gas mileage does the 2008 Subaru Impreza get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2008 Subaru Impreza at about 21 mpg combined (19 city / 26 highway).

How much is a 2008 Subaru Impreza worth?

Comparable 2008 Subaru Impreza listings run roughly $4,200–$18,000, typically around $9,388 (from 116 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.