This bulletin announces the service manual correction regarding clutch master cylinder reservoir service procedures.
View on NHTSA →2008 Subaru Impreza powertrain problems
moderate 66 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
66
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
When does it fail?
Of the 66 powertrain complaints filed for the 2008 Subaru Impreza, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
How fast does it fail?
Cumulative share of the 11 mileage-bearing powertrain complaints filed against the 2008 Subaru Impreza by each odometer reading. Median failure: 70,000 mi.
10% have failed by25,000 mi
Half the fleet by70,000 mi
90% have failed by111,834 mi
Curve based on owner-reported odometer mileage at the time of complaint. Reflects when owners filed, not when symptoms first appeared. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve.
What stands out
Of the 15 model years of Subaru Impreza we track for powertrain problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 66.
Powertrain accounts for 32% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 9 categories tracked.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This Service Information bulletin announces a design change to the clutch release bearing used on the models as listed above. During assembly of the bearing, a different type of grease is used which has a higher resistance to heat. In cases where the operator
View on NHTSA →This Service Information bulletin announces a design change to the clutch release bearing used on the models as listed above. During assembly of the bearing, a different type of grease is used which has a higher resistance to heat. In cases where the operator
View on NHTSA →This Bulletin provides production change, repair procedure and parts information to address a customer concern of a high-pitched sound coming from the transmission extension housing area.
View on NHTSA →Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2008 Impreza has a critical design flaw: the clutch pedal bracket is secured to the firewall with only 3–6 spot welds that crack under normal use. Owners first hear creaking or squeaking when pressing the clutch, typically starting around 50,000 miles but sometimes sooner. The pedal bracket separates from the firewall, allowing visible flexing of the firewall itself and causing both clutch and brake pedals to move together—the clutch shifts left and forward up to 1/4 inch per depression. This breaks down the hydraulic seal, making the clutch unresponsive, dragging even when depressed, and difficult to disengage fully. As a result, gears grind and synchromesh wears prematurely; the clutch slips in higher gears and eventually fails completely, stranding the vehicle.
Owners report this defect occurs regardless of mileage, driving style, climate, or model variant (2.5i, WRX, STI). Repair requires rewelding or replacing the bracket—an expensive, labor-intensive job costing $900 to over $3,000, often paired with $1,600–$2,000 clutch and flywheel replacement. Subaru issued a technical service bulletin extending warranty to November 2015 for some vehicles, but many dealerships denied claims, demanded 50–50 cost-sharing, or claimed no knowledge of the defect despite widespread online documentation.
Same Subaru Impreza powertrain reports on nearby years: 2009
Failure modes owners describe
Firewall spot weld failure - clutch pedal bracket
The spot welds securing the clutch pedal bracket assembly to the forward firewall crack and fail, allowing the bracket to move and flex. Owners report seeing broken welds near the windshield wiper area and visible firewall flexing. The bracket typically has only 3-6 spot welds, and multiple reports indicate 2 or more are cracked. As welds fail, the pedal bracket separates from the firewall and can move up to 1/4 inch with each clutch depression.
When: Early manifestations at 50,000 miles; widespread reports between 55,000–137,000 miles. Some owners report noticing issues within months of purchase, others after 20,000 miles of ownership.
Symptoms owners cite: Loud creaking, squeaking, or popping noise when clutch pedal is depressed (especially in cold weather); Clutch and brake pedals move together and shift left or forward when clutch is engaged; Firewall visibly flexes inward when clutch pedal is pressed; Difficult or impossible to shift into reverse or first gear; Clutch becomes increasingly unresponsive or drags even when fully depressed; Clicking or grinding when shifting gears
Repairs/costs cited: Owners cite weld repair estimates ranging from $900 to $2,000; complete bracket replacement or firewall rewelding. Some dealerships have performed TSB-related bracket replacements. Labor-intensive repair (14+ hours reported). Multiple owners performed DIY spot-welding fixes. Part of dealerships' acknowledgment: weld replacement is required, not clutch service alone.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru of America extended clutch attachment warranty per TSB to November 2015 for some vehicles; some dealership denials citing out-of-warranty status or franchise autonomy. SOA initially denied knowledge of issue, then acknowledged it on some service calls but demanded 50% owner cost-share. Some dealers refused service; others provided free repair after owner escalation.
Clutch master and slave cylinder failures / leaks
Clutch hydraulic components fail or become unreliable due to misalignment caused by firewall weld failure. Master cylinder develops sponginess and requires repeated bleeding; slave cylinder becomes inoperative or moves abnormally when pedal is engaged. The firewall movement prevents proper cylinder alignment, leading to fluid loss and loss of hydraulic pressure.
When: Between 50,000–106,000 miles; often reported after extended use of degraded firewall condition.
Symptoms owners cite: Spongy brake and clutch pedal feel; Clutch pedal requires constant lubrication and bleeding; Loss of rod travel and reduced fluid volume in hydraulic system; Slave cylinder visibly moves out and upward when clutch pedal is pressed; Clutch becomes unresponsive despite component replacement
Repairs/costs cited: Slave cylinder replacement performed on at least one vehicle without resolving the underlying weld issue. Master cylinder replacement recommended after firewall stabilization. Repeated bleeding operations documented.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru TSB addressed clutch attachment components; however, dealerships often misdiagnosed the hydraulic cylinders as primary failures, charging owners for unnecessary clutch or cylinder replacement before acknowledging weld defect.
Clutch plate and flywheel wear / premature failure
Clutch assembly deteriorates prematurely due to firewall movement preventing proper disengagement. Synchromesh gears wear from grinding caused by imperfect clutch release. Clutch slipping occurs in higher gears despite relatively low mileage.
When: Between 28,000–106,000 miles; some occurring on nearly new vehicles after warranty replacement of unrelated components.
Symptoms owners cite: Clutch slips in third, fourth, and fifth gears; Grinding gears during normal shifting; Difficulty engaging gears at low speeds; lurching forward when starting in gear; Clutch dragging even when fully depressed; Stalling on upshifts after clutch replacement
Repairs/costs cited: Full clutch replacement cited as $1,600–$2,000; includes pressure plate, clutch plate, and flywheel. One owner's warranty claim for transmission replacement took 3 weeks; throwout bearing failure cited as non-warranty wear item at $1,700 cost despite possible dealer-induced failure.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: SOA requested pressure plate and clutch replacement on one vehicle while ignoring documented weld failure. Dealership service managers refused to acknowledge weld issue as root cause, instead blaming driver behavior or wear-and-tear. One case: warranty transmission replacement followed by clutch throwout bearing failure 6,000 miles later, denied as non-warranty wear.
Clutch throwout bearing failure
Throwout bearing seizes or wears prematurely. One owner reported complete bearing seizure with loud pop, disabling clutch assembly. Elevated load and abnormal pedal movement from firewall flex attributed to accelerated bearing wear.
When: Reported at 28,000 miles on relatively new vehicle; also at higher mileage with extended firewall degradation.
Symptoms owners cite: Loud squealing when clutch is depressed; Vehicle stalls repeatedly when shifting; Burning smell from clutch area; Throwout bearing seized; clutch becomes 100% inoperable
Repairs/costs cited: Full clutch assembly replacement required: throwout bearing, clutch plate, pressure plate, and flywheel. One case involved tow to dealership and covered under warranty after owner persistence; another case charged $1,700 out-of-pocket despite occurring 6,000 miles after dealer transmission work.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One case covered under warranty (including tow) after owner demonstrated experience with manual transmissions and pushed back on sexist dismissal by dealership. Dealership initially blamed driver error despite owner's 15-year manual transmission history.
Secondary air injection system valve failure (P1410)
Secondary air injection valve sticks open or closed, triggering check engine light and limp mode. Valve corrosion caused by exposure to humid, rainy, or snowy environments. Vehicle enters reduced power mode, disabling cruise control and forcing automatic downshift of transmission mode selector, creating unsafe driving condition.
When: Reported at higher mileage; owner in humid/rainy climate.
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illumination; Cruise control flashing and disabling unexpectedly; Differential mode selection (S) indicator flashing; Vehicle enters limp mode with reduced performance
Codes mentioned: P1410
Repairs/costs cited: Repair cost estimated $1,000+. Part replacement involves valve assembly in secondary air injection system.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No warranty coverage or recall initiated despite multiple forum reports of the same failure pattern. Owner reported Subaru choosing not to cover it under warranty.
Engine connecting rod failure / oil leak
Connecting rod bends, causing engine knock and oil loss. One owner reported this at 69,000 miles requiring engine replacement.
When: Reported at 69,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine tapping noise; Oil loss; Engine damage requiring full replacement
Repairs/costs cited: Engine replacement required; owner projected 50–75% reduction in vehicle resale value.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer assistance documented in narrative.
Head gasket leak
Head gasket leaks oil prematurely, with leak located near exhaust system. Owner notes this is a common issue until 2010 model year, when a revised gasket design was introduced.
When: Reported as occurring before typical 100,000+ mile wear expectations.
Symptoms owners cite: Oil leak near exhaust area; Premature gasket failure relative to vehicle age/mileage
Repairs/costs cited: Improved gasket design available but replacement reported as very expensive.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall issued; owner characterizes part as defective but no manufacturer action documented.
Synthesized from 66 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 12 most recent
The clutch bracket on the firewall has only 4 small tack welds from the factory. This bracket takes all the force of your leg pushing in the clutch every time you change a gear. It appears to be very common on the Subaru wrx sti for these small tacks to break away from the firewall and cause accelerated clutch wear and eventually clutch failure. My clutch failed and the dealer is now telling me…
I own a 2008 Subaru impreza wrx with a stock clutch. For approximately 2 years I have been hearing creaking and/or clicking noises when engaging the clutch pedal. In april of 2013 chatham Subaru in ga replaced my clutch due to the metal clutch fork wearing through at the pivot point within the bell-housing. They also noted a very hard clutch pedal and spongy brakes before the repair. They…
The firewall is flexing under clutch pedal movement or braking. Upon research I have found numerous claims by 08/09 impreza owners of soft welds on the firewall cracking and causing the firewall to flex under operation of the brakes or clutch. Further failure of the welds could cause serious accident if braking or clutch operation is further degraded. Subaru of america denies that there are…
The fire wall is cracked and the welds are broken which is causing my clutch to not disengage properly and the clutch pedal to not function correctly. *tr
Welds on bracket that holds clutch and brake pedal to firewall failing. Causing clutch pedal inconsistency along with brake pedal movement upon clutch pedal depression. *tr
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Subaru impreza wrx. The contact stated that when shifting gears, a crackling noise was present. The vehicle was taken to a dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact notified the manufacturer and no solution was offered. The failure mileage was 70,000.
For at least 20,000 miles now (I'm at 55,000) I have had a very stiff clutch pedal and terrible squeak with every depression of the clutch. My clutch is slipping in 3rd, 4th and 5th. This was reported and diagnosed under warranty around 30,000 miles by the pembroke pines Subaru dealership. Subaru of america requested that the pressure plate and possibly the clutch be replaced (ignoring my…
Cpsc:i1490369a. 2008 Subaru impreza. Consumer stated the welds that hold the clutch bracket to the firewall failed, causing creaking, popping and increased pressure to fully depress the clutch pedal. *ln
Since I have purchased this vehicle brand new with only 85 miles on it. I have been having issues with the clutch being extra tight, and after a month or 2 the clutch kept making a squeaking noise. I have sent it to Subaru many times and they have always stated that the clutch is fine and they did not hear anything. I would like something to be done...it has cost me over 5,000.00 to try and…
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Subaru impreza. While driving 50 MPH, the contact depressed the brake pedal and the stopping distance was increased. In addition, the clutch became inoperable. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The technician diagnosed that the bracket that holds the clutch and brake assembly needed to be re-welded. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2008 Subaru Impreza?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2008 Subaru Impreza?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 66 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 60 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 45,000 and 92,000 miles, with the median around 65,453. A quarter of owners report trouble before 45,000; a quarter make it past 92,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2008/Subaru/Impreza.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.