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 TH…
2008 subaru Impreza powertrain problems
moderate 66 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500
Complaints
66
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$2,500
What owners are reporting 12 most recent
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 REPL…
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 CLAIMS…
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 S…
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 FI…
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 FAI…
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?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
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.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. 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.
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