9.0

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
$300
Average Mileage:
86,650 miles
Total Complaints:
2 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. replace motor (1 reports)
  2. replace oil presurre switches (1 reports)
2008 Subaru Impreza engine problems

engine problem

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2008 Subaru Impreza Owner Comments

problem #2

May 092019

Impreza 2.5L 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 112,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

As I was getting on the highway to head to work, I noticed that my Impreza that I had just bought used, seemed to be having some trouble getting up to speed. As soon as I noticed this, I backed off of the throttle and put my hazards on. About half a mile down the highway, the check engine light, traction control off light, oil light, high and low temp lights, battery lights, and a blinking cruise control lights all came on, it felt like something suddenly broke, and the engine started knocking and sputtering. I pulled over and the engine died. For a little bit, I couldn't even get the car to turn over, but after awhile, I was able to turn it on. However, it would make HORRIBLE knocking sound, the whole car would shake, and the engine would die. I dropped the car back off at the dealer I bought it from due to the fact that it has a warranty on it. My dad was able to drive it up onto and off of the trailer we used to tow it, but that horrible sound was still there. I'll update with the solution and true problem when I know.

Update from May 25, 2019: The mechanic never figured out what the exact issue was, however, in addition to the other issues I mentioned, he said that the oil was half gone (he had just changed it before selling the car to me 3 days before). He ended up replacing the entire motor, redoing the head, and changing the timing belt on the new motor.

- Ian T., Montrose, PA, US

problem #1

Jun 292015

Impreza 2.5I 2.5L

  • Manual transmission
  • 61,287 miles

Driving to work to on the highway and suddenly the car stutters and I notice that my engine light and traction control light are on and the cruise light is blinking. The car could not go past 4000 rpm and even accelerating from a traffic light it was hesitating a bit. I took it to Subaru and they advised me that my oil pressure switch was leaking oil and had to be replaced and in doing so I had to do a oil change (replace the filter).

At this point I was fed up with this car I asked to speak with the service manager and told him of the problems I had with the car, clutch release bearing, my front shocks going not to mention the right going twice within six months my lower control arm and bushing, the rack and pinion and now this plus I know I have to replace my head gasket that is leaking for the past 10,000km or so. He asked if I replace my oil on the required maintenance schedule I told him I replace it every 5000km he asked if I replace it every 3 months I told him no (I do about 5000 km every 6 months or so) I doubt the oil would go bad the next three months but he told me I should do it every 3 months. Basically he didn't care to help me or advice me how I can complain to Subaru about all of these problems.

Anyways I got my car back and as soon as I start the car the rpm goes up to the usual spot then drops to about 300 rpm the car almost stalls I shut off the car and restarted it three times and all three times it did the same thing. I got the mechanic who work on it to look at the car he advised that he forgot to relearn the idol, he was turning the steering wheel and told me that the fan would have to come on. He told me if the problem persists to come back I drove the car home it didn't go away.

The next day as I was driving back to Subaru the car stalled on me twice as I would press the clutch to come to a traffic light not having any steering (really safe). The "certified" technician had to relearn the car with the computer apparently as per the service manager. When I got home I call Subaru Canada for the Service Department to tell them about my lemon of a car and to see if there is anything they can do, the man asked me if I have always taken the car to Subaru for the scheduled maintenance and I told him up until my warranty expired after that I took it to my mechanic.

He advised me that I had to have had a "certified Subaru technician" work on my car all this time for them to even consider looking into complaint. Meanwhile my passenger skirt that was supposedly "fixed" by a "certified Subaru technician" was starting to come off with in a year when I took it in and now with this incident it was another "certified Subaru technician" that worked on the oil switch and didn't relearn the car properly he was trying to do it physically meanwhile apparently you need the computer to relearn the idol. Certify my ASS!!!!

- dhenriques, Toronto, ON, Canada

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