Subaru Impreza 2008–2011
3rd generation (GE/GH/GR/GV)
NHTSA data through 12 August 2026533 complaints, 393 with mileageMethod
On this generation, failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 26,900 and 85,000 miles.
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 1 complaints (0.3%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 4,100
- 25%
- 26,900
- Median
- 58,000
- 75%
- 85,000
- 90%
- 113,300
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–10,000 | 53 | 13.5% |
| 10,000–20,000 | 30 | 7.6% |
| 20,000–30,000 | 25 | 6.4% |
| 30,000–40,000 | 31 | 7.9% |
| 40,000–50,000 | 34 | 8.7% |
| 50,000–60,000 | 33 | 8.4% |
| 60,000–70,000 | 41 | 10.4% |
| 70,000–80,000 | 32 | 8.1% |
| 80,000–90,000 | 24 | 6.1% |
| 90,000–100,000 | 28 | 7.1% |
| 100,000–110,000 | 13 | 3.3% |
| 110,000–120,000 | 19 | 4.8% |
| 120,000–130,000 | 5 | 1.3% |
| 130,000–140,000 | 8 | 2.0% |
| 140,000–150,000 | 5 | 1.3% |
| 150,000–160,000 | 7 | 1.8% |
| 160,000–170,000 | 2 | 0.5% |
| 170,000–180,000 | 1 | 0.3% |
| 180,000–190,000 | 1 | 0.3% |
| 200,000+ | 1 | 0.3% |
What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.
Owners filed 533 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008–2011 Subaru Impreza, and 393 of them record the mileage at which the failure happened. That is enough to show not just what fails, but when.
Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 26,900 and 85,000 miles. The median is 58,000 miles.
The most-reported areas are the transmission and driveline (18.9% of complaints, typically around 62,000 miles), the airbag system (14.3% of complaints, typically around 8,000 miles), body structure (9.2% of complaints, typically around 64,000 miles).
19 recall campaigns cover this generation.
What fails, and when
- Transmission and driveline62,000median 62,000 miles, middle half 42,000 to 85,000
- Airbag system8,000median 8,000 miles, middle half 200 to 60,000
- Body structure64,000median 64,500 miles, middle half 51,000 to 101,000
- Brakes70,000median 70,000 miles, middle half 40,000 to 102,000
- Engine73,000median 73,000 miles, middle half 48,000 to 98,000
- Visibility equipment19,000median 19,000 miles, middle half 4,000 to 36,000
- Electrical system60,000median 60,000 miles, middle half 38,000 to 97,000
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and driveline | 101 | 18.9% | 62,000 | 42,000–85,000 |
| Airbag system | 76 | 14.3% | 8,000 | 200–60,000 |
| Body structure | 49 | 9.2% | 64,000 | 51,000–101,000 |
| Brakes | 38 | 7.1% | 70,000 | 40,000–102,000 |
| Engine | 36 | 6.8% | 73,000 | 48,000–98,000 |
| Visibility equipment | 33 | 6.2% | 19,000 | 4,000–36,000 |
| Electrical system | 30 | 5.6% | 60,000 | 38,000–97,000 |
| Engine and its cooling system | 28 | 5.3% | 14,000 | 6,000–26,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 26 | 4.9% | 91,000 | 50,000–113,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 22 | 4.1% | 44,000 | 20,000–69,000 |
Which systems, and when
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 58,000 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
The transmission and driveline accounts for 18.9% of complaints (101 reports, 91 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 62,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 42,100 and 85,000 miles.
The airbag system accounts for 14.3% of complaints (76 reports, 27 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails early — a median of 8,000 miles, well before the vehicle's overall median. Failures clustered this far below the rest of the car usually point to a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear, because wear does not selectively target one system on low-mileage examples. The middle half of these reports falls between 200 and 60,000 miles.
Body structure accounts for 9.2% of complaints (49 reports, 44 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 64,500 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 51,000 and 101,000 miles.
The brakes account for 7.1% of complaints (38 reports, 32 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 70,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 40,000 and 102,000 miles.
The engine accounts for 6.8% of complaints (36 reports, 31 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 73,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 48,500 and 98,000 miles.
Visibility equipment accounts for 6.2% of complaints (33 reports, 24 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails early — a median of 19,000 miles, well before the vehicle's overall median. Failures clustered this far below the rest of the car usually point to a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear, because wear does not selectively target one system on low-mileage examples. The middle half of these reports falls between 4,100 and 36,000 miles.
Differences between model years
Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2008 model year drew the most — 249 complaints — while 2010 drew the fewest at 60. The median year sits at 112.
That makes 2008 an outlier: roughly 2.2 times the median year of this generation. A single year standing that far apart usually reflects either a first-year issue that was later corrected, or a component change introduced for that year. Anyone shopping this generation has a straightforward reason to prefer a different year, all else being equal.
Recalls and what they cover
NHTSA records 19 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
The campaigns cluster around the airbag system (14), the electrical system (2), the hydraulic brake circuit (2). Repeated recalls against the same area of the car generally mean the first remedy did not fully resolve the underlying problem.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Reported severity
Of the 533 complaints filed against this generation, 26 reported a crash; 15 reported a fire; 25 reported an injury. Crash-involved reports represent 4.9% of the total.
These are owner-reported outcomes, not verified investigations, and they are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. They are included because the distinction between a fault that strands a car and a fault that causes a collision is the one that matters most, and it is not visible in a complaint count alone.
What this means if you are buying one
For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 26,900 and 85,000 miles, with a median of 58,000. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.
On inspection, the transmission and driveline and the airbag system are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The airbag system in particular shows a median failure mileage of 8,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
Documented problems
Head Gaskets (ej253) 2008–2011
Head gasket seepage remains a reported wear item on the naturally aspirated EJ 2.5L in the early years of this generation.
By model year
| Year | Complaints | With mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 249 | 190 |
| 2009 | 149 | 113 |
| 2010 | 60 | 42 |
| 2011 | 75 | 48 |
Recalls (19)
| Campaign | Date | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 20V003000 | 2020-01-07 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module |
| 20V002000 | 2020-01-07 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module |
| 20V001000 | 2020-01-07 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module |
| 19V297000 | 2019-05-10 | Electrical System:ignition:switch |
| 19V149000 | 2019-04-15 | Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch |
| 19V009000 | 2019-01-25 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module |
| 19V008000 | 2019-01-25 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module |
| 19V007000 | 2019-01-25 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module |
| 18V014000 | 2018-02-09 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module |
| 18V013000 | 2018-02-09 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module |
| 18V012000 | 2018-02-09 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module |
| 17V016000 | 2017-03-08 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module |
| 17V026000 | 2017-03-06 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module |
| 17V014000 | 2017-03-06 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module |
| 16V738000 | 2016-12-16 | Electrical System |
| 16V359000 | 2016-08-24 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module |
| 16V358000 | 2016-07-22 | Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module |
| 14V830000 | 2015-01-27 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic |
| 14V311000 | 2014-07-23 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings |
What owners reported
Ever since i purchased my vehicle (new), there has been a terrible film on the windshield and interior windows. Sometimes it is so bad, it is almost impossible to see out of the windows (especially with light reflections and sunsets, etc.). My dealer has informed me that it has had many similar complaints. I have…
2008 · Visibility equipment
Passenger air bag light goes on and off. My wife weights 120 and it some time goes on and stays on then the next minute it goes off. I have had the dealer address this issue twice now and same response. "Don't worry it will deploy regardless if the light goes on or off". Honestly can't believe that. They also said…
2008 · 15 miles · Airbag system
Passenger airbag failures in 2008 Subaru Impreza outback sport: i purchased a 2008 Subaru Impreza outback sport one month ago, 4/17/08. I realized a few days after owning the car that the passenger airbag is only activated by passengers over 130 pounds. I am 49 years old, 5'4" and weigh 125#. The airbag is off…
2008 · 126 miles · Airbag system
Front wheel shimmy that increases stopping distance and effects handling. Shimmy comes and goes in intensity but is always present. Shimmy causes the wheel and rotor to shake which prevents the brake pads from stopping the vehicle as intended. This problem caused me to run a stop sign and almost get broadsided by…
2008 · 170 miles · Hydraulic brake circuit
Built from 393 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-08-12 · open data · reproduce this page