Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Subaru WRX owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The welds supporting the clutch pedal and brake pedal assembly have broken. The result is a prominent squeaking sound and a noticeable lateral movement of the pedal assembly to the left. This is a reoccurring issue as it had previously been addressed and repaired back in June of 2014. At the time Subaru of America agreed to pay for half of the repairs as the vehicle was outside of warranty coverage. The new issue are from broken welds in another area that was not inspected or did not appear to need repair at the time. Mileage at time of repair was 74,839, current mileage is 84,420 (3/16/2015). However, further research on this issue indicate that it is a widespread issue that has affected many other Subaru impreza owners with model years 2008 through 20012. This is not the result of owner neglect, misuse, or improper maintenance. …
The welds that attach the brake and clutch peddle to the vehicle brake and allow the whole peddle assembly to move. Because of this, braking efficiency and drive gear engagement become compromised. In the event that a hard stop is needed, the whole assembly could brake and keep the driver from being able to stop. This issue is a huge hazard! This is not a convenience issue, this is a life and safety issue to not only the occupants of the Subaru but everyone on the road! I have contacted soa, and they informed me that I would have to take care of the repair myself. This repair is not just some nuts and bolts coming loose or something like that. This is a huge repair that is structural to the vehicle. At costs of well into the thousands! Soa knows of the issue and refuses to do anything about it! …
Creaking clutch pedal really is the firewall pedal mounting bracket that is factory spot welded onto the drivers side dash section of the firewall under the dash board has its weak factory spot welds broken. I had replaced the clutch on my car as it was weak and thought replacing it would make the creaking sound go away. Replacing the clutch made the squeaking noise louder and now my brake pedal moves right into the path of the clutch when it is pressed and back to its place when depressed. This is a safety concern as I am a father and cannot guarantee this car is safe to drive at all. I spent $1,200 on the installation as I provided the parts to the Subaru dealer. After receiving my car back, the car became inoperable as the clutch is difficult to engage safely into any gear. …
The part of the steel body under the dash that supports the clutch pedal shaft assembly fractures into two pieces due to flex forces over time. This results in the clutch master cylinder flexing at its mounting point on the firewall when clutch pedal is depressed. Severed squeaking and noise is heard every time the clutch is depressed as a result. Welding is not feasible as it is located un the dash (above the accelerator pedal) and would cause fire around flammable materials. This can be seen on youtube videos submitted by Subaru WRX owners and affects 2008-2014 WRX impreza vehicles. Should firewall fracture due to this flex over time, ability to disengage the clutch by pressing the pedal would result and present a very high probability of crash or accident as a lack of vehicle control and ability to stop vehicle. For one video of this, see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zr6umgz5utc.
The clutch pedal on my 2009 WRX makes a loud creaking noise every time it's depressed. When I investigated the noise, I noticed that the entire clutch pedal bracket assembly (attached to the forward firewall) shifts approx 1/4 inch every time the clutch pedal is depressed. I found that the three spot welds securing the clutch pedal bracket to the forward firewall were broken. From the outside of the firewall, just under the windshield wipers, I saw the spot welds pulling away from the firewall every time the clutch pedal was depressed. This allows the entire clutch pedal bracket assembly to move, causing the creaking noise. If the bracket completely separates from the firewall, the clutch May become completely inoperative - especially dangerous while driving. I eventually fixed it myself with a custom made brace and some bolts. Updated 12/21/2015
Firewall spot welds have failed, causing significant lateral play in the clutch pedal. I have had some significant trouble trying to get it into gear. So I have had trouble shifting gears while at highway speeds and have had trouble getting it in reverse in order to pull out of a parking spot. The brake pedal is next in-line to be affected by the sheet metal tear. I keep hearing that this problem is not covered under any recall. Nor is it a warranty item at this year and mileage (105,000). This is a very significant issue and will cost a great deal (over $1000) to fix. This being a weld issue and not a wear issue makes me think that the factory ought to cover this safety issue. This has been happening for the last year and a half. But I have only recently discovered the true extent of the problem.
I had an issue previously with the welds for the clutch pedal assembly cracking on the firewall. It got so bad that the whole pedal assembly with the brake and gas pedal shifted left every time I depressed the clutch. It eventually caused the clutch to not disengage entirely and burn out. Subaru of America fixed the problem by sending it to a body shop to re-weld the pedal assembly to the firewall but now, just a few years later, the pedal is squeaking again just like it did last time the welds broke. I haven't taken it in yet but it is an unmistakable sound.
There are 3 weld spots on my firewall that are snapped. Because of this I constantly hear snapping sounds and my break pedal moves when the clutch is depressed. This was a recall on the car but Subaru of America says that I cant get it fixed under warranty. I bought the car used from a Subaru dealership in ramsey nj pre-owned certified and this problem should have been fixed before I purchased the car. Ive had the car for about 6 months or so. The sound is driving me crazy and the cracks are getting worse.
Clutch started making a creaking noise when pressing in and out. Shifting gears has also become more difficult like the clutch isn't fully engaging and disengaging. I also noticed the whole assembly shifts (clutch and brake pedals) when pressing down on the clutch. Turns out the spot welds on the bracket that hold the assembly are completely broken, causing flex to the clutch and brake assembly. If that bracket rips off, could lose braking power. This is unsafe and needs to be recalled.
A couple years ago my clutch started to creak. I asked the local Subaru dealer to check it when I took it in for a scheduled oil change. I got told they couldn't find a problem. So I thought nothing of it. I just took it back to the dealer and got told the spot welds on the firewall. Subaru offered to fix the welds but I have to pay for a new clutch assembly. If the welds totally fail this could become a serious safety issue as it will affect the brake motion also.
Body complaints in other WRX years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 2008 Subaru WRX?
NHTSA has 26 complaints about the body & structure of the 2008 Subaru WRX, 40% of the model year's 65 complaints. The component named most often is body (25 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Subaru WRX body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for the 2008 Subaru WRX, though it has 7 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2008 Subaru WRX body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 84,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.