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 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! …
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
The clutch pedal on my 2008 WRX makes a squeaking noise every time it's engaged. When I investigated the noise, I noticed that the clutch pedal bracket assembly (forward firewall) shifts approx 1/4 inch every time the clutch pedal is engaged. I found that the three spot welds holding the clutch pedal bracket to the forward firewall were broken. From the outside of the firewall, just under the windshield wipers, the spot welds are separating away from the firewall every time the clutch pedal is engaged. This allows the entire clutch pedal bracket assembly to move,making that squeaking noise. If the bracket completely separates from the firewall, the clutch will not work. This is super super dangerous while driving.
I bought this vehicle used from a dealership in January of 2015 with over 100,000 miles on the odometer. After a few months of driving it I began to hear a click every time I depressed the clutch pedal. I looked into the issue to see if it was a common problem and if there was an easy fix to it. Turns out six of the seven spot welds that hold my clutch and brake assembly to the firewall were cracked. There is a recall for this issue already but they wont service vehicles past 40,000 miles.this does not help me seeing as the car is far past 40,000. Not only is this a safety issue but it is also causing other parts of the car to prematurely wear out such as the clutch and the release bearing. I need help.
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.
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.
Basically the welds on the clutch assembly broke loose and has caused damaged to the clutch and brakes. Subaru did try to fix this but is failing again and believe there is a safety issue. When this failed the clutch and brake move about 1.5" when depressed.I am part of a class action law suite and need your help before someone losses a life. [redacted]
While driving the vehicle I noticed while depressing my brakes or clutch, I would hear a "popping sound." also I noticed the clutch pedal and the brake pedal would move towards the left together (oppose to just up and down) when depressing the clutch pedal. It seems like the whole firewall where the clutch and brake pedals are attached too is moving when depressed. This happens all the time now when clutch pedal is depressed.
Brake/clutch bracket weld failure. Brake/clutch pedal assembly is lose. 3 of the 5 spotwelds holding the brake/clutch assembly have failed. This causes the brakes to feel mushy and the clutch difficult to depress and difficult to engage and disengage the clutch. The brakes May fail if the other two welds brake.
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Impreza, 2008-2014 WRX and STI, and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, currently, or formerly, registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York,…
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will apply an anti-corrosion wax to the four-way joint connector area of the brake line system, free of charge. The recall began on January 27, 2015.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Outback and Legacy, 2008-2011 Impreza and 2008-2014 Impreza WRX/STI, and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, currently, or formerly, registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New…
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will test the brake system by depressing the brake pedal and inspecting for brake fluid leaks.
Brake complaints in other WRX years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2008 Subaru WRX?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the brakes of the 2008 Subaru WRX, 38% of the model year's 65 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2008 Subaru WRX brake problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 14V-830 (service brakes, hydraulic, Dec 31, 2014); NHTSA recall 14V-311 (hoses, lines/piping, and fittings, Jun 10, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2008 Subaru WRX brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 85,000 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.