RecallPlainVehicle recalls, explained in plain English

2008 Subaru Wrx Sti recalls & complaints

2 recalls on file (2 high risk). Normal for this age of vehicle — just make sure they're done.
2recalls
2high risk
0stop-driving
3complaints

Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.

2 safety recalls, most serious first

High risk Campaign 14V311000 · announced 10/06/2014 (12 years ago)

1. Brakes

What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. 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 Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia…

What could happen: Brake line corrosion may result in brake fluid leakage. Fluid leakage may result in longer distances being required to slow or stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will test the brake system by depressing the brake pedal and inspecting for brake fluid leaks. If no brake fluid seepage is observed, the affected areas will be rustproofed with anti-corrosion wax. If brake fluid seepage is observed, the brake lines will be replaced followed by…

What to do

  1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2008 WRX STI.
  2. Book a repair at any authorized Subaru dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 14V311000.
  3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
  4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-782-2783.
  5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA

Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Summary: 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 Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. Salt water could splash on the brake lines through a gap in the fuel tank protector, resulting in excessive corrosion of the brake lines. Note that affected vehicles not currently, or formerly registered, in the salt belt states identified above are eligible for repair, at no cost to the customer, upon request.
Consequence: Brake line corrosion may result in brake fluid leakage. Fluid leakage may result in longer distances being required to slow or stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will test the brake system by depressing the brake pedal and inspecting for brake fluid leaks. If no brake fluid seepage is observed, the affected areas will be rustproofed with anti-corrosion wax. If brake fluid seepage is observed, the brake lines will be replaced followed by rustproofing with anti-corrosion wax. These services will be performed free of charge. The recall began July 2014 and second notifications will run through November 2014. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's recall campaign number is WQK-47. Note: This recall supersedes recall 13V-110 which applied to certain 2005-2009 Legacy/Outback vehicles. Vehicles that were remedied under the previous campaign still need additional areas rust-proofed.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

High risk Campaign 14V830000 · announced 31/12/2014 (10 years ago)

2. Brakes

What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. 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, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Colum…

What could happen: Brake fluid may leak due to the brake line corrosion and may result in longer distances being required to slow or stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: 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. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQQ-52. Notes: This recall is…

What to do

  1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2008 WRX STI.
  2. Book a repair at any authorized Subaru dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 14V830000 (manufacturer code WQQ-52).
  3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
  4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-782-2783.
  5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA

Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Summary: 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, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia that were remedied under recall 14V-311 prior to December 23, 2014. The brake lines may experience brake line corrosion due to salt water splashing on the brake lines through a gap in the fuel tank protector.
Consequence: Brake fluid may leak due to the brake line corrosion and may result in longer distances being required to slow or stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQQ-52. Notes: This recall is specific to affected Forester, Impreza, WRX, and STI customers who had their car remedied under NHTSA recall no. 14V-311 prior to December 23, 2014. Subaru has determined that this remedy was inadequate due to incomplete repair instructions provided to dealers. Affected Forester, Impreza, WRX, and STI vehicles that were not repaired under NHTSA recall no. 14V-311 prior to December 23, 2014 will continue to be processed under NHTSA recall no. 14V-311. Affected vehicles not currently, or formerly, registered in the salt belt states identified in this recall are eligible for repair, at no cost to the customer, upon request.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Useful for owners

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Owner complaints filed with NHTSA

3complaints
0crashes
0fires
0injuries
0deaths

Most complained-about parts: Unknown Or Other (2), Transmission / drivetrain (1), Body / structure (1), Brakes (1).

Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.

Read recent complaints (3)

02/24/2017 · Unknown Or Other
SECONDARY AIR VALVE, RELAY, AND PUMP. THERE IS A RECALL ON THE SECONDARY AIR VALVE RELAY. THE RELAY INITIATES THE PUMP WHICH CAUSES THE VALVE TO OPEN AND CLOSE. AFTER THE RECAL WAS PERFORMED THE SECONDARY AIR VALVE NO LONGER FUNCTIONED PROPERLY AND WAS TOLD BY SUBARU MUST BE REPLACED AT OWNERS EXPENSE. THE COST OF THE FIX IS AROUND N $1500. THE VALVE M…

02/10/2016 · Unknown Or Other
FIREWALL FLEXES AFTER REPEATED USE OF CLUTCH, BREAKING SPOT WELDS ON FIREWALL AND RENDERING CLUTCH USELESS. IMPOSSIBLE TO SHIFT GEARS WHEN THIS HAPPENS, AND IF IN GEAR, CAR WILL NOT STOP. TERRIBLE BURNING SMELL WHEN BRAKES ARE ENGAGED. INCIDENT OCCURRED IN UNDERGROUND PARKING LOT WHILE EXITING PARKING SPACE FROM PARKED POSITION. TEMPORARY REPAIR COST IS ROU…

10/04/2015 · Transmission / drivetrain
THE BRAKE PEDAL BRACKET HAS BROKEN ALMOST COMPLETELY IN HALF. IF DRIVING WAS TO BE CONTINUED, THE BRAKES WOULD FAIL TO OPERATE. THIS HAPPENS AFTER REPEATED USE OF THE CLUTCH.

Compare

2005 Wrx Sti2006 Wrx Sti2007 Wrx Sti2009 Wrx Sti2010 Wrx Sti2011 Wrx Sti2008 Impreza2008 Legacy2008 Outback2008 Forester2008 Tribeca2008 Wrx