The 2008 Subaru Impreza has 12 recalls, the most serious being a passenger-side front airbag inflator that can rupture and send metal fragments into the cabin, posing a risk of serious injury or death.
Multiple recalls cover this same airbag inflator defect, and prior repair attempts did not fully resolve the issue across all affected vehicles. On the electrical side, turbocharged models have a relay that can fail and cause the secondary air injection pump to run continuously, overheat, and melt, raising the risk of an engine fire. There is also a concern with replacement ignition switches on certain vehicles: a small spring inside the switch can break, causing the engine to shut off unexpectedly while driving and preventing the airbags from deploying in a crash that follows. Two additional chassis and lighting issues round out the list: corrosion can perforate the center and rear brake lines, causing brake fluid to leak and extending stopping distances, and a brake light switch can fail to illuminate the brake lights, leaving drivers behind the vehicle without warning that it is slowing.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode due to propellant breakdown from exposure to high humidity, temperature changes, and heat over time.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
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At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may explode due to propellant breakdown caused by long-term exposure to humidity, heat, and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger air bag inflator may explode due to propellant breakdown caused by prolonged exposure to high humidity, heat, and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator with a different design at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The ball spring inside the ignition switch may break, weakening it. Key ring weight or road conditions could then shift the switch from run to accessory position, shutting off the engine.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the ignition switch and replace it if needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Contaminants can damage the brake light switch, stopping brake lights from working and preventing some vehicles from starting or shifting out of Park.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the brake light switch at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator can rupture during a crash due to propellant degradation from long-term exposure to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger air bag inflator may rupture during a crash due to propellant breakdown from long-term exposure to humidity and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator can rupture during a crash due to propellant breakdown from long-term exposure to humidity and temperature changes in these cold-weather states.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The relay controlling the secondary air injection pump may fail, causing the pump to run continuously and overheat.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the secondary air injection pump relay at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may rupture during a crash because the explosive propellant degrades after prolonged exposure to heat and humidity in certain regions.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger front air bag inflator may rupture during a crash because the propellant degrades after exposure to humidity and temperature changes over time.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflator at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Brake lines in the center and rear of the vehicle can develop holes from corrosion, causing brake fluid to leak and reducing braking power.
What the fix does
Your dealer will inspect the brake lines and joints, then either coat them with anti-corrosion protection or replace them if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
