2008 Subaru Impreza complaints

IMMEDIATELY AFTER PURCHASING A NEW 08 SUBARU IMPREZA, I NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG ON/OFF WARNING LIGHT WILL INTERMITTENTLY SWITCH BACK AND FORTH FROM ON TO OFF WHEN A PERSON 5'11' AND 160 LB WAS SITTING ON THE PASSENGER SEAT. I WENT TO THE DEALER AND THEY RECALIBRATED THE CUSHION SEAT WEIGHT SENSOR. THIS DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. I WENT BACK AND, ACCORDING TO THE DEALER, FOLLOWING SUBARU'S INSTRUCTIONS, THEY REPLACED THE SEAT CUSHION (INCLUDING ALL THE SENSORS IN IT). THIS AGAIN DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER MAINTENANCE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT THE WEIGHT SENSORS ARE VERY SENSITIVE AND ALL THE IMPREZAS EXHIBIT THIS (DON'T KNOW WHY THEY WOULD REPLACE THE SEAT CUSHION IF THEY ALL EXHIBIT THIS). I REQUESTED TO MEET THE REGIONAL SERVICE MANAGER, WHICH HAS NOT HAPPENED YET. THIS IS A SEVERE SAFETY FAILURE WITH POTENTIAL CATASTROPHIC CONSEQUENCES. MY VEHICLE HAS NOW LESS THAN 3,000 MILES. *TR UPDATED 10/03/08 *BF

THE FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF LIGHT TURNS ON AND OFF RANDOMLY WHEN MY WIFE IS IN THE SEAT....SHE IS 5FT 2IN AND 119LBS. OFTEN AS WE ARE TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD WITH HER IN THE FRONT SEAT THE AIRBAG IS OFF. THIS FAILURE OCCURS FREQUENTLY AND DESPITE THE FACT THAT SHE IS RESTRAINED AND SEATED AS OUTLINED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL. AFTER MULTIPLE DISCUSSIONS WITH THE DEALER AND SUBARU CUSTOMER SERVICE WE ARE ADVISED THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO AS THE CAR IS DESIGNED THIS WAY. FOR OUR PURPOSES THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT CONSISTENTLY PROVIDE THE SAFETY BENEFITS OF A FRONT IMPACT AIRBAG.....IS THE MANUFACTURER NOT RESPONSIBLE TO REMEDY THIS? *TR

I OWN A 2008 SUBARU IMPREZA STI WHICH I PURCHASED IN FEB. OF 08'. 2 MONTHS AGO THE CAR WENT INTO LIMP MODE WHEN I WAS DRIVING HOME. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT CHECKED AND THEY SAID IT ONLY HAD 1 1/2 QUARTS OF OIL IN IT. I HAD CHECKED THE OIL THE PREVIOUS WEEK AND IT HAD SHOWN FULL. THEY REQUESTED THAT I GIVE THEM RECORD OF MY PREVIOUS OIL CHANGE SO I DID. UNFORTUNATELY, IT DID NOT HAVE MILEAGE DOCUMENTED BECAUSE IT WAS A SMALL SHOP THAT DID IT FOR ME. THEY REFUSED MY CLAIM ON THE GROUNDS THAT I DID NOT MAINTAIN THE CAR. THEY THEN SENT ME A RE-CALL FORM IN WHICH IT STATED THAT THE ECU WAS CAUSING THE CAR TO RUN DANGEROUSLY LEAN AND WAS CAUSING RING FAILURES. I TOLD MY LAWYER ABOUT THIS AND SENT HIM A COPY OF THE LETTER. WHEN HE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP, THEY TOLD HIM THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO MAKE ANY REPAIRS NECESSARY AND THAT IT WAS MY ISSUE. *TR

THE PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG IN MY 2008 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX STI DOES NOT TURN ON WHEN A PASSENGER SITS IN THE SEAT. *TR

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 (SHERMAN OAKS SUBARU" THAT THEY HAVE ADDRESSED THE PROBLEM TO SUBARU AND THEY SAID ITS A LIGHT ISSUE AND DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT. THAT IS NOT A GOOD ANSWER SINCE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. PLUS THEY SAY THEY CAN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. IN THE IWSTI CHAT ROOM THEIR ARE ABOUT 10 COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM FOR THE 2008 SUBARU WRX STI. THIS NEEDS TO GET ADDRESSED! *TR

SENSOR FOR PASSENGER AIRBAG WILL NOT KEEP THE AIRBAG ARMED AT ALL TIMES. PASSENGER WEIGHS 110 POUNDS. *TR

PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG GOES ON AND OFF, WHEN MY 18 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER SITS IN SEAT! SHE'S 5'2" 130LBS. TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY HAD HER RIDE IN TWO IMPREZA'S OFF THE LOT AND THEY ALL DID IT! *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU IMPREZA. WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, A DRUNK DRIVER STRUCK THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE HEAD ON TOWARDS THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. THE DRUNK DRIVER WAS TRAVELING 55 MPH AT THE TIME OF IMPACT. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED A LARGE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY LOCATED AT A SHOP BEING REPAIRED. THE DRIVER AND ONE ADULT PASSENGER WERE BOTH AIRLIFTED TO THE HOSPITAL; HOWEVER, THE INJURIES WERE NON CRITICAL. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 15,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATES TO THE ON POSITION INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO A DEALER TWICE, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT IDENTIFIED. THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE RELATING TO THIS FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 5,500 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU IMPREZA. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 5-10 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE ENGINE REVVED UP TO 2,500 RPM'S. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SOON AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES FOR THIS FAILURE. IT HAS SINCE IMPROVED, BUT THE ENGINE STILL REVS FROM 1,500 TO 2,000 RPM'S. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED THAT THE FAILURE WILL WORSEN IN THE WINTER. SHE FILED CASE NUMBER [XXX] WITH SUBARU. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,107 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 400. UPDATED 07/17/08 INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

PAINT ON CAR EASILY DULLED BY NORMAL WASHING. LOTS OF SWIRL MARKS AND STREAKS. *TR

POOR PAINT DURABILITY. FINISH APPEARS TO BE EASILY DAMAGED BY "NORMAL" ROAD "DUST". *TR

PAINT CHIPPED OFF WHILE WASHING. *TR

2008 SUBARU IMPREZA WITH BAD AIRBAG PROTECTION ON PASSENGER SIDE. PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR SPORADICALLY GOES ON AND OFF WHEN HIS WIFE IS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. HE STATES IT ISN'T SAFE FOR ADULTS THAT MAY WEIGH 125 POUNDS. *KB

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 ANYTIME I AM IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, NO MATTER HOW I SIT IN THE SEAT. SAME RESULT (OFF) HAPPENS WITH MY 16 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WHO IS 120# AND A COUPLE OF HER FRIENDS WHO ARE BETWEEN 105-115#. I THEN HAD TWO CHILDREN, 87# AND 95# SIT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WAS OFF. THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON WHEN MY SONS ARE IN THE SEAT. THEY WEIGH 150# AND 160#. I CALLED SUBARU SERVICE AND THEY SAID THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS SET TO BE ON FOR PERSONS OVER 80# AND THEY RECOMMENDED I BRING THE CAR IN TO GET CHECKED. I TOOK MY CAR TO SUBARU SERVICE AND THEY SAID "THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS OPERATING PROPERLY ACCORDING TO GOVERNMENT STANDARDS." I CALLED SUBARU CORPORATE OFFICE AND THEY SAID THE SAME THING. I WENT BACK TO THE SUBARU DEALER AND SAT IN TWO IDENTICAL IMPREZA OUTBACK SPORTS AND THE EXACT SAME RESULT THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WAS OFF. I ALSO SAT IN FOUR 2009 SUBARU FORESTERS AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WAS OFF IN 2 OF THE 4. I SAT IN TWO 2008 LEGACY OUTBACK WAGONS AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WAS ON. I SAT IN TWO 2008 TRIBECAS AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG WAS ON. SUBARU IS NOT BEING COOPERATIVE IN RESOLVING THE SITUATION. *TR

FILM ON WINDSHIELD. BROUGHT IN CAR 6 TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THEY WASHED IT, PUT IT IN A PAINT BOOTH 3 TIMES TO "CURE" THE PLASTIC , AND LAST WEE THEY REPLACED THE CABIN AIR FILTER. THE FILM IS STILL THERE IT MAY GO AWAY FOR A DAY OR 2 THEN IT COMES BACK. THE FILM IS MOST NOTICEABLE AT NIGHT WHEN ONCOMING CAR LIGHT HIT IT AND AS THE SUN IS SETTING IT IS DIFFICULT TO SEE THROUGH IT. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE THE BEGINNING OF DECEMBER , WE BOUGHT THE CAR AT THE END OF OCTOBER AND DO NOT DRIVE IT ALL THE TIME. *TR

FRONT WINDSHIELD DEFROSTER. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU IMPREZA. ALL OF THE WINDOWS IN THE VEHICLE ARE FOGGING AND CREATING A THICK FILM. THE FAILURE PREVENTS THE CONTACT FROM SEEING AND SHE MUST ROLL DOWN THE WINDOWS TO MAKE A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN. THE FILMS WORSENS IN COLD WEATHER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS SOME TYPE OF VAPOR COMING FROM THE INTERIOR. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 3,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 250.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE IS A GREASY FILM THAT FORMS ON THE WINDOWS APPROXIMATELY EVERY 1-3 DAYS. THE FAILURE WAS NOTICED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH. THE FAILURE OCCURS ON ALL OF THE WINDOWS, BUT IS THE WORST ON THE WINDSHIELD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNKNOWN. HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO CONTINUE CLEANING THE WINDOWS AND THE FAILURE SHOULD EVENTUALLY CEASE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 2,900. UPDATED 02-12-08 *BF

A HAZY FILM CONTINUALLY BUILDS UP ON THE FRONT WINDSHIELD CAUSING REDUCED VISIBILITY. *TR

I STARTED TO GET A FILM ON THE WINDSHIELD OF MY 2008 SUBARU. I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY DID A TEST AND FOUND A PROBLEM WITH THE A/C UNIT; THEY TOLD ME THE FILM ON THE WINDSHIELD WAS SAFE AND CAR WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. I TOOK THE CAR IN AGAIN WHILE THEY WERE WAITING FOR PARTS, FOR ANOTHER ISSUE, AND I REQUESTED A COPY OF THE TECH NOTES AND THE FILM THAT WAS ON THE WINDSHIELD WAS FREON!- HEALTH HAZARD. THEY FIXED THIS PROBLEM WITH THE FREON FILM, AND NOW NOT A MONTH LATER ITS BACK, AND WORSE. I AGAIN TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER AND HE TOLD ME THIS IS NATURAL, THAT THE GAS IN THE UPHOLSTERY NEEDED TO GET OUT AND THAT THE GAS IS AGAIN SAFE. I ASKED THE SALESMEN THAT I GOT THE CAR FROM,HE NEVER HEARD OF THIS. STILL NOT FIXED AS THIS IS A NATURAL ISSUE,THERE IS ALSO A FOUL ODOR COMING OUT OF THE AC/HEATER SYSTEM. I HAVE ALSO HAD ISSUES WITH THE TRACTION CONTROL WHEN ACTIVATED THE VEHICLE LOSES POWER IN ALL OF VEHICLE, HAS A LOUD NOISE COMING FORM THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE CAR WHEN THE SYSTEM IS ENGAGED; NAV SYSTEM WHEN ITS TURNED ON WILL GO TO BLANK WHITE SCREEN,WILL ALSO NOT RESPOND SOMETIMES; NEED SEAT BELT SYSTEM REPLACED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, WAS RETRACTING WHEN NOT NEEDED; ISSUES STARTING- HARD CRANK OVER, SOMETIMES HAD TO REPEAT TO START,OR TURN KEY OVER FOR LONG PERIOD OF TIME. I AM NOW HAVING HEALTH ISSUES AS I DRIVE THE CAR EVERYDAY FOR HOURS. I HAVE ALMOST BEEN IN MANY ACCIDENTS DUE TO THIS ISSUE. WIPING OFF DON'T HELP. *TR

I CANNOT KEEP THE WINDSHIELD ON MY NEW 2008 IMPREZA FOG FREE. THE DEALER NOTICED A "FILM" ON IT AND CLEANED IT. THE FOGGING RETURNED AFTER A DAY. I'VE USED ANITIFOGGING SOLUTION THAT LASTS ABOUT 3 DAYS AND THE "FILM" AND FOGGING RETURNS. THIS CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS AFTER DARK SINCE WHEN THE FOGGING IS MOST PRONOUNCED. THERE MUST BE SOMETHING INSIDE THE CAR (POSSIBLY A SILICONE SPRAY) THAT'S CAUSING THIS. WHATEVER IT IS, IT HINDERS THE DRIVERS VISION AND IS DANGEROUS. *TR

FILM BUILD UP ON INSIDE WINDSHIELD IMPEDES DRIVER'S VIEW. EXPLANATION GIVEN, THIS IS A RESULT OF AN OZONE EFFECT COMBINED WITH FUMES AND VAPORS OF NEW CAR PRODUCTS AND MATERIALS. NO SPECIFIC TIME FRAME FOR RESOLUTION BUT ONLY THAT IT SHOULD LESSEN AS CAR IS DRIVEN FOR AN INDEFINITE PERIOD OF TIME. SOLUTION GIVEN WAS TO ALLOW OUTSIDE AIR CIRCULATION AND CONTINUE TO CLEAN INSIDE WINDSHIELD FREQUENTLY. IS THERE A HEALTH HAZARD BY INHALATION OF OCCUPANTS? VISIBILITY IS AFFECTED REGARDLESS OF TIME OF DAY. *TR

BOUGHT NEW SUBARU 2008 IMPREZA OUTBACK SPORT WAGON- PASSENGER SIDE FRONTAL AIRBAG DOES NOT TURN ON IF PASSENGER WEIGHS 100-107 LBS (THAT IS US)AND ONLY NOTICED WK 3 SINCE NO PASSENGER UNTIL THEN. ONLY WORKS WITH HEAVIER GUYS. NO FIX PER SUBARU. APPARENTLY I SEE ONLINE THAT THERE HAVE BEEN EARLIER COMPLAINTS OF SAME PROBLEM IN SUBARU FOR PAST 2 YEARS, EVEN OTHER MODELS. WHY IS THIS NOT REPORTED OR FIXED. OTHER MAKES DO IT WELL FOR ANY PERSON >65 LBS. *TR

PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR STAYS IN "OFF" POSITION WHEN MY DAUGHTER - WHO IS 5'7" AND 136 LBS. - IS IN THE SEAT. WE HAVE DRIVEN THE CAR OVER LONG DISTANCES AND I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES HARD ENOUGH TO EMPLOY THE ABS, TO NO AVAIL. THE SENSOR CONTINUES TO STAY IN THE "OFF" POSITION. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE VIBRATES AND RUMBLES EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE IS STARTED. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD 19.5 MILES WHEN IT WAS PURCHASED BUT, WHEN HE RECEIVED THE PAPERWORK, IT READ 99 MILES. HE BELIEVES THAT HE WAS SHOWN ONE VEHICLE AND WAS SOLD ANOTHER. THE VIN AND MILEAGES WERE UNAVAILABLE.