Subaru IMPREZA STI problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
36 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
28,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2008 to 2009 model years. Data snapshot: . 31 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 11 of 36 complaints (30.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 9 | 25.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 2.8% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train | 11 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 10 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 7 |
| Structure:Body | 6 |
| Service Brakes | 5 |
| Air Bags | 3 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 2 |
| Engine | 2 |
Power Train: 11; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 10; Engine And Engine Cooling: 7; Structure:Body: 6; Service Brakes: 5; Air Bags: 3; Air Bags:Frontal: 2; Engine: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 14 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 10 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 14; 25,000 to 49,999: 10; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (14). 5 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 7 |
| 2010 | 7 |
| 2011 | 6 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 7 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
2009: 7; 2010: 7; 2011: 6; 2012: 2; 2013: 1; 2014: 7; 2015: 1; 2016: 3; 2017: 1; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 9 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10345791 · 2010-07-28 (July 28, 2010)
THE SUBARU STI SERIES KNOWN AS THE GR IS PRONE TO BREAKING PISTON RINGLANDS IF DETONATION EVER OCCURS, WHICH HAPPENS EASILY ON THIS ENGINE, WHICH IS NOW TUNED FOR MORE POWER YET FEWER EMISSIONS. THE RINGLAND BREAKAGE RESULTS IN POWER LOSS AND EXTREME OIL CONSUMPTION DUE TO BLOWBY AND IF NOT NOTICED IN TIME WILL LEAD TO ENGINE SEIZING. IF DRIVEN AGGRESSIVELY ENOUGH, THIS SEIZING DUE TO OIL LOSS CAN HAPPEN IN AS FEW AS 10 MINUTES. IT IS ALSO POSSIBLE FOR THE RINGLAND BREAKAGE TO BE SO SEVERE THAT THE ENGINE SPRAY-COATS A LARGE SECTION OF ROADW…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,987 miles reported. Look up ODI 10345791 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10394484 · 2011-04-06 (April 6, 2011)
CAR HAS AN ENDEMIC PROBLEM WITH BREAKING PISTON RINGLANDS, RESULTING IN COPIOUS OIL CONSUMPTION AND EVENTUALLY A SEIZED ENGINE WHICH, IF IT HAPPENS ON THE HIGHWAY, CAN BE THE EQUIVALENT OF SLAMMING ON THE BRAKES IN TRAFFIC. ENDANGERING SURROUNDING VEHICLES AND THE VEHICLE'S DRIVER IF THE OIL FILM ON THE ROADWAY AND THE WINDSHIELDS OF FOLLOWING CARS DIDN'T ALREADY CAUSE THEM PROBLEMS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 1,987 miles reported. Look up ODI 10394484 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10661153 · 2014-11-27 (November 27, 2014)
THERE IS A LOUD SQUEAK NOISE WHEN THE CLUTCH IS BEING PRESSED, AND AT TIMES WHEN THE STRUCTURE FLEXES,IT INTERFERES WITH CHANGING GEARS. NOT ONLY DOES IT INTERFERE WITH CHANGING GEARS BUT,IT ALSO CAUSES THE BREAK PEDAL ASSEMBLY MOVES WHEN PRESSING THE CLUTCH. I HAVE VERIFIED THAT SOME WELD SPOT HAVE BROKEN OFF AND HAVE BECOME LOOSE. THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM SEEING AS HOW IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. WHEN IT COMPLETELY SEPARATES, DUE TO SHOTTY WELDING, NOT ONLY COULD THE CLUTCH GO OUT WHILE DRIVING BUT IT COULD CAUSE THE BREAKS TO GO OUT AS WELL. THIS IS …
Owner-reported narrative. 78,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10661153 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 0 |
| 2009 | 0 |
2008: 0; 2009: 0