Subaru›Impreza›2008›Overview/subaru/impreza/2008/base/

2008 Subaru Impreza

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2008 Impreza.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (S4)

The 2008 Subaru Impreza is a passenger car featuring an S4 automatic transmission and an EPA rating of 20/25/22 mpg, with an engine requiring 4.5 qt of 5W-30 API oil. In the context of a model history spanning 1990 to 2026, this year saw 15 recalls and 209 owner complaints, with air bags cited as the top complaint area. This volume of issues positions the 2008 model between the series high of 300 complaints in 2002 and the low of 1 in 2026.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020192008

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque74-89 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy20/25/22 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 35 · 520 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 35 · 520 CCAOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S4)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length180.3 in
Overall width68.5 in
Overall height58.3 in
Wheelbase103.1 in
Curb weight3053 lb
Track (front / rear)59.4 / 59.1 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)57/43

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined20 / 25 / 22 mpg
Drivetrain4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume94 cu ft
Cargo volume11 cu ft
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Impreza of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.6–9.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.60 sec — 2008 2.5i Sedan
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
20082.5i Sedan 2.5L F-47.60 sec15.90 sec170 hpAWD
20082.5i 5-door Hatchback 2.5L F-48.40 sec16.50 sec170 hpAWD
20082.5i Premium Sedan 2.5L F-49.50 sec17.20 sec170 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.5 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, 75W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 74-89 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 33.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-2-4. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity10
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.7 Pints
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 qt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts133 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts51-55 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug33.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs5 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts74-89 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug17.0-20.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub162 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub140 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-2-4
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)MT: 640, AT: 700, TURBO: 700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)MT: 110, AT and TURBO: 100 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerNGK
Spark Plug Torque15 ft-lbs
Ignition Timing Acceptable VarianceTurbo: 10, Non-Turbo: 8 degrees
Ignition Timing Reference RPMIdle rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.03-1.17 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type100
Standard BCI Group Number35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance520 cca

Service checks

Injector Primary Resistance5-20 ohms

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket59 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket114 ft-lbs / 20 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle48 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket20 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle49 ft-lbs
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.944 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To0.944 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 8 stages
121.5 ft. lbs.21.5 ft. lbs
251 ft. lbs.51 ft. lbs
3Loosen 180 degrees in the reverse order of installing.180 degrees
4Loosen 180 degrees in the reverse order of installing.180 degrees
531 ft. lbs.31 ft. lbs
680-90 degrees.80–90 degrees
740-45 degrees.40–45 degrees
840-45 degrees.; Lightly lubricate new cylinder head bolt, threads and flanges with engine oil.40–45 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 8 stages
121.5 ft. lbs.21.5 ft. lbs
251 ft. lbs.51 ft. lbs
3Loosen 180 degrees in the reverse order of installing.180 degrees
4Loosen 180 degrees in the reverse order of installing.180 degrees
531 ft. lbs.31 ft. lbs
680-90 degrees.80–90 degrees
740-45 degrees.40–45 degrees
840-45 degrees.; Lightly lubricate new cylinder head bolt, threads and flanges with engine oil.40–45 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 8 stages
121.5 ft. lbs.21.5 ft. lbs
251 ft. lbs.51 ft. lbs
3Loosen 180 degrees in the reverse order of installing.180 degrees
4Loosen 180 degrees in the reverse order of installing.180 degrees
536 ft. lbs.36 ft. lbs
680-90 degrees.80–90 degrees
740-45 degrees.40–45 degrees
840-45 degrees.; Lightly lubricate new cylinder head bolt, threads and flanges with engine oil.40–45 degrees

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter at 3,000 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi.

At 3,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 3,750 miEngine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 7,500 miCabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
At 15,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Clutch Assembly (inspect) · Driveshaft (inspect) · Parking Brake System (inspect) · Power Steering System (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Brake System (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 60,000 miFuel Filter (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)
At 105,000 miDrive Belt (replace) · Timing Belt (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2008 model year marks a pronounced spike in the generation's complaint trend: complaints surged to 209, nearly tripling the 2007 figure of 68 and exceeding the 2009 level of 112, while recalls jumped to 15—the highest in the 2002–2008 arc. This aligns with a broader pattern visible in the early 2000s, where 2002 also experienced a sharp complaint spike (300) with four NHTSA investigations, though 2008 notably had zero investigations despite the elevated complaint volume. The 2008 Impreza's top complaint areas were Air Bags (38), Power Train (36), Visibility (23), and Engine & Engine Cooling (22), with 10 crash-related complaints and 4 fire complaints recorded. The data shows TSBs also peaked at 213 for this year, indicating frequent dealer-level service interventions. Compared to surrounding model years, 2008 represents a distinct outlier in both complaint frequency and recall activity within this generation. Given these figures, the 2008 Impreza carries more documented reliability concerns than its immediate predecessors and successors, suggesting buyers should exercise due diligence regarding the air bag and power train systems in particular.

15
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
213
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
209
Owner complaints
10 involved a crash · 4 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent
’90’93’94’95’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’26

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 209 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags38
Power Train36
Visibility23
Engine & Engine Cooling22
Structure8
Power Train,Service Brakes8
Power Train,Structure7
Power Train,Engine5

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 15 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

19V149000Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:SwitchReported 28/02/2019

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Forester, 2008-2016 Impreza sedans, 2012-2016 Impreza station wagons, 2008-2014 WRX sedans (including STI), and 2013-2017 Crosstrek vehicles. Exposure to… Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake light switch, free of charge. The recall began April 15, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at…

20V001000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 02/01/2020

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (STI included), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold… Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators with alternate inflators, free of charge. The recall…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 213 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
SubaruNet Annoucement (E2026-06-11Unknown Or OtherThis announcement is requesting retailer staff to retain the EyeSight protective hood…
01-167-08R2026-05-18Unknown Or OtherThis bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the…
SubaruNet Announcement (R2026-05-04Power TrainThis announcement provides information on the remanufactured CVT transmission program.
07-240-26R2026-04-30Unknown Or OtherThis Service Information Bulletin was developed to provide interim guidance for vehicles…
03-97-262026-04-24Power TrainThis bulletin announces the service manual correction regarding clutch master cylinder…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Impreza. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 35 batteryVehicles taking 4.5 qt

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBsOBD-II trouble codesTorque specificationsMaintenance schedulesFluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2008 Impreza take?

4.5 qt of 5W-30 API SM, per the factory manual.

Does the 2008 Impreza have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 15 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Impreza get?

EPA figures are 20 city / 25 highway / 22 combined mpg.