The 2008 Legacy GT with its EJ255 2.5L turbo boxer (actual engine, not the EJ20Y listed) shares DNA with the WRX/STI and brings both performance and predictable weak points. Turbo engines demand vigilant maintenance; neglect oil changes and you're looking at expensive internal damage.
Head Gasket Failure (External Weeping)
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 80,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: Coolant seepage visible at block/head joint on outside of engine, Slight coolant smell after hot shutdown, Gradual coolant loss with no visible leaks underneath, White crusty residue on engine block sides
Fix: Classic EJ-series issue. Requires engine-out or partial pull for access. 12-16 labor hours depending on shop method. Must resurface heads if warped, replace timing components while apart, new head bolts mandatory. Turbo models slightly easier access than non-turbo due to top-mount intercooler removal.
Estimated cost: $2,200-3,800
Turbocharger Failure (Worn Bearings/Shaft Play)
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 100,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: Blue smoke on acceleration or deceleration, Loud whistle or grinding noise from engine bay, Loss of boost pressure, Check engine light with underboost codes P0243/P0299, Oil consumption increase
Fix: TD04 turbo common on these. Shaft play past 0.003" means replacement. Can rebuild for $800-1,200 or replace with new/reman for $1,400-2,000. Add 6-8 hours labor for removal, gaskets, oil feed/return lines. MUST change oil and inspect for metal shavings if turbo grenaded to prevent engine damage.
Estimated cost: $1,800-3,200
Banjo Bolt Filter Clogging (Turbo Oil Feed)
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 60,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Turbo whine or whistle that wasn't there before, Loss of power under boost, Smoke from exhaust (if turbo already damaged), No immediate symptoms until catastrophic turbo failure
Fix: The infamous banjo bolt with internal screen filter on turbo oil feed line clogs with debris, starving turbo of oil. Preventive: remove banjo bolts every 30k mi and clean screens, or install aftermarket banjo bolts without screens and use quality oil/filters religiously. If you buy used and this wasn't done, budget for turbo replacement. Takes 0.5 hours to inspect/clean banjos if caught early.
Estimated cost: $50-150 preventive; $1,800-3,200 if turbo damage results
Transmission Mount Failure (Rear Pitch Stop)
Common · low severity
Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunk when shifting from reverse to drive or vice versa, Excessive engine movement visible when revving in park, Vibration through shifter at idle, Transmission tunnel heat increase
Fix: Rear transmission mount (pitch stop mount) tears, allowing drivetrain to rock excessively. Easy DIY, 1-1.5 hours with basic tools and jack stands. OEM or upgraded aftermarket bushings available. While under there, inspect front engine mounts too—they're next to go.
Estimated cost: $150-350
Timing Belt and Components
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 105,000 mi service interval
Symptoms: No symptoms until failure, Catastrophic engine damage if belt breaks (interference engine)
Fix: Interference engine—if belt snaps, valves meet pistons and you're looking at full rebuild. Factory interval 105k mi but do it at 90k-100k if prior history unknown. 6-8 hour job, includes belt, tensioner, idlers, water pump, cam and crank seals. Non-negotiable maintenance, not optional.
Estimated cost: $1,200-1,800
AVCS (Variable Valve Timing) Solenoid and Cam Sensor Issues
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 80,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: Check engine light with P0011/P0021 cam timing codes, Rough idle especially when cold, Hesitation on acceleration, Ticking noise from valve covers at startup
Fix: Oil control solenoids for AVCS gum up from oil sludge or fail electrically. Easy access on valve covers, 1-2 hours to replace both solenoids. If codes persist, cam sensors ($80 each) or actual AVCS gear issues inside engine (rare, requires head removal). Use quality oil and change every 3,750 mi to prevent.
Estimated cost: $300-600
Wheel Bearing Failure (Front or Rear)
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 90,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: Grinding or humming noise that increases with speed, Noise changes with turning (louder on turns if front bearing), Vibration through steering wheel or seat, ABS/VDC warning lights if bearing has failed enough to affect sensor
Fix: AWD system puts extra stress on bearings. Rears slightly more common than fronts on this chassis. 2-3 hours per corner, hub assembly replacement. Don't limp along—failed bearing can lock up or separate, causing loss of control.
Estimated cost: $400-700 per wheel
Owner tips
Change oil every 3,750 miles maximum with quality synthetic—turbo EJ motors are unforgiving of extended intervals
Inspect and clean turbo oil feed banjo bolt screens every 30,000 miles or delete screens entirely with aftermarket bolts
Do timing belt at 90k-100k miles if history unknown, not worth gambling on interference engine
Check transmission and pitch stop mounts yearly—cheap insurance against bigger damage
Use top-tier gas exclusively; these motors are knock-sensitive and the ECU will pull timing with cheap fuel, killing performance
Buy one if maintenance history is documented and timing belt/turbo are recently done; pass if the seller says 'I just changed the oil whenever' or has no service records—you're inheriting a $5k repair bill.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
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AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · 20V001000
2020-01-02 · EA15001
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, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A."
These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
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 began January 7, 2020. Subaru Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKA-20.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · 20V002000
2020-01-02 · EA15001
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B."
These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKB-20.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · 20V003000
2020-01-02 · EA15001
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C."
These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Saab owners may contact the Saab Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is TKC-20.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH · 19V297000
2019-04-11
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, 2008-2011 Impreza vehicles, 2008-2014 WRX vehicles, 2005-2014 Legacy vehicles, 2005-2014 Outback vehicles and 2006-2008 Tribeca vehicles equipped with a mechanical key ignition switch installed as a replacement part. The ball spring inside the switch may break, reducing the strength of the ignition switch. If this occurs, the weight on the key ring and certain road conditions could cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position to the accessory position, turning off the engine.
Consequence: The engine turning off unexpectedly can increase the risk of a crash. If a crash occurs under this condition, the air bag may not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ignition switch, replacing the ignition switch, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 10, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUF-91.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · 16V738000
2016-10-13
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 model year Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2008-2014 Impreza vehicles and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, all equipped with turbo-charged engines. The relay that controls the secondary air injection pump may fail, causing the pump to continuously operate and overheat.
Consequence: If the air injection pump overheats, it may melt and increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the secondary air injection pump relay, free of charge. The recall began December 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTM-73.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · 15V323000
2015-05-28 · EA15001
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Subaru Baja vehicles manufactured January 22, 2003, to July 21, 2004, 2004-2005 Impreza vehicles manufactured January 28, 2003, to May 31, 2005, 2003-2008 Subaru Legacy vehicles manufactured January 22, 2003, to May 2, 2008, 2003-2008 Subaru Outback vehicles manufactured February 18, 2003, to May 5, 2008, and 2005 Saab 9-2x vehicles manufactured February 11, 2004, to March 17, 2005. The affected vehicles are equipped with a passenger side frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture upon its deployment.
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners and General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The Subaru recall began on June 17, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. The Saab recall began on July 27, 2015. Owners of Saab vehicles may call 1-800-955-9007. Subaru's number for this recall is WQR-53. Note: The recall completely supersedes recall 14V-399 (WQL-48) and partially supersedes recall 14V-763 (WQP-51) in that model year 2004 through 2005 Subaru Impreza and model year 2005 Saab 9-2x vehicles are now only part of this campaign. Note: On December 18, 2015 Subaru informed NHTSA of an expansion of this recall to include certain model year 2003-2004 Subaru Baja, 2003-2008 Subaru Legacy and 2003-2008 Subaru Outback vehicles.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS · 14V311000
2014-06-10
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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS · 13V110000
2013-03-27
Subaru is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Outback and Legacy vehicles manufactured from December 2003, through April 2009 and 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.
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 inspect the vehicles. If no brake fluid seepage is observed, the affected area 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 on May 30, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's recall campaign number is WQG-43.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE · 08V460000
2008-09-11
SUBARU IS RECALLING 16,715 MY 2007-2008 LEGACY SEDANS AND WAGONS, MY 2008 IMPREZA SEDANS AND WAGONS, AND MY 2009 FORESTER VEHICLES. SOME VEHICLES MAY HAVE THE CYLINDER HEAD-SIDE OIL SUPPLY PIPE AND TURBOCHARGER-SIDE PIPE IMPROPERLY ASSEMBLED.
Consequence: VIBRATION WOULD OCCUR WHILE DRIVING AND, OVER TIME, COULD EVENTUALLY RESULT IN CRACKING THE PIPE WHICH WOULD ALLOW OIL TO LEAK. IF LEAKING OIL CONTACTS COMPONENTS OPERATING AT HIGH TEMPERATURES, AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR CRACKING OR AN OIL LEAK AT THE OIL SUPPLY PIPE AT THE CYLINDER HEAD-SIDE. AN ADDITIONAL BRACKET WILL BE INSTALLED TO INCREASE RIGIDITY OF THE PIPE AND THE PIPE ASSEMBLY WILL BE REPLACED WITH A MODIFIED PART. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 20, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.
🔧 Database maintained under the daily editorial review of Chris Hackleman · Master Technician · 20+ years and Jeff Moore · Master Lexus & Toyota Mechanic · 20+ years.