2008 Subaru WRX manual trans. 22,500 miles. Between the time the engine comes off high idle (after being started cold) and when it is completely warmed up, the engine will drop its RPM to 0 causing an engine stall when the clutch is depressed in order to change gears. This recently happened when entering a roundabout when I was going to shift down from 3rd to 2nd gear. At this point I only have my left hand on the steering wheel and right on the shift lever. The engine stalls and I loose power steering. Power braking also seems decreased as I was unable to prevent the car from running into the central island of the roundabout. This happens consistently in cold weather. Dealership has tried repairs, but is unable to find anything wrong (3 separate admissions for service for this problem over last 9 months). Computer error codes returned were 301,302,303,304. As of today the car is at the local Subaru dealer for the second day this episode.

- Menasha, WI, USA

Smoke coming from the exhaust, rough idle, oil consumption were my first signs. The dealer wouldn't do a compression check on the motor since there was no check engine light on, so I had to pay with my own cash and take it to a private shop and found out that in fact cylinder #2 had a shot ringland. They replaced the piston but the motor doesn't seem to be right still since I have a car that was involved in a "stop sale" that involved some engines having some debris in the motor and was causing knocking and throwing bearings. Subaru should have replaced the short block but didn't.

- Bayville, NJ, USA

Engine started stuttering and would almost die when trying to accelerate, then started blowing smoke out tale pipe. Car had 3400 miles. Dealer diagnosed as ringland/piston failure.

- St. Marys, GA, USA

I own a 2008 WRX sti Subaru that had complete engine failure due to fact the dealer could not perform a critical ECM recall that was a direct result of engine failure. Subaru refused to cover it under warrenty. The car has been a problem from the start also had brake system issues they refuse to repair.

- Fruitland, MD, USA

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.

- Muncie, NY, USA