2002 Subaru Impreza: problems, recalls and reliability
6 recalls and 292 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is fuel system, gasoline (29% of complaints); the 2000 and 2001 and 2003 and 2004 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Sep 2011
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 292 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 2002 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that while reversing, the vehicle felt as if there was a flat tire on the vehicle. Upon inspection, the contact noticed that the front driver's side tire was about to detach. Additionally, the driver's side front lower control arm was fractured. Prior to the failure, the contact had driven over a railroad track and lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle had previously been serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V464000 (Suspension). The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.”Owner report · Suspension · Dec 2021
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 subaru impreza. The contact stated that the horn would sound inadvertently without being activated by the driver. The contact stated that at first the horn would sound once however, recently the failure was more frequent and for a longer period of time. The contact had not taken the vehicle to be diagnosed or repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 154,973. *bf”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2020
“Put my car in park and it started rolling backwords.... Same exact day in was at a stop light on a incline and my car rolled backwords faster then it should while in drive. Car has 101000 miles”Owner report · Power Train · Dec 2019
Show 7 more owner reports
“Strong smell of fuel upon start-up when in sub-freezing conditions. It has occurred twice in 2019, which are the only recent times it has been exposed to those conditions. The first occurrence was in february, 2019. The second was in november, 2019. Recall 09v468000 applies to my model vehicle, but only in certain states. The recall, therefore, does not apply to my VIN, although the description of the recall notice appears to match the symptoms of my car. After speaking with subaru, they indicated they are not willing to do anything about it because my VIN is not covered in the recall.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Nov 2019
“Safety recall: wvx34 I had this work done at a dealership. They did a punch test.the lower control arms passed on july 9, 2019 and were undercoated at 192630 miles. Today august 10, 2019 the passenger side control arm broke while driving at 70 mph. I was able to safely get the vehicle home and towed to the dealership. They were unable to tell me if this would be covered or I will have to pay for the repair. I am concerned subaru's actions regarding this issue are inadequate.”Owner report · Suspension · Aug 2019
“In cold temperatures the fuel leaks from rubber fuel lines onto the fuel rail and manifold resulting in a very strong fuel odor coming into the vehicles cabin. When at a stop with the vehicle idiling the smell is overwhelming. Not nearly as bad while driving.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Dec 2018
“The front passenger side control arm broke into two pieces causing loss of control of the vehicle. This caused the right from tof the vehicle to drop down, it caused the tire to contact the fender at rear of wheel opening and caused the front wheels to point in two different directions. The occurred on a city street (luckily) while backing and turning after exiting a driveway. There is a recall, but it allowed subaru to "inspect" the control arm back in 2011 and not replace it, which allowed it's failure anyway and so was ineffective.”Owner report · Suspension · May 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 subaru impreza. The contact stated that the vehicle emitted an abnormal fuel odor without warning. Subaru of winchester (3019 valley ave, winchester, va) diagnosed that the fuel line was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that a manager would call the contact. The failure mileage was approximately 151,000.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jan 2018
“I was denied the fuel line recall due to I live in ohio and ohio is not on the list of "cold states." I am forced to breath gasoline fumes and my engine smokes burning off those gasoline fumes. Just waiting for the car to blow up. Thank you, subaru *tr”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · May 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 subaru impreza. When the contact started the vehicle, there was a burning oil odor. When the accelerator pedal was depressed, the rear of the vehicle began to emit a loud vibrating noise. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the exhaust from the convector rear muffler, gasket bolt, and dry belt needed to be replaced. In addition, the front subframe was rotted and the head gaskets were fractured, which caused an oil leak. All the parts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.”Owner report · Engine · Jan 2017
When filing, owners marked a crash in 11 of these complaints and injuries in 8 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 6 campaigns
SUBARU IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002-2007 IMPREZA, MODEL YEAR 2003-2008 FORESTER, AND MODEL YEAR 2005-2006 SAAB 9-2X VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 5, 2000 THROUGH NOVEMBER 26, 2007 ORIGINALLY SOLD, OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN, MASSACHUSETTS, MARYLAND, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW YORK, PENNSYLVANIA, VERMONT, WISCONSIN, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IOWA, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW JERSEY, OHIO, RHODE ISLAND, WEST VIRGINIA AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS MAY BREAK AT THE HANGER BRACKETS DUE TO CORROSION IF THE HANGER BRACKET IS EXPOSED TO SALTY AND HUMID ENVIRONMENTS SUCH AS ROADS CONTAINING SNOW MELTING AGENT.
Remedy: SUBARU WILL HANDLE THEIR VEHICLES AND SAAB WILL HANDLE THEIRS. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DEGREE OF CORROSION OF THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS, AND WILL EITHER RUSTPROOF OR REPLACE THEM. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING DECEMBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SAAB AT 1-800-955-9007.
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS WERE PRODUCED WITH AN IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION PARKING ROD. WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SELECTOR LEVER IS PLACED IN THE "P" (PARK) POSITION, THE TRANSMISSION PARK MECHANISM, THAT IS INTENDED TO HOLD YOUR VEHICLE, MAY NOT ENGAGE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PARKING ROD ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION JANUARY 8, 2003. AN INTERIM OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BE SENT DURING NOVEMBER 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.
SUBARU IS RECALLING 36,791 MY 2002-2003 IMPREZA WAGONS. THE STUD BOLT(S) OF REAR GATE STAY MAY HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED WITH INSUFFICIENT TIGHTENING TORQUE AND A GAP MAY HAVE RESULTED BETWEEN THE REAR GATE PANEL AND STUD BOLT BASE. AFTER REPEATED REAR GATE OPERATIONS (OPENING AND CLOSING), THE REAR GATE INNER PANEL AT THE WELDING NUT MAY BREAK, WHICH WILL LEAD TO DETACHMENT OF THE REAR GATE STAY, AND THE REAR GATE DROPPING DOWN.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT TO SEE IF THERE IS ANY GAP AT THE STUD BOLT OF THE REAR GATE STAY INSTALLATION. IF A GAP IS FOUND, THE STUD BOLT WILL BE REMOVED TO CHECK FOR DAMAGE TO THE WELDING NUT. IF THE WELD NUT IS CRACKED, THE REAR GATE STAY WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 2, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER SEDANS, WAGONS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE COULD COME OUT OF ITS TRACK ON THE CRUISE CONTROL LEVER AND LODGE ON THE CONTROL LEVER TAB WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS RELEASED. IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, THE THROTTLE WILL NOT RETURN TO THE IDLE POSITION AND WILL REMAIN IN AN OPEN POSITION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A CRUISE CONTROL CABLE RETAINING CLIP TO THE CRUISE CONTROL LEVER TAB ON THE THROTTLE SHAFT IN ORDER TO PREVENT THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE FROM COMING OUT OF ITS TRACK. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 12, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.
ON CERTAIN SEDAN AND WAGON MODEL VEHICLES, THE LEFT FRONT BOLT THAT RETAINS THE FORWARD PART OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT TO THE SEAT SLIDE RAIL MAY LOOSEN. IF THE SEAT SLIDE RAIL BOLT LOOSENS, IT WILL EVENTUALLY FALL OUT, AND THE SEAT MAY SEPARATE FROM THE SEAT SLIDE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LEFT HAND DRIVER'S SEAT RAIL MOUNTING BOLT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 20, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.
SUBARU IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002 AND 2003 IMPREZA WRX VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF SOUTH DAKOTA, NEBRASKA, NORTH DAKOTA, MINNESOTA, IDAHO, IOWA, MONTANA, COLORADO, WISCONSIN, NEW YORK, WYOMING, MICHIGAN, ALASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, VERMONT, AND MAINE. DURING COLD STARTS, TYPICALLY UNDER EXTREMELY COLD TEMPERATURES, FUEL LEAKS IN THE FUEL DELIVERY LINE COULD OCCUR WHERE THE LINE CONNECTS WITH A RUBBER HOSE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL LINE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 31, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2002 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Impreza by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2002 Subaru Impreza reliable?
NHTSA has 292 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 2002 Subaru Impreza. The most complained-about area is fuel system, gasoline (29% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2002 Subaru Impreza problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 64,000 miles or less.
Does the 2002 Subaru Impreza have open recalls?
6 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning suspension:front:control arm:lower arm. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.