VehicleVerdict

2002 Subaru Impreza problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 339 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 5.0 times the median Impreza year — the 2002 model ranks #2 of 34 Impreza years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Fuel System leads the complaint categories with 100 reports (30% of the total).

339

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

4

Investigations

11

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

9

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2002 compare to other Impreza years?

See all Impreza years to avoid →

What are the most common 2002 Subaru Impreza problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Fuel System10029%
Brakes6519%
Suspension5015%
Transmission268%
Engine237%
Body & Structure216%
Visibility & Wipers175%
Steering82%
Electrical System72%
Speed Control62%
Other51%
Seats31%
Lighting21%
Latches & Locks21%
Tires & Wheels21%
Seat Belts10%
Airbags10%

Does the 2002 Subaru Impreza have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

11V464000SuspensionSeptember 6, 2011 · 318,215 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

A BROKEN CONTROL ARM CAN RESULT IN THE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

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.

09V468000Fuel SystemDecember 4, 2009 · 5,724 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

FUEL LEAKS, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

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.

08V135000Latches & LocksMarch 24, 2008 · 36,791 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

IN CASE SOMEONE IS UNDERNEATH OR NEAR THE REAR GATE, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT A DROPPING REAR GATE PANEL MAY HIT THEM INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURIES.

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.

04V342000SeatsJuly 14, 2004 · 84,574 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE DRIVER MAY SUSTAIN MORE SEVERE INJURIES DUE TO THE SEAT MOVEMENT.

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.

04V128000Speed ControlMarch 16, 2004 · 127,580 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

IF THIS OCCURS DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, THE DRIVER COULD LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

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.

02V282000TransmissionOctober 30, 2002 · 172,564 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

THE VEHICLE COULD THEN MOVE/ROLL WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

RAW FUEL SMELL WITH TEMPERATURES BELOW 20 DEGREES F AND RAW FUEL IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT WITH TEMPERATURES BELOW 0 DEGREES F. SMELL OCCURS ANYTIME CAR SITS IN SUB 20F TEMPERATURES. ACTUAL LEAK WITH RAW FUEL OCCURRED AFTER CAR SAT OUT OVERNIGHT IN SUB ZERO DEGREE TEMPERATURES. SMALL SMOLDERING FIRE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · January 21, 2002 · fire

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP WHEN THE BRAKE WAS DEPRESSED, THIS CAUSED HIM TO CRASH INTO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HIM. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED. THE POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. AS OF AUGUST 2, 2007, THE DEALER WAS INSPECTING THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · July 29, 2007 · crash

RT CONTROL ARM FAILED WHILE MY DAUGHTER WAS NORTH BOUND ON THE WEST SIDE HIGHWAY IN NYC. SHE WAS ABLE TO CONTROL CAR AND EXIT HIGHWAY. INSPECTION BY MY MECHANIC INDICATED THE PART HAD RUSTED AWAY. I HAD HIM REPLACED BOTH AS I INTENDED TO TRADE IT IN AND I DIDN'T WANT TO ENDANGER ANYONE WHO MIGHT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · July 15, 2010 · crash

WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT TO SECOND GEAR. THE DRIVER TRIED NUMEROUS TIMES AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE DRIVER TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO DO SO. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE TRANSMISSION…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · December 20, 2004

HEAD GASKETS ON BOTH SIDES OF ENGINE LEAKING OIL AND COOLANT AT 20000 MILES AND 2.5 YRS OLD. OIL AND COOLANT LEAK TRANSFERS ON TIRES AND EXHAUST. THIS CAN CAUSE FIRE AND LOSS OF CONTROL. SUBARU ONLY ACKNOWLEDGES PROBLEM ON OTHER VIN ON IMPREZA (MY VEHICLE 2002 IMPREZA OUTBACK WAGON) AND FORESTER.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · October 30, 2005

2002 Subaru Impreza — common questions

Is the 2002 Subaru Impreza reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 339 complaints put the 2002 model at #2 of 34 Impreza years. It is one of the Impreza years to avoid.

What are the most common 2002 Impreza problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are fuel system (100 complaints), brakes (65 complaints), suspension (50 complaints).

Does the 2002 Subaru Impreza have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2002 Subaru Impreza. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2002 Subaru Impreza under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 4 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Subaru Impreza years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Impreza years to avoid are 2013, 2002, 2012, 2008, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2014, 2009, 2004, 2016, 2005. The cleanest record among Impreza years belongs to 1990.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.