VehicleVerdict

2002 Subaru Impreza fuel system problems

The 2002 Subaru Impreza has 100 fuel system complaints filed with NHTSA — 29% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

100

Fuel System complaints

29%

Share of year

0

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Fuel System complaints by year

Related recalls

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.

What owners report

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

Common questions

How many fuel system complaints does the 2002 Subaru Impreza have?

NHTSA has 100 complaints about the 2002 Subaru Impreza fuel system — 29% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2002 Subaru Impreza fuel system?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the fuel system: 09V468000.

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.