VehicleVerdict

2002 Subaru Impreza suspension problems

The 2002 Subaru Impreza has 50 suspension complaints filed with NHTSA — 15% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

50

Suspension complaints

15%

Share of year

1

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Suspension complaints by year

Related recalls

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.

What owners report

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

Common questions

How many suspension complaints does the 2002 Subaru Impreza have?

NHTSA has 50 complaints about the 2002 Subaru Impreza suspension — 15% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2002 Subaru Impreza suspension?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the suspension: 11V464000.

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.