VehicleVerdict

2002 Subaru Impreza transmission problems

The 2002 Subaru Impreza has 26 transmission complaints filed with NHTSA — 8% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

26

Transmission complaints

8%

Share of year

0

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Transmission complaints by year

Impreza transmission complaints by model year60 complaints1990: 1 complaints1993: 3 complaints1994: 3 complaints1995: 2 complaints1997: 5 complaints1998: 13 complaints1999: 4 complaints2000: 12 complaints2002: 26 complaints2003: 1 complaints2004: 11 complaints2005: 5 complaints2006: 7 complaints2007: 8 complaints2008: 60 complaints2009: 30 complaints2010: 5 complaints2011: 6 complaints2012: 26 complaints2013: 23 complaints2014: 9 complaints2015: 11 complaints2016: 13 complaints2017: 5 complaints2018: 4 complaints2019: 4 complaints2021: 1 complaints2022: 3 complaints2024: 2 complaints2025: 1 complaints
Impreza transmission complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

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.

What owners report

“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

Common questions

How many transmission complaints does the 2002 Subaru Impreza have?

NHTSA has 26 complaints about the 2002 Subaru Impreza transmission — 8% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2002 Subaru Impreza transmission?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the transmission: 02V282000.

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.