2003 Subaru Impreza fuel system problems

The 2003 Subaru Impreza has 26 fuel system complaints filed with NHTSA — 41% of the year's total, and down from the prior model year.

Fuel System complaints

41%

Share of year

Crash-involved

Related recalls

Fuel System complaints by year

Impreza fuel system complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

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

“FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS IN COLD WEATHER, USUALLY BELOW 32 DEGREES, THE SMELL OF GASOLINE EXISTED IN THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. I HAD IT CHECKED DURING AN LOCAL STATE INSPECTION AND DISCOVERED FUEL WAS LEAKING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WAS…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · February 9, 2007 · fire

Common questions

How many fuel system complaints does the 2003 Subaru Impreza have?

NHTSA has 26 complaints about the 2003 Subaru Impreza fuel system — 41% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2003 Subaru Impreza fuel system?

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

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

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.