VehicleVerdict

2002 Subaru WRX fuel system problems

The 2002 Subaru WRX has 308 fuel system complaints filed with NHTSA — 67% of the year's total, and the first year with meaningful reports in this category.

308

Fuel System complaints

67%

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

MY 2002 MODEL IMPREZA WRX-2.0L EXPERIENCES A FUEL SMELL IN COLD WEATHER. TOOK IT TO DEALER COURTESY MOTORS SUBARU-CHICO CA. THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID HE DIDN'T SMELL ANYTHING SO I LEFT MAD, BUT I LEFT. SINCE THEN, SUBARU HAS ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB) REGARDING THIS PROBLEM AND I…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · December 12, 2003 · fire

Common questions

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

NHTSA has 308 complaints about the 2002 Subaru WRX fuel system — 67% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2002 Subaru WRX 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.