no report yet
Control arm: lower arm
Risk. A BROKEN CONTROL ARM CAN RESULT IN THE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
2002 Subaru ImprezaProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 292 owner complaints about the 2002 Subaru Impreza, most often about the fuel system, gasoline. It is covered by 6 safety recalls.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 26, 2022. Updated daily. Photo: Calreyn88, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2002 Subaru Impreza has problems
292 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
88Fuel system, gasoline2 crash/fire/injury
56Service brakes, hydraulic7 crash/fire/injury
49Suspension1 crash/fire/injury
25Power train
21Structure
19Engine and engine cooling
17Visibility
8Fuel/propulsion system
8Steering
3514 other systems6 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system, gasoline | 88 | 2 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 56 | 7 |
| Suspension | 49 | 1 |
| Power train | 25 | 0 |
| Structure | 21 | 0 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 19 | 1 |
| Visibility | 17 | 1 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 8 | 0 |
| Steering | 8 | 0 |
| 14 other systems | 35 | 6 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
6 recalls
2002 Subaru Impreza recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
no report yet
Delivery: fuel pump
Risk. FUEL LEAKS, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
no report yet
Tailgate: latch
Risk. IN CASE SOMEONE IS UNDERNEATH OR NEAR THE REAR GATE, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT A DROPPING REAR GATE PANEL MAY HIT THEM INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURIES.
no report yet
Seats
Risk. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE DRIVER MAY SUSTAIN MORE SEVERE INJURIES DUE TO THE SEAT MOVEMENT.
Show 2 more recalls
no report yet
Vehicle speed control: cables
Risk. IF THIS OCCURS DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, THE DRIVER COULD LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
no report yet
Power train: automatic transmission
Risk. THE VEHICLE COULD THEN MOVE/ROLL WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Subaru.
Mileage at failure
When do fuel system, gasoline problems start?
60kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 69 fuel system, gasoline complaints. 87% were reported before 100,000 miles.
12under 30k miles60under 100k miles9100k miles or more
Best & worst years
2002 vs. every other Impreza year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Impreza median. How we score
'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2002 Subaru Impreza safety ratings
2002 Subaru Impreza Wagon 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
Frontal crashNot rated
Side barrierNot rated
- Rollover: 4 stars (0.0% risk)
- Stability control: No
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
4 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2002 Subaru Impreza, and the recalls they led to.
- FUEL LINE LEAKLed to recall 09V-468
- FUEL LINE LEAKAGE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENTNo recall
- FUEL LINE LEAKNo recall
- Front suspension control arm failureLed to recall 11V-464
In owners' words
What Impreza owners report
Recent fuel system, gasoline complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
DURING COLD TEMPERATURES THERE IS A GAS LEAK. CAR IS AN IMPREZA OUTBACK SPORT. THERE IS A RECALL FOR WRX FOR THE SAME PROBLEM BUT NOT MY CAR. *TR
DURING COOL WEATHER CONDITIONS FROM COLD STARTUP THE ENGINE HAS HEAVY FUEL/GAS SMELL WHICH IS TRANSPORTED INTO THE VEHICLE CABIN CAUSING UNHEALTHY BREATHING CONDITIONS FOR ANY OCCUPANTS. CALLED SUBARU COOPERATE AND THE DEALER, THEY STATED THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR A LEAKING FUEL RAIL BUT NOT ON…
WHEN THE WEATHER IS MILDLY COLD, AND IT IS APPROXIMATELY 50 DEGREES OR LESS, AND THE VEHICLE SITS PARKED FOR AT LEAST 4-5 HOURS, TYPICALLY OVERNIGHT AND/OR IN A GARAGE, THERE IS A VERY STRONG SMELL OF FUEL WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED. THE SMELL DISSIPATES AFTER A FEW MINUTES AND WILL NOT RETURN…
Own a 2002 Impreza?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.