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2003 Subaru WRXProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 60 owner complaints about the 2003 Subaru WRX, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

2003 Subaru WRX
40
CarFlaw IndexUse caution1.5× the WRX median · #2 of 16 years by complaints
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints6020 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage10kService brakes, hydraulic, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through February 22, 2019. Updated daily. Photo: DestinationFearFan, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2003 Subaru WRX has problems

60 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Service brakes, hydraulic208
Fuel system, gasoline161
Fuel/propulsion system40
Engine and engine cooling41
Power train40
Vehicle speed control32
Visibility30
Seats22
Air bags22
3 other systems52

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

2003 Subaru WRX 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.

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.

Best & worst years

2003 vs. every other WRX 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 WRX median. How we score

'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
5 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2003 Subaru WRX, and the recalls they led to.

  1. EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCESEA03024 · closed Jul 12, 2005
    No recall
  2. FUEL LINE LEAKEA09011 · closed Dec 14, 2009
    Led to recall 09V-468
  3. BRAKING SYSTEM/ABSPE03029 · closed Nov 19, 2003
    No recall
  4. FUEL LINE LEAKAGE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENTPE04002 · closed May 27, 2004
    No recall
  5. FUEL LINE LEAKPE09017 · closed Jul 2, 2009
    No recall
In owners' words

What WRX owners report

Recent service brakes, hydraulic complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

IN MY 2003 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX, ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, WHEN I HIT A SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD (COULD BE AN EXPANSION JOINT IN A BRIDGE OR A CRACK IN THE ROAD SURFACE THAT HAS BEEN PATCHED) WHILE BRAKING, THE ABS KICKS IN AND DOES NOT ALLOW ME TO BRAKE. AFTER ABOUT ONE SECOND HAS PASSED, THE ABS TURNS…
Complaint 10138435 · Oct 4, 2005
THE BRAKING SYSTEM IN THE VEHICLE MALFUNCTIONS UNDER THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS CROSSING OVER A SHARP TRANSITION (BREAK IN PAVEMENT, TRAIN TRACKS OR CHOPPY ROUGH PAVEMENT) IN THE ROAD AND UNDERGOING LIGHT TO MODERATE BRAKING, THE VEHICLE STOPS DECELERATING FOR ABOUT 1/2 TO 1…
Complaint 10136989 · Sep 19, 2005 · 500 miles
WHILE TAKING A RIGHT HAND UPHILL TURN OVER A BUMP, ABS APARENTLY ACTIVATED AND STOPPED BRAKING FUNCTIONS. I WAS UNABLE TO SLOW DOWN OR STOP AND HIT A CURB, CAUSING SEVERE DAMAGE TO CAR. I HAD PREVIOUSLY HAD ISSUES WITH ABS ACTIVATING WHEN IT WAS NOT SUPPOSED TO IN MODERALTY LIGHT RAIN, WHICH WAS…
Complaint 10096093 · Oct 20, 2004 · 23,800 miles

Own a 2003 WRX?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.