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2002 Subaru Impreza Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 292 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Subaru Impreza, most often about the fuel system (34% of complaints, typically around 60,000 miles). It is the most complained-about Impreza model year since 2000 and has 6 recalls.
Most common 2002 Subaru Impreza problems
Fuel system
99 complaints · 34%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles. Parts named most often: delivery, fuel injection system.
Fuel smell/leak during cold temperatures; about 30 and below. Very strong smell. So strong we are afraid to drive it during these times. First started this season (2004). Out of warranty. 2002 Subaru wrx. Purchased 3-12-2001.
Began smelling odor of raw fuel inside of my 2002 Subaru Impreza. After a short research I found it to be a common problem during cold weather. Contacted a dealer and was told that it is not covered under warranty or recall.
Brakes
60 complaints · 21%Half of these problems showed up before 25,500 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, foundation components, antilock, disc.
Was coming to a stop sign and there was a man hole cover recessed into the road. Had foot on brake, light pressure to come to the stop sign. When the wheel hit the manhole cover, I could feel ABS kick in (vibration in pedal) and the car lost all braking power momentarily. If there had been someone in front of me, I…
Consumer applied the brake and the pedal went to the floor. The vehicle went through the intersection before consumer could apply the brake again to stop. The road was dry and even when this occurred.
Suspension
49 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 133,000 miles. Parts named most often: front, rear.
The contact owns a 2002 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that while in park, the contact noticed that the front driver side control arm had slightly detached from the vehicle due to corrosion. The contact, a certified mechanic, diagnosed that the lower control arm needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired.…
The contact owns a 2002 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that while driving at 15 MPH, the front passenger side lower control arm suddenly failed causing the passenger side of the vehicle to lower. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the lower control arm had fractured. The contact stated that…
Transmission
25 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 26,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, manual transmission, clutch assembly, driveline.
Consumer state of having problems with the transmission. Dealer was contacted, this problem was initially reported when the vehicle was only 4 months old, the problems included grinding sounds between first and second gears, clutch noise, and transmission popping out of gear when going downhill, when the vehicle was…
2002 Subaru wrx - I took the car in for 30,000 mile service, car was running fine, no complaints. When I got the car back, I noticed that it was difficult to downshift into first gear, and I was sometimes missing the shift - grinding gears. I have never had a problem like this in any car before. The problem is more…
Engine
22 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 71,500 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system, cooling system.
Just learned that my 2002 Impreza sport has a leaking head gasket when the car only has 72,000 on it. The car has never gotten over 23 miles per gallon, even when it is highway driven. The car has had very very little mileage on it since it was purchased three years ago with 55,000 on it. No mention of any problems…
: the contact stated there was coolant leaking from the radiator. The vehicle was taken to the dealership where it was determined to have a blown radiator which needed to be replaced. The vehicle is unable to be driven and no repairs have been made.
Body and structure
21 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 118,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
The contact owns a 2002 Subaru Impreza. While having the vehicle inspected for routine maintenance, the contact was informed that the sub frame was corroded. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing who stated that the sub frame would have to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate…
The 2002 Subaru Impreza is subject to a recall on its control arms (NHTSA campaign number: 11v464000). Our car's passenger side control arm corroded to the point of failure about 1.5 years ago. Now we have discovered the same level of corrosion on a nearby part, also on the front passenger side. We discovered that the…
Visibility and wipers
17 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 45,000 miles. Parts named most often: windshield, power window devices and controls, rearview mirrors/devices.
Side view mirror attachment to vehicle failed, mirror unusable. Researched to find this is a common problem with this car. Dealer refused to replace it. Ordered the part and replaced it myself.
I have a crack that runs from the top of the windshield on the passenger's side in a "c" or "l" shaped pattern around the rear view mirror toward the driver side. Constant with many wrx owners. It has grown from 4 inches to around 12. The windshield was not hit by any debris to the best of my knowledge. If it was the…
Steering
8 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 89,500 miles.
See previous complaint w/same vehicle----failure of right side lower control arm on 1-14-2011 at odo 49093. This current complaint is failure of left side lower control arm on 8-28-11. 2002 Subaru Impreza 2.5ts wagon with 51764 miles. Always best of preventative maintenance. Driving slowly on city street. Clunking…
Nhtsa campaign id 11v464000 (Subaru safety recall wvx-34) covers 2002-2007 imprezas, as well as other models. The safety recall covers cars registered in 20 rust belt states. My vehicle has never been registered in those states, so it is technically not covered, but it is driven there regularly since we live only a…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2002 Subaru Impreza recalls
Suspension: lower arm
Risk: A broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Subaru will handle their vehicles and saab will handle theirs. Dealers will inspect the degree of corrosion of the front lower control arms, and will either rustproof or replace them. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during december 2011. Owners may contact subaru at 1-800-782-2783. Owners may contact saab at 1-800-955-9007.
Full defect summary
Subaru is recalling certain model year 2002-2007 impreza, model year 2003-2008 forester, and model year 2005-2006 saab 9-2x vehicles manufactured from september 5, 2000 through november 26, 2007 originally sold, or currently registered in, massachusetts, maryland, michigan, new hampshire, new york, pennsylvania, vermont, wisconsin, connecticut, delaware, iowa, illinois, indiana, maine, minnesota, missouri, new jersey, ohio, rhode island, west virginia and the district of columbia. The front lower control arms may break at the hanger brackets due to corrosion if the hanger bracket is exposed to salty and humid environments such as roads containing snow melting agent.
Fuel system: fuel pump
Risk: Fuel leaks, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Doors and locks: 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.
Fix: Dealers will inspect to see if there is any gap at the stud bolt of the rear gate stay installation. If a gap is found, the stud bolt will be removed to check for damage to the welding nut. If the weld nut is cracked, the rear gate stay will be replaced free of charge. The recall began on june 2, 2008. Owners may contact subaru at 1-800-782-2783.
Full defect summary
Subaru is recalling 36,791 my 2002-2003 impreza wagons. The stud bolt(s) of rear gate stay may have been tightened with insufficient tightening torque and a gap may have resulted between the rear gate panel and stud bolt base. After repeated rear gate operations (opening and closing), the rear gate inner panel at the welding nut may break, which will lead to detachment of the rear gate stay, and the rear gate dropping down.
Seats
Risk: In the event of a crash, the driver may sustain more severe injuries due to the seat movement.
Fix: Dealers will install a new left hand driver's seat rail mounting bolt. The recall began on august 20, 2004. Owners should contact subaru at 1-800-782-2783.
Full defect summary
On certain sedan and wagon model vehicles, the left front bolt that retains the forward part of the driver's seat to the seat slide rail may loosen. If the seat slide rail bolt loosens, it will eventually fall out, and the seat may separate from the seat slide.
Speed control: cables
Risk: If this occurs during vehicle operation, the driver could lose control of the vehicle, which could result in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will install a cruise control cable retaining clip to the cruise control lever tab on the throttle shaft in order to prevent the cruise control cable from coming out of its track. Owner notification began on april 12, 2004. Owners should contact subaru at 1-800-782-2783.
Full defect summary
On certain passenger sedans, wagons, and sport utility vehicles, the cruise control cable could come out of its track on the cruise control lever and lodge on the control lever tab when the accelerator pedal is released. If this condition occurs, the throttle will not return to the idle position and will remain in an open position.
Transmission: automatic transmission
Risk: The vehicle could then move/roll without prior warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Front suspension control arm failure
Summary
On september 6, 2011, fuji heavy industries USA, inc, on behalf of subaru of america, inc notified the office of defects investigation (odi) it would be conducting a safety recall of certain model year (my) 2002 through 2007 subaru impreza, my 2003 through 2008 subaru forester, and my 2005 through 2006 saab 9-2x vehicles originally sold or currently registered in one the salt belt states including the district of columbia (dc). For the purpose of this investigation, salt belt states include connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia
Fuel line leak
Summary
The design of the fuel line (metal rail/rubber hose interface) is susceptible to fuel odor and/or seepage in extreme cold temperature conditions.owners most often noticed fuel odor in the occupant compartment area during initial cold engine start-up.once the engine is warmed, the odor/seepage issue dissipates.from subaru's data, odi notes that the incident rates are higher in states with colder temperatures.there was one allegation of a fire incident in which the owner had reported that he noticed fuel odor a few days earlier, but odi could not confirm the origin of the fire. To address this issue, subaru will replace the fuel line with a longer rubber hose segment version/design on 5,724 my
Fuel line leak
Summary
Complainants report fuel leakage most frequently in winter during initial cold engine startup.owners will either notice a fuel odor inside the occupant compartment or fuel odor/leakage at the fuel lines on the right side atop the engine. Once the engine has warmed, the odor/leakage may cease.subaru revised the fuel pipe/hose design for model year (my) 2003-04 wrx vehicles produced after august 2003.subaru also introduced a my 2004 impreza sti vehicle with a different engine and fuel pipe/hose layout.out of the total of 994 complaints, 944 concern my 2002-03 wrx vehicles built through august 2003.subaru also reports one fire on a my 2002 wrx vehicle that occurred in february 2006.in march 200
Fuel line leakage in engine compartment
Summary
Subaru reports that the fuel odor is caused by fuel seepage during cold start of the engine under extremely cold temperatures. The leak occurs in a fuel line in the engine compartment.it reports that the failure is due to the misaligned angle between two fuel delivery lines which resulted in such fuel seepage during the first few seconds of cold engine start during these cold temperatures.subaru reports that the two fuel lines are connected with a hose that becomes too stiff in very cold temperatures to conform to the misalignment. Subaru has issued a technical service bulletin (subaru service bulletin number 09-36-03) to replace the fuel lines with new lines that are properly aligned and th
Questions about the 2002 Subaru Impreza
- What are the most common problems with the 2002 Subaru Impreza?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: fuel system (99 complaints, typically around 60,000 miles); brakes (60 complaints, typically around 25,500 miles); suspension (49 complaints, typically around 133,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2002 Subaru Impreza have?
- 6 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from September 6, 2011 (suspension). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2002 a bad year for the Subaru Impreza?
- It is the most complained-about Impreza model year since 2000, with 292 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.