KnownCarProblems2002 Subaru Wrx Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 427 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Subaru Wrx, most often about the fuel system (69% of complaints, typically around 48,500 miles). It is the most complained-about Wrx model year since 2000 and has 1 recall.
Most common 2002 Subaru Wrx problems
Fuel system
295 complaints · 69%Half of these problems showed up before 48,500 miles. Parts named most often: delivery, fuel injection system, storage.
In cold weather, below 20 fahrenheit, I experience a severe raw gasoline odor from the vents at idle. The smell is very strong under the hood as well. Subaru has a technical service bulletin on the issue addressing the leaking gasoline with a new fuel pipe and hoses. My dealer agreed to apply the bulletin with no…
Strong smell of raw fuel coming into the cabin of my 2002 Wrx. Problem has recently become much worse, possibly due to the very cold weather. Dealer says they identified the leak and need to replace the fuel lines and some other connectors and parts at a cost of $430.
Brakes
80 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 21,500 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, antilock, foundation components, power assist.
Antilock brake failure caused accident. A vechicle in front of me stopped quickly so I applied the brakes with moderate to heavy pressure. Although I was going only 30-35 MPH and had several car lengths to stop, the brakes locked and the pedal went soft and I was unable to control the car causing me to rear-end the…
While applying the brakes, something is banging in the front end. Only happens the first time I back up and apply brakes. Move forward and it bangs again but only the first time I move in that direction. Dealer tells me the brake shoes are moving but nothing can be done, they claim it is not a problem.
Engine
18 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 30,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system, cooling system.
Raw fuel smell in cold weather; Subaru tsb 09-36-03, issue date 04/01/03 severe raw fuel smell and fumes in cabin. Engine is leaking copious amounts of fuel.
Temperature gauge fluctuated wildly while driving, and consumer felt that this should not be happening. Vehicle was taken to the dealer, and was given back to the consumer, dealer claimed that nothing was wrong with the vehicle.
Transmission
16 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 35,500 miles. Parts named most often: manual transmission, clutch assembly.
My husband was driving my 2002 Subaru Wrx in a normal manner when he stopped at a light at an intersection. He went to pull out and could not get into gear. He gave a little gas and attempted to get car to go in first gear, then the lutch went to floor and he could not get car to move, except by drifting. When it was…
The car never shifted gears easily from when new. At 13,000 miles the dealer replaced the clutch under warranty with an '03 spec clutch assembly. The shuddering ceased, but the transmission whined excessively and it was still difficult to shift gears, especially when cold. Last week, in very cold temperatures, all…
Visibility and wipers
8 complaints · 2%Parts named most often: windshield, power window devices and controls.
Windshield has numerous pits and one large crack that has grown 2 inches in the past day. Windshield is too brittle, everything that hits this windshield damages it. Car only has 4,000 miles.
No apparent or known events or causes leading to failure. No rock chips or dings at origin site at upper edge of windshield where failure began. My windshield was in good condition when last driven with no visible breaks. The next time I drove it, the windshield had begun to crack from top edge in fromt of the…
Suspension
6 complaints · 1%Parts named most often: front.
I owned the car for 5k miles and the front wheel bearings are bad. This is an expensive repair for a 2 year old car. I searched the internet and found this to be a common problem for subarus. The drivetrain is noisy, so it is hard to detect during normal driving and can really damage the car if not found.
Lower control arm for my 2002 subrau Wrx rusted completely and broke, which also caused the sway bar to be ripped off. Thankfully it only happened pulling out of the driveway and not on the highway.
Air bags
3 complaints · 1%Parts named most often: frontal.
The vehicle slid on some snow and ice, which caused the consumer to lose control of the vehicle and hit a pole, and the air bags did not deploy.
While driving at 55-60 MPH consumer attempted to turn a corner too fast and vehicle collided with a brick wall. Consumer was thrown against the windshield and broke his nose. The seat belts were not worn , and frontal air bags did not deploy. Consumer was cited by the police for destruction of property.
Electrical
3 complaints · 1%Parts named most often: wiring.
Noticed a strong gasoline odor coming from ventilation system. Outside ambient temperature was -8f. Opened hood and noticed a visible vapor cloud of gasoline. Immediately took to dealer's service department, as I felt that the car was no longer safe to drive. Was told that parts were on "national backorder". (this…
Traveling on a damp, bumpy asphalt road in seattle (tempurature was in the mid-40's). Light ahead turns red - I apply the brakes as usual, but the peddle suddenly sinks about an inch and I feel ABS come on. It feels as if the brakes have no stopping power and are only working at about 10%. I let up on the brakes and…
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 Wrx recalls
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.
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
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
Extended stopping distances
Summary
During the ea, odi and vrtc performed the following activities:1.conducted a mail survey of 246 subject vehicle owners todetermine the roadway surface that caused owners' concern;2.interviewed complaining owners;3.conducted field inspections of seven (7) complaint vehicles;4.instrumented testing at vrtc of complaint and peer vehicles;5.reviewed subaru's response to our information request;6.met with subaru for technical review of testingas a result of the work conducted by vrtc and odi during this investigaiton, a consistent or chronic pattern of poor brake performance has not been identified.vrtc conducted over 11,500 brake tests.they did not observe any long-duration, low deceleration even
Braking system/ABS
Summary
Subaru's supplemental response of september 29, 2003, identified that the 2002, 2003 subaru wrx models areequipped with the bosch 5.3 ABS system, and identified that other model subaru vehicles are also equipped with the bosch 5.3 ABS system, but have different calibrations than the wrx model vehicles.subaru identified that changes were made in the ABS ecu to address a calibration logic issue when driving the vehicle with the spare tire mounted.subaru reported that both the ABS hydraulic unit and the ABS ecu were modified, and gave VIN numbers to identify the implementation of the modified units in production. Testing is underway to gain an understanding of the wrx vehicle performance during
Questions about the 2002 Subaru Wrx
- What are the most common problems with the 2002 Subaru Wrx?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: fuel system (295 complaints, typically around 48,500 miles); brakes (80 complaints, typically around 21,500 miles); engine (18 complaints, typically around 30,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2002 Subaru Wrx have?
- 1 recall listed by NHTSA, the latest from December 4, 2009 (fuel system). 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 Wrx?
- It is the most complained-about Wrx model year since 2000, with 427 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.