Total Complaints
339 filings
SUBARU IMPREZA · model year
339 NHTSA complaints, 11 crash reports, and 6 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2002SUBARUIMPREZA carries 339 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 11 crashes, 3 fires, 9 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2002 IMPREZA is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip with 47 filings, followed by fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (42) and suspension (40). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 6 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle, the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 2 investigation files overlapping the 2002 IMPREZA. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page, a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
339 filings
Crashes Reported
11 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Above median complaint volume, review patterns below.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 47 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS | 42 |
| SUSPENSION | 40 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 40 |
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD | 12 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 10 |
| STEERING | 8 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 8 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 7 |
| POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION | 6 |
| POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY | 6 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 6 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 6 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 5 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 5 |
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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 VEHI
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TAILGATE:LATCH
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 GAT
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES
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 AN
SEATS
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.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
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,
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
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. D
A CHILD OWNS THIS VEHICLE
The contact owns a 2002 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that while reversing, the vehicle felt as if there was a flat tire on the vehicle. Upon inspection, the contact noticed that the front driver's side tire was about to detach. Additionally, the driverâs side front lower control arm was fractured. Prior to the failure, the contact had driven over a railroad track and lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle had previously been serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V464000 (Suspension). The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.
Mileage: 170,000
The passenger side lower control arm was rusting out without my knowledge and while driving, a part of it broke in half which caused my front passenger side while to turn the wrong way and ripped apart the CV Axle causing me to swerve to the left and promptly stopping the vehicle causing cars behind me to swerve out of the way. Thankfully, I was in the far left lane which avoided me smashing into another car. After research, I found a recall that included my car's make, model, year, and VIN range but was not applied to my car due to it not being registered in a "salt state". Had this car been treated in the first place like other same model cars were, it would not have had this issue. The car was purchased and has been in the Northern Virginia area for its whole life. Virginia is not a salt state, however, this car has been in and out of WV, MD, PA & DC which are all salt states. This car was originally purchased in Alexandria, VA which borders Washington DC. The NHTSA Campaign Number
The passenger side lower control arm was rusting out without my knowledge and while driving, a part of it broke in half which caused my front passenger side while to turn the wrong way and ripped apart the CV Axle causing me to swerve to the left and promptly stopping the vehicle causing cars behind me to swerve out of the way. Thankfully, I was in the far left lane which avoided me smashing into another car. After research, I found a recall that included my car's make, model, year, and VIN range but was not applied to my car due to it not being registered in a "salt state". Had this car been treated in the first place like other same model cars were, it would not have had this issue. The car was purchased and has been in the Northern Virginia area for its whole life. Virginia is not a salt state, however, this car has been in and out of WV, MD, PA & DC which are all salt states. This car was originally purchased in Alexandria, VA which borders Washington DC. The NHTSA Campaign Number
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN WOULD SOUND INADVERTENTLY WITHOUT BEING ACTIVATED BY THE DRIVER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AT FIRST THE HORN WOULD SOUND ONCE HOWEVER, RECENTLY THE FAILURE WAS MORE FREQUENT AND FOR A LONGER PERIOD OF TIME. THE CONTACT HAD NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 154,973. *BF
Mileage: 154,973
HELLO, I HOPE THIS MESSAGE FINDS YOU SAFE AND WELL. MY PROBLEM IS AS FOLLOWS: CONTROL ARM FAILURE EXACTLY AS DESCRIBED IN PREVIOUS RECALL FROM 2011 (LOWER CONTROL ARM BROKE AT HANGAR BRACKET; SAFETY RECALL: WVX34|NHTSA CAMPAIGN: 11V464000). I WAS NEVER PERSONALLY NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL, THE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE LEADING TO A NEAR ACCIDENT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IS WHAT ALERTED ME TO THE PROBLEM. I WAS DRIVING STRAIGHT, APPROXIMATELY 50MPH, WHEN THE HANGAR BROKE COMPROMISING THE STEERING AND CAUSING ME TO NEARLY CRASH. ACCORDING TO SUBARU OF AMERICA, THEY 'FIXED' THE PROBLEM WITH A RUST-PROOFING SPRAY, AND ARE DENYING ME ANY GOOD FAITH REPAIRS CITING THAT IT WAS ADDRESSED, DESPITE THE FACT THAT IT FAILED ANYWAYS AND SUBJECTED MYSELF AND OTHERS TO POTENTIAL SEVERE PERSONAL INJURY. AFTER MANY (NOT RETURNED) PHONE CALLS, THEY HAVE TOLD ME THEY WOULD LOOK AT IT (INCURRING 'ASSESSMENT FEES') AND THE WOMAN I SPOKE WITH TODAY FROM SUBARU OF AMERICA TOLD ME THEY WOULD OFFER MINIMAL IF ANY FINA
Mileage: 54,000
PUT MY CAR IN PARK AND IT STARTED ROLLING BACKWORDS.... SAME EXACT DAY IN WAS AT A STOP LIGHT ON A INCLINE AND MY CAR ROLLED BACKWORDS FASTER THEN IT SHOULD WHILE IN DRIVE. CAR HAS 101000 MILES
Mileage: 101,000
STRONG SMELL OF FUEL UPON START-UP WHEN IN SUB-FREEZING CONDITIONS. IT HAS OCCURRED TWICE IN 2019, WHICH ARE THE ONLY RECENT TIMES IT HAS BEEN EXPOSED TO THOSE CONDITIONS. THE FIRST OCCURRENCE WAS IN FEBRUARY, 2019. THE SECOND WAS IN NOVEMBER, 2019. RECALL 09V468000 APPLIES TO MY MODEL VEHICLE, BUT ONLY IN CERTAIN STATES. THE RECALL, THEREFORE, DOES NOT APPLY TO MY VIN, ALTHOUGH THE DESCRIPTION OF THE RECALL NOTICE APPEARS TO MATCH THE SYMPTOMS OF MY CAR. AFTER SPEAKING WITH SUBARU, THEY INDICATED THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT BECAUSE MY VIN IS NOT COVERED IN THE RECALL.
Mileage: 73,000
SAFETY RECALL: WVX34 I HAD THIS WORK DONE AT A DEALERSHIP. THEY DID A PUNCH TEST.THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS PASSED ON JULY 9, 2019 AND WERE UNDERCOATED AT 192630 MILES. TODAY AUGUST 10, 2019 THE PASSENGER SIDE CONTROL ARM BROKE WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH. I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY GET THE VEHICLE HOME AND TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY WERE UNABLE TO TELL ME IF THIS WOULD BE COVERED OR I WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. I AM CONCERNED SUBARU'S ACTIONS REGARDING THIS ISSUE ARE INADEQUATE.
Mileage: 195,000
SUBARU IMPREZA OUTBACK SPORT 2002, PASSENGER LOWER CONTROL ARM HAD CORROSION BAD ENOUGH TO CAUSE COMPLETE SEPARATION AND FAILURE CAUSING LOSS OF VEHICLE STEERING CONTROL WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH. CONTACTED SUBARU OF AMERICA AND SUBARU DEALERSHIP, SUBARU WAS NOT WITHIN THE VIN NUMBERS SPECIFIED UNDER THE CURRENT RECALL TO REPAIR THIS IDENTICAL ISSUE OF CORROSION OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM. ALSO THE U FRAME BRACE WAS SO EXTREMELY CORRODED THAT IT CRUMBLED AND FELL APART SIMILAR TO THE CONTROL ARM CORROSION. OTHER DAMAGE DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE CONTROL ARM FAILURE INCLUDE, DAMAGE TO BODY AND FENDER WHEN TIRE WAS STUFFED BACKWARD INTO THE FENDER DURING THE FAILURE AT SPEED. DAMAGE TO TIRE, DAMAGE TO ANTI ROLL BAR END LINK, DAMAGE TO DRIVE AXLE AND DRIVE AXLE BOOTS AND DAMAGE TO SEAL AND HOUSING AT TRANSMISSION DIFFERENTIAL, DAMAGE TO LOWER BALL JOINT.
Mileage: 150,000
THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE CONTROL ARM BROKE INTO TWO PIECES CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THIS CAUSED THE RIGHT FROM TOF THE VEHICLE TO DROP DOWN, IT CAUSED THE TIRE TO CONTACT THE FENDER AT REAR OF WHEEL OPENING AND CAUSED THE FRONT WHEELS TO POINT IN TWO DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS. THE OCCURRED ON A CITY STREET (LUCKILY) WHILE BACKING AND TURNING AFTER EXITING A DRIVEWAY. THERE IS A RECALL, BUT IT ALLOWED SUBARU TO "INSPECT" THE CONTROL ARM BACK IN 2011 AND NOT REPLACE IT, WHICH ALLOWED IT'S FAILURE ANYWAY AND SO WAS INEFFECTIVE.
Mileage: 85,000
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 FEW MILES AWAY. SUBARU OF AMERICA DID NOT TREAT OR REPLACE MY LOWER CONTROL ARM SINCE IT TECHNICALLY DIDN'T MEET THE RECALL CRITERIA. THE CONTROL ARM BROKE DUE TO RUST WHILE DRIVING - CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WAS LUCKILY MAINTAINED AT TIME OF FAILURE. THE SAFETY RECALL STATES "THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM MAY BREAK AT THE HANGER BRACKETS DUE TO CORROSION", WHICH IT DID. THE SAFETY COMPLAINT HERE IS THAT SURROUNDING STATES FOR SAFETY RECALLS THAT COVER SPECIFIC STATES. VEHICLES, WEATHER AND ROAD TREATMENTS DO NOT STOP AT STATES BORDERS. THE VEHICLE WAS EXPOSED TO THE SAME ROAD TREATMENTS AS VEHICLES IN THE NEIGHBORING STATES AND FAILED, AS PREDICTED BY SUBARU.
Mileage: 127,500
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 FEW MILES AWAY. SUBARU OF AMERICA DID NOT TREAT OR REPLACE MY LOWER CONTROL ARM SINCE IT TECHNICALLY DIDN'T MEET THE RECALL CRITERIA. THE CONTROL ARM BROKE DUE TO RUST WHILE DRIVING - CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WAS LUCKILY MAINTAINED AT TIME OF FAILURE. THE SAFETY RECALL STATES "THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM MAY BREAK AT THE HANGER BRACKETS DUE TO CORROSION", WHICH IT DID. THE SAFETY COMPLAINT HERE IS THAT SURROUNDING STATES FOR SAFETY RECALLS THAT COVER SPECIFIC STATES. VEHICLES, WEATHER AND ROAD TREATMENTS DO NOT STOP AT STATES BORDERS. THE VEHICLE WAS EXPOSED TO THE SAME ROAD TREATMENTS AS VEHICLES IN THE NEIGHBORING STATES AND FAILED, AS PREDICTED BY SUBARU.
Mileage: 127,500
IN COLD TEMPERATURES THE FUEL LEAKS FROM RUBBER FUEL LINES ONTO THE FUEL RAIL AND MANIFOLD RESULTING IN A VERY STRONG FUEL ODOR COMING INTO THE VEHICLES CABIN. WHEN AT A STOP WITH THE VEHICLE IDILING THE SMELL IS OVERWHELMING. NOT NEARLY AS BAD WHILE DRIVING.
Mileage: 141,000
VERY STRONG SMELL OF RAW GASOLINE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND CABIN THAT WOULD BE CONSISTENT WITH SPILLED FUEL BUT THERE WASN'T ANY SPILLED IN EITHER LOCATION. THE SMELL IS STRONGEST WHILE DRIVING WITH HEAT OR A/C ON TO THE POINT THAT WINDOWS HAD TO BE OPENED BECAUSE THE FUMES WERE IRRITATING THE EYES. AFTER SPEAKING WITH A MECHANIC, WAS TOLD THAT A COMMON PROBLEM IS THE RUBBER FUEL LINES THAT RUN ALONG THE TOP OF THE ENGINE DRY ROT AND BREAK CAUSING RAW GASOLINE TO SPILL ONTO THE HOT ENGINE AND TURBOCHARGER POTENTIALLY CAUSING A FIRE. THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE THE ENTIRE TIME I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE.
Mileage: 93,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EMITTED AN ABNORMAL FUEL ODOR WITHOUT WARNING. SUBARU OF WINCHESTER (3019 VALLEY AVE, WINCHESTER, VA) DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL LINE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT A MANAGER WOULD CALL THE CONTACT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 151,000.
Mileage: 151,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA. WHILE REVERSING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM FACTURED AND SEPERATED. BOTH FRONT WHEELS TURNED OUTWARD AND THE FRONT SUSPENSION FAILED, WHICH LOWERED THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE TO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V464000 (SUSPENSION) AND NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE11011 (SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER (AUTOBARN SUBARU OF COUNTRYSIDE, 6191 JOLIET RD, COUNTRYSIDE, IL 60525, (708) 497-3999) FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO OPEN RECALLS TO PROVIDE A REMEDY. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED OTHER THAN SUGGESTING THAT THE DEALER REPLACE THE PARTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM RUSTED AND FRACTURED, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL BEGAN BOUNCING UNCONTROLLABLY, AND THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN MOVING AND VIBRATING UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONTACT FORCED THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD AND INTO A DITCH ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ROAD ON A TWO LANE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V464000 (SUSPENSION) WAS ALREADY INSPECTED ON THE VEHICLE. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM DID NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 163,000. ..UPDATED 10/25/17 *BF CONSUMER STATED FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM CORRODED IN EXACT SPOT THAT WAS INSPECTED DURING RECALL. THIS IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL TEST IS INCONSISTENT WAY TO INSPECT VEHICLES. THE RUST PROOF COATING APPLIED WAS INEFFECTIVE IF AT ALL APPLIED. UPDATED 10/4/18*JB
Mileage: 163,000
AT OIL CHANGE, I WAS CALLED TO LOOK AT HOLE RUSTED INTO FRONT SUBFRAME--SHOCKING AND FRIGHTENING!!!
Mileage: 182,653
I WAS DENIED THE FUEL LINE RECALL DUE TO I LIVE IN OHIO AND OHIO IS NOT ON THE LIST OF "COLD STATES." I AM FORCED TO BREATH GASOLINE FUMES AND MY ENGINE SMOKES BURNING OFF THOSE GASOLINE FUMES. JUST WAITING FOR THE CAR TO BLOW UP. THANK YOU, SUBARU *TR
Mileage: 90,000
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.