2002 Subaru Impreza

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2002 Subaru Impreza
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Subaru Impreza Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2002 highlighted. 1990: 1 complaints 1990 1993: 33 complaints 1994: 8 complaints 1995: 46 complaints 1996: 20 complaints 1997: 30 complaints 1997 1998: 30 complaints 1999: 22 complaints 2000: 41 complaints 2001: 11 complaints 2002: 292 complaints 2002 2003: 62 complaints 2004: 96 complaints 2005: 75 complaints 2006: 56 complaints 2007: 68 complaints 2007 2008: 176 complaints 2009: 103 complaints 2010: 45 complaints 2011: 57 complaints 2012: 242 complaints 2012 2013: 248 complaints 2014: 108 complaints 2015: 77 complaints 2016: 75 complaints 2017: 125 complaints 2017 2018: 149 complaints 2019: 191 complaints 2020: 85 complaints 2021: 14 complaints 2022: 12 complaints 2022 2023: 4 complaints 2024: 29 complaints 2025: 4 complaints 2026: 1 complaints 2026
2002: 292 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19901
199333
19948
199546
199620
199730
199830
199922
200041
200111
2002292
200362
200496
200575
200656
200768
2008176
2009103
201045
201157
2012242
2013248
2014108
201577
201675
2017125
2018149
2019191
202085
202114
202212
20234
202429
20254
20261

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 15%

15% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 45 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

ABS FAILED RESULTING IN CAR CRASH. TS

NHTSA ODI report, 20030117

BRAKES DID NOT RESPOND TO FULL PRESSURE APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL AFTER GETTING IN THE EXIT LANE OF NORTHBOUND INTERSTATE 75 AND THE I-675 SOUTH EXCHANGE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20020131

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 14%

14% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 42 distinct reports on file.

SUSPENSION 14%

14% of complaints: suspension — 40 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA. WHILE REVERSING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM FACTURED AND SEPERATED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180515

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 11V464000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM).

NHTSA ODI report, 20120404

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 14%

14% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 40 distinct reports on file.

FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

RAW FUEL SMELL WITH TEMPERATURES BELOW 20 DEGREES F AND RAW FUEL IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT WITH TEMPERATURES BELOW 0 DEGREES F. SMELL OCCURS ANYTIME CAR SITS IN SUB 20F TEMPERATURES.

NHTSA ODI report, 20060218

VISIBILITY 4%

4% of complaints: visibility — 12 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

2002 — complaint volume: 292
R 20030108 — power train

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 PL

Remedy: 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 V

Campaign 02V282000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20040107 — PE (closed 20040527)

FUEL LINE LEAKAGE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT

R 20040412 — vehicle speed control

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 ACCELERATO

Remedy: 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 NOTIF

Campaign 04V128000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20040820 — 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 EVENT

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 04V342000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20080602 — latches/locks/linkages

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 GAT

Remedy: 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 W

Campaign 08V135000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20090310 — PE (closed 20090702)

FUEL LINE LEAK

I 20090702 — EA (closed 20091214)

FUEL LINE LEAK

R 20091231 — fuel system, gasoline

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, MONT

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 09V468000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20110407 — PE (closed 20110923)

Front suspension control arm failure

R 20111231 — suspension

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 ORIGI

Remedy: 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 W

Campaign 11V464000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2002 Subaru Impreza — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (45 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for fuel system, gasoline issues (42 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for suspension issues (40 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 02V282000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 04V128000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 04V342000 (seats) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 08V135000 (latches/locks/linkages) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09V468000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 11V464000 (suspension) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1998 ▲ 1997 ▲ 1993

WORST YEARS

■ 2013 ■ 2012 ■ 2019

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2002 Subaru Impreza reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2002 Subaru Impreza is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Subaru Impreza?

The most-reported component is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, accounting for 15% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2002 Subaru Impreza have?

6 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.