MYRModel Year Report

2002 Subaru Impreza

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2002 Subaru Impreza
BUILT 2026-10-10

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
292
Recalls
6

Campaigns on file for 2002

Investigations
4

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Fuel system, gasoline

30% of complaints

Complaints per year

1990: 1 complaint 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 292 2003: 62 complaints 2004: 96 complaints 2005: 75 complaints 2006: 56 complaints 2007: 68 complaints 2007 2008: 176 complaints 2009: 103 complaints 2010: 46 complaints 2011: 58 complaints 2012: 243 complaints 2012 2013: 249 complaints 2014: 108 complaints 2015: 77 complaints 2016: 75 complaints 2017: 125 complaints 2017 2018: 151 complaints 2019: 193 complaints 2020: 85 complaints 2021: 14 complaints 2022: 13 complaints 2022 2023: 4 complaints 2024: 30 complaints 2025: 5 complaints 2026: 1 complaint
1990: 1 complaint 1990 1993: 33 complaints 1994: 8 complaints 1995: 46 complaints 1995 1996: 20 complaints 1997: 30 complaints 1998: 30 complaints 1998 1999: 22 complaints 2000: 41 complaints 2001: 11 complaints 2002: 292 complaints 2002 292 2003: 62 complaints 2004: 96 complaints 2004 2005: 75 complaints 2006: 56 complaints 2007: 68 complaints 2007 2008: 176 complaints 2009: 103 complaints 2010: 46 complaints 2010 2011: 58 complaints 2012: 243 complaints 2013: 249 complaints 2013 2014: 108 complaints 2015: 77 complaints 2016: 75 complaints 2016 2017: 125 complaints 2018: 151 complaints 2019: 193 complaints 2019 2020: 85 complaints 2021: 14 complaints 2022: 13 complaints 2022 2023: 4 complaints 2024: 30 complaints 2025: 5 complaints 2025 2026: 1 complaint
1990: 1 complaint 1990 1993: 33 complaints 1994: 8 complaints 1994 1995: 46 complaints 1996: 20 complaints 1996 1997: 30 complaints 1998: 30 complaints 1998 1999: 22 complaints 2000: 41 complaints 2000 2001: 11 complaints 2002: 292 complaints 2002 292 2003: 62 complaints 2004: 96 complaints 2004 2005: 75 complaints 2006: 56 complaints 2006 2007: 68 complaints 2008: 176 complaints 2008 2009: 103 complaints 2010: 46 complaints 2010 2011: 58 complaints 2012: 243 complaints 2012 2013: 249 complaints 2014: 108 complaints 2014 2015: 77 complaints 2016: 75 complaints 2016 2017: 125 complaints 2018: 151 complaints 2018 2019: 193 complaints 2020: 85 complaints 2020 2021: 14 complaints 2022: 13 complaints 2022 2023: 4 complaints 2024: 30 complaints 2024 2025: 5 complaints 2026: 1 complaint 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
201046
201158
2012243
2013249
2014108
201577
201675
2017125
2018151
2019193
202085
202114
202213
20234
202430
20255
20261

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Fuel system, gasoline

30% · 88 reports

Most commonly citing hoses, lines/piping, and fittings and delivery.

FIREINJURY
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, 2006-02-18

Service brakes

21% · 62 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Thin ice and snow on road, approaching red light at 28MPH downshifted to 2ND, slowed to 17MPH, downshifted to 1ST, slow to 9, lightly applied brakes with 4 car lengths to go, left front momentarily locked triggering anti-lock system which pushed the...

NHTSA ODI report, 2015-07-02

Suspension

17% · 50 reports

Most commonly citing rear and front.

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, 2018-05-15

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, 2012-04-04

Power train

9% · 26 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

Structure

7% · 21 reports

Most commonly citing body and frame and members.

Safety timeline

6 recalls · 4 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2002Complaint volume 292 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    2003-01-08Power train02V282000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. I
    2004-01-07Preliminary evaluationClosed 2004-05-27 Fuel line leakage in engine compartment
  4. R
    2004-04-12Vehicle speed control04V128000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2004-08-20Seats04V342000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2008-06-02Latches/locks/linkages08V135000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. I
    2009-03-10Preliminary evaluationClosed 2009-07-02 Fuel line leak
  8. I
    2009-07-02Engineering analysisClosed 2009-12-14 Fuel line leak
  9. R
    2009-12-31Fuel system, gasoline09V468000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  10. I
    2011-04-07Preliminary evaluationClosed 2011-09-23 Front suspension control arm failure
  11. R
    2011-12-31Suspension11V464000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2002 Subaru Impreza — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Fuel system, gasoline: 88 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 62 reports on file for this year.
  • Suspension: 50 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 02V282000 · Power train
  • Recall 04V128000 · Vehicle speed control
  • Recall 04V342000 · Seats
  • Recall 08V135000 · Latches/locks/linkages
  • Recall 09V468000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 11V464000 · Suspension
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

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 fuel system, gasoline, accounting for 30% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2002 Subaru Impreza have?
6 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.