MYRModel Year Report

2002 Subaru WRX

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2002 Subaru WRX
BUILT 2026-09-02

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 WRX Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2002 highlighted. 2002: 427 complaints 2002 2003: 60 complaints 2004: 42 complaints 2005: 19 complaints 2005 2006: 14 complaints 2007: 0 complaints 2008: 65 complaints 2008 2009: 41 complaints 2010: 1 complaints 2011: 4 complaints 2011 2012: 2 complaints 2013: 7 complaints 2014: 6 complaints 2014 2015: 52 complaints 2016: 31 complaints 2017: 53 complaints 2017 2018: 42 complaints 2019: 30 complaints 2020: 17 complaints 2020 2021: 13 complaints 2022: 25 complaints 2023: 8 complaints 2023 2024: 13 complaints 2025: 2 complaints 2025
2002: 427 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
2002427
200360
200442
200519
200614
20070
200865
200941
20101
20114
20122
20137
20146
201552
201631
201753
201842
201930
202017
202113
202225
20238
202413
20252

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

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

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 64%

64% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 275 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hoses, lines/piping, and fittings and delivery.

FIRE INJURY
SERVICE BRAKES 19%

19% of complaints: service brakes — 83 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

I WORK AS A VALET ATTENDANT. I HAVE PARKED A LARGE NUMBER OF VEHICLES. I HAD TO PARK THIS VEHICLE IN A PARKING SPOT. TO PARK IN THIS SPOT I HAD TO MAKE A RIGHT TO LINE UP FOR THE SPOT. THE CAR ACCELERATED SUDDENLY.

NHTSA ODI report, 20131203

Also filed under VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER 6%

6% of complaints: fuel system, other — 27 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hoses, lines/piping, and fittings and delivery.

POWER TRAIN 4%

4% of complaints: power train — 19 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing manual transmission and clutch assembly.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

WHILE RETURNING TO LAS VEGAS FROM A CAMPING TRIP ON VENTURA FREEWAY NEAR THE TARZANA EXIT OUR 2003 WRX EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF BRAKING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC ON CLEAR, DRY, RAIN GROOVED HIGHWAY.

NHTSA ODI report, 20030625

Also filed under SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 4%

4% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 16 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing gasoline and exhaust system.

Show complaint excerpts

EXHAUST SYSTEM OVERHEATS, CAUSING CARPETING INSIDE PASSENGER'S COMPARTMENT TO GET VERY HOT AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN OVER A LONG PERIOD OF TIME. ALSO, DUE TO VEHICLE OVERHEATING METAL HAS TURNED INTO A CHERRY COLOR.

NHTSA ODI report, 20010823

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2002 — complaint volume: 427
I 20030708 — PE (closed 20031119)

BRAKING SYSTEM/ABS

I 20031119 — EA (closed 20050712)

EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES

I 20040107 — PE (closed 20040527)

FUEL LINE LEAKAGE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT

R 20060801 — exterior lighting

CERTAIN AAI MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LIST PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE RE

Remedy: AAI MOTORSPORTS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AAI MOTORSPORTS AT 909-923-9188.

Campaign 06E060000 — 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

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2002 Subaru WRX — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for fuel system, gasoline issues (275 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (83 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for fuel system, other issues (27 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 06E060000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09V468000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2019 ▲ 2016 ● 2009

WORST YEARS

◆ 2008 ◆ 2003 ● 2017

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2002 Subaru WRX reliable?

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

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

The most-reported component is fuel system, gasoline, accounting for 64% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2002 Subaru WRX have?

2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.