MYRModel Year Report

2003 Subaru WRX

◆ Worse than typical
2003 Subaru WRX
RENDERED 2026-08-02T09:20:05.449Z

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than 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, 2003 highlighted. 2002: 427 complaints 2002 2003: 60 complaints 2003 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: 24 complaints 2023: 7 complaints 2023 2024: 13 complaints 2025: 2 complaints 2025
2003: 60 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
202224
20237
202413
20252

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 32%

32% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 19 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

ABS FAILED. DRIVING ON ROAD, GOT CUT OFF, STEPPED ON BRAKE PEDAL. PEDAL DROPPED TO FLOOR, CALIPERS SEEMED TO RELEASE AFTER A SECOND CAUSING NO LOSS IN SPEED. REAR ENDED DRIVER IN FRONT OF ME. STOPPING DISTANCE MORE THAN DOUBLED. *NLM

NHTSA ODI report, 20030826

SUBARU WRX WAGON, 2003. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SLOW FOR A CORNER ON A WELL GROOMED, DRY, GRAVEL ROAD THE ABS SYSTEM OF THE CAR INITIATED A MODE THAT WOULD NOT ALLOW THE CARS BRAKES TO FUNCTION AT ALL.

NHTSA ODI report, 20030826

COMING AROUND CORNER ON A HILL DRIVER WAS IN MIDDLE OF ROAD AVOIDING POTHOLE I SWERVED AND BRAKED THEN SWERVED BACK. WHEN I SWERVED BACK MY BRAKE PEDAL HIT THE FLOOR AND I PROCEDED TO DRIVE ONTO SOMEONES FRONT LAWN.

NHTSA ODI report, 20030819

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 18%

18% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 11 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 7%

7% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 4 distinct reports on file.

Show complaint excerpts

CAR WAS RECALLED IN APPROXIMATELY 2009 FOR A FUEL LEAK WHICH COULD CAUSE AND ENGINE FIRE. I KNOW BECAUSE I'VE OWNED THIS CAR I BOUGHT IT NEW IN 2003. THE PROBLEM HAS REOCCURRED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20190222

FUEL LEAKING ONTO MY ENGINE BLOCK COULD RESULT IN MY CAR ENGULFING IN FLAMES, NO RECALL FOR IT ON MY CAR BUT I SEE IT EVERYWHERE AND IT'S A SUPER COMMON PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180117

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 7%

7% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 4 distinct reports on file.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 5%

5% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 3 distinct reports on file.

FIRE

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2003 — complaint volume: 60
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

2003 Subaru WRX — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (19 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for fuel system, gasoline issues (11 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for fuel/propulsion system issues (4 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

■ 2002 ◆ 2008 ● 2017

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2003 Subaru WRX reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2003 Subaru WRX is rated "worse than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Subaru WRX?

The most-reported component is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, accounting for 32% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2003 Subaru WRX have?

2 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.