2003 Subaru WRX
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.
- Complaints
- 60
- Recalls
- 2
- Investigations
- 5
- Top problem
- Service brakes
Campaigns on file for 2003
Opened by NHTSA
33% of complaints
Complaints per year
2003: 60 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 427 |
| 2003 | 60 |
| 2004 | 42 |
| 2005 | 19 |
| 2006 | 14 |
| 2007 | 0 |
| 2008 | 65 |
| 2009 | 41 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 4 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 7 |
| 2014 | 6 |
| 2015 | 52 |
| 2016 | 31 |
| 2017 | 53 |
| 2018 | 43 |
| 2019 | 30 |
| 2020 | 18 |
| 2021 | 13 |
| 2022 | 25 |
| 2023 | 9 |
| 2024 | 14 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2026 | 1 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Service brakes
33% · 20 reportsMost commonly citing hydraulic.
Fuel system, gasoline
27% · 16 reportsMost commonly citing hoses, lines/piping, and fittings and delivery.
Fuel/propulsion system
7% · 4 reportsShow 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, 2019-02-22
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, 2018-01-17
Engine and engine cooling
7% · 4 reportsMost commonly citing engine.
Power train
7% · 4 reportsMost commonly citing manual transmission and column shift assembly.
Safety timeline
2 recalls · 5 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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2003Complaint volume 60 complaints filed for this model year.
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2003-07-08Preliminary evaluationClosed 2003-11-19 Braking system/ABS
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2003-11-19Engineering analysisClosed 2005-07-12 Extended stopping distances
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2004-01-07Preliminary evaluationClosed 2004-05-27 Fuel line leakage in engine compartment
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2006-08-01Exterior lighting06E060000 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…
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.
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2009-03-10Preliminary evaluationClosed 2009-07-02 Fuel line leak
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2009-07-02Engineering analysisClosed 2009-12-14 Fuel line leak
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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.
Buy-smart checklist
2003 Subaru WRX — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Service brakes: 20 reports on file for this year.
- Fuel system, gasoline: 16 reports on file for this year.
- Fuel/propulsion system: 4 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 06E060000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 09V468000 · Fuel system, gasoline
Other years of this model
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, accounting for 33% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2003 Subaru WRX have?
- 2 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.