2002 Subaru Impreza

Complaint history

When NHTSA received these reports. Changes in reporting alone do not establish a change in failure rates.

Problems owners report

Listed groups have at least 3 complaints. The page includes the 20 largest groups plus any additional flagged groups; some complaints are not assigned to a group.

AI groups complaints by meaning; the groups are approximate. Share ratio compares the problem’s share of this vehicle’s complaints with its share on other vehicles over the last 24 months (shown from 3 recent complaints). A 2× ratio means twice the complaint share, not twice the failure risk. Flags mark unusual shares or recent surges after an AI review of the complaint content. “First signal” does not mean the pattern has persisted continuously.How recall estimates are calculated.

Recalls

• NHTSA recall #11V464000September 6, 2011318,215 vehicles affected

  suspension: front: control arm: lower arm

  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 originally sold, or currently registered in, massachusetts, maryland, michigan, new hampshire, new york, pennsylvania, vermont, wisconsin, connecticut, delaware, iowa, illinois, indiana, maine, minnesota, missouri, new jersey, ohio, rhode island, west virginia and the district of columbia. The front lower control arms may break at the hanger brackets due to corrosion if the hanger bracket is exposed to salty and humid environments such as roads containing snow melting agent.

  A broken control arm Can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

  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 will be performed free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during december 2011. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783. Owners may contact Saab at 1-800-955-9007.

• NHTSA recall #09V468000December 4, 20095,724 vehicles affected

  fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump

  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, montana, colorado, wisconsin, new york, wyoming, michigan, alaska, new hampshire, vermont, and maine. During cold starts, typically under extremely cold temperatures, fuel leaks in the fuel delivery line could occur where the line connects with a rubber hose.

  Fuel leaks, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.

  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.

• NHTSA recall #08V135000March 24, 200836,791 vehicles affected

  latches/locks/linkages: tailgate: latch

  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 gate panel and stud bolt base. After repeated rear gate operations (opening and closing), the rear gate inner panel at the welding nut may break, which will lead to detachment of the rear gate stay, and the rear gate dropping down.

  In case someone is underneath or near the rear gate, there is a possibility that a dropping rear gate panel may hit them increasing the risk of injuries.

  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 weld nut is cracked, the rear gate stay will be replaced free of charge. The recall began on june 2, 2008. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783.

• NHTSA recall #04V342000July 14, 200484,574 vehicles affected

  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 eventually fall out, and the seat may separate from the seat slide.

  In the event of a crash, the driver may sustain more severe injuries due to the seat movement.

  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.

• NHTSA recall #04V128000March 16, 2004127,580 vehicles affected

  vehicle speed control: cables

  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 accelerator pedal is released. If this condition occurs, the throttle will not return to the idle position and will remain in an open position.

  If this occurs during vehicle operation, the driver could lose control of the vehicle, which could result in a crash.

  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 notification began on april 12, 2004. Owners should contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783.

• NHTSA recall #02V282000October 30, 2002172,564 vehicles affected

  power train: automatic transmission

  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 placed in the "p" (park) position, the transmission park mechanism, that is intended to hold your vehicle, may not engage.

  The vehicle could then move/roll without prior warning, increasing the risk of a crash.

  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 vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783.

Other model years

• 1993 33
• 1995 46
• 1997 30
• 1998 30
• 2000 41
• 2002
• 2003 62
• 2004 96
• 2005 75
• 2006 56
• 2007 68
• 2008 176
• 2009 104
• 2010 46
• 2011 58
• 2012 243
• 2013 251
• 2014 108
• 2015 77
• 2016 75
• 2017 125
• 2018 152
• 2019 194
• 2020 85
• 2024 32