2002 Subaru Impreza: Is It Reliable?
Problems, Recalls & Buyer Verdict
Shopping for a used 2002 Subaru Impreza? This page highlights owner-reported complaint patterns and recall history so you can inspect the right systems before buying. Current data includes 300 complaints, with Fuel System as the top reported area.
2002 Subaru Impreza Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA-rated fuel economy across 8 2002 Subaru Impreza trim configurations. The median figure is shown; range reflects all available trims.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions. 8 trims analysed.
2002 Subaru Impreza Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star ProgramOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
Not RatedFrontal Crash
Not RatedSide Crash
Not RatedRollover
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2002 Subaru Impreza has 300 owner complaints, 12 crash-related complaints, and 6 recall campaigns on record. The most frequently reported component is Fuel System. NHTSA reliability signal: Severe Issues.
- Make
- Subaru
- Model
- Impreza
- Model year
- 2002
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 300
- Crash-related complaints
- 12
- Safety recall campaigns
- 6
- Top reported component
- Fuel System
- Reliability signal
- Severe Issues
- EPA MPG combined
- 21
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 18 / 25
- Fuel type
- Premium Gasoline
- NHTSA rollover rating
- 4/5 stars
- Electronic stability control
- No
Most Common 2002 Subaru Impreza Problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Fuel System
Gasoline
Brake System
Complaint patterns center on Fuel System, Gasoline, Brake System. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Should You Buy a Used 2002 Subaru Impreza?
The 2002 Subaru Impreza shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase.
Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report.
What to Check Before Buying a Used 2002 Subaru Impreza
Inspection Focus
- Inspect the fuel system, including fuel lines and tank, for leaks or damage.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for brake system repairs, especially hydraulic components.
- Have a mechanic inspect suspension components before purchase.
Before You Close the Deal
- Inspect the fuel system, including fuel lines and tank, for leaks or damage.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for brake system repairs, especially hydraulic components.
- Have a mechanic inspect suspension components before purchase.
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2002 Subaru Impreza, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
What the Complaint Data Suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
Complaints for the 2002 Subaru Impreza are concentrated in the fuel and brake systems, with fuel-related issues being the most reported. The data suggests potential concerns with fuel system components and brake hydraulics, though the low confidence level and limited model year range warrant caution.
- Fuel System complaints account for the largest share of reported issues.
- Brake System complaints are the second most common, with Hydraulic issues dominating.
- Suspension Failures are also frequently reported.
- Fuel System
- Brake System
- Suspension Failures
All 2002 Subaru Impreza Complaints by Category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2002 Subaru Impreza. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel System | 92 | — | 1 | — | |
| Gasoline | 88 | — | 1 | — | |
| Brake System | 63 | 7 | — | — | |
| Hydraulic | 59 | 6 | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 49 | 1 | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 26 | 1 | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 25 | — | 1 | — | |
| Structural Problems | 22 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility | 17 | 1 | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 8 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 8 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 6 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 6 | — | 1 | — | |
| Other | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Air | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Door Lock Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 1 | 1 | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Real Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2002 Subaru Impreza. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
A CHILD OWNS THIS VEHICLE
The contact owns a 2002 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that while reversing, the vehicle felt as if there was a flat tire on the vehicle. Upon inspection, the contact noticed that the front driver's side tire was about to detach. Additionally, the driver’s side front lower co…
The passenger side lower control arm was rusting out without my knowledge and while driving, a part of it broke in half which caused my front passenger side while to turn the wrong way and ripped apart the CV Axle causing me to swerve to the left and promptly stopping the vehicle…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN WOULD SOUND INADVERTENTLY WITHOUT BEING ACTIVATED BY THE DRIVER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AT FIRST THE HORN WOULD SOUND ONCE HOWEVER, RECENTLY THE FAILURE WAS MORE FREQUENT AND FOR A LONGER PERIOD OF TIME…
HELLO, I HOPE THIS MESSAGE FINDS YOU SAFE AND WELL. MY PROBLEM IS AS FOLLOWS: CONTROL ARM FAILURE EXACTLY AS DESCRIBED IN PREVIOUS RECALL FROM 2011 (LOWER CONTROL ARM BROKE AT HANGAR BRACKET; SAFETY RECALL: WVX34|NHTSA CAMPAIGN: 11V464000). I WAS NEVER PERSONALLY NOTIFIED …
PUT MY CAR IN PARK AND IT STARTED ROLLING BACKWORDS.... SAME EXACT DAY IN WAS AT A STOP LIGHT ON A INCLINE AND MY CAR ROLLED BACKWORDS FASTER THEN IT SHOULD WHILE IN DRIVE. CAR HAS 101000 MILES
STRONG SMELL OF FUEL UPON START-UP WHEN IN SUB-FREEZING CONDITIONS. IT HAS OCCURRED TWICE IN 2019, WHICH ARE THE ONLY RECENT TIMES IT HAS BEEN EXPOSED TO THOSE CONDITIONS. THE FIRST OCCURRENCE WAS IN FEBRUARY, 2019. THE SECOND WAS IN NOVEMBER, 2019. RECALL 09V468000 APPLIES T…
SAFETY RECALL: WVX34 I HAD THIS WORK DONE AT A DEALERSHIP. THEY DID A PUNCH TEST.THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS PASSED ON JULY 9, 2019 AND WERE UNDERCOATED AT 192630 MILES. TODAY AUGUST 10, 2019 THE PASSENGER SIDE CONTROL ARM BROKE WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH. I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY GET THE…
SUBARU IMPREZA OUTBACK SPORT 2002, PASSENGER LOWER CONTROL ARM HAD CORROSION BAD ENOUGH TO CAUSE COMPLETE SEPARATION AND FAILURE CAUSING LOSS OF VEHICLE STEERING CONTROL WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH. CONTACTED SUBARU OF AMERICA AND SUBARU DEALERSHIP, SUBARU…
THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE CONTROL ARM BROKE INTO TWO PIECES CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THIS CAUSED THE RIGHT FROM TOF THE VEHICLE TO DROP DOWN, IT CAUSED THE TIRE TO CONTACT THE FENDER AT REAR OF WHEEL OPENING AND CAUSED THE FRONT WHEELS TO POINT IN TWO DIFFERENT DIRE…
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID 11V464000 (SUBARU SAFETY RECALL WVX-34) COVERS 2002-2007 IMPREZAS, AS WELL AS OTHER MODELS. THE SAFETY RECALL COVERS CARS REGISTERED IN 20 RUST BELT STATES. MY VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN REGISTERED IN THOSE STATES, SO IT IS TECHNICALLY NOT COVERED, BUT IT IS DRIVEN…
IN COLD TEMPERATURES THE FUEL LEAKS FROM RUBBER FUEL LINES ONTO THE FUEL RAIL AND MANIFOLD RESULTING IN A VERY STRONG FUEL ODOR COMING INTO THE VEHICLES CABIN. WHEN AT A STOP WITH THE VEHICLE IDILING THE SMELL IS OVERWHELMING. NOT NEARLY AS BAD WHILE DRIVING.
VERY STRONG SMELL OF RAW GASOLINE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND CABIN THAT WOULD BE CONSISTENT WITH SPILLED FUEL BUT THERE WASN'T ANY SPILLED IN EITHER LOCATION. THE SMELL IS STRONGEST WHILE DRIVING WITH HEAT OR A/C ON TO THE POINT THAT WINDOWS HAD TO BE OPENED BECAUSE THE FUMES …
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EMITTED AN ABNORMAL FUEL ODOR WITHOUT WARNING. SUBARU OF WINCHESTER (3019 VALLEY AVE, WINCHESTER, VA) DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL LINE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA. WHILE REVERSING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM FACTURED AND SEPERATED. BOTH FRONT WHEELS TURNED OUTWARD AND THE FRONT SUSPENSION FAILED, WHICH LOWERED THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE TO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE …
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM RUSTED AND FRACTURED, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL BEGAN BOUNCING UNCONTROLLABLY, AND THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN MOVING AND VIBRATING UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONTACT FORCED THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROA…
AT OIL CHANGE, I WAS CALLED TO LOOK AT HOLE RUSTED INTO FRONT SUBFRAME--SHOCKING AND FRIGHTENING!!!
I WAS DENIED THE FUEL LINE RECALL DUE TO I LIVE IN OHIO AND OHIO IS NOT ON THE LIST OF "COLD STATES." I AM FORCED TO BREATH GASOLINE FUMES AND MY ENGINE SMOKES BURNING OFF THOSE GASOLINE FUMES. JUST WAITING FOR THE CAR TO BLOW UP. THANK YOU, SUBARU *TR
FOR THE LAST 5 YEARS NOW, WHEN THE CAR IS COLD, SITTING IN THE GARAGE, THEN YOU START IT UP AND YOUR VENTS ARE OPEN TO THE OUTSIDE AIR, THE INTERIOR SMELLS OF GASOLINE. I LIVE IN HAWAII AND THE RECALL DOES NOT COVER OUR STATE. THE ONLY WAY TO NOT LET THE SMELL IN THE INSIDE COM…
FUEL LINES ABOVE THE ENGINE ON BOTH SIDES LEAK FUEL WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING. THE LEAK OCCURS WHEN THE GAS PEDAL IS DEPRESSED IF THE TEMP IS LOWER THAN 32 DEGREES. AT THE POINT WHERE THE RUBBER FUEL LINE MEETS THE METAL FUEL LINES YOU CAN SEE GAS SPRAY ACROSS THE ENGINE BLOCK …
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2002 Subaru Impreza.
2002 Subaru Impreza Recalls
6 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2002 Subaru Impreza. 6 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
2002 Subaru Impreza Buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2002 Subaru Impreza reliable?▾
Severe Issues. NHTSA currently shows 300 owner complaints, 12 crash-related complaints, and 6 recall campaigns for this model year. The 2002 Subaru Impreza shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Subaru Impreza?▾
#1: Fuel System (92 complaints). #2: Gasoline (88 complaints). #3: Brake System (63 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2002 Subaru Impreza?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2002 Subaru Impreza?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2002 Subaru Impreza, NHTSA complaints include 12 crash-related reports and 3 fire reports out of 300 total complaints. 9 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2002 Subaru Impreza have any recalls?▾
Yes. 6 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2002 Subaru Impreza. A major recall area is SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM. 6 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2002 Subaru Impreza?▾
The 2002 Subaru Impreza shows higher complaint activity for its model-year profile, so buyers should inspect known problem areas carefully before purchase. Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report. Pay extra attention to Fuel System during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Subaru Impreza reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2002 Subaru Impreza based on your ownership experience.
Add your rating:
Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Check the Exact Vehicle History Before You Buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.