CarModelProblems.com

2002 Subaru Impreza Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip — runs 2.2× the fleet median for that category across the 2075 model-years tracked on this site.
292Complaints
6Recalls
11Crashes
3Fires
8Injured
0Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip (16.1% of complaints) — recall and investigation status for this vehicle is currently unavailable.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip complaints here are 2.2× the median for that category across the 2075 model-years tracked on this site.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip47 · 16.1%not available
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings42 · 14.4%RecalledRecall 09V468000
Suspension40 · 13.7%RecalledRecall 11V464000
Fuel System, Gasoline40 · 13.7%RecalledRecall 09V468000
Visibility:windshield12 · 4.1%not available
Structure:body10 · 3.4%not available

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

SUSPENSION40 · 13.7%
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD12 · 4.1%
STRUCTURE:BODY10 · 3.4%
STEERING8 · 2.7%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM8 · 2.7%
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION7 · 2.4%
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION6 · 2.1%

Percentages are the share of the 292 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 6 campaigns

Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm

NHTSA campaign 11V464000 · 2011 · reported 09/06/2011

A BROKEN CONTROL ARM CAN RESULT IN THE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Latches/locks/linkages:tailgate:latch

NHTSA campaign 08V135000 · 2008 · reported 03/24/2008

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

NHTSA campaign 09V468000 · 2009 · reported 12/04/2009

FUEL LEAKS, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Vehicle Speed Control:cables

NHTSA campaign 04V128000 · 2004 · reported 03/16/2004

IF THIS OCCURS DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, THE DRIVER COULD LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Seats

NHTSA campaign 04V342000 · 2004 · reported 07/14/2004

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE DRIVER MAY SUSTAIN MORE SEVERE INJURIES DUE TO THE SEAT MOVEMENT. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Power Train:automatic Transmission

NHTSA campaign 02V282000 · 2002 · reported 10/30/2002

THE VEHICLE COULD THEN MOVE/ROLL WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“ABS INTERMITTENTLY KICKS IN ON DRY, SMOOTH ROAD AT LOW SPEEDS, WITH LIGHT PEDAL PRESSURE. DEALER CHECKED AND SAID ALL IS NORMAL. PROBLEM IS NOT…”NHTSA complaint 10061820 — filed 03/10/2004 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
“MY CAR'S ABS ENGAGES WHEN GOING OVER BUMPY/UNEVEN SURFACES RESULTING IN NEARLY COMPLETE BRAKING LOSS. THE PEDAL GOES ALMOST ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR…”NHTSA complaint 10047320 — filed 11/21/2003 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
“ABS PREMATURE ENGAGEMENT. HAPPENED 11/18/03 AND ABOUT 10 TIMES SINCE 6/02. UNDER LIGHT TO MODERATE BRAKING, AROUND 35 MPH, THE ABS WILL ENGAGE AND DRASTICALLY…”NHTSA complaint 10047124 — filed 11/18/2003 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

2120081411201018102012832014141020161132018822020312022

Frequently asked questions

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

Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip issues are the most-reported category, cited in 47 of 292 NHTSA complaints (16.1%), followed by fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (42), suspension (40), fuel system, gasoline (40). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2002 Subaru Impreza have?

292 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 11 involved a crash, 3 involved a fire, and 8 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 2002 Subaru Impreza have any recalls?

Yes — 6 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 11V464000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2002 Subaru Impreza's reported problems?

Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.