Is the 2002 Subaru Impreza a bad year?
292 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Impreza years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2002 Subaru Impreza are in line with other Impreza years. Fuel system and suspension stand out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2002 Impreza owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 60,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel systemSTANDS OUT | 99 (34%) | 37k–85k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| SuspensionSTANDS OUT | 49 (17%) | 93k–162k miles · ahead | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Body structure | 21 (7%) | 75k–160k miles · ahead | — |
| BrakesSTANDS OUT | 60 (21%) | 10k–48k miles · mostly behind | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 25 (9%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 17 (6%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Engine | 15 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Steering | 8 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Electrical system | 6 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 6 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 60,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 292 complaints: 11 mention a crash · 3 mention a fire · 8 report an injury · 3 say the car was towed.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Aug 2022.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
Recalls for the 2002 Subaru Impreza: 6
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.
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.
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. 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.
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.
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 occurs during vehicle operation, the driver could lose control of the vehicle, which could result in a crash.
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.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Subaru: 69
Repair instructions Subaru sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2002 Subaru Impreza. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Step-by-step diagnostic procedure for resolving Remote Engine Start (RES) failures for both Telematics and remote engine start equipped vehicles
Diagnostic procedures to be followed when diagnosing engine oil leakage on FA and FB type engines
SOA is pleased to announce the launch of a new remanufactured turbocharger program
Systematic procedure for diagnosing parasitic draw (dark/standby current) in vehicles experiencing battery drain when the ignition is off…
NHTSA defect investigations: 4
Front suspension control arm failure
Fuel line leak
Fuel line leak
Fuel line leakage in engine compartment
Neighbouring years
2003 Impreza: 62 complaints, keep it.
Every Subaru Impreza year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Impreza years side by side
Other Subaru models: Subaru Ascent · Subaru Crosstrek · Subaru Forester · Subaru Legacy · Subaru Outback · Subaru WRX · Subaru XV Crosstrek. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2002 Subaru Impreza a bad year?
292 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Impreza years. At 60,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Subaru Impreza?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: fuel system (99), suspension (49), body structure (21), brakes (60), transmission and drivetrain (25).
How many recalls does the 2002 Subaru Impreza have?
6 recall campaigns list this model year: Suspension (NHTSA 11V-464), Fuel system (NHTSA 09V-468), Latches and locks (NHTSA 08V-135), Seats (NHTSA 04V-342) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.