Model year record

2002 Subaru Impreza

6 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 339 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 11V464000

Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm

Component: Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm
Manufacturer: SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected: 318,215
Reported to NHTSA: 2011-09-06
Owners notified: 2011-12-31

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

A BROKEN CONTROL ARM CAN RESULT IN THE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 09V468000

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump

Component: Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump
Manufacturer: SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected: 5,724
Reported to NHTSA: 2009-12-04
Owners notified: 2009-12-31

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

FUEL LEAKS, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 08V135000

Latches/locks/linkages: tailgate: latch

Component: Latches/locks/linkages: tailgate: latch
Manufacturer: SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected: 36,791
Reported to NHTSA: 2008-03-24
Owners notified: 2008-06-02

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V342000

Seats

Component: Seats
Manufacturer: SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected: 84,574
Reported to NHTSA: 2004-07-14
Owners notified: 2004-08-20

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE DRIVER MAY SUSTAIN MORE SEVERE INJURIES DUE TO THE SEAT MOVEMENT.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V128000

Vehicle speed control: cables

Component: Vehicle speed control: cables
Manufacturer: SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected: 127,580
Reported to NHTSA: 2004-03-16
Owners notified: 2004-04-12

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

IF THIS OCCURS DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, THE DRIVER COULD LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 02V282000

Power train: automatic transmission

Component: Power train: automatic transmission
Manufacturer: SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected: 172,564
Reported to NHTSA: 2002-10-30
Owners notified: 2003-01-08

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

THE VEHICLE COULD THEN MOVE/ROLL WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

Component	Complaints	Median mileage
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip	47	10,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings	42	47,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline	40	67,013 mi
Suspension	40	135,000 mi
Visibility: windshield	12	6,000 mi
Structure: body	10	115,541 mi
Fuel/propulsion system	8	93,000 mi
Steering	8	51,764 mi
Power train: automatic transmission	7	100,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling	6	45,000 mi
Power train: clutch assembly	6	3,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission	6	23,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic	6	70,000 mi
Power train	5	45,000 mi
Structure: frame and members	5	94,000 mi
Unknown or other	5	6,351 mi
Vehicle speed control	5	80,400 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine	4	37,000 mi
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields	4	165,000 mi
Electrical system	3	100,000 mi
Engine	3	90,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline	3	72,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery	3	36,152 mi
Seats	3	105,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components	3	—
Suspension: front	3	125,000 mi
Suspension: rear	3	56,254 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly	2	71,816 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system	2	—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe	2	50,000 mi
Fuel system, other	2	5,000 mi
Fuel system, other: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings	2	50,000 mi
Service brakes, air: antilock	2	10,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm	2	90,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm	2	92,181 mi
Visibility	2	112,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls	2	45,000 mi
Air bags: frontal	1	—
Electrical system: horn	1	154,973 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch	1	30,300 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood	1	67,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system	1	54,700 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.	1	—
Exterior lighting	1	105,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights	1	1,500 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump	1	60,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: fuel rail	1	34,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors	1	37,006 mi
Latches/locks/linkages	1	58,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: tailgate: latch	1	—
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)	1	16,500 mi
Power train: driveline: differential unit	1	401,000 mi
Seat belts	1	—
Service brakes	1	166,000 mi
Service brakes, air: disc: pads	1	36,000 mi
Service brakes, air: disc: rotor	1	36,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: ABS warning light	1	119,330 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module	1	25,376 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc	1	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor	1	—
Structure	1	75,000 mi
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: hinge and attachments	1	51,000 mi
Tires: sidewall	1	10,500 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal	1	—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior	1	32,000 mi
Wheels	1	15 mi

The 2001 model has 26 times as many complaints as this one. The 2003 model has 5 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.