Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.
2003 Subaru Impreza recalls
Suspension: front, control arm, lower arm
NHTSA campaign 11V464000 · reported September 6, 2011 · SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. · 318,215 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- A broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- 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.
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery, fuel pump
NHTSA campaign 09V468000 · reported December 4, 2009 · SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. · 5,724 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- Fuel leaks, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
- The fix
- 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.
Latches/locks/linkages: tailgate, latch
NHTSA campaign 08V135000 · reported March 24, 2008 · SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. · 36,791 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- 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.
- The 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.
- The fix
- 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.
Seats
NHTSA campaign 04V342000 · reported July 14, 2004 · SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. · 84,574 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- In the event of a crash, the driver may sustain more severe injuries due to the seat movement.
- The fix
- 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.
Vehicle speed control: cables
NHTSA campaign 04V128000 · reported March 16, 2004 · SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. · 127,580 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- If this occurs during vehicle operation, the driver could lose control of the vehicle, which could result in a crash.
- The fix
- 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.
Power train: automatic transmission
NHTSA campaign 02V282000 · reported October 30, 2002 · SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. · 172,564 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- 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 risk
- The vehicle could then move/roll without prior warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- 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.
What owners report
Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.
Jan 25, 2022 · Fuel/propulsion system
My 2003 Subaru Impreza WRX has a very strong fuel odor that is coming into the cabin when I start my car up on cold days. It's been unusually cold here in Washington state this winter with temperatures in Seattle dipping well below freezing. I see that there is a recall for this exact problem for my exact car…
Mar 26, 2021 · Fuel/propulsion system · 130,000 miles
I NOTICED FRESH SMELL OF GASOLINE EVERYTIME I START THE CAR. I LOOK AT THE FUEL LINE AND ITS SIPPING FUEL.
Mar 8, 2021 · Fuel/propulsion system · 180,000 miles
SUBARU OF AMERICA RECALL WVK-21 OCCURED WHILE DRIVING AT OPERATING TEMPERATURE, CAUSING SMOKE TO RISE FROM ENGINE BAY. SUBARU OF AMERICA REFUSED TO FIX THE ISSUE AS MY VIN DID NOT COME UP IN THEIR SYSTEM WITH THE RECALL.
Dec 10, 2020 · Suspension · 205,000 miles
ON THE NIGHT OF 12/6/2020 I WAS BACKING OUT OF A FRIENDS DRIVEWAY TO DRIVE HOME, WHEN I REACHED THE STREET, I HEARD A LOUD CLUNK AND A GRINDING NOISE. I GOT OUT OF MY CAR TO INVESTIGATE WHAT HAD JUST HAPPENED AND THE FRONT PORTION OF MY PASSENGER SIDE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM HAD COMPLETELY LOST ALL STRUCTURAL…
Mar 18, 2020 · Engine · 170,000 miles
HEAD GASKET ISSUE. WEEPING OIL BETWEEN THE HEADS AND THE BLOCK. NO LONGER OWN VEHICLE.
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received January 25, 2022.