Does the 2002 Subaru WRX have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2002 Subaru WRX, the most recent reported on December 4, 2009 (Fuel system, gasoline: delivery, fuel pump). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

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

Owners have filed 427 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is fuel system, gasoline (266 complaints), followed by service brakes, hydraulic (64).

How many 2002 Subaru WRX complaints mention a crash or fire?

17 of 427 complaints report a crash and 2 a fire; 13 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

2002 Subaru WRX recalls and problems

1 recall and 427 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2002 Subaru WRX.

recalls

427

owner complaints

complaints mentioning a crash

mentioning a fire

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.

2002 Subaru WRX recalls

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.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

Fuel system, gasoline266
Service brakes, hydraulic64
Fuel system, other25
Engine and engine cooling16
Power train16
Service brakes, air15
Visibility8
Fuel/propulsion system6
Suspension6
Air bags3

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Oct 6, 2018 · Fuel/propulsion system · 148,000 miles
A FUEL LINE UNDER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD LOCATED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IS LEAKING GAS ON COLD STARTS. THIS IS MY SECOND TIME DEALING WITH THIS ISSUE. AS OF NOW, IT IS ONLY LEAKING GAS WHEN THE ENGINE IS COLD, BUT THE LEAKING IS STARTING TO GET WORSE AND FASTER THAN BEFORE. THE FIRST TIME I HAD THIS ISSUE IT WAS LEAKING…

Mar 14, 2017 · Fuel/propulsion system · 50 miles
I HAVE THE TERRIBLE GASOLINE SMELL IN AND OUTSIDE OF THE CAR AS A RESULT OF A RECALL THAT IS NOT VALID IN THE STATE OF OHIO. AS SUBARU THINKS OHIO IS NOT A COLD WEATHER STATE AND HAS DENIED THE RECALL ON MY VEHICLE. IT SMELLS THE WHOLE HOUSE. IT IS SICKENING. I HAVE BEEN PUTTING UP FOR IT SINCE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE…

Dec 19, 2016 · Structure · 75,000 miles
THE BODY IS DETERIORATING SO FAST. I LAUGH AT THE SUBARU COMMERCIAL WHERE THE PARENTS GIVE THEIR KIDS THE OLD CAR. I WOULD NOT TRUST THE OLD SUBARU TO KEEP MY CHILDREN SAFE. I'VE HAD TO REPLACE THE FRAME, AND AM LETTING THE BODY RUST. THE SICKENING SMELL OF FUMES LIKE GAS IN THE WINTER ARE HORRIBLE. WHEN I KEEP THE…

Dec 13, 2016 · Engine · 177,000 miles
FUEL RAIL ON 2002 WRX IS LEAKING HEAVILY ON THE ENGINE. THIS IS A HIGH FIRE HAZARD AS WELL AS NOXIOUS FOR PASSENGERS IN THE CAR AS IT SMELLS HEAVILY OF FUEL. SINCE I LIVE IN WASHINGTON STATE SUBARU OF AMERICA HAS NOT HONORED THE RECALL THEY'VE PUT IN OTHER STATES FOR THIS EXACT ISSUE. SUBARU HAS DENIED WARRANTY REPAIR…

May 12, 2016 · Fuel/propulsion system · 100,000 miles
THERE IS A CONSTANT RAW FUEL SMELL WHEN DRIVING, TO THE POINT OF MAKING ME FEEL SICK, CANT EVEN DRIVE MY CAR WITHOUT ALL THE WINDOWS DOWN, IVE REASURCHED THIS ISSUE WITH OTHER MODELS USING THE SAME ENGINE & COMPONINTS THAT ARE ON THE RECALL LIST, BUT I CAN NOT GET ANY HELP FROM ANYONE AT SUBARU, EVEN WITH EXPLAINING…

WRX model years compared

Year	Recalls	Complaints	Crashes	Fires
2002	1	427	17	2
2003	1	60	13	2
2004	4	42	1	0
2005	4	19	0	0

Across all years, the 2002 WRX has the most complaints (427). All Subaru WRX years →

Questions

Does the 2002 Subaru WRX have any recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2002 Subaru WRX, the most recent reported on December 4, 2009 (Fuel system, gasoline: delivery, fuel pump). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Subaru WRX?: Owners have filed 427 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is fuel system, gasoline (266 complaints), followed by service brakes, hydraulic (64).
How many 2002 Subaru WRX complaints mention a crash or fire?: 17 of 427 complaints report a crash and 2 a fire; 13 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received October 6, 2018.