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EnginePart report

2002 Subaru Impreza Engine Problems

Complaints
3about this part
Share
1%of 292 total for the year
Median mileage
90,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the engine of the 2002 Subaru Impreza, 1% of the 292 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 90,000 miles.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“I was denied the fuel line recall due to I live in ohio and ohio is not on the list of cold states. I am forced to breath gasoline fumes and my engine smokes burning off those gasoline fumes. Just waiting for the car to blow up. Thank you, Subaru”

NHTSA complaint #10991039, filed 2017-05, 90,000 miles

“Fuel lines above the engine on both sides leak fuel while the engine is running. The leak occurs when the gas pedal is depressed if the temp is lower than 32 degrees. At the point where the rubber fuel line meets the metal fuel lines you can see gas spray across the engine block and will pool up. Tightening the clamps does not help. This has happened every winter since 2007.”

NHTSA complaint #10954052, filed 2017-02, 100,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2002 Subaru Impreza. When the contact started the vehicle, there was a burning oil odor. When the accelerator pedal was depressed, the rear of the vehicle began to emit a loud vibrating noise. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the exhaust from the convector rear muffler, gasket bolt, and dry belt needed to be replaced. In addition, the front subframe was rotted and the head gaskets were fractured, which caused an oil leak. All the parts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. …”

NHTSA complaint #10948493, filed 2017-01, 75,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2025120%
202426%
202217%
202117%
202034%
201984%
2018117%
20171411%
201634%
20151013%
20142019%
20137530%
20125523%
201135%
2010715%
20091313%
2008137%
2007812%
200659%
200557%
200312%
200231%

Other parts of the 2002 Subaru Impreza

Fuel system
99 complaints
Brakes
60 complaints
Suspension
49 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
25 complaints
Body and structure
21 complaints
Engine cooling
19 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
17 complaints
Steering
8 complaints
Electrical system
6 complaints
Vehicle speed control
6 complaints
Other or unknown
5 complaints
Seats
3 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2002 Subaru Impreza

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology