2002 Subaru Impreza Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 25about this part
- Share
- 9%of 292 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 26,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 25 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2002 Subaru Impreza, 9% of the 292 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 26,500 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Put my car in park and it started rolling backwords.... Same exact day in was at a stop light on a incline and my car rolled backwords faster then it should while in drive. Car has 101000 miles”
NHTSA complaint #11288238, filed 2019-12, 101,000 miles“Clutch shutters upon startup. I can't believe this is a normal clutch function as Subaru mentions. I've had the car for 1 year and would like to sell it. The problem, how do I sell this car to someone else with a clutch that violently shutters when cold. It's a matter of good ethics which Subaru doesn't have.”
NHTSA complaint #10041101, filed 2003-10, 3,000 miles“I have a 2002 Subaru Impreza rs, this vehicle seems to be like lots of others, the vehicles shudders and jerks alot when I'm pulling off in the morning, evening, whether its cold or hot. I took it to shelors which wanted to tear it apart and charge me, when the car is still under warranty. This vehicle does this atleast 3 times a week. The car only has 35588 miles so actually its still under the new car warranty. …”
NHTSA complaint #10072693, filed 2004-05, 55,000 miles“2002 Subaru wrx - I took the car in for 30,000 mile service, car was running fine, no complaints. When I got the car back, I noticed that it was difficult to downshift into first gear, and I was sometimes missing the shift - grinding gears. I have never had a problem like this in any car before. The problem is more severe at higher speeds, and is getting progressively worse over the last 5000 miles. I have taken the car back to the dealer twice, the first time they couldn't see anything wrong , the second time they noted that the sencros were going bad. …”
NHTSA complaint #10088885, filed 2004-08, 30,000 miles“Differential fluid out; Subaru blames a non-dealer oil change error for problem hence not covered under warranty. Owner had to spend over $350 for replacement auto rental. Owner drove car for 1,700 miles after disputed non-dealer oil change to date when differential fluid outage discovered.”
NHTSA complaint #10069824, filed 2004-01, 6,351 milesRelated recalls
- 02V282000Oct 30, 2002Certain sport utility and passenger vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions were produced with an improperly manufactured transmission parking rod…Covers: Subaru Impreza 2002–2003, Legacy 2001–2003, Outback 2001–2003 +2 more
Related service bulletins
- 11033056May 4, 2026This announcement provides information on the remanufactured CVT transmission program.
- 11032040Apr 24, 2026This bulletin announces the service manual correction regarding clutch master cylinder reservoir service procedures.
- 11022305Aug 11, 2025Subaru Service Technical Support Newsletter special edition.
- 11005624Jul 24, 2024This annoucement provides parts personnel information about remanufactured transmissions that will no longer be available.
- 10186364Jan 12, 2021This bulletin announces a design change to the clutch release bearing.
- 10150949Oct 26, 2018This Service Information bulletin announces a design change to the clutch release bearing used on the models as listed above. During assembly of the bearing, a different type of…
- 10150924Oct 26, 2018This Service Information bulletin announces a design change to the clutch release bearing used on the models as listed above. During assembly of the bearing, a different type of…
- 10089957Jan 15, 2014Repair procedure for high-pitched sound from extension housing area using latest generation production parts - this bulletin provides production change, repair procedure and…
- 10234828May 22, 2013This Bulletin provides production change, repair procedure and parts information to address a customer concern of a high-pitched sound coming from the transmission extension…
- 10079980Jan 3, 2013This bulletin provides production change, repair procedure and parts information to address a customer concern of a high-pitched sound coming from the transmission extension…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 40% |
| 2024 | 2 | 6% |
| 2022 | 4 | 29% |
| 2021 | 1 | 7% |
| 2019 | 4 | 2% |
| 2018 | 5 | 3% |
| 2017 | 5 | 4% |
| 2016 | 13 | 17% |
| 2015 | 11 | 14% |
| 2014 | 9 | 8% |
| 2013 | 23 | 9% |
| 2012 | 26 | 11% |
| 2011 | 6 | 10% |
| 2010 | 5 | 11% |
| 2009 | 30 | 29% |
| 2008 | 59 | 34% |
| 2007 | 8 | 12% |
| 2006 | 7 | 13% |
| 2005 | 5 | 7% |
| 2004 | 9 | 9% |
| 2003 | 1 | 2% |
| 2002 | 25 | 9% |
| 2000 | 10 | 24% |
| 1999 | 4 | 18% |
| 1998 | 9 | 30% |
| 1997 | 5 | 17% |
| 1995 | 1 | 2% |
| 1994 | 3 | 38% |
| 1993 | 3 | 9% |
Other parts of the 2002 Subaru Impreza
99 complaintsBrakes
60 complaintsSuspension
49 complaintsBody and structure
21 complaintsEngine cooling
19 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
17 complaintsSteering
8 complaintsElectrical system
6 complaintsVehicle speed control
6 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaintsEngine
3 complaintsSeats
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Subaru Impreza
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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