2003 Subaru WRX Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 7%of 60 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 5,025miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2003 Subaru WRX, 7% of the 60 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 5,025 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 own a 2003 Subaru WRX sedan with a manual transmission and quite often when shifting gears 2nd,3rd,4th and especialy in 5th gear it tends to not shift in gear(gets stuck) and grinds from time to time. This scares me when I get on the expressway and I have to shift gears to get in the flow of traffic I'm affraid that its going to stick and cause a accident (it has gotten stuck in traffic and have almost had a accident). It happens during normal driveing conditions even when I shift fron neutral to reverse it will grind. …”
NHTSA complaint #10080598, filed 2004-07, 3,500 miles“I have a 2003 Subaru impreza WRX station wagon with an automatic transmission. The incident on january 19, 2004 is only one of at least five examples of the problem detailed below. Here is the recurring problem: whenever I brake at relatively low speeds (under 30mph as far as I remember) over even mildly bumpy surfaces, the brake pedal depresses completely to the floor and the car does not brake. The car will not begin braking until I realize what is going on, release the brake pedal, and then heavily depress the brake pedal again. …”
NHTSA complaint #10054622, filed 2004-01, 6,550 miles“The driver was shifting to second gear when all of a sudden he heard a pop, and was unable to change gears, preventing the vehicle from moving. Took vehicle to dealer for checkup, and results showed that second gear was broken, and needed to be replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #10111075, filed 2005-02“While accelerating vehicle started making loud noise and would not gain any speed. Vehicle was serviced, technician noticed that transmission needed to be replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #10022749, filed 2003-06Related 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.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 3 | 21% |
| 2023 | 1 | 11% |
| 2022 | 4 | 16% |
| 2021 | 6 | 46% |
| 2020 | 3 | 17% |
| 2019 | 2 | 7% |
| 2018 | 6 | 14% |
| 2017 | 11 | 21% |
| 2016 | 4 | 13% |
| 2015 | 18 | 35% |
| 2014 | 1 | 17% |
| 2013 | 6 | 86% |
| 2009 | 33 | 80% |
| 2008 | 48 | 74% |
| 2006 | 4 | 29% |
| 2005 | 2 | 11% |
| 2004 | 1 | 2% |
| 2003 | 4 | 7% |
| 2002 | 16 | 4% |
Other parts of the 2003 Subaru WRX
20 complaintsFuel system
20 complaintsEngine cooling
4 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaintsAir bags
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsSeats
2 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsTires
2 complaintsElectrical system
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Subaru WRX
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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