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Research · Subcompact Cars

2003 Subaru ImprezaRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 64 owner complaints for the 2003 Subaru Impreza. Most complaints involve fuel system, gasoline (13) and service brakes, hydraulic (13). The EPA rates it 20–21 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
20–21mpg
EPA · 8 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
6campaigns
Latest Sep 2011
Owner complaints
64
Top: fuel system, gasoline
Fuel cost / yr
$3,050est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

6 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Suspension: lower arm

Free remedy

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.

SuspensionReported Sep 6, 2011NHTSA 11V464000

Fuel system

Free remedy

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.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Dec 4, 2009NHTSA 09V468000

Latches

Free remedy

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.

Latches/locks/linkagesReported Mar 24, 2008NHTSA 08V135000
See all 6 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 29, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

64 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 2002 – Jan 2022
  1. Fuel system, gasoline13
  2. Service brakes, hydraulic13
  3. Fuel/propulsion system12
  4. Engine and engine cooling5
  5. Air bags4
  6. Suspension3
  7. Structure3
  8. Visibility2
  9. Engine1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Impreza model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
199626
199734
199830
199922
200041
200111
2002296
200364
200496
200575
200656
200768
2008209
2009113
201046
201158
2012243
2013251
2014108
201579
201675
2019194
202432
20255
20261
Crashes reported
8
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
13
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 29, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Fuel system, gasoline

13 reports1 fire
“IT HAS RECENTLY BEEN EXTREMELY COLD IN CHICAGO AND UPON INITIAL STARTUP OF THE VEHICLE THERE IS A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE INSIDE THE CABIN. THE SMELL DOES NOT GO AWAY UNTIL THE CAR IS COMPLETELY WARMED UP. I NOTICED THAT THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL FOR THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM. IT WAS SUBARU RECALL NO. WVK-21. I BELIEVE MY CAR SHOULD FALL UNDER THIS RECALL. I CALLED SUBARU CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY TOLD ME THAT MY CAR DID NOT FALL UNDER THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN. BUT THE PROBLEMS I'VE BEEN HAVING FIT THE DESCRIPTION OF THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 14, 2014Fuel system, gasolineODI 10564399

Service brakes, hydraulic

13 reports2 crashes
“APPROACHING STOP LIGHT ON SURFACE STREET; DRY CONDITIONS, FLAT ROAD; APPROX 30 MPH; ANTICIPATING STOPPING. LIFT FOOT OFF ACCELERATOR AND APPLY BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN; CAR DOES NOT SLOW; FEELS OUT OF CONTROL & UNABLE TO STOP; TURN CAR TO RIGHT TO GET OFF ROAD TO AVOID HITTING CARS AHEAD; TURN INTO A TREE; AIRBAG DEPLOYED; CAR TOTALED; EMERGENCY VEHICLES RESPOND; AMBULANCE TO HOSPITAL; BROKEN L-2 IN BACK; SEVERE BRUISING; AT MY REQUEST, VEHICLE INSPECTED BY INSURER; HAVE NOT SEEN INSPECTION REPORT; REPORTED TO ME THAT "BRAKES HAD PRESSURE AND FLUID"; AFTER SEEKING ADVICE FROM ACCIDENT EXPERT, NOT CONFIDENT VEHICLE INSPECTION WAS THOROUGH ENOUGH; AM ABSOLUTELY SURE THERE WAS A MECHANICAL FAILURE OF SOME TYPE DUE TO CIRCUMSTANCES OF ACCIDENT (I.E., ENOUGH TIME TO CORRECT ANY DRIVER ERROR). *NM”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 7, 2004Service brakes, hydraulicCrash reportedODI 10093777

Fuel/propulsion system

12 reports
“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 (https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2009/RCONL-09V468-4248.pdf). But when I called the dealer (Michael's Bellevue Subaru), and then subsequently called Subaru (1-800-SUBARU3), they told me that they will not fix this issue, since this recall does not apply to my state (Washington). I think that's not right. It is the exact same problem of cold weather causing this fuel line to leak, and they should honor this recall.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 25, 2022Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11448826
All 2003 Impreza problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 29, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

8 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Subcompact Cars, Small Station Wagons
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl · 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd · Manual 5-spd
Drive
4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline · Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 29, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Impreza AWD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
192421$3,050423
Impreza AWD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
182521$3,050423
Impreza Wagon/Outback SPT AWD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
192421$3,050423
Impreza Wagon/Outback SPT AWD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
192521$3,050423
Impreza AWD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
172420$4,000444
Impreza AWD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
182520$4,000444
Impreza Wagon/Outback SPT AWD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
172420$4,000444
Impreza Wagon/Outback SPT AWD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
182520$4,000444
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 29, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2003 Subaru Impreza as of Oct 29, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 29, 2026Vehicle 5003
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2003 Impreza questions

How many recalls does the 2003 Subaru Impreza have?

6 safety recalls as of Oct 29, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2003 Subaru Impreza problems?

Owners filed 64 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are fuel system, gasoline (13), service brakes, hydraulic (13), fuel/propulsion system (12). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2003 Subaru Impreza get?

The EPA rates the 2003 Subaru Impreza at 20–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (8 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 29, 2026