2002 Subaru WRX reliability record
Every consumer complaint and recall the U.S. government (NHTSA) has on file for the 2002 Subaru WRX — the repair risk behind the ownership cost.
- NHTSA complaints
- 461
- on record
- Top problem area
- FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
- 155 complaints
- Recalls on record
- 0
- none on record
- Reported harm
- 20 reported crashes · 18 injuries · 2 fires
How this record compares
raw NHTSA counts, not defect ratesComplaint rank
#1,133
of 4,194 vehicle records
Vs Subaru median
+279
median 182 across 97 Subaru records
Vs 2000-2004
+208
median 253 complaints in 771 records
Top component share
52%
Fuel System, Gasoline: 240 complaints
What owners report fails — 2002 Subaru WRX
- FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS 155
- FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 85
- SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP 54
- FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS 18
- SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK 13
Estimate the 5-year cost to own a 2002 Subaru WRX
A vehicle's complaint record hints at the repair and maintenance budget you'll need. Add your state, purchase price, and mileage to the TCO calculator for the full picture.
Open TCO calculatorThese are unverified consumer reports and manufacturer recalls filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — not validated defect rates, and not adjusted for how many 2002 Subaru WRX units were produced or sold. High-volume and older vehicles naturally accumulate more complaints. Use this as one research signal, not a verdict on any individual vehicle. Data as of 2026. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (public domain).
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2002 Subaru WRX reliable?
NHTSA has 461 consumer complaints on record for the 2002 Subaru WRX. The most-reported problem area is fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (155 reports). These are unverified consumer reports filed with the government, not validated failure rates, and are not adjusted for how many 2002 Subaru WRX units were produced — popular vehicles naturally accumulate more reports.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Subaru WRX?
Owners most often report problems with: fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (155), fuel system, gasoline (85), service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (54), fuel system, other:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (18). Each figure is the number of complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
How much does it cost to own a 2002 Subaru WRX?
Ownership cost depends on your state taxes, insurance, fuel, and the maintenance the vehicle's reliability record implies. Use the CarOutlay 5-year TCO calculator to estimate the full cost including the repair risk this complaint record suggests.