Worst 2003 Subaru Impreza Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Fuel System
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Gasoline Fuel System
Check the actual VIN — every car is different.
This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2003 Subaru Impreza.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel System | 12 | — | — | 126,800 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 9 | — | — | 7,800 mi | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 7 | — | — | 79,884 mi | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 6 | — | 1 | 46,216 mi | |
| Airbags | 3 | 2 | — | — | |
| Engine & Cooling | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Body Structure | 2 | 2 | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Windshield | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Other | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Manual Transmission | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Air:Antilock | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Body:Hood | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Arm | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Defects | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal | 1 | 1 | — | — |
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2003 Subaru Impreza. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Recalls for 2003 Subaru Impreza
1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting ~318,215 vehicles.
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.
Other Subaru Impreza Years
2003 Subaru Impreza — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2003 Subaru Impreza reliable?
What are common problems with the 2003 Subaru Impreza?
At what mileage do problems start on the 2003 Subaru Impreza?
How safe is the 2003 Subaru Impreza?
Does the 2003 Subaru Impreza have any recalls?
Should I buy a 2003 Subaru Impreza?
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Subaru Impreza reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2003 Subaru Impreza
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
Check Any VIN — $4.99