2002 Subaru Wrx Problems

Verdict: Severe Issues. The 2002 Subaru Wrx has 461 NHTSA complaints, 20 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings with 155 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.

Top reported problems: Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings (155 complaints, avg 57,146 mi); Gasoline Fuel System (85 complaints, avg 55,755 mi); Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip (54 complaints, avg 25,462 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.

The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 51,036 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.

NHTSA complaints for the 2002 Subaru Wrx include 20 crash-related reports, 2 fire reports, 18 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.

No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 2002 Subaru Wrx as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.

Proceed with extreme caution. The 2002 Subaru Wrx shows significantly more complaints than average for its class. If you're buying one, a pre-purchase inspection and a VIN history check are essential — skip them and you're gambling.