Complaints
65
Crashes
16
Fires
3
Injuries
8
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 2003 Subaru Wrx Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#119 complaints
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Avg mileage:9,725 mi
Crash-related:7
#211 complaints
Gasoline Fuel System
Avg mileage:80,458 mi
Fires:1
#34 complaints
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
Considering a 2003 Subaru Wrx?
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 Wrx.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 19 | 7 | — | 9,725 mi | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 11 | — | 1 | 80,458 mi | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Engine & Cooling | 3 | — | 1 | — | |
| Manual Transmission | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 2 | 2 | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 2 | 2 | — | — | |
| Visibility:Windshield | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Airbags | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Automatic Transmission | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission:Column Shift Assembly | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Tire Defects | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Linkages | 1 | — | — | — |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
19
complaints
Crashes
7
Fires
—
Avg Miles
9,725
Gasoline Fuel System
11
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
80,458
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine & Cooling
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Manual Transmission
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner
2
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering Defects
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Unintended Acceleration
2
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Windshield
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Airbags
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Frontal
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical Faults
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Automatic Transmission
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Manual Transmission:Column Shift Assembly
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Hydraulic Brakes
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tire Defects
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tires:Tread/Belt
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Linkages
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2003 Subaru Wrx. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Subaru Wrx Years
2003 Subaru Wrx — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2003 Subaru Wrx reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2003 Subaru Wrx has 65 NHTSA complaints, 16 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip with 19 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2003 Subaru Wrx?
Top reported problems: Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip (19 complaints, avg 9,725 mi); Gasoline Fuel System (11 complaints, avg 80,458 mi); Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings (4 complaints). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2003 Subaru Wrx?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 35,660 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2003 Subaru Wrx?
NHTSA complaints for the 2003 Subaru Wrx include 16 crash-related reports, 3 fire reports, 8 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.
Does the 2003 Subaru Wrx have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 2003 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.
Should I buy a 2003 Subaru Wrx?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Subaru Wrx reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2003 Subaru Wrx
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