Most common 2003 Subaru Impreza problems
Share of the 62 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Subaru Impreza complaints by model year
Best Impreza years: 2023, 2021, 2022. Years to avoid: 2012, 2013, 2019, 2018, 2017. Compare all years →
2003 Subaru Impreza recalls (6)
Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower arm
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,…
Remedy: Subaru will handle their vehicles and Saab will handle theirs. Dealers will inspect the degree of corrosion of the front lower control arms, and will either rustproof or replace them.
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump
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.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel line free of charge. The recall began on December 31, 2009. Owners May contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783.
Latches/locks/linkages › Tailgate › Latch
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.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect to see if there is any gap at the stud bolt of the rear gate stay installation. If a gap is found, the stud bolt will be removed to check for damage to the welding nut.
Seats
On certain sedan and wagon model vehicles, the left front bolt that retains the forward part of the driver's seat to the seat slide rail May loosen. If the seat slide rail bolt loosens, it will eventually fall out, and the seat May separate from the seat slide.
Remedy: Dealers will install a new left hand driver's seat rail mounting bolt. The recall began on August 20, 2004. Owners should contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783.
Vehicle speed control › Cables
On certain passenger sedans, wagons, and sport utility vehicles, the cruise control cable could come out of its track on the cruise control lever and lodge on the control lever tab when the accelerator pedal is released.
Remedy: Dealers will install a cruise control cable retaining clip to the cruise control lever tab on the throttle shaft in order to prevent the cruise control cable from coming out of its track.
Power train › Automatic transmission
Certain sport utility and passenger vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions were produced with an improperly manufactured transmission parking rod. When the transmission selector lever is placed in the "p" (park) position, the transmission park mechanism, that is intended to hold your vehicle, May not engage.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the automatic transmission parking rod assembly. Owner notification January 8, 2003. An interim owner notification will be sent during November 2002.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 5 possible defects involving the 2003 Subaru Impreza:
Air Bag Inflator Rupture
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE14-016 in June 2014 based on six inflator rupture incidents involving consumer owned vehicles produced by five vehicle manufacturers.All six vehicles were operated in Florida or Puerto Rico at the time of the rupture and for the majority of their service life, and were equipped with inflators produced by Takata, a tier-one supplier of automotive air bag…
Front suspension control arm failure
On September 6, 2011, Fuji Heavy Industries USA, Inc, on behalf of Subaru of America, Inc notified the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) it would be conducting a safety recall of certain model year (MY) 2002 through 2007 Subaru Impreza, MY 2003 through 2008 Subaru Forester, and MY 2005 through 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold or currently registered in one the salt belt states including the District of…
Fuel line leak
Complainants report fuel leakage most frequently in winter during initial cold engine startup.owners will either notice a fuel odor inside the occupant compartment or fuel odor/leakage at the fuel lines on the right side atop the engine.
Fuel line leakage in engine compartment
Subaru reports that the fuel odor is caused by fuel seepage during cold start of the engine under extremely cold temperatures. The leak occurs in a fuel line in the engine compartment.it reports that the failure is due to the misaligned angle between two fuel delivery lines which resulted in such fuel seepage during the first few seconds of cold engine start during these cold temperatures.Subaru reports that the two…
Fuel line leak
The design of the fuel line (metal rail/rubber hose interface) is susceptible to fuel odor and/or seepage in extreme cold temperature conditions.owners most often noticed fuel odor in the occupant compartment area during initial cold engine start-up.once the engine is warmed, the odor/seepage issue dissipates.from Subaru's data, odi notes that the incident rates are higher in states with colder temperatures.there…
What 2003 Subaru Impreza owners say
Fuel & propulsion system all 26 →
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.
For a couple of years in cold weather, usually below 32 degrees, the smell of gasoline existed in the cabin of the vehicle. I had it checked during an local state inspection and discovered fuel was leaking on the passenger side of the engine compartment. It was discovered that the manufacturer was aware of this. I contacted three(3) local dealers, that all new about TSB 09-36-03. They all quoted the same $500 estimate to repair. Two of the dealers, Subaru of dallas and huffines Subaru in dallas texas informed me that failure to correct the condition could result in an engine fire. Given the severe nature of the defect, that the manufacturer clearly knows about, this should be upgraded to a recall. 1) the danger of leaking fuel due to a manufacture defect. …
Brakes
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).
Had to brake hard on semi-bumpy pavement and ABS activated and lost all stopping power. ABS is way too sensitive and over-reative. I ended up slightly crashing into vehicle in frot of me. This ABS problem has occurred numerous times and I was well aware of it, however I was still unable to compensate and make a complete stop.
Engine & cooling
2003 Subaru Impreza, 56,000K with leaking head gasket (both sides) and rod knock. Well maintained car with well-documented service history. Recommend replacement of short block/head gaskets. Same issue and same engine as addressed in phase ii ej25 head gasket leak / wwp-99 service campaign - cooling system conditioner. Extensive documentation of similar issues with 2003 2.5l engines (example: http://allwheeldriveauto.com/Subaru-head-gasket-problems-explained/). Claim filed with Subaru of America (file # [redacted]) which is currently under investigation.
Karen quinn of Subaru of America assured me that I can drive my 2003 Subaru Impreza with "check engine" light on for a period of two weeks without any concern. As a result, the vehicle stalled the "check engine" light was blinking and I was in danger. At a later time she falsified the records and had no recollection of such conversation.
2003 Subaru Impreza engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 19 / 24 / 21 |
| 2.5L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 18 / 25 / 21 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 17 / 24 / 20 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 18 / 25 / 20 |
EPA ratings. Class: Subcompact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2003 Subaru Impreza a good car?
Based on 62 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2003 Impreza rates average: about as many complaints as a typical year of the Impreza at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2003 Subaru Impreza?
The fuel & propulsion system — 26 complaints, 42% of all complaints for this model year, most often about delivery › hoses, lines/piping, and fittings. Next are the brakes (14) and engine & cooling (5).
How many recalls does the 2003 Subaru Impreza have?
There are 6 recalls for the 2003 Subaru Impreza, the most recent from September 6, 2011 (lower arm). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Subaru Impreza?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2023, 2021 and 2022. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2012, 2013, 2019, 2018 and 2017. See the full Subaru Impreza years comparison.
At what mileage do 2003 Subaru Impreza problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 68,000 miles; 42% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.