2002 Subaru Wrx: Reliability Data

Source: NHTSA — 461 complaints
461
Total Complaints
40,000mi
Median Mileage
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Top Issue
20
Crash Reports

When Do Complaints Happen?

Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.

27,375 25th Percentile
40,000 Median Mileage
64,625 75th Percentile

What Fails?

Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.

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
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
13
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK
13
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
11
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL
10
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
8
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
7

Severity Assessment

20
Crashes
2
Fires
18
Injuries
0
Deaths

Sample Complaint Reports

"EXHAUST SYSTEM OVERHEATS, CAUSING CARPETING INSIDE PASSENGER'S COMPARTMENT TO GET VERY HOT AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN OVER A LONG PERIOD OF TIME. ALSO, DUE TO VEHICLE OVERHEATING METAL HAS TURNED INTO A CHERRY COLOR. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER; DEALER STATED THAT IT WAS CAUSED BY AG..."
"ABS FAILS ON BUMPS, BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS BECOMES MARGINAL OR DISAPSEARS. I PULLED THE ABS FUSE AND BRAKES ARE OK. AFTER THE INCIDENT I REPLACED THE OEM BRIDGESTONE RE92 TIRES WITH TOYO PROXES T!-S (225-50/16W) AND THE BRAKES WERE MUCH IMPROVED. HOWEVER, THE ABS IS NOT PERFORMING SAFELY SO I DISABL..."
"WHEN BRAKING ON BUMPS (WET OR DRY), CAR DOES NOT STOP SAFELY. *AK"

Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.

Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.

Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.

Data through: 2026-03-28