2003 Subaru IMPREZA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
62 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
64,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 52 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Fuel/Propulsion System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 12 of 62 complaints (19.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 15 | 24.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 7 | 11.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 1.6% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 1.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 12 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 9 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 7 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 6 |
| Air Bags | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 2 |
Fuel/Propulsion System: 12; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 9; Fuel System, Gasoline: 7; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings: 6; Air Bags: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 15 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 7 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 6 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 13 |
| 150,000 and above | 7 |
Under 25,000: 15; 25,000 to 49,999: 7; 50,000 to 74,999: 6; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 13; 150,000 and above: 7
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (15). 10 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 10 |
| 2004 | 9 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 7 |
| 2008 | 4 |
| 2009 | 5 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 4 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 1 |
2002: 1; 2003: 10; 2004: 9; 2005: 1; 2006: 2; 2007: 7; 2008: 4; 2009: 5; 2010: 3; 2012: 1; 2013: 3; 2014: 4; 2015: 2; 2016: 3; 2018: 1; 2019: 1; 2020: 2; 2021: 2; 2022: 1
Pattern summary
Fuel/Propulsion System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 15 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 7 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10026651 · 2003-07-07 (July 7, 2003)
VEHICLE ACCELERATED IN FULL THROTTLE WHILE DRIVER'S FEET WAS DEPRESSED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL.
Owner-reported narrative. 7,095 miles reported. Look up ODI 10026651 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10028775 · 2003-07-22 (July 22, 2003)
ABS ON 2003 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX "FREAKS OUT" WHEN YOU STOP ON A BUMPY PIECE OF PAVEMENT. IT TAKES LONGER TO BRAKE WHEN THIS HAPPENS. I LEAVE ENOUGH ROOM BETWEEN ME AND THE PERSON IN FRONT OF ME, AND HAVE NOT HAD ANYTHING BAD HAPPEN YET. BUT I SAW THAT IT WAS UNDER INVESTIGATION AND WANTED TO CONTRIBUTE. IF YOU DO NOT LEAVE ENOUGH BRAKING ROOM, THIS COULD BE A REAL PROBLEM. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10028775 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10179098 · 2007-01-19 (January 19, 2007)
THIS IS REGARDING A 2003 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX. I AM EXPERIENCING THE FUEL LEAK ADDRESSED IN NHTSA ACTION NUMBER : PE04002. I AM LOCATED IN ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO. RECENTLY I HAVE HAD THE CAR OUTSIDE IN TEMPERATURES AS LOW AS 30 F (NIGHTS ARE SPENT IN A GARAGE NEXT TO A FURNACE--PROBABLY 40 F). I AM HAVING THE FUEL LEAK THAT YOU AND SUBARU OF AMERICA CLAIM OCCURS AT ONLY "EXTREMELY LOW TEMPERATURES." I HAVE HAD IT OCCUR THREE TIMES, AND BOTH TIMES THE FUEL SMELL PERSISTED AFTER 15 MINUTES OF DRIVING, EVEN WITH WINDOWS OPEN. THE FUEL SMELL W…
Owner-reported narrative. 5,280 miles reported. Look up ODI 10179098 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10213139 · 2007-12-29 (December 29, 2007)
I HAVE A COLD WEATHER FUEL LEAK UNDERNEATH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THIS FUEL LEAK CAUSES THE CABIN OF THE CAR TO FILL UP WITH VOLATILE FUMES. IT IS A VISIBLE LEAK AND DRIPS ON TOP OF THE ENGINE NEAR SOURCES OF IGNITION. I CONTACTED SUBARU OF AMERICA AND 3 OF MY LOCAL DEALERSHIPS AND THEY HAVE ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM BUT ONLY RANK IT AS A SERVICE BULLETIN NOT A RECALL. THIS PROBLEM EXISTS WITH ALL SUBARU WRX OWNERS IN A COLD CLIMATE. USE A SEARCH ENGINE ON THE INTERNET FOR (COLD WEATHER FUEL LEAK WRX ECT..) AND YOU WILL FIND THOUSANDS OF AFFECTED…
Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10213139 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10201321 · 2007-08-31 (August 31, 2007)
AT 15,000KM PAST WARRANTY, I SUBMITTED MY CAR FOR SERVICE AND WAS TOLD THE ENGINE WAS LEAKING FLUIDS, REQUIRED NEW HEAD GASKETS, NEW TRANSMISSION MOUNTS AND SWAY BAR BUSHINGS. BARRIE SUBARU DID NOT SHOW MUCH INTEREST IN THE AMOUNT OF WORK REQUIRED ON A VEHICLE THAT HAD BEEN ON THE ROAD FOR LESS THAN 3 YEARS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 115,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10201321 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10043325 · 2003-10-21 (October 21, 2003)
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. *LA
Owner-reported narrative. 17,001 miles reported. Look up ODI 10043325 at NHTSA ↗