Subaru Impreza 2002–2007 problems by year and mileage
2nd generation (GD/GG)
NHTSA data through 18 October 20261,215 complaints, 901 with mileageMethod
Which year is yours? Tap it to see what breaks on it.
The 2002 Subaru Impreza
Close- Median failure report
- 48,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 719
- Recalls naming this year
- 6
Most reported on the 2002
- Fuel system354 reports · median 49,000 mi
- Hydraulic brake circuit120 reports · median 21,000 mi
- Suspension55 reports · median 128,000 mi
Recall areas Suspension — front · Fuel system, gasoline — delivery · Latches/locks/linkages — tailgate
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2003 Subaru Impreza
Close- Median failure report
- 47,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 122
- Recalls naming this year
- 6
Most reported on the 2003
- Hydraulic brake circuit33 reports
- Fuel system29 reports
- Fuel and propulsion system16 reports
Recall areas Suspension — front · Fuel system, gasoline — delivery · Latches/locks/linkages — tailgate
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2004 Subaru Impreza
Close- Median failure report
- 65,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 138
- Recalls naming this year
- 8
Most reported on the 2004
- Fuel system40 reports · median 65,000 mi
- Fuel and propulsion system32 reports
- Suspension19 reports
Recall areas Air bags — frontal · Suspension — front · Engine and engine cooling
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2005 Subaru Impreza
Close- Median failure report
- 68,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 94
- Recalls naming this year
- 6
Most reported on the 2005
- Suspension21 reports
- Fuel system14 reports
- Fuel and propulsion system14 reports
Recall areas Air bags — frontal · Suspension — front
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2006 Subaru Impreza
Close- Median failure report
- 64,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 74
- Recalls naming this year
- 10
Most reported on the 2006
- Airbag system22 reports
- Transmission and driveline12 reports
- Engine and its cooling system10 reports
Recall areas Air bags — frontal · Suspension — front
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2007 Subaru Impreza
Close- Median failure report
- 50,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 68
- Recalls naming this year
- 9
Most reported on the 2007
- Airbag system27 reports
- Engine8 reports
- Transmission and driveline8 reports
Recall areas Air bags — frontal · Suspension — front
Check the VIN at NHTSA
Tiles: each year’s median failure mileage. Latest: the 2005; earliest: the 2003, and the 2003 is 2 years older (part of the gap is age).
The short answer
“Is the 2002–2007 Subaru Impreza reliable?”
- Median of reported failures
- 51,000 mi
- 90% of reports came by
- 135,000 mi
- Reports with mileage
- 901
- Recalls
- 18
Most reported
- Fuel system36.4% of complaints · median 55,000 mi
- Hydraulic brake circuit13.4% of complaints · median 17,000 mi
- Suspension8.6% of complaints · median 103,000 mi
Documented problems
- Head Gaskets (EJ25 SOHC)2002–2006
- Turbocharger Oil Supply (WRX/STI)2002–2007
Owners filed 1,215 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002–2007 Subaru Impreza; the fuel system leads with 36.4% of them, and half of the 901 that record an odometer reading came by 51,000 miles — complaints, not a failure rate.
No single peak: the middle half runs 25,000 to 92,000 miles.
Before-you-buy checklist ↓At your mileage ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
How many miles does a 2002–2007 Subaru Impreza last?
On the 2002–2007 Subaru Impreza, half of the 901 complaints that record an odometer reading were filed by 51,000 miles and 90% by 135,000 miles (why that is not a lifespan).
54 reports came in past 150,000 miles and 9 past 200,000 — each one proof that an Impreza reached that mileage, not that it failed there.
Figure 1 · Subaru Impreza 2002–2007 · 901 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
10,000-mile bins, 0 to 200,000 miles, linear scale; tallest bar 107 complaints
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 9 complaints (1.0%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 8,500
- 25%
- 25,000
- Median
- 51,000
- 75%
- 92,000
- 90%
- 135,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–10,000 | 96 | 10.7% |
| 10,000–20,000 | 77 | 8.5% |
| 20,000–30,000 | 78 | 8.7% |
| 30,000–40,000 | 107 | 11.9% |
| 40,000–50,000 | 76 | 8.4% |
| 50,000–60,000 | 60 | 6.7% |
| 60,000–70,000 | 84 | 9.3% |
| 70,000–80,000 | 46 | 5.1% |
| 80,000–90,000 | 39 | 4.3% |
| 90,000–100,000 | 49 | 5.4% |
| 100,000–110,000 | 36 | 4.0% |
| 110,000–120,000 | 27 | 3.0% |
| 120,000–130,000 | 28 | 3.1% |
| 130,000–140,000 | 17 | 1.9% |
| 140,000–150,000 | 27 | 3.0% |
| 150,000–160,000 | 13 | 1.4% |
| 160,000–170,000 | 12 | 1.3% |
| 170,000–180,000 | 8 | 0.9% |
| 180,000–190,000 | 5 | 0.6% |
| 190,000–200,000 | 7 | 0.8% |
| 200,000+ | 9 | 1.0% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
Common Impreza problems, and when they happen
Figure 2 · Subaru Impreza 2002–2007
When each system fails
Bar: middle half of reports · notch: median · proportional (log) scale (how to read it)
- Hydraulic brake circuit163 reportsmedian 17,000middle half 8,000–30,000
- Transmission and driveline83 reportsmedian 24,000middle half 8,000–55,000
- Airbag system88 reportsmedian 43,000middle half 17,000–140,000
- Engine and its cooling system70 reportsmedian 48,000middle half 30,000–74,000
- Fuel system442 reportsmedian 55,000middle half 36,000–75,000
- Fuel and propulsion system84 reportsmedian 102,000middle half 79,000–139,000
- Suspension105 reportsmedian 103,000middle half 49,000–146,000
- Your odometer, once entered below
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first.
All systems in a table
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel system | 442 | 36.4% | 55,000 | 36,000–75,000 |
| Hydraulic brake circuit | 163 | 13.4% | 17,000 | 8,000–30,000 |
| Suspension | 105 | 8.6% | 103,000 | 49,000–146,000 |
| Airbag system | 88 | 7.2% | 43,000 | 17,000–140,000 |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 84 | 6.9% | 102,000 | 79,000–139,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 83 | 6.8% | 24,000 | 8,000–55,000 |
| Engine and its cooling system | 70 | 5.8% | 48,000 | 30,000–74,000 |
| Body structure | 41 | 3.4% | 105,000 | 51,000–145,000 |
| Visibility equipment | 40 | 3.3% | 25,000 | 2,500–45,000 |
| Fuel system, other | 33 | 2.7% | 45,000 | 30,000–81,000 |
Known problems with the 2002–2007 Impreza
Head Gaskets (EJ25 SOHC) 2002–2006
External head gasket oil/coolant seepage continues on the naturally aspirated 2.5L; Subaru's interim fix was a cooling-system conditioner, with gasket replacement as the durable repair.
Turbocharger Oil Supply (WRX/STI) 2002–2007
The banjo-bolt oil feed filter to the turbo clogs with oil coking and debris, starving the turbo bearing and causing turbo failure that can send debris downstream into the engine.
Before you buy a 2002–2007 Impreza: the 3-minute check
Generated from 901 mileage-tagged complaints, 18 recall campaigns, 2 documented problem areas.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 18 campaigns cover this generation.
- Check head gaskets (EJ25 SOHC) on 2002–2006 cars. What each looks like: Known problems.
- Check turbocharger oil supply (WRX/STI) on 2002–2007 (turbo models) cars.
- Years differ here: from 68 to 719 complaints a year — compare them by model year.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car.
Impreza problems by mileage: where your car sits
Type your odometer, or read the table.
| System | Middle half of reports, mi | At 60k mi55% below | At 90k mi74% below | At 120k mi86% below | At 150k mi94% below | At 200k mi99% below |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel system | 36,000–75,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Hydraulic brake circuit | 8,000–30,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Suspension | 49,000–146,000 | in window | in window | in window | earlier | earlier |
| Airbag system | 17,000–140,000 | in window | in window | in window | earlier | earlier |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 79,000–139,000 | later | in window | in window | earlier | earlier |
| Transmission and driveline | 8,000–55,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Engine and its cooling system | 30,000–74,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
Figure 3 · Subaru Impreza 2002–2007 · 901 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Steps at bin edges (how to read it)
- 60,000 mi — 55% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 74% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 86% of reports below
- 150,000 mi — 94% of reports below
- 200,000 mi — 99% of reports below
- Median (the 50% line)
- Your odometer, once entered
Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
2002–2007 Subaru Impreza recalls (18)
NHTSA records 18 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation (what a recall is).
The campaigns cluster around the airbag system (11), the suspension (1), the fuel system (1) (why one area can repeat).
Feb 2023 · 2004–2005 · Air BagsAn incorrectly installed inflator may not properly inflate the passenger air bag, increasing the risk of…
The defect. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2004-2005 Impreza and WRX vehicles that received replacement front passenger air bag inflators under a previous recall. The replacement air bag inflators may have been installed incorrectly.
What can happen. An incorrectly installed inflator may not properly inflate the passenger air bag, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect the passenger inflator and if necessary, install a new inflator kit, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed April 14, 2023. Owners may contact…
Jan 2020 · 2004–2007 · Air BagsAn inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in…
The defect. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of…
What can happen. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The free fix. Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may…
Jan 2020 · 2004–2007 · Air BagsAn inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in…
The defect. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of…
What can happen. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The free fix. Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7, 2020. Subaru owners may…
Jan 2020 · 2004–2007 · Air BagsAn inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in…
The defect. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (STI included), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of…
What can happen. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The free fix. Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflators with alternate inflators, free of charge. The recall began January 7…
Jan 2017 · 2006–2007 · Air BagsAn inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury…
The defect. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Baja, 2009 Forester, Legacy and Outback and 2006-2009 Impreza (including WRX and STI models) and Tribeca vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas…
What can happen. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The free fix. Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger front air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 6, 2017. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783.…
Jan 2017 · 2006–2007 · Air BagsAn inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury…
The defect. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Baja, 2006-2008 Impreza (including WRX and STI models), Tribeca, and 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa…
What can happen. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The free fix. Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 8, 2017. Subaru owners may…
Jan 2017 · 2006–2007 · Air BagsAn inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury…
The defect. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2005-2006 Subaru Baja, 2006-2011 Impreza (including WRX and STI models), 2006-2012 Tribeca, 2009-2012 Forester, Legacy, Outback, and 2012 WRX vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of…
What can happen. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The free fix. Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 6, 2017. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783.…
May 2016 · 2006–2007 · Air BagsAn inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury…
The defect. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Legacy, Outback, 2006-2008 Impreza, Tribeca, 2006 Saab 9-2x, and 2003-2006 Baja vehicles originally sold or that have ever been registered in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of…
What can happen. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The free fix. Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 24, 2016. Owners may…
May 2016 · 2006–2007 · Air BagsAn inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury…
The defect. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Legacy, Outback, 2009-2011 Legacy, Outback, Forester, 2006-2011 Impreza, Tribeca, 2003-2006 Baja, and 2006 Saab 9-2x vehicles originally sold or that have ever been registered in…
What can happen. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The free fix. Subaru will notify their owners. General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began August 26, 2016. Owners may…
May 2015 · 2004–2005 · Air BagsIn the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could…
The defect. Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Subaru Baja vehicles manufactured January 22, 2003, to July 21, 2004, 2004-2005 Impreza vehicles manufactured January 28, 2003, to May 31, 2005, 2003-2008 Subaru Legacy vehicles…
What can happen. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious…
The free fix. Subaru will notify their owners and General Motors will notify Saab owners. Dealers will replace the passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The Subaru recall began on June 17, 2015. Owners may…
Sep 2011 · 2002–2007 · SuspensionA broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The defect. 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…
What can happen. A broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. 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. This service…
Dec 2009 · 2002–2003 · Fuel System, GasolineFuel leaks, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
The defect. 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…
What can happen. Fuel leaks, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
The free fix. 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.
Mar 2008 · 2002–2003 · Latches/Locks/LinkagesIn case someone is underneath or near the rear gate, there is a possibility that a dropping rear gate panel…
The defect. 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. After repeated rear gate…
What can happen. In case someone is underneath or near the rear gate, there is a possibility that a dropping rear gate panel may hit them increasing the risk of injuries.
The free fix. 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. If the…
Feb 2007 · 2006 · Air BagsThe passenger's front air bag could become disabled and may not deploy in the event of a crash increasing the…
The defect. On certain vehicles, the wiring harness for the air bag occupant detection system in the front passenger seat may have been pinched during production. Pinching of the wiring harness between the floor crossmember and the seat mounting bracket could result in a…
What can happen. The passenger's front air bag could become disabled and may not deploy in the event of a crash increasing the risk of injury to the seat occupant. Also an electrical short circuit could cause a fire.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect to see if the wiring had been incorrectly routed under the seat bracket. If so, the dealer will repair any damaged wiring, reroute and secure the wiring harness in the correct…
Oct 2004 · 2004 · Engine and Engine CoolingIf leaking oil contacts components operating at high temperatures, a fire could result in the engine…
The defect. On certain passenger and sport utility vehicles, the cover bolts for the engine oil control valve may not be sufficiently tightened, allowing oil to leak from around the cover gasket.
What can happen. If leaking oil contacts components operating at high temperatures, a fire could result in the engine compartment.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect and retighten the oil-flow control valve cover bolts. The recall began on october 8, 2004. Owners should contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783.
Jul 2004 · 2002–2003 · SeatsIn the event of a crash, the driver may sustain more severe injuries due to the seat movement.
The defect. 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…
What can happen. In the event of a crash, the driver may sustain more severe injuries due to the seat movement.
The free fix. 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.
Mar 2004 · 2002–2004 · Vehicle Speed ControlIf this occurs during vehicle operation, the driver could lose control of the vehicle, which could result in…
The defect. 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. If this condition occurs, the throttle…
What can happen. If this occurs during vehicle operation, the driver could lose control of the vehicle, which could result in a crash.
The free fix. 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. Owner…
Oct 2002 · 2002–2003 · Power TrainThe vehicle could then move/roll without prior warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
The defect. 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…
What can happen. The vehicle could then move/roll without prior warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will replace the automatic transmission parking rod assembly. Owner notification january 8, 2003. An interim owner notification will be sent during november 2002. Owners who take their…
Crashes, fires and injuries owners reported
Out of 1,215 complaints against this generation, owners also reported:
- Crashes
- 76 (6.3%)
- Fires
- 13
- Injury reports
- 48
- Fatality reports
- 2
Impreza problems by model year
The 2002 drew the most complaints of this generation, 719, most of them about the fuel system, and the 2007 the fewest, 68. A typical year drew about 108.
That makes the 2002 stand out at roughly 6.7 times a typical year (what a yearly count can and cannot say).
| Year | Complaints | With mileage | Median miles | Most reported | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 719 | 522 | 48,000 | Fuel system (354) | 6 |
| 2003 | 122 | 101 | 47,000 | Hydraulic brake circuit (33) | 6 |
| 2004 | 138 | 107 | 65,000 | Fuel system (40) | 8 |
| 2005 | 94 | 81 | 68,000 | Suspension (21) | 6 |
| 2006 | 74 | 50 | 64,000 | Airbag system (22) | 10 |
| 2007 | 68 | 40 | 50,000 | Airbag system (27) | 9 |
What Impreza owners reported
The contact owns a 2004 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH and hard braking, the vehicle started shuddering violently and the steering wheel was not operating as needed. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to the residence at 20 MPH. The contact then inspected the vehicle and confirmed that…
2004 · 235,000 miles · Suspension
The contact owns a 2004 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled, and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with an unknown code for the throttle body. The vehicle was not repaired. The…
2004 · 162,000 miles · Fuel system
The contact owns a 2004 Subaru Impreza. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 15V323000 (Air Bags) and 11V464000 (Suspension) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repairs.…
2004 · 191,000 miles · Airbag system
The contact owns a 2002 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that while reversing, the vehicle felt as if there was a flat tire on the vehicle. Upon inspection, the contact noticed that the front driver's side tire was about to detach. Additionally, the driver’s side front lower control arm was fractured. Prior to the…
2002 · 170,000 miles · Suspension
Built from 901 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-10-20 · open data · how it is built
Other Impreza generations
- Impreza 2008–2011 442 reports with mileage, most about the transmission and driveline
- Impreza 2012–2016 499 reports with mileage, most about the airbag system
- Impreza 2017–2023 228 reports with mileage, most about visibility/wiper