Recalls ·2003 Subaru Impreza AWD

2003 Subaru Impreza AWD recalls and complaints

NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2003 Subaru Impreza AWD; the most frequently affected component is suspension — lower arm. Owners filed 64 complaints, most often about fuel system. Among the 17 model years of this model in the database, 2003 ranks #9 for number of recalls.

Recalls6
Complaints64
Crashes reported4in stored complaints
Fires reported1in stored complaints

Check your own vehicle by VIN at NHTSA →

Recalls (6)

Suspension — Lower armCampaign 11V464000 · 06 Sep 2011

Problem: 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, wisconsin, connecticut, delaware, iowa, illinois, indiana, maine, minnesota, missouri, new jersey, ohio, rhode island, west virginia and the district of columbia. The front lower control arms may break at the hanger brackets due to corrosion if the hanger bracket is exposed to salty and humid environments such as roads containing snow melting agent.

Risk: A broken control arm can result in the loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

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. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during december 2011. Owners may contact subaru at 1-800-782-2783. Owners may contact saab at 1-800-955-9007.

Fuel system, gasoline — Fuel pumpCampaign 09V468000 · 04 Dec 2009

Problem: 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. During cold starts, typically under extremely cold temperatures, fuel leaks in the fuel delivery line could occur where the line connects with a rubber hose.

Risk: Fuel leaks, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.

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 — LatchCampaign 08V135000 · 24 Mar 2008

Problem: 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 operations (opening and closing), the rear gate inner panel at the welding nut may break, which will lead to detachment of the rear gate stay, and the rear gate dropping down.

Risk: 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.

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. If the weld nut is cracked, the rear gate stay will be replaced free of charge. The recall began on june 2, 2008. Owners may contact subaru at 1-800-782-2783.

SeatsCampaign 04V342000 · 14 Jul 2004

Problem: 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.

Risk: In the event of a crash, the driver may sustain more severe injuries due to the seat movement.

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 — CablesCampaign 04V128000 · 16 Mar 2004

Problem: 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 will not return to the idle position and will remain in an open position.

Risk: If this occurs during vehicle operation, the driver could lose control of the vehicle, which could result in a crash.

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. Owner notification began on april 12, 2004. Owners should contact subaru at 1-800-782-2783.

Power train — Automatic transmissionCampaign 02V282000 · 30 Oct 2002

Problem: 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.

Risk: The vehicle could then move/roll without prior warning, increasing the risk of a crash.

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. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact subaru at 1-800-782-2783.

What owners complain about

Share of the 39 most recent complaints stored for this model year, by component. Owners can list more than one component.

Fuel system14 · 36%
Gasoline13 · 33%
Fuel/propulsion system12 · 31%
Suspension3 · 8%
Air bags3 · 8%
Structure3 · 8%
Engine and engine cooling3 · 8%
Power train1 · 3%

When complaints were filed

20077
20084
20095
20103
20121
20133
20144
20152
20163
20181
20191
20202
20212
20221

From owner complaints

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…

Fuel system · Dec 2007 · NHTSA complaint record

Lower passenger control arm tore off. As a result, loss control of vehicle at high speed on the highway.

Suspension · Nov 2018 · NHTSA complaint record

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 subaru impreza. The contact stated that the front end of the vehicle smelled of gasoline. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was told that there was a leak coming from the fuel delivery line. The contact referenced nhtsa campaign id number: 09v468000 (fuel system, gasoline:…

Fuel/propulsion system · Nov 2012 · NHTSA complaint record

On the night of 12/6/2020 i was backing out of a friends driveway to drive home, when i reached the street, i heard a loud clunk and a grinding noise. I got out of my car to investigate what had just happened and the front portion of my passenger side front lower control arm had completely lost all structural…

Suspension · Oct 2020 · NHTSA complaint record

How this year compares

Recalls per model year for this model.

Related pages

Source

Recall and complaint records from the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). A recall listed here may not apply to every vehicle of this model year — always check your VIN with NHTSA or a dealer.