2002 Subaru Impreza power train problems
25 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the power train on the 2002 Subaru Impreza — 9% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“Put my car in park and it started rolling backwords.... Same exact day in was at a stop light on a incline and my car rolled backwords faster then it should while in drive. Car has 101000 miles”
filed Dec 10, 2019
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 subaru impreza. When the contact started the vehicle, there was a burning oil odor. When the accelerator pedal was depressed, the rear of the vehicle began to emit a loud vibrating noise. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the exhaust…”
filed Jan 30, 2017
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related recalls
- CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS WERE…Campaign 02V282000 · Oct 30, 2002
Related service bulletins
This announcement provides information on the remanufactured CVT transmission program.
SubaruNet Announcement (R · Other · issued May 4, 2026This bulletin announces the service manual correction regarding clutch master cylinder reservoir service procedures.
03-97-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 24, 2026
Power Train problems in other Impreza years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 Impreza | 2 | 7% |
| 2019 Impreza | 4 | 2% |
| 2018 Impreza | 4 | 3% |
| 2017 Impreza | 5 | 4% |
| 2016 Impreza | 13 | 17% |
| 2015 Impreza | 11 | 14% |
| 2014 Impreza | 9 | 8% |
| 2013 Impreza | 23 | 9% |
| 2012 Impreza | 26 | 11% |
| 2011 Impreza | 6 | 11% |
| 2010 Impreza | 5 | 11% |
| 2009 Impreza | 30 | 29% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2002 Subaru Impreza
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.