Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2002 Subaru WRX
NHTSA data on file today
The 2002 Subaru WRX has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 426 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #09V468000 FUEL LINE LEAKS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #06E060000 FMVSS 108/AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Fuel System, Gasoline 266 complaints
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic 64 complaints
- Fuel System, Other 25 complaints
- Engine and Engine Cooling 16 complaints
- Power Train 16 complaints
- Service Brakes, Air 15 complaints
Of the 426 complaints on file, 17 report a crash and 2 a fire; across all 426 complaints, owners report 13 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $5,000–$10,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2002 Subaru WRX shows a high number of complaints related to the fuel system, indicating notable reliability issues. With 426 total complaints and 2 recall campaigns, the primary concerns involve gasoline leaks and brake system issues. While some aspects may perform adequately, the data suggests potential for frequent repairs.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| fuel system | 50,000–80,000 miles | $500–$1,500 | very common |
| service brakes | 60,000–100,000 miles | $300–$1,000 | common |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter changes
- Brake fluid replacement
- Coolant system flush
- Spark plug replacement
- Timing belt inspection/replacement
- Transmission fluid changes
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Fuel smell in cabin
- Grinding brakes
- Check engine light
- Stiff steering feel
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2002 Subaru WRX at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.