2003 Subaru WRX Recalls, Problems & Safety Rating

2003 Subaru WRX recalls

Most common 2003 Subaru WRX problems

Problem areas named in the 60 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.

Problem area	Reports
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	20
Fuel System, Gasoline	16
Engine And Engine Cooling	4
Power Train	4
Fuel/Propulsion System	4
Visibility	3
Vehicle Speed Control	3
Tires	2
Air Bags	2
Seats	2

What owners report

2019-02-22, Fuel/Propulsion System
CAR WAS RECALLED IN APPROXIMATELY 2009 FOR A FUEL LEAK WHICH COULD CAUSE AND ENGINE FIRE. I KNOW BECAUSE I'VE OWNED THIS CAR I BOUGHT IT NEW IN 2003. THE PROBLEM HAS REOCCURRED. TO FIX IT, THE INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD TO BE REMOVED AND 3 SHORT FUEL LINES HAD TO BE REPLACED. WORK WAS DONE BY ALPINE AUTOMOTIVE IN LAKE ZURICH, ILLINOIS. I'VE REACHED OUT TO SUBARU WHO SAY THEY KNOW OF NO ISSUE. HOWEVER, I FOUND AN ARTICLE PUBLISHED IN 2009 IN US NEWS & WORLD REPORT, SAYING THAT THE WARRANTY FOR THIS ISSUE WAS BEING EXTENDED BY 12 YEARS , WHICH PUTS THE CAR STILL IN WARRANTY FOR THIS ISSUE.. *BF

2018-01-17, Fuel/Propulsion System
FUEL LEAKING ONTO MY ENGINE BLOCK COULD RESULT IN MY CAR ENGULFING IN FLAMES, NO RECALL FOR IT ON MY CAR BUT I SEE IT EVERYWHERE AND IT'S A SUPER COMMON PROBLEM. THE CABIN OF THE CAR ALWAYS SMELLS LIKE GAS USUALLY IN THE COLD, BUT WHEN I SMELL THE ENGINE IT SMELLS BADLY OF RAW GASOLINE.

2017-08-16, Fuel/Propulsion System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 SUBARU WRX. THE CONTACT NOTICED A STRONG FUEL ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BYERS AIRPORT SUBARU (LOCATED AT 401 N HAMILTON RD, COLUMBUS, OH 43213). THE DEALER WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V468000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DEMANDED THE DEALER TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE RECALL HAD EXPIRED AND HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN. UPDATED 10/24/17*LJ UPDATED 10/25/2017*JS

2015-11-04, Fuel/Propulsion System
WHEN IT GET COLD OUT, THE FUEL LINE STARTS LEAKING AND THERE IS THE SMELL OF GAS IN THE CAR. THERE HAS BEEN A LIMITED RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE DEPENDING ON WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. I LIVE IN A STATE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AREA. THIS DOESN'T CHANGE THE FACT THAT IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD CORRECT IT NO MATTER WHAT STATE I LIVE IN (ILLINOIS). THIS IS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT AND ASK THAT THEY FIX THIS ISSUE.

2015-06-12, Steering
MY DREAM CAR DEMOLISHED IN SPLIT SECOND. COULD HAVE VERY EASILY DIED AS WELL AS MY PASSENGER. I LOOKED UP THE RECALLS WHEN I GOT THE CAR AND IT WAS NOT LISTED YET, THE STEEL FRONT CONTROL ARMS IN THE SNOW BELT STATES RUST OUT AND CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO LOOSE CONTROL AND OR CRASH. WELL IT DID BOTH TO ME AS WELL AS EXCELERATE MY CAR. I WAS ON A DATE THAT NIGHT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A WHILE. AND ON OUR WAY HOME, WE WERE COMING AROUND A SLIGHT BEND, I WAS GOING PROBABLY 35-40 MPH AND RIGHT WHEN I TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL GOING AROUND THE BEND I HEARD A CRACK/THUD NOISE AND INSTANTLY I SWEAR ON MY DADS GRAVE THAT THE CAR ACCELERATED, IT WAS OBVIOUSLY OUT OF CONTROL, I COULD NOT STOP THE CAR IT KEP

2003 Subaru WRX questions

Does the 2003 Subaru WRX have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 1 safety recall for the 2003 Subaru WRX: Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Subaru WRX?

Based on 60 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Service Brakes, Hydraulic (20), Fuel System, Gasoline (16), Engine And Engine Cooling (4).

How do I check if a recall on my 2003 Subaru WRX has been fixed?

Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.