SubaruImpreza2002Overview/subaru/impreza/2002/base/

2002 Subaru Impreza

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2002 Impreza.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2002 Subaru Impreza is a passenger car requiring 4.2 quarts of 5W-30 API engine oil, a modest maintenance footprint that belies its outsized reliability concerns. Across the Impreza's full complaint history spanning 1990 through 2026, the 2002 model year sits at the very top with 300 owner complaints—more than any other year on record—led by fuel system (gasoline) issues and accompanied by six recalls. For researchers, this positions 2002 as the model's peak trouble year, a critical reference point that signals heightened scrutiny is warranted when assessing this particular vintage.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020192002

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.2 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque58-72 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 35 · 360 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 35 · 360 CCAOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length173.6 in
Overall width68.1 in
Overall height57.9 in
Wheelbase99.6 in
Curb weight2965 lb
Track (front / rear)58.3 / 57.5 in

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Impreza of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.8 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.80 sec — 2002 2.5RS Sedan
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
20022.5RS Sedan 2.5L F-47.80 sec16.10 sec165 hpAWD
20002.5RS Sedan 2.5L F-47.80 sec15.90 sec165 hpAWD
20072.5i Sedan 2.5L F-47.90 sec16.00 sec173 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.2 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, 75W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 58-72 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.7 Pints
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.2 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.8 qt

Engine torques

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings33 ft-lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings33 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts53 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts53 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs5 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs5 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts58-72 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug17.0-20.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub137 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub137 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)750 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)100 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)MT: 650, AT: 700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)100 rpm
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance.66-.80 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance10,880-14,720 ohms
Spark Plug ManufacturerChampion

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity0.99-1.50 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Capacity4.90 oz
Standard BCI Group Number35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance360 cca
Standard BCI Group Number35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance360 cca

Service checks

Injector Primary Resistance5-20 ohms
Injector Primary Resistance5-20 ohms
Engine Compression142-171 psi
Engine Compression148-185 psi
Engine Oil Pressure14 psi @ 600-700 rpm, 43 psi @ 5000 rpm psi

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC / WITH STANDARD
Torque Caliper to Bracket58 ft-lbs / 24-31 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle58 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.295; Rear: 0.256 specification
Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC / WITH STANDARD
Rotor Runout Limit0.0029 in / 0.0028 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.394 in / 0.945 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To0.394 in / 0.945 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 8 stages
122 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
251 ft. lbs.51 ft. lbs
3Loosen 180 degrees.180 degrees
4Loosen 180 degrees.180 degrees
5Bolts 1-225 ft. lbs
6Bolts 3-611 ft. lbs
780-90 degrees.80–90 degrees
880-90 degrees.80–90 degrees

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter at 3,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 3,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 7,500 miCabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (inspect)
Every 15,000 miAxle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Clutch Assembly (inspect) · Parking Brake System (inspect) · Power Steering System (inspect)
Every 30,000 miBrake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection)
At 105,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Drive Belt (replace) · Timing Belt (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2002 Subaru Impreza represents a dramatic spike in federal records, leaping from just 11 complaints in 2001 to 300 complaints in the target year, a volume that dwarfs the subsequent 2003 model year's 64 complaints. Across this generation's early arc, the 2002 model stands as a severe anomaly and the peak complaint year, accompanied by a corresponding surge to 6 recalls and 4 investigations, up from 2 recalls and 0 investigations the year prior. The data does not specify the root causes for this spike, but the complaints are heavily concentrated in the Fuel System, Gasoline (84), Service Brakes, Hydraulic (55), Suspension (31), and Power Train (23), alongside 12 crash and 3 fire incidents. This abrupt escalation implies the 2002 model introduced significant, systemic vulnerabilities that the manufacturer struggled to mitigate, as evidenced by the jump to 169 technical service bulletins. Given the extraordinary volume of defect reports and safety-related complaints relative to adjacent years, the 2002 Impreza is a high-risk used vehicle purchase and should be avoided.

6
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
169
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
4
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
300
Owner complaints
12 involved a crash · 3 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 300 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Fuel System, Gasoline84
Service Brakes, Hydraulic55
Suspension31
Power Train23
Engine & Engine Cooling17
Visibility14
Structure10
Fuel/Propulsion System6

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 6 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

11V464000Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower ArmReported 06/09/2011

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… 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…

08V135000Latches/Locks/Linkages:Tailgate:LatchReported 24/03/2008

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… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 169 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
SubaruNet Annoucement (E2026-06-11Unknown Or OtherThis announcement is requesting retailer staff to retain the EyeSight protective hood…
01-167-08R2026-05-18Unknown Or OtherThis bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the…
SubaruNet Announcement (R2026-05-04Power TrainThis announcement provides information on the remanufactured CVT transmission program.
07-240-26R2026-04-30Unknown Or OtherThis Service Information Bulletin was developed to provide interim guidance for vehicles…
03-97-262026-04-24Power TrainThis bulletin announces the service manual correction regarding clutch master cylinder…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Impreza. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2002 Impreza take?

4.2 qt of 5W-30 API SM, per the factory manual.

Does the 2002 Impreza have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.