2003 Subaru Impreza

The 2003 Subaru Impreza is a compact car available in sedan and hatchback body styles. It comes with a choice of two engines: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder or a 2.5-liter four-cylinder. Both engines are available with either a five-speed manual transmission or a four-speed automatic transmission.

The Impreza is known for its affordability, reliability, and sporty handling. However, it has also been known to have some issues.

Engine

• 2.0-liter four-cylinder
  • Knocking or pinging noise under load: Indicates pre-ignition, often due to carbon deposits on the piston crowns or spark plugs.
    • Solution: Replace spark plugs and clean carbon deposits.
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 - $500+
• Oil consumption: Excessive oil consumption can be due to worn piston rings or valve seals. * Solution: Replace piston rings or valve seals. * Estimated Cost to Fix: $1,000 - $2,500+
• Head gasket failure: Blown head gaskets can cause coolant leaks, overheating, and loss of power. * Solution: Replace head gasket. * Estimated Cost to Fix: $1,500 - $2,500+
• Recalls:
  • 02V269000 - Potential for fuel leak
  • 03V237000 - Faulty ignition switch
• 2.5-liter four-cylinder
  • No Issues Found

Transmission

• Five-speed manual transmission
  • Grinding or difficulty shifting gears: Worn synchronizers or damaged shift forks can cause these issues.
    • Solution: Replace worn or damaged parts.
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $1,500+
• Four-speed automatic transmission
  • Slipping or shuddering: Indicates worn friction plates or torque converter problems.
    • Solution: Overhaul or replace transmission.
    • Estimated Cost to Fix: $2,000 - $4,000+
• Recalls:
  • 03V305000 - Transmission may downshift into neutral

Suspension

• Worn strut mounts: Worn strut mounts can cause noises and affect handling. * Solution: Replace strut mounts. * Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $500+
• Leaking shocks or struts: Leaking shocks or struts can compromise ride quality and handling. * Solution: Replace shocks or struts. * Estimated Cost to Fix: $400 - $800+

Electrical

• Alternator failure: A failing alternator can cause battery drain and electrical problems. * Solution: Replace alternator. * Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $1,000+
• Starter failure: A faulty starter motor can prevent the engine from starting. * Solution: Replace starter motor. * Estimated Cost to Fix: $300 - $600+
• Recalls:
  • 02V44700 - Battery may discharge

Exterior

• Clear coat peeling: The clear coat on the Impreza’s paint can peel over time. * Solution: Have the paint repainted or touched up. * Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $2,000+
• Recalls:
  • 02V252000 - Windshield wiper motor may fail

Interior

• Faulty gauge cluster: The gauge cluster can fail, resulting in inaccurate readings or no readings at all. * Solution: Replace gauge cluster. * Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $1,000+
• Recalls:
  • 03V047000 - Driver’s seatbelt may not latch properly

Summary

The 2003 Subaru Impreza is a generally reliable car, but it is not without its issues. Some of the most common problems include knocking or pinging from the engine, oil consumption, head gasket failure, and transmission problems. However, these issues are not widespread and most Imprezas will provide years of trouble-free service. The severity and cost of the issues vary depending on the specific problem.