2002 Subaru WRX Complaint Log

THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OF MY 2002 SUBARU WRX SMELLS LIKE RAW GASOLINE WHEN I START THE CAR IN COLD TEMPERATURES. I HAVE READ STORIES OF OTHER WRX OWNERS WHO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM, AND IT IS A LEAKY FUEL LINE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I AM CONCERNED THAT ONE OF THESE TIMES, THE FUEL IS GOING TO CATCH FIRE AND CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY TO MYSELF AND MY PASSENGERS. *TR

RAW GASOLINE ODOUR IN THE CABIN DURING THE FIRST 5 MINUTES OF STARTING THE CAR IN COLD WEATHER. *TR

I DRIVE A 2002 SUBARU WRX IMPREZA, AND IT HAS A GAS LEAK THAT I CAN SMELL INSIDE THE CABIN WHEN ITS COLD OUTSIDE. AFTER DOING RESEARCH I FOUND THAT A LOT OF THE SAME MODEL CARS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. WHEN IT GETS COLD OUTSIDE THE HARDLINES ON THE ENGINE SHRINK ALLOWING THE SOFTLINES TO SQUIRT GAS ONTO THE ENGINE BLOCK. SUBARU ACKNOWLEDGES THE PROBLEM BUT CLAIMS ITS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE AND WON'T FIX IT. I FEEL ITS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO THE FACT I'M BREATHING IN GAS, AND CAUSE ANY TYPE OF SPARK UNDER THE HOOD OF MY CAR COULD LEAD TO AN EXPLOSION WHEN IM DRIVING. *TR

1. FAULTY FUEL LINES AND CONNECTIONS WHERE UNDER COLD TEMPERATURES, FUEL LEAKS ONTO ENGINE AND FUEL SMELL ENTERS CABIN OF VEHICLE. 2. EVERY TIME THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE DROPS CLOSE TO FREEZING. DIZZINESS OCCURS WHILE SITTING INSIDE VEHICLE TO WHERE THE WINDOWS HAVE TO BE ROLLS DOWN CANCELING THE EFFECTS OF HAVING THE HEATER RUN TO WARM THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. LATELY THE SMELL HAS BECOME INTOLERABLE THE MORE PROBLEMATIC. 3. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE AS OF CURRENTLY BUT THERE APPEARS TO BE A FIX PER VEHICLE MANUFACTURER BUT AT OWNERS EXPENSE. *TR

I HAVE A 2002 SUBARU WRX THAT HAS A FUEL LEAK WHEN THE WEATHER GETS COLD. IT OCCURS USUALLY ON START UP AND LASTS USUALLY 10-15 MINUTES. THIS IS A WELL DOCUMENTED PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL CAR (SEE THE FOLLOWING WEB LINK) HTTP://FORUMS.NASIOC.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=131755 MANY CAR OWNERS HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM BUT SUBARU REFUSES TO CORRECT IT DESPITE THE OBVIOUS DANGER (IE FUEL DRIPPING ONTO THE ENGINE MANIFOLD). SEVERAL FIRES HAVE EVEN BEEN REPORTED - ALTHOUGH I HAVE NOT PERSONALLY EXPERIENCED THIS. *TR

PROBLEM MY 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX WAGON WITH VIN CURRENTLY HAS 89,000 MILES. I STARTED GETTING A STRONG SMELL OF FUEL THROUGH THE VENTS IN NOVEMBER WHEN THE TEMPERATURE STARTED COMING DOWN. LOOKING UNDER THE HOOD, I FOUND NO APPARENT LEAKS BUT THE SMELL WAS STRONG. LOOKING ONLINE FOR SOLUTIONS, I CAME ACROSS NUMEROUS FORUMS ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE. MOST NOTABLY THIS ONE: HTTP://FORUMS.NASIOC.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?S=&THREADID=138069&HIGHLIGHT=FUEL+SMELL. I ALSO FOUND SUBARU SERVICE BULLETIN 09-36-03 DATED 04/01/03. SUBARU SERVICE BULLETIN 09-36-03 THIS BULLETIN STATES: SOME 2002 MODEL IMPREZA WRX (2.0L TURBO) MAY EXPERIENCE A FUEL SMELL IN COLD WEATHER (TEMPERATURE <14 DEGREES F) FROM THE RUBBER HOSE CONNECTOR, LOCATED UNDER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD, BETWEEN TWO DIRECT FUEL-FEED METAL LINES TO THE INJECTORS. THE CHANGING OF THE PIPE AND HOSE SIZE WAS ADOPTED, STARTING WITH ENGINE NUMBER 673467 TO BETTER ALIGN THE TWO FUEL LINES. THIS WAS ACCOMPLISHED BY SHORTENING THE FUEL PIPE AND LENGTHENING THE HOSE BOTH BY 30MM. TO COMPLETE THIS SERVICE PROCEDURE, YOU MUST REPLACE THE FUEL PIPE ASSEMBLY AND HOSE AS A SET. READING THIS IT IS EVIDENT OF THE FOLLOWING CONCLUSIONS: THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW IN SOME 2002 MODEL IMPREZA WRXS THIS DESIGN FLAW IS EVIDENT IN THE FACT THAT IT WAS APPARENTLY CHANGED FOR FUTURE MODELS AFTER THE PROBLEM WAS REALIZED. USING THE SUBARU SERVICE BULLETIN AND THE ONLINE FORUMS, I WAS ABLE TO LOCATE A FUEL LEAK IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AT THE LOCATION DETERMINED. THIS FUEL LEAK WAS FURTHER CONFIRMED BY A SUBARU DEALER AFTER ASKED BY SUBARU OF AMERICA TO GET IT LOOKED AT BY ONE OF THEIR DEALERS FOR THEM TO TAKE ACTION ON THIS ISSUE WHILE I WAS STILL WORKING WITH THEM TO GET THIS ISSUE RESOLVED. THIS FUEL LEAK POSES AT LEAST 2 THREATS: 1 FOR A FIRE, AND 2 FOR EXPOSING PASSENGERS TO HAZARDOUS FUMES. *TR

SINCE OWNING MY 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX, ON OCCASIONS WHEN THE WEATHER IS COLD AND VEHICLE HEATING IS ACTIVATED, OVERPOWERING FUEL ODORS ARE CONSISTENTLY PRESENT IN THE CABIN AREA. THE ODOR IS PRONOUNCED AND PERSISTENT AND DOES NOT "BURN OFF" EVENTUALLY. UNDER THESE CONDITIONS, IT IS NOT TOLERABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE WITHOUT OPENING THE CAR'S WINDOWS TO HELP DIFFUSE THEM. NOT DOING SO WILL GIVE OCCUPANTS SYMPTOMS COMMON TO EXPOSURE TO HEAVY DOSES OF FUELS VAPORTS IN AN ENCLOSED AREA: NAMELY HEADACHES AND NAUSEA. THE ISSUE APPEARS TO BE WELL KNOWN WITHIN THE WRX COMMUNITY, PARTICULARLY WITH THE 2002 MODEL OWNERS AND NHTSA IS AWARE OF SUBARU OF AMERICA'S (SOA) TSB CONCERNING THE PROBLEM. AS I LIVE IN AN AREA WHERE EXTREMELY COLD WEATHER, WHICH SEEMS TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH THE ISSUE, DOES NOT USUALLY OCCUR FOR EXTENSIVE PERIODS OF TIME, I HAD NOT PURSUED THE ISSUE FOR RESOLUTION BY TILL LAST YEAR WHEN THE PROBLEM WAS NOTICED TO BE PREDICTABLY CHRONIC IN THE WINTER SEASON. I CONTACTED SOA VIA EMAIL AT THAT TIME ASKING THEM FOR ADVICE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM AND WAS ADVISED TO HAVE A DEALERSHIP INVESTIGATE IT. AS THEY DID NOT INDICATE THIS WOULD BE PAID FOR BY THEM AND I DID NOT HAVE FINANCIAL RESOURCES TO PURSUE THIS INDEPENDENTLY, I DID NOT TAKE THE ISSUE FURTHER. HOWEVER, THE ISSUE IS RECURRING DAILY NOW IN THIS PARTICULARLY COLD WINTER SO I HAVE CONTACTED THEM AGAIN TO FURTHER PURSUE THIS WITH THEM. MY INTERNET RESEARCH, THE TSB AND THE MANY COMPLAINTS ON NHTSAS SITE CONCERNING THE ISSUE SEEM TO SUPPORT THE WRX OWNER COMMUNITY'S PERSPECTIVE THAT THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW AND SHOULD BE REMEDIATED BY SOA, FREE OF OWNER CHARGES, AS A RECALL. WOULD YOU PLEASE ADVISE IF NHTSA WILL BE PURSUING THIS WITH SOA AS A RECALL ISSUE? ALSO, I WAS INTERESTED IN READING THE DETAILED TSBS AVAILABLE ON THIS SITE BUT CANNOT RETRIEVE THEM. SOA CHARGES A FEE TO DOWNLOAD THEM. IS THIS STANDARD INDUSTRY PRACTICE AND IS THERE A WAY I CAN GET THEM FROM NHTSA WITHOUT FEES? *TR

I HAVE A 2002 SUBARU WRX SEDAN THAT IS AFFECTED BY TSB 09-36-03 FUEL LEAK I HAVE EXPERIENCED HEADACHES, DIZZINESS AND NAUSEA FROM THE FUMES ENTERING THE CABIN AS WELL AS DECREASED FUEL MILEAGE AND FEAR THAT MY CAR COULD CATCH FIRE AT ANY TIME I CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY FOR THIS OBVIOUS DEFECT AND DO NOT HAVE ANOTHER MODE OF TRANSPORTATION TODAY I FOUND AT LEAST A COUPLE OF DOZEN OTHER PEOPLE LIKE ME WITH THIS PROBLEM THE BELIEF THAT THIS ONLY OCCURS IN COLD NORTHERN AREAS IS ABSOLUTELY INACCURATE AS I LIVE IN FLORIDA AND HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM IT IS WORSE IN COLDER WEATHER BUT STILL HAPPENS IN WARMER CLIMATES I AM OUTRAGED THAT THIS HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED HOW MANY REPORTS DOES IT TAKE FOR SOMEONE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT SUBARU IS NOT STANDING BY THEIR CLAIM FOR SAFETY BEING FIRST ARE YOU WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO PASS OUT DO TO THE FUMES AND CAUSE A FATAL ACCIDENT OR FOR A SUDDEN BURST OF FLAMES FROM THE RAW FUEL LEAKING YOU DO KNOW THE TURBOCHARGER CREATES A LOT OF HEAT ESPECIALLY UNDER HARD DRIVING CONDITIONS NO REPORT CAN POSSIBLY PROVE THAT A FUEL LEAK WON'T CAUSE A FIRE NOT TO MENTION THE FUMES WHICH ARE VERY STRONG AND WILL MAKE YOU SICK WE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS DESIGN FLAW THESE ARE EXPENSIVE CARS AND SUBARU SHOULD BE HELD TO STANDARD OF HIGH QUALITY THEY CLAIM POUR INTO THEIR PRODUCTS PLEASE HELP US I MY CAR HAS 94,000 MILES AND IS IN GREAT CONDITION ASIDE FROM THE FUEL LEAK MENTIONED THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING SUBARU NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE SAFETY OF THEIR PRODUCTS. *TR

STRONG SMELL OF GAS IN THE CAR WHEN STARTING FROM COLD . WE ARE FORCED TO IDLE CAR IN THE DRIVEWAY WITH THE HEAT SYSTEM OFF AND CAN ONLY TURN IT ON WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION OR THE FUMES ARE OVERPOWERING. SYMPATHETIC COMMENTS FROM THE SUBARU DEALER BUT UNABLE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. I UNDERSTAND THAT A RECALL IS COSTLY FOR SUBARU, BUT THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION. *TR

WE JUST HAD AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF SNOW & COLD WEATHER HERE WHERE I LIVE IN OREGON. MY WRX SUDDENLY DEVELOPED AN EXTREMELY STRONG, TOXIC, RAW FUEL SMELL INSIDE THE CAR WHEN IT WAS FIRST STARTED IN THE MORNING. I CALLED MY DEALER AND WAS TOLD THEY KNEW WHAT IT WAS, AND THAT THERE IS A TSB TO FIX THE FUEL LINE LEAK. WAS ALSO TOLD THAT SUBARU DID NOT THINK IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE SO WOULD NOT COVER IT OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY AND WANTED $600 TO FIX! THIS IS MOST DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE! I HAVE TO OPEN THE WINDOWS TO GET FRESH AIR TO BE ABLE TO BREATHE AND AM CONCERNED THAT THE CAR MIGHT CATCH FIRE! *TR

VERY STRONG RAW FUEL SMELL INSIDE THE CAR COMING THROUGH THE VENTILATION SYSTEM AS WELL AS STRONG EXTERIOR FUEL SMELL. *TR

UNBEARABLY STRONG SMELL OF FUEL. TEMPERATURE 20 F AND BELOW. 62,000 ON CAR, NEVER HAD THIS ISSUE. ALWAYS EXPOSED TO SAME CLIMATE CHANGES AND EXTREMES IN TEMPERATURE. UNABLE TO DRIVE CAR, NAUSEATED AND SEVERE HEADACHE ENSUED. *TR

STOPPED AT LIGHT AND NOTICED STRONG FUEL ODOR IN CABIN. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, NOTICED LARGE AMOUNT OF FUEL LEAKING ONTO TOP OF ENGINE BLOCK, AND RUNNING DOWN TO EXHAUST COMPONENTS. CONSIDERING QUANTITY AND LOCATION OF LEAKING FUEL, IT SEEMS LIKE IT COULD BE A FIRE HAZARD. *TR

2002 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX AT TEMPERATURES OF 40 DEG F AND BELOW THE PASSENGER FUEL LINES LEAK FUEL RAW FUEL ONTO THE ENGINE BLOCK AND GENERATE LARGE AMOUNTS OF VAPORS THAT ARE DRAWN INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. AT LOWER TEMPERATURES THE PROBLEM IS WORSE. THERE IS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN THAT CALLS TO TIGHTEN THE LINE BUT DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM AT ALL, AND THE DEALER SAYS THAT THEY DO NOT GUARANTEE THAT THIS PROCEDURE WILL FIX THE ISSUE. THE TOXIC FUMES GIVE ME NAUSEA AND IRRITATE MY EYES SINCE THEY ARE SO STRONG IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. I CLOSE THE RECIR TO PREVENT FRESH AIR FROM COMING INTO THE CABIN BUT THE WINDOWS FOG UP QUICKLY AND IT IS DIFFICULT TO SEE OUT OF THEM WHILE DRIVING IN THE COLD WEATHER. I ALSO CONSIDER THIS TO BE A FIRE HAZARD JUST WAITING TO HAPPEN. THERE ARE COUNTLESS OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND TO DATE THERE IS NO FIX FOR PEOPLE DRIVING THE 2002-03 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX. THE FOLLOWING LINK IS AN EXAMPLE OF JUST SOME OF THE PEOPLE HAVING THIS ISSUE. SEARCHES ON THE NET WILL YIELD MANY MORE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE.*CN

WE HAD A COLDER THAN NORMAL SPELL BELOW FREEZING FOR A DAY. UPON DRIVING THE SUBARU WRX 2002 MODEL, I NOTICED A STRONG FUEL SMELL COMING INTO THE CABIN. ONCE RETURNING HOME EXAMINED THE ENGINE AND NOTICED FUEL PUDDLING UNDER THE PASSENGER SIDE INTAKE MANIFOLD. I SUSPECT THAT IT IS THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL LINE INTERFACE/CLAMP AND THE RUBBER HOSE CONNECTED TO IT UNDER THE MANIFOLD LEAKING/ SEEPING. IT'S LOCATION AND FUMES POSE A FIRE SAFETY HAZARD AND OCCUPANT SAFETY HAZARD. *CN

SOA GOLD PLUS ADDED SECURITY 7 YEAR/100,000 MI CONTRACT COVERAGE SO EXTENSIVE IT'S EASIER TO LIST WHAT IS NOT COVERED! 2002 WRX 64,500 MI NOW AT METRIC SUBARU DIX HILLS, NY BLEW OUT TRANS/MAN CLUTCH ASSEMBLY & WANTS $3,600. METRIC REPLACED MANUAL CLUTCH ASS 62,980 MI, COSTING $1,175 & BROUGHT BACK CAR LESS THAN 400 MI LATER BECAUSE OF CRUNCHING WHEN SHIFTING IN FIRST & REVERSE & WASN'T FIXED BECAUSE METRIC COULDN'T VERIFY COMPLAINT. FEW DAYS LATER GEAR STUCK IN REVERSE & CAR WOULDN'T BUDGE WHILE IN THE MIDDLE OF STREET. SUBARU TOWED CAR TO METRIC, COULDN'T VERIFY COMPLAINT AS GEAR BECAME UNSTUCK. NEW YEARS DAY, WITH DROPPED CLUTCH PEDAL COULDN'T GET INTO GEAR SO SUBARU TOWED CAR BACK TO METRIC. UPON CALLING SOA RECEIVED # 1072552 FROM LES HANDLEY AND AFTER SIGNING $500. AUTH TEAR DOWN CHG WAS THEN TOLD TRANS/MAN CLUTCH ASSEMBLY BLOWN OUT/ GEARS STRIPPED/CHIPPED. SOA REFUSES TO AUTHORIZE DEALER TO FIX THE CAR ASSERTING ABUSED CAR AND DRIVEN AGGRESSIVELY. METRIC EXPLAINED MANUAL TRANS A PROBLEM AND WE SEE RESEARCHING WEBSITE, NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS NEARLY SAME IDENTICAL STORY OF TRANS & MAN CLUTCH ASSEMBLY BLOWN OUT/GEARS STRIPPED/CHIPPED WITH SOA DENYING REPAIRS ASSERTING ABUSE. IS IT POSSIBLE EVERY OWNERS TALE OF WOE IS A LIE? SUBARU REPLACED OUR TRANS 29,068 MI AFTER FINDING GEARS, SYNROS AND SLEEVES DEFECTIVE. SUBARU THREE MONTHS LATER AT 29,740 MI FOUND TRANSMISSION LEAKING, SEEING TRANSMISSION CASE POROUS & REPLACED IT. 42,546 MI SUBARU REPLACED WORN REVERSE TRANS SHIFT RAIL AND CLIP. SOA CUSTOMER CARE REP, PATRICIA HUNG UP ON US WHILE WE TRIED TO OBTAIN SATISFACTION ON CLAIM FOR REPAIRS UNDER SERVICE CONTRACT, STATING DEALERSHIP SERVICE REPS INFORMED HER WE ABUSED THE CAR AND DROVE IT AGGRESSIVELY, A FACT THEY OUT AND OUT DENIED TO OUR FACE WHEN CONFRONTED ON THAT MATTER. SERVICE REP INFORMED US THEY SENT PICS AND A DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM AND REQUESTED AUTHORIZATION FOR REPAIR & WAS DENIED WITH OUR SERVICE REP FEELING SOA WAS LOOKING TO AVOID THIS EXTREMELY EXPLOSIVE ISSUE. *TR

FUEL SMELL COMES FROM RIGHT SIDE OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHEN ITS COLD OUT (UNDER 50). THE SMELL FILLS THE INSIDE OF THE CAR WHILE I DRIVE. I HAVE TALKED TO OTHER OWNERS OF MY CAR AND THIS IS COMMON. *CN

AN EXTREMELY STRONG ODOR OF UNBURNT FUEL ENGULFED THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE, GIVING MY PASSENGER AND I A HEADACHE. THE ODOR HAS RETURNED EVERY DAY SINCE THEN. *CN

RUBBER FUEL LINE CONNECTING TWO SECTIONS OF HARD METAL FUEL LINE LEAKS IN COLD TEMPERATURES (UNDER 35 DEGREES). PROBLEM NOT YET CORRECTED BY DEALER. *TR

THE TEMPERATURE WAS IN THE 40'S TODAY. NOTICED A STRONG SMELL OF RAW FUEL COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. WAS ABLE TO LOCATE AND VERIFY A LEAK FROM ONE OF THE FUEL HOSES ON THE PASSENGER SIDE UNDER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD (I HAVE VIDEO TO PROVE THAT THERE IS A LEAK). HAVE OBTAINED AND INSTALLED NEW FUEL LINE ON THE ENTIRE FUEL DELIVERY RAIL. NOW, AFTER PERFORMING MORE RESEARCH I HAVE LEARNED THAT THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE ACTUAL FUEL RAIL AND NOT THE HOSES. I ALSO KNOW THAT SUBARU KNOWS OF A MANUFACTURER DEFECT IN THE ORIGINAL FUEL RAIL. ASIDE FROM BEING A DANGEROUS FIRE HAZARD, THIS DEFECT IS ALLOWING POSSIBLY THOUSANDS OF CARS TO RELEASE COPIOUS AMOUNTS OF HYDROCARBONS INTO THE AIR. THIS SAFETY HAZARD AND ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARD NEEDS TO BE HIGHLY CONSIDERED AS THE BASIS OF A RECALL! *TR

STARTING CAR IN COLD WEATHER RESULTS IN RAW GASOLINE LEAKS INTO ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. PROBLEM PERSIST UNTIL CAR IS VERY WARM. HAZARDS ARE RISK OF FIRE, DRIVER ILLNESS DUE TO BREATHING FUMES AND ENVIRONMENTAL RELEASE OF GASOLINE. *TR

RAW FUEL SMELL IN COLD WEATHER IN MY 2002 SUBARU WRX. *TR

THE BRAKE PEDAL ON MY 2002 SUBARU SOMETIMES GETS SOFT (LOOSES BRAKE PRESSURE), SPECIALLY WHEN IT'S COLD AND THE SITS PARKED FOR SEVERAL HOURS. THE DEALER HAS CHANGED AN EXPANSION VALVE( ? ), BUT THE PROBLEM COMES BACK ON OCCASION. THIS PROBLEM MAKES ME FEEL INSECURE ABOUT MY BRAKE SYSTEM. THE DEALER SAYS EVERYTHING IS OK, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. *TR

FUEL LEAK ON 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX. FUEL LEAKS/SPRAYS FORM FUEL LINES ONTO MANIFOLD. STRONG FUEL SMELLS FILL CABIN WITH VAPORS. POSSIBLE CHANCE OF FIRE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT. CONTACTED SUBARU WITH NO RESOLUTION. FIND THIS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX. *TR

RAW FUEL SMELL IN THE CABIN OF MY 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX, WHEN I PARK MY CAR IN MY GARAGE AT NIGHT THE RAW FUEL SMELL CAN ALSO BE SMELLED THROUGHOUT THE GARAGE AFTER THE CAR IS SHUT OFF. SUBARU DEALERSHIP WILL FIX IT FOR A 85 DOLLAR PART AND TWO HOURS OF SERVICE TIME, WHICH IS AROUND 230 DOLLARS, AT MY EXPENSE WHEN IT IS A FACTORY DEFECT, THAT IS WRONG TO DO IN MY OPINION. IN MY OPINION SUBARU SHOULD FIX IT FOR FREE. *TR

MY 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX EXHIBITS A VERY STRONG RAW GASOLINE SMELL AFTER RUNNING IN COLD WEATHER. I FIND THE PROBLEM MOST PRONOUNCED AFTER A TEMPERATURE CHANGE. I AM CONCERNED THAT MY CAR WILL CATCH ON FIRE. *TR

SUBARU HAS RECOGNIZED THE ISSUE BUT HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL. SUBARU SERVICE BULLETIN # 09-36-03 DATE 04-01-03 FUEL SMELL / LEAK WHEN OUTSIDE TEMP GOES BELOW ~14 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. FUEL LEAK IS FROM FUEL LINES SUPPLYING FUEL TO THE PASSENGER SIDE INJECTORS, LEAK IS ON TOP OF ENGINE. I HAVE THIS LEAK BELOW 40DEGREES. I HAVE NOT CONTACTED SUBARU YET BUT THIS IS FOR ALL THE OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAVE THIS PROBLEM. *TR

DURING COLD WEATHER I CAN SMELL GAS FUMES IN MY CABIN AND SEE GASOLINE LEAKING FROM THE FUEL LINES IN THE ENGINE. *TR

EARLY MODEL YEAR 2002 SUBARU IMPREZZA WRX - EXHIBITS A VERY STRONG RAW GASOLINE ODOR WHEN THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE IS 60F OR BELOW AND THE ENGINE IS COLD. THE SMELL IS SO STRONG THAT THE WINDOWS OF THE CAR MUST BE OPENED IN ORDER NOT TO GET SICK FROM THE VAPORS. A VERY SIMILAR IF NOT IDENTICAL ISSUE IS RECORDED BY SUBARU AS SERVICE BULLETIN 09-36-03, HOWEVER THE TEMPERATURE DOES NOT HAVE TO BE BELOW FREEZING FOR THE PROBLEM TO OCCUR. AS STRONG AS THE ODOR IS FROM THIS PROBLEM, THERE IS CLEARLY RAW FUEL POOLING OR SPILLING SOMEWHERE WITHIN THE ENGINE. IN ADDITION, THERE ARE WELL OVER 1500 POSTS REGARDING THIS ISSUE ON THE FOLLOWING SITE: HTTP://FORUMS.NASIOC.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=131755 THERE ARE OTHER FORUMS WITH INFORMATION REGARDING THIS ISSUE. THERE ARE REPORTS OF RAW FUEL POOLING ON SOME PEOPLE'S MANIFOLDS. THIS REPRESENTS A CLEAR DANGER TO PEOPLE AND PROPERTY, AND SHOULD BE RECONSIDERED BY THE NHTSA AS A MANDATORY RECALL FOR ALL SUBARU WRX VEHICLES WITH ENGINES PRIOR TO 673467 AS LISTED IN THE SERVICE BULLETIN. IF THE NHTSA WAITS UNTIL A VEHICLE CATCHES FIRE OR EXPLODES BEFORE MAKING THIS A RECALL, IT WILL BE A POTENTIAL TRAGEDY THAT COULD HAVE BEEN EASILY AVOIDED. *TR

2002 SUBARU WRX SEDAN. STRONG FUEL SMELL COMES FROM PASSENGER SIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. A MINOR FUEL LEAK OCCURS OCCASIONALLY DURING COLD WEATHER. TOOK IT TO SUBARU DEALER BUT THEY COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE LEAK SINCE THE WEATHER WARMED UP. SERVICE REP RECALLED SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH ANOTHER CUSTOMER WHO PAID $400 FOR REPLACING A FUEL LINE. FUEL LEAKS ARE SAFETY HAZARDS AND SHOULD BE FIXED AS RECALLS. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUBARU WRX. IN COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE CONTACT SMELLS RAW FUEL WITHIN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLE. THE ODOR OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE METAL FUEL LINES THAT RUN UNDER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WERE LEAKING GASOLINE. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WOULD HAVE TO BE REMOVED FOR THE REPAIR. THE COST TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WOULD BE $460. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 116,000.

ON MY 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX SEDAN WHENEVER I GO OVER A BUMP OR IMPERFECTION IN THE ROAD (NO MATTER HOW BIG OR SMALL) THE ABS KICKS IN AND IF I HIT THE BRAKES DIRECTLY AFTERWARDS THE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR AND I HAVE SEVERELY WEAK BREAKS FOR 2-3 SECONDS THEN THEY COME BACK. IVE REPLACED THE BRAKE ROTORS, PADS, AND BRAKE FLUID AND THE ISSUE STILL HAPPENS. SUBARU OF AMERICA CLAIMS IT IS NOT A PROBLEM BUT HAVE NEVER HAD THIS ISSUE WITH ANY OTHER CAR WITH ABS. IM VERY FAMILIAR WITH ABS AND KNOW HOW IT WORKS THE PROBLEM IS AFTER IT ENGAGES IF YOU BRAKE AGAIN 2-3 SECONDS AFTER IT ENGAGED THE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR AS IF THERES ONLY 20% BRAKEING FORCE. IVE ALMOST BEEN IN SEVERAL ACCIDENTS DUE TO THIS ONE TIME I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT GOING 5MPH AND THIS HAPPENED AND I ALMOST DRIFTED INTO A PARKED CAR. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS. PLEASE VIEW THIS WEBSITE HTTP://FORUMS.NASIOC.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=102893 MANY 2002 AND UP SUBARU OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCEING THIS. THE ABS ISNT THE PROBLEM AGAIN ITS THE LOSS OF BRAKEING AFTER THE ABS WAS ENGAGED MAYBE THE ABS COMPUTER ISNT WORKING CORRECTLY/FAST ENOUGH? THANK YOU

SMELL OF RAW GAS FUMES IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OF VEHICLE AND UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE AT TEMPERATURES BELOW FREEZING. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY QUOTED A $500.00 ESTIMATE TO "REPAIR LEAKING FUEL LINES BELOW MANIFOLD". THEY TOLD ME NOT TO WORRY ABOUT IT-"IT WON'T CATCH FIRE"!!! *JB

THERE IS A VERY STRONG RAW FUEL SMELL INSIDE THE CAR OFTEN. THIS OCCURS MOST OF THE TIME WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS BELOW FREEZING. AFTER RESEARCHING, MANY OTHERS ARE HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. *NM

I HAVE JUST PURCHASED A 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX, UPON DRIVING HOME I WAS EXTREMELY LIGHT HEADED AND VERY SLEEPY I ALSO NOTICED THE PUNGENT SMELL OF RAW FUEL, AFTER DRIVING HOME WITH THE WINDOWS OPEN IN 30 DEGREE WEATHER I DID SOME RESEARCH WHICH LEAD ME TO FIND THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT FUEL LEAK IN ONE OF THE FUEL PIPE / HOSE CONNECTIONS,(ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT) WHICH HAS RESULTED IN THE FUEL DRIPPING ON TO THE ENGINE... THIS IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE AND I AM FEARFUL OF DRIVING THE CAR. THIS IS NOW A TSB W/ SUBARU, BUT FOR THE SAFETY OF OWNERS AND OTHER DRIVERS THIS NEEDS TO BE A RECALL PLACED IN THE HIGHEST REGARD!! I WILL BE CONTACTING SUBARU OF AMERICA TO SEEK ASSISTANCE!! THE PARTS AND THE REPAIR LABOR ARE STATED IN THE BULLETIN... HOWEVER THIS IS NO SIMPLE FIX.. PRICING AND TECHNICAL KNOW HOW ARE OF AN ELEVATED DEGREE.. *NM

STRONG SMELL OF FUEL DURING COLD WEATHER OPERATION. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE SUBARU DEALER. THE DEALER REPORTED A FUEL LINE WAS VISIBLY LEAKING FUEL *NM

DURING THE COLD PERIOD LAST WEEK, MY 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX HAD A VERY STRONG SMELL OF RAW GAS. SUBARU HAS ISSUED A TSB # 09-36-03 DATED 4/01/03 ACKNOWLEDGING THE PROBLEM AND HAS A REPAIR KIT SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM SHOULD RESULT IN A RECALL BY SUBARU AND BE REPAIRED AT SUBARU'S EXPENSE. IT IS A POTENTIAL EXPLOSIVE/FIRE EVENT AND IS A FAULT IN THE ORIGINAL DESIGN. THE DEALERS WILL NOT FIX THIS PROBLEM WITHOUT CHARGING THE CUSTOMERS. THE REPAIR KIT IS ABOUT $60 BUT LABOR IS $700-800. ITS A SAFETY ISSUE AND I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE IT LIKE IT IS. *JB

1) STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE NOTICED IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND INTERIOR. 2) SUBARU DEALER DETERMINED FUEL LINES WERE LEAKING UNDER INTAKE MANIFOLD. LEAKING FUEL IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT IS ALWAYS AN EXTREME FIRE RISK. THE WRX HAS THREE POSSIBLE IGNITION SOURCES UNDERHOOD, TURBOCHARGER HOUSING, EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER, ALL OF WHICH ARE IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE LEAK LOCATION. 3) FUEL LINES REPAIRED PER SUBARU TSB 09-36-03 AT CUSTOMER EXPENSE. *NM

2002 SUBARU WRX SPORT WAGON (1) IN VERY COLD WEATHER, (2) SMELL OF RAW GAS FUMES ENTERS PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, CAUSING POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL, SAFETY AND HEALTH HAZARD. (3) SITUATION IS COVERED BY 2003 SUBARU TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN 09-36-03. DEALERS REFUSE TO COVER COST OF THIS SAFETY-RELATED PRE-EXISTING DEFECT. NOT YET REPAIRED. *JB

I OWN A 2002 SUBARU WRX. IN FEB. 2007 I STARTED THE CAR AND STRONG GASOLINE SMELL ENTERED THE CABIN. I SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A WELL KNOW DEFECT IN THE 2002 MODEL WHEN STARTING IN COLD WEATHER. THE DEALER KNEW THE TROUBLE WELL AND FIXED IT WITH CHANGE IN FUEL LINE NEAR INTAKE MANIFOLD. MY QUESTION IS WHY THIS SERIOUS FLAW DID NOT TRIGGER A RECALL WHEN A FIRE COULD CERTAINLY RESULT FROM LEAKING FUEL NEAR THE MANIFOLD?

SEVERE FUEL SMELL IN AND AROUND VEHICLE WHEN TEMPERATURE IS BELOW 30 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. NOT A SAFE SITUATION AS I NEED TO HEAT THE CAR UP TO BRING MY INFANT TO DAYCARE. POSSIBLE DETRIMENTAL EFFECTS TO INFANT'S RESPIRATORY SYSTEM AS WELL. THIS OF COURSE DOES NOT EXCLUDE THE POSSIBILITY OF FIRE OR EXPLOSION. *JB

FAILURE: GASOLINE LEAK ONTO HOT ENGINE, STRONG SMELL OF RAW FUEL IN CABIN. THIS FAILURE, THE EVENTS LEADING TO IT (COLD WEATHER), AND THE CONSEQUENCES ARE DESCRIBED IN SUBARU'S TSB #09-36-03 FROM 04-01-03. IN MY CASE, MY WIFE AND I WERE DRIVING AROUND LAST MONDAY, 2-5-07, WHEN IT WAS VERY COLD -- MAYBE 6 OR 7 DEGREES WITH A STRONG WIND. WE BEGAN TO SMELL RAW FUEL IN THE CAR AFTER LEAVING A RESTAURANT. THE SMELL GOT WORSE AS WE DROVE TO A GROCERY STORE. WHEN I OPENED THE HOOD I COULD HEAR A HISSING SOUND AND SEE FUEL VAPOR (LIKE STEAM) COMING FROM UNDER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. SINCE THE WEATHER HAS GOTTEN A BIT WARMER IT DOESN'T SEEM TO BE A PROBLEM. THE CAR IS A 2002 WRX SEDAN. AT THIS TIME, IT IS SITTING AT SHARRETT SUBARU IN HAGERSTOWN, MD. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM BECAUSE SUBARU OF AMERICA (SOA) IS REFUSING TO COVER 100% OF THE REPAIR COST (WHICH THEY HAVE, RECENTLY, FOR OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME VEHICLE AND SIMILAR MILEAGE). THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. IT SHOULD CLEARLY BE THE SUBJECT OF A RECALL. *NM

STRONG FUEL SMELL INSIDE CAR. POSSIBLE LEAK. *NM

THE CAR SEEMS TO HAVE A TEMPERATURE RELATED FUEL LEAK THAT ALWAYS OCCURS IN COOL OR COLD WEATHER AND MAKES NO DIFFERENCE IF THE ENGINE IS COLD OR WARM. THERE IS AN EXTREMELY STRONG FUEL ODOR IN THE PASSENGER CABIN, SO MUCH SO THAT WINDOWS MUST BE ROLLED DOWN IN COLD WEATHER. THE CAR IS OFF WARRANTY AND I'VE HAD IT IN TO MY MECHANIC WHO CAN'T LOCATE A PROBLEM. HE SUGGESTED TIGHTENING THE FUEL CAP VERY SNUGLY AFTER REFUELING BUT THIS HAS MADE NO DIFFERENCE. THE SMELL OCCURS ALMOST DAILY IN WEATHER BELOW 35-40 DEGREES. THE CAR IS IN GOOD CONDITION AND WAS INSPECTED FOR PIN HOLES, LOOSE CONNECTIONS IN THE EMISSIONS/FUEL SYSTEM BUT NOTHING WAS FOUND. I OCCASIONALLY SEE ONE OR TWO SPOTS OF WHAT SMELLS LIKE GAS ON THE GARAGE FLOOR. I AM SURPRISED AT THE NUMBER OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS AND THAT SUBARU HAS NOT TAKEN THIS SERIOUSLY. *AK

MY SUBARU WRX 2002 STARTED GIVING OFF A STRONG FUEL ODOR WHEN TEMPERATURE WAS REALLY LOW. THIS CONTINUED FOR OVER 10 DAYS. ON INVESTIGATION USING THE INTERNET, THIS TURNED OUT TO BE A WELL-DOCUMENTED DEFECT, REPORTED BY LARGE NUMBERS OF OTHER 2002 WRX OWNERS AS WELL. SUBARU REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE FIX. I HAD TO PAY MORRISTOWN SUBARU IN NJ $230 TO FIX THIS VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM AND MAKE MY VEHICLE USABLE AGAIN. I AM VERY SURPRISED THAT SUBARU IS NOT PROACTIVELY ISSUING A RECALL AND FIXING THE PROBLEM. ARE THEY WAITING FOR A 2002 WRX TO EXPLODE DUE TO THE FUEL LEAK, POSSIBLY CAUSING GRIEVOUS INJURY TO THE OCCUPANTS? *NM

MY 2002 SUBARU WRX SUFFERED THE COLD START FUEL LEAK PROBLEM DESCRIBED IN THE TSB (FUEL RAILS). VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED USED FROM DEALERSHIP, BUT DEALER DID NOT ADDRESS THE PROBLEM WHILE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. *NM

FUEL LINE LEAKAGE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT DURING COLD WEATHER, PRODUCING RAW FUEL FUMES IN THE PASSENGER CABIN. *JB

I LIVE IN MAINE AND IN COLD WEATHER MY MY 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX LEAKS FUEL FROM A FUEL LINE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. SUBARU OF AMERICA HAS ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THIS PROBLEM. *JB

2002 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX WAGON. WHEN AMBIENT TEMPERATURE FALLS BELOW FREEZING, THE FUEL LINE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT LEAKS FUEL ONTO THE ENGINE. THE LEAKING FUEL VAPOR ENTERS THE INTERIOR OF THE AUTOMOBILE IN GREAT QUANTITY, CAUSING A SAFETY ISSUE FOR THE DRIVER/PASSENGERS. I HAVE, ON OCCASION, HAD TO PULL OVER AND OPEN THE WINDOWS TO VENT THE FUEL VAPOR BECAUSE OF BECOMING LIGHT HEADED DUE TO THE AMOUNT OF VAPOR IN THE CAR. *JB

HAVE NOTICE A STRONG FUEL SMELL WHEN TEMPERATURES DROP BELOW FREEZING IN MY 2002 SUBARU IMPREZZA WRX. *JB