2002 Subaru WRX Complaint Log

RECENTLY LOW TEMPERATURES IN MY AREA DROPPED TO 32 DEGREES BELOW ZERO AND LOWER. WHEN STARTING MY VEHICLE IN THE MORNING, I SMELLED A STRONG FUEL ODOR THAT CAME FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AS IF THERE WAS A FUEL LEAK. AFTER RUNNING THE VEHICLE FOR A PERIOD, THE GAS SMELL WENT AWAY. THIS HAPPENED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. I TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE LOCAL SUBARU DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS. REPAIRS ARE EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED BY JANUARY 26, 2007. *NM

CURRENT OUTDOOR TEMPERATURES ~35 DEGREES F. STRONG SMELL OF GAS COMING FROM FUEL LINES UNDER INTAKE MANIFOLD ON PASSENGER SIDE OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT. ALSO, GAS SMELL INSIDE CAR. I AM AWARE OF AND HAVE READ SUBARU TSB #09-36-03. ALTHOUGH THE TSB STATES IT OCCURS <14 DEGREES F, THE FUEL LEAKAGE PROBLEM IS OCCURING IN MY VEHICLE WELL ABOVE THAT TEMPERATURE. I AM EXTREMELY CONCERNED THAT THIS PROBLEM IS A SAFETY/HEALTH ISSUE. *JB

DURING SOME COLD WEATHER OF ABOUT 20 FARENHEIT I RECENTLY I SMELLED A STRONG GASOLINE SMELL IN THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS THE VEHICLE COLD START EMISSIONS, BUT IT CONTINUED AFTER A LONG DRIVE (60 MINUTES) AND WAS MOST NOTICEABLE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS NOT MOVING. I POPPED THE HOOD AND THERE WAS A STRONG GASOLINE SMELL SO IT APPEARED THE SMELL WAS ORIGINATING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I CONTINUED TO DRIVE IN COLD WEATHER, AND MY GAS MILEAGE DROPPED TO ABOUT 16 MPG HIGHWAY. THIS IS COMPARED TO ABOUT 28 MPG I NORMALLY GET ON THE HIGHWAY.*AK AFTER THE WEATHER WARMED UP, THE GAS SMELL MOSTLY SUBSIDED AND GAS MILEAGE RETURNED TO NORMAL UPON SEARCHING ONLINE I DID FIND THAT SUBARU HAS ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THIS ISSUE THAT EXPLAINS THESE SYMPTOMS AS A DEFECT IN THE LENGTH OF THE FUEL HOSE AND RAIL WHICH CAUSES FUEL TO LEAK. BUT UPON TALKING TO THE DEALER, THEY WANTED ME TO PAY FOR A TECHNICIAN TO ATTEMPT TO VERIFY THE ISSUE, WHICH IS IMPOSSIBLE NOW THAT THE WEATHER IS WARM. THEY ALSO WILL NOT COMMIT THAT SUBARU WILL PAY FOR THE REPAIR IN ANY CASE. THE REPAIR IF I PAY FOR IT WILL BE MORE THAN $500, BUT I FEEL IT IS A HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUE. IT'S A HEALTH ISSUE BECAUSE GASOLINE FUMES ARE A RECOGNIZED CARCINOGEN, AND A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE HAVING 40% OF THE GASOLINE DISPERSE IN THE ENGINE BAY COULD CAUSE A FIRE OR EXPLOSION. ALSO, WAITING FOR THE SYMPTOM TO APPEAR IS TOO LATE, AND DOES NOT RELIABLY IDENTIFY WHICH VEHICLES MAY BE AFFECTED. A VEHICLE MAY MOSTLY BE IN A MODERATE CLIMATE, AND THEN IS DRIVEN IN COLD WEATHER, AND SUDDENLY HAS A PRESSURIZED GAS LEAK.

2002 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX TOXIC FUEL BEING FORCED INTO THE CABIN AIR INTAKE AND INGESTED/INHALED BY PASSENGER WHICH IS CAUSING A HEALTH AND SAFETY RISK. POSSIBLE FIRE RISK. *JB

2002 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX WAGON FUEL LEAK. ~81000 MILES. LEAK DESCRIPTION CONSISTENT WITH SUBARU INTERNAL BULLETIN 09-36-03 WITH THE EXCEPTION THAT QUANTITY OF FUEL WAS SIGNIFICANTLY MORE THAN 1 DROP. A POOL OF FUEL WAS VISIBLE AND DRIPPED LATER ONTO GARAGE FLOOR. OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE WAS APPROXIMATELY 24F WHEN THE LEAK OCCURRED. LEAK HAS CONTINUED TO OCCUR WHEN TEMPERATURE AT SIMILAR RANGE. SUBARU DEALER IS CLAIMING THIS WILL NOT BE COVERED BY SUBARU (OR SUBARU EXTENDED WARRANTY WHICH I AM CURRENTLY COVERED ON) SINCE IT IS ONLY AN ADVISOR AND NOT A RECALL. THE FUEL CONCENTRATION WAS STRONG ENOUGH THAT A FIRE COULD HAVE OCCURRED. I AM SURPRISED THERE WAS NO PREVENTATIVE RECALL OF THIS PROBLEM AFTER RESEARCHING THE NUMBER OF OTHER 2002 WRX OWNERS AFFECTED ALREADY. *JB

SUBARU 2002 IMPREZA WRX WAGON RAW FUEL SMELL IN CABIN ON COLD DAYS BELOW 0 DEG F. TSB # 09-36-03 ISSUED ON THIS 4/1/03 FOR ALL ENGINE #'S PRIOR TO 673467 WHEN THEY CHANGED FUEL PIPE AND HOSE SIZES UNDER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD FOR THE 03 WRX'S. POOLING FUEL ON THE ENGINE BLOCK IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND THIS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A RECALL. DEALER COST TO GET THIS FIXED IS ANYWHERE BETWEEN $350 -$500. SOA SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS FIX BEFORE ENGINE FIRE OCCURS. *JB

DURING THE WINTER, OUR 2002 WRX HAS SMELLED LIKE EXHAUST OR RAW FUEL IN THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO SURBARU AND WERE TOLD THE RUBBER FUEL LINE SHRINKS WHEN THE TEMPERATURE DROPS AND FUEL LEAKS. THEY DID A NOTICE, BUT NOT A RECALL - WHICH MEANS YOU PAY NOT THEM. IT COST $700 IN PARTS & LABOUR ($15 FOR THE PART) - THE ENTIRE ENGINE HAS TO BE REMOVED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I CALLED SUBARU AMERICA DIRECTLY AND WAS TOLD THEY DIDN'T SELL ENOUGH CARS IN THE NORTH TO WARRANT THE COST OF DOING A RECALL ON ALL THE SUBARU'S. MAYBE IF ENOUGH PEOPLE COMPLAIN THEY WILL RETHINK THEIR STRATEGY.

STRONG FUEL SMELL AFTER VEHICLE START UP. THIS HAD BEEN GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER TIME (AROUND 1 MONTH). TOOK VEHICLE IN TO SERVICE AND DISCOVERED FUEL LEAKING UNDER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD FROM THE INJECTOR RAILS. FUEL WAS SPILLING ONTO THE MANIFOLD. DISCOVERED SUBARU TSB # 01-123-90 COVERING THE ISSUE AND REPAIR NEEDED. THE REPAIR TOOK 1+ WEEKS DUE TO PART UNAVAILABILITY AND $380. CONNECTOR HOSE REFERENCED IN THE SUBARU TSB WAS REPLACED. *JB

MY 2002 SUBARU WRX SMELLS OF GAS FUMES (INSIDE THE CABIN) AFTER A COLD START. THE HEATING SYSTEM SEEMS TO MAKE THE SMELL EVEN WORSE. THE SMELL / FUMES MAKE ME CONCERNED ABOUT MY HEALTH. *JB

2002 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX LEAKS "RAW GAS" COMING FROM THE ENGINE BAY. THE FUMES ARE SO STRONG THAT THEY'LL TRAVEL THROUGH THE FIRE-WALL EVEN WITH THE WINDOWS CLOSED. THE GAS LEAKS VERY CLOSE TO THE TURBO SET UP WHERE TEMPERATURES ARE EXTREMELY HIGH. HEADACHES OCCUR WHILE SMELLING THESE FUMES. GAS MILEAGE IS SEVERELY AFFECTED AND THE RISK OF FIRE IS A MAJOR CONCERN. SUBARU OF AMERICA WON'T RECOGNIZE THIS AS A RECALL AND WILL CHARGE CUSTOMERS FOR REGULAR REPAIRS AT DEALERSHIPS, SOMETIMES IN EXCESS OF $600.00 WHEN THIS SHOULD BE TREATED AS A RECALL SERVICE. I AM A DISABLED/HANDICAPPED PERSON AND THIS SUBARU IS MY ONLY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION. I CANNOT DRIVE THE CAR DUE TO THIS PROBLEM AND I CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR...IT SHOULD BE A RECALL ITEM. I WON'T SACRIFICE MY TWO CHILDREN AND PUT THEM AT DANGER INSIDE THIS CAR WHEN IT'S LEAKING GASOLINE AND POTENTIALLY CREATE A DEADLY ACCIDENT/FIRE. I CAN'T EVEN PARK THE CAR INSIDE THE GARAGE BECAUSE I'M CONCERNED THAT THE FUMES COULD REACH THE HOUSE WATER FURNACE AND TRIGGER A FIRE WHEN IT ENCOUNTERS THE PILOT LIGHT. YOU CAN VERIFY THIS PROBLEM/COMPLAINT AT THE FORUMS OF NASIOC...HUNDREDS/THOUSANDS ARE AFFECTED. *NM

FUEL LEAK IN COLD WEATHER, RESULTING IN RAW FUEL SMELL IN THE CABIN OF THE CAR AND THE DANGER OF FUEL IGNITING IN THE ENGINE BAY. THERE HAS BEEN A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUED BY SUBARU OF AMERICA, BUT I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS ISN'T A RECALL. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND CAN HAVE DISASTROUS CONSEQUENCES. FOR PEOPLE OUT OF WARRANTY, THIS IS ABSOLUTELY ABSURD TO HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. *NM+

SEVERE RAW FUEL SMELL COMING FROM PASSENGER SIDE OF THE ENGINE. *JB

VERY STRONG ODOR OF FUEL IN CABIN. *JB

FUEL LEAK AND SMELL FROM FUEL HOSES. *TR

ON COLD DAYS I GET A STRONG FUEL SMELL IN THE CABIN. IF YOU LOOK AT THE LOWER PART OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD YOU CAN SEE YELLOW STAINS FROM WHERE FUEL HAS LEAKED AS WELL AS DISPLACEMENT OF GRIM FROM AREAS BELOW THE FUEL HOSE. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE AND IT IS COMMON WITH MY YEAR VEHICLE YET SUBARU HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL DESPITE ISSUING A SERVICE BULLETIN (#09-36-03). IN THIS BULLETIN IT STATES THAT THE REPLACEMENT OF A FUEL LINE AND HOSE IS NEEDED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM AND PARTIAL DISASSEMBLY OF THE ENGINE IS REQUIRED TO MAKE THE FIX. IT ALSO STATES THAT THIS FIX IS REQUIRED TO ACHIEVE BETTER ALIGNMENT OF THE FUEL LINES. *JB

2002 SUBARU WRX 1. COLD WEATHER 2. RAW FUEL SMELL WHEN IDLING WHEN VEHICLE IS WARMING UP TO THE EXTREME WHERE I HAVE TO AIR OUT MY VEHICLE BEFORE DRIVING. 3. NOTHING AS OF YET, WAITING FOR A RECALL THIS IS HAPPENING WITH ALMOST ALL 2002 WRX'S. *JB

THERE IS A RECURRENT PROBLEM WITH 2002 SUBARU WRX MODELS. WITH A SMALL FUEL HOSE UNDER THE AIR INTAKE MANIFOLD. IN COLD TEMPERATURES IT CONTRACTS AND BEGINS TO LEAK FILLING THE CABIN WITH A STRONG RAW FUEL SMELL ALSO. I HAVE RECENTLY FOUND WITH THE COLD WEATHER THAT THIS PROBLEM IS HAPPENING TO MY CAR. THERE ARE MANY BLOGS ON THE INTERNET ON THIS PROBLEM. HOWEVER SUBARU OF AMERICA HAS NOT SUBMITTED A RECALL ON ANY 2002 MODELS. IF YOU HAVE TIME PLEASE VISIT THIS LINK: HTTP://FORUMS.NASIOC.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=138069&HIGHLIGHT=RAW+FUEL+SMELL YOU WILL BE ABLE TO READ OTHERS INTERACTIONS WITH SUBARU OF AMERICA. IT IS A PROBLEM WITH MANY OTHER'S TOO. *JB

HTTP://MEMBERS.NASIOC.COM/USERPICS/4832/TSB.JPG. *JB

RAW FUEL SMELL COMING FROM ENGINE AREA. *JB

I OWN A 2002 SUBARU WRX. STARTING IN THE WINTER OF 2005 (AND RECURRING IN THE WINTER OF 2006), A STRONG GAS SMELL INSIDE THE CABIN AND AROUND THE CAR IS PRESENT. THIS ONLY HAPPENS WITH THE AMBIENT OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE IS COLD; USUALLY BELOW 35 DEGREES. DURING THE WINTER OF 2005, I BELIEVED THE SMELL WAS NOTHING MAJOR BUT WHEN IT RECURRED IN 2006, I DECIDED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. I DID RESEARCH ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE, ALONG WITH SUBARU WEB FORUMS (WWW.I-CLUB.COM; WWW.NASIOC) AND COME TO FIND OUT THAT THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH THIS MODEL. I TOOK MY CAR TO MY LOCAL SUBARU ON 11/13/06. IT SITS OVERNIGHT SO THEY CAN CHECK THE CAR ON THE MORNING OF THE 14TH WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS COLD ENOUGH FOR THE PROBLEM TO ARISE. THEY DO FIND A GAS LEAK CONCURRENT WITH THE MANUFACTURER'S TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (# 09-36-03 DATED 04-01-03). THE TSB REPLACES THE FUEL PIPE ASSEMBLY AND HOSE AS A SET. THE LEAK COMES FROM THE RUBBER HOSE CONNECTOR, LOCATED UNDER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD, BETWEEN THE TWO DIRECT FUEL-FEED METAL LINES TO THE INJECTORS. WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS COLD, THE METAL FUEL LINE CONTRACTS MORE THAN THE RUBBER FUEL LINE, THUS CREATING A "HOLE" FOR THE GAS TO LEAK OUT OF. THE REPAIR WAS QUOTED AT $380.38. I AM OUTRAGED OVER THIS REPAIR FOR TWO REASONS: I AM NOT HAPPY WITH HAVING TO SPEND MONEY ON A REPAIR THAT IS ESSENTIAL A DESIGN FLAW. THOUGH I AM PAST THE WARRANTY PERIOD, I FEEL THAT THIS REPAIR SHOULD BE COVERED BY SUBARU AS IT IS NOT A "REPAIR;" IT IS A FIX FOR THEIR MISTAKE. I AM MOST UPSET, HOWEVER, OVER THE FACT THAT SUBARU AND THE NHTSA HAVE NOT CREATED A RECALL CAMPAIGN FOR THIS FIX. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM AS LEAKING FUEL IN A HOT ENGINE COMPARTMENT IS DANGEROUS. IT'S A PROBLEM THAT COULD PROVE TO BE FATAL FOR SOME OWNERS. I HOWEVER AM FORTUNATE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM BEFORE ANYTHING HAPPENED TO ME. I ASK THAT BOTH SUBARU OF AMERICA AND THE NHTSA TAKE A SERIOUS LOOK AT THIS PROBLEM AND INITIATE A RECALL BEFORE ANY DEATHS OR INJURIES OCCUR. *JB

RAW FUEL SMELL FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT COMES INTO CABIN OF VEHICLE WHEN OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE IS LOWER THAN 20 DEGREES F. *JB

SEVERE SMELL OF GASONLINE IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WHEN OUTSIDE TEMP IS <40 DEG F. HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR OVER A YEAR. I TOOK IT TO DEALER LAST YEAR AND THEY TOLD ME THEY TIGHTENED UP CLAMPS BUT THAT HAD NO EFFECT. *TR THIS ISNT A RECALL?? OVER 140 COMPLAINTS FO RAW FUEL LEAKING ONTO THE ENGINE AND NO RECALL?? DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO DIE IN A CAR FIRE??

SEVERAL TIMES DURING THIS WINTER (PAST 2 TO 3 MONTHS) WE HAVE NOTICED AN OVERWHELMING SMELL OF FUEL WITH OUR 2002 SUBARU WRX. THE SMELL IS MOST NOTICEABLE WHEN THE WEATHER IS BELOW FREEZING TEMPERATURES. THE SMELL WAS OVERPOWERING LAST WEEKEND WHEN WE EXPERIENCED TEMPERATURES BELOW ZERO. I'VE SEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND OTHER WRX OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME THING. I CALLED MY LOCAL DEALER TODAY (2/24/06) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY ARE WELL AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THEY EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO A LEAK IN THE FUEL LINE WHICH WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AS WELL AS A FUEL RAIL. FURTHERMORE, THIS PROBLEM IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL EVEN THOUGH IT INVOLVES FUEL! THOUGH WE BARELY HAVE OVER 20,000 MILES ON THE CAR, WE HAVE OWNED IT SINCE DECEMBER 2001 AND IT IS, THEREFORE, OUT OF WARRANTY. I WAS TOLD THE COST FOR THIS 'HIGHLY RECOMMENDED' REPAIR TO BE SCHEDULED 'AS SOON AS POSSIBLE' WAS AROUND $600.00! THE DISCUSSION THREADS ENCOURAGED FILING A COMPLAINT AS AN INVESTIGATION INTO THIS MATTER HAS BEEN LAUNCHED. IT WOULD BE A SHAME THAT A REPAIR INVOLVING A FUEL LEAK WOULD HAVE TO RESULT IN INJURY AND LAWSUIT BEFORE SUBARU DECIDES TO ISSUE A SAFETY RECALL. CAN'T SOMETHING BE DONE ABOUT THIS BEFOREHAND?

RAW FUEL SMELL IN CABIN WHEN OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE BELOW FREEZING. BRINGING CAR TO DEALER 02/20/2006. *JB

NOTICED A FUEL LEAK IN ENGINE BAY. YOU COULD SMELL IT IN THE ENGINE BAY AND THE CAB NOT TO MENTION OUT SIDE THE VEHICLE. IT ONLY HAPPENS ON REALLY COLD DAYS. DID RESEARCH ON INTERNET AND FOUND HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE COMPLAINING OF THE SAME THING. TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL SUBARU DEALER THEY SAID THEY WOULDN'T COVER IT. OUT OF WARRANTY BY 1000 MILES. I THINK THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL THEY PUT FAULTY PARTS ON THE CAR. IT IS TOTALLY UNSAFE. *JB

DURING COLD STARTS (<35F), THERE IS A VERY STRONG RAW FUEL SMELL LEAKING INTO THE CABIN. THIS IS RESOLVED BY SWITCHING TO RECIRC. THE SMELL IS EVEN STRONGER OUTSIDE TOWARDS THE FRONT OF THE CAR. THE FUEL SMELL GOES AWAY ABOUT 10-15 MINUTES OF DRIVING. *JB THIS HAS HAPPENED DURING THE LAST TWO WINTERS IN SEATTLE.

IN FEB OF 2006 I BEGAN SMELLING A SLIGHT FUEL ODOR IN MY 2002 SUBARU WRX. A FEW DAYS AFTER I NOTICED THIS I CAME HOME AND WAS GOING TO TRY AND FIND THE SOURCE OF THE SMELL, IT HAD SLIGHTLY WORSENED OVER THOSE DAYS. I PULLED IN MY DRIVEWAY, OPENED THE HOOD AND LOOKED AROUND THE ENGINE FOR A MINUTE, I THEN WENT INTO MY GARAGE TO GET SOME TOOLS AND A LIGHT. WHILE IN THE GARAGE I HEARD A "WHOOSH" AND WENT OUTSIDE TO SEE WHAT MADE THE NOISE. WHEN I WENT OUTSIDE MY CAR WAS ON FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I THEN CALLED 911. WHEN THEY FIRE DEPT ARRIVED I INFORMED THEM THAT I HAD AMMUNITION IN THE CAR, AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD HAVE TO WAIT TO PUT IT OUT UNTIL THE AMMO BURNED OFF. AFTER A FEW MINUTES THE FIRE HAD REACHED THE REAR OF THE CAR AND THE AMMO EXPLODED, THE FIRE DEPT THEN PUT THE FIRE OUT. *TR

FUEL ODOR / LEAK FROM ENGINE BAY IN COLD TEMPERATURES. *JB

WHEN ITS VERY COLD OUTSIDE VERY STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT .. 2002 SUBARU WRX SEDAN. *JB

CAR WAS OUT SIDE OVER NIGHT, TEMPS DROPPED BELOW 35, RAW FUEL SMELL IN CABIN AND AROUND CAR. *NM

I OWN A 2002 SUBARU WRX IMPREZA WAGON. I, LIKE MANY, MANY OF FELLOW OWNERS OF THIS CAR EXPERIENCE FUEL LEAKS AROUND THE CARS ENGINE WHEN THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE FALLS BELOW ~40 DEGREES F. I HAVE CONTACTED SUBARU ABOUT THIS PROBLEM MANY TIMES, AND EACH TIME I TAKE THE CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSTICS THEY STATE "THEY CAN NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM." THIS IS PATENTLY FALSE SINCE THE CAR REEKS OF GASOLINE FUMES BEFORE AND AFTER I LEAVE THE DEALERSHIP. APPARENTLY THE CLAMPS THAT HOLD THE FUEL LINE ASSEMBLY TOGETHER FAIL WHEN THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURES ARE COLD. SUBARU WILL NOT REPAIR/REPLACE THESE CLAMPS (EVEN WHEN THE CAR IS UNDER WARRANTY) AND REPAIRS TOTAL APPROXIMATELY $350-400. THIS PROBLEM IS VERY SIMILAR TO THAT ISSUE THAT RESULTED IN THE CHALLENGER SPACE SHUTTLE DISASTER IN 1986, COLD TEMPERATURES LEADING TO FUEL LEAKS, WHICH COULD LEAD TO FIRE AND EXPLOSIONS. A BRIEF LOOK AT AN ONLINE COMPLAINT WEBSITE REVEALED ABOUT 150 OTHER PEOPLE WITH THIS PROBLEM, AND THAT'S JUST THE NUMBER THAT TOOK THE TIME TO SEND IN A MESSAGE. IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE ONE OF THE VEHICLES CATCHES ON FIRE AND KILLS SOMEONE. SUBARU IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND TACITLY ACKNOWLEDGE THE FAULTY MANUFACTURE OF THIS CAR PART, BUT WILL DO NOTHING TO HELP THE OWNERS OF THESE CARS. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER, I DO NOT WANT ANYONE TO DIE BECAUSE SUBARU IS TOO CHEAP TO REPLACE A 50 CENT O-RING. THANK YOU. *NM

SHORTLY AFTER STARTING CAR WHEN OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE IS COLD THE SMELL OF GASOLINE OVERWHELMS THE CABIN OF THE CAR. *JB

DURING THE WINTER MONTHS THE CAR BEGINS TO EMIT THE SMELL OF GAS INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT - SO MUCH THAT I HAVE TO ROLL THE WINDOWS DOWN OR I BEGIN TO GAG. MOST LIKELY THIS IS A FUEL LEAK BUT I CAN'T SEEM TO LOCATE IT. THIS IS ON A 2002 SUBARU WRX SEDAN PURCHASED IN APRIL 2001. *JB

THERE IS A RUBBER FUEL LINE LINKING THE INJECTOR FUEL RAIL TO THE HARD STEEL FUEL LINE LEADING FROM THE FUEL TANK, THAT CONTRACTS AT A DIFFERENT RATE THAN THE FUEL RAIL NIPPLE. THIS CAUSES A FUEL LEAK ON THE TURBO SIDE OF THE ENGINE. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT SUBARU AND IT'S DEALERS ARE WELL AWARE OF AS IT HAPPENS ON THE 2002-3 SUBARU WRXS IN COLD CLIMATES. THE MOST ALARMING ASPECT OF THIS IS NOT JUST A LEAK, BUT THE LEAK IS ON THE TURBO CHARGER SIDE OF THE ENGINE. THE AMOUNT OF HEAT IN THE TURBO WOULD IGNITE VAPORIZED/LIQUID FUEL RATHER QUICKLY. TO ME IT IS REALLY AMAZING THAT THESE THINGS ARE NOT BURSTING INTO FLAMES ALL OVER. THE COMPANY IS ALSO CHARGING THEIR CUSTOMERS FOR THE FIX, WHICH IS EXPENSIVE, TO A PROBLEM THAT IS CLEARLY THEIR FAULT. NOT TO MENTION THAT LEAKING RAW FUEL IS AN ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEM. *NM

RAW FUEL SMELL DURING COLDER WEATHER. THE SMELL IS FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND IS DUE TO POORLY DESIGNED FUEL DELIVERY PIPING/HOSES. RAW FUEL IS LEAKING FROM THE FUEL DELIVERY PIPING/HOSES AND THEN PUDDLES ON THE ENGINE BLOCK. THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT AND SUBARU OF AMERICA STILL WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE ANY ISSUES NOR FIX THE PROBLEM. THE THREAT OF ENGINE FIRE IS VERY REAL AS IS PERSONAL INJURY AND/OR DEATH. I STRONGLY ENCOURAGE NHTSA TO INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY HURT OR KILLED. TO FIX THIS PROBLEM WOULD BE MUCH BETTER FOR SOA THAN TO DEAL WITH LAWSUITS INVOLVING INJURY & DEATH. *JB

IN REGARDS TO NHTSA ACTION NUMBER : PE04002 I HAVE A 2002 SUBARU WRX WITH 34000 MILES AND LIVE IN HOUSTON, TX. I FIRST ENCOUNTERED THE PROBLEM WHEN VISITING MY FAMILY IN FT. WORTH SEVERAL YEARS AGO. IT WAS NOT VERY COLD, BUT THERE WAS SNOW ON THE GROUND. I STARTED THE CAR AND TURNED ON THE HEATER TO LET CAR WARM UP. WHEN I RETURNED ABOUT FIVE MINUTES LATER, I DETECTED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE BEFORE GETTING IN. THE FUMES INSIDE WERE UNBEARABLE AND I HAD TO AIR OUT THE CAR BEFORE DRIVING, BUT THE ORDER PERSISTED FOR ABOUT AN HOUR. I LEFT FOR HOUSTON THAT EVENING AND THOUGHT THE FUMES WERE JUST A ONE TIME OCCURRENCE. LAST NIGHT I VISITED A FRIEND FOR ABOUT 2 HOURS. IT RARELY GETS VERY COLD IN HOUSTON, BUT AT 9 P.M. LAST NIGHT WHEN I LEFT THE TEMPERATURE WAS PROBABLY JUST A LITTLE ABOVE FREEZING. WHEN I STARTED THE CAR ALL APPEARED NORMAL, BUT WHEN I TURNED ON THE HEATER, THE SMELL OF GAS WAS OVERWHELMING. I AIRED OUT THE CAR WHILE DRIVING, BUT THE GOT THE SAME RESULT EVERY TIME I TRIED TO USE THE HEATER. THE CAR REEKED OF RAW GASOLINE WHEN I PARKED IT AFTER THE 1.5 MILE DRIVE HOME. I GOT ON-LINE AFTER I GOT HOME AND FOUND OUT THIS WAS A VERY COMMON COMPLAINT AND THAT TSB HAD BEEN ISSUED. I ALSO SAW YOUR ACTION AND BELIEVE SUBARU OF AMERICA MAY HAVE GIVEN YOU THE IMPRESSION THAT THE DEFECT IS THE RESULT OF "VERY COLD CONDITIONS." FROM WHAT I'VE SEEN ON THE INTERNET, I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT TO BE THE CASE. HTTP://FORUMS.NASIOC.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=675874&HIGHLIGHT=FUEL+LEAK HTTP://WWW.WRXFORUM.COM/CGI-BIN/ULTIMATEBB.CGI?UBB=PRINT_TOPIC;F=3;T=008039 HTTP://WWW.DAYTONSUBIES.COM/FORUMS/INDEX.PHP?ACT=ST&F=3&T=185 HTTP://64.119.173.9/FORUMS/PRINTTHREAD.PHP?T=81610 HTTP://CLUBWRX.NET/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=48256 ANYWAY, I BELIEVE RAW GASOLINE LEAKING ONTO THE TOP OF THE ENGINE IN THE QUANTITIES THAT WOULD CAUSE THAT STRONG OF ODOR HAS TO CREATE A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY HAZARD; AND THAT IT HAPPENS MORE OFTEN THAN SOA HAS ADMITTED. *JB

VEHICLE IS LEAKING FUEL INTO THE ENGINE BAY. THE PASSENGER SIDE FUEL RAIL IS LEAKING. SUBARU OF AMERICA IS NOT WILLING TO FIX THE ISSUE IT IS HAPPENING TO A LOT OF PEOPLE. THE VEHICLE HAS GASOLINE FUMES COMING IN THROUGH THE VENTS. THE CONDITION IS WORSENED IN WINTER. *JB

THIS IS A FOLLOW UP TO COMPLAINT 10144181. I TRIED TO CALL IN A FOLLOW UP AND WAS TREATED WITH TOTAL INDIFFERENCE. THE WEATHER IS NOW IN THE -8 TO +5 RANGE HERE IN WESTERN NE AND THE FUEL LEAK DOES NOT STOP, EVER. AFTER DRIVING 20 MILES TO WORK AND PARKING THE SMELL IS SO STRONG I FELT LIGHT HEADED, HEADACHE AND NAUSEOUS. A CO-WORKER PARKED 2 SPACES AWAY COULD SMELL IT GETTING OUT OF HIS CAR. I HAVE PARKED THE CAR. I WILL NOT SUBJECT MYSELF OF MY FAMILY TO THE HEALTH AND FIRE RISK. I GUESS I WILL WAIT UNTIL SOMEONE DIES FROM A FIRE OR ASPHYXIATION AND THEN SEE IF THERE IS ANY RECALL OR REACTION FROM THE NHTSA. THIS IS CUT DIRECTLY FOR YOUR WEB SITE. HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV/PAGES/ODIFAQSREV2.HTM#OD5 WHAT ARE EXAMPLES OF SAFETY DEFECTS? EXAMPLES INCLUDE: PROBLEMS WITH FUEL SYSTEM COMPONENTS, PARTICULARLY IN THEIR SUSCEPTIBILITY TO CRASH DAMAGE, THAT RESULT IN LEAKAGE OF FUEL AND POSSIBLY CAUSE VEHICLE FIRES. FORGET CRASH DAMAGE, THIS THING LEAKS FUEL SITTING STILL. REVIEWING THIS MODEL YEAR ON YOUR SITE I NOTICE PEOPLE ARE LOGGING COMPLAINTS UNDER THE IMPREZA MODEL AND THE WRX MODEL AND IF YOU LOOK THROUGH THE COMPLAINTS ON THESE SYMPTOMS THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS. I AM SHOCKED THAT NO RECALL HAS BEEN FORCES CONSIDERING IT IS, BY YOUR OWN DEFINITION, A SAFETY HAZARD. *JB

SINCE THE WEATHER HAS GOTTEN COLDER THERE IS A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THIS IS DUE TO A LEAK IN THE FUEL LINE BETWEEN A RUBBER HOSE AND A METAL FUEL LINE. SUBARU IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL. (TSB 09-36-03) SEE POST HERE: HTTP://FORUMS.NASIOC.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=131755&PAGE=7&PP=25. *JB

WHEN THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE DROPS BELOW 20F A VERY STRONG GASOLINE SMELL HAPPENS INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE CAR. SUBARU IS AWARE OF THIS AND HAVE TSB 09-36-03 TO COVER CARS UNDER WARRANTY AND EXPECT THE OUT OF WARRANTY OWNER TO HAVE THE MANUFACTURING DEFECT REPAIRED. THIS AFFECTS 2002 WRX CARS AND THE DESIGN WAS CHANGED PER THE TSB. THE SMELL IS SEVERE AND CAN ALSO FILL THE GARAGE WHERE THE CAR IS PARKED. SUBARU ARE AWARE OF THIS AND SHOULD RECALL THE AFFECTED 2002 MODELS. GASOLINE LEAKING ONTO THE AREA OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD HAS TO BE A SAFETY CONCERN. *JB

GASOLINE FUEL SMELL IN CABIN OF CAR, WHEN DRIVING AND WARMING IT UP IN THE MORNING. HAD JUST HAD CAR SERVICED BY DEALERSHIP FOR 60,000 MILE CHECK UP. WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE CAR SINCE I COULD SEE GASOLINE POOLED ON ENGINE BLOCK AND WAS SMOKING AS IT EVAPORATED. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED VEHICLE TO HAVE IT SERVICED. WAS INFORMED OF A SERVICE BULLETIN SUBARU PUBLISHED 4/1/03 - BULLETIN NO. 09-36-03 CONCERNING THE PROBLEM AND REPAIR. ASKED DEALERSHIP IF PROBLEM WAS COVERED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY. THEY SAID NO. SINCE THIS PROBLEM WAS IDENTIFIED BY THE MANUFACTURER OF THE VEHICLE BEFORE MY PURCHASE OF THE CAR AND IS IN FACT A SAFETY ISSUE, I AM CONFUSED AS TO WHY THIS REPAIR IS NOT COVERED BY THE DEALERSHIP/MANUFACTURER OF THE VEHICLE. PAID FOR REPAIR COST OF $ 818. DEALERSHIP UNWILLING TO TRY TO HELP RESOLVE MY ISSUE WITH THE REPAIR. CONTACTED AUTO MANUFACTURER DIRECTLY AND AM WAITING FOR RESPONSE. *JB

IN COOL OR COLD WEATHER, THERE IS A VERY STRONG ODOR OF RAW FUEL INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. ANYONE INSIDE OR NEAR THE CAR IS EXPOSED TO HARMFUL GASOLINE FUMES, THESE VAPORS ARE TOXIC WHEN CONCENTRATED AND MAY CAUSE DIZZINESS AND HALLUCINATIONS IN SMALLER AMOUNTS. THERE IS ALSO CONCERN OF POTENTIAL FIRE DANGER. FUEL ODOR HAS BEEN PRESENT YEAR-ROUND ON MY CAR, AND ALSO ON MANY OTHER 2002 AND 2003 SUBARU IMPREZAS. THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE THAT SUBARU NEEDS TO ADDRESS, BUT THEIR POSITION SEEMS TO BE THAT IT IS THE CUSTOMER'S FAULT AND RESPONSIBILITY. THIS REPAIR, TO CORRECT A DESIGN FLAW IN THE SUBARU WRX, WILL COST THE LOYAL CUSTOMER SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS. THANKS SUBARU, THANKS A LOT. *TR

WITH REGARDS TO THE INVESTIGATION LISTED BELOW, I WOULD LIKE TO ATTEST THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED. AS REGARDS THE LEAKING OF FUEL INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, IT IS A MORE SERIOUS HAZARD THAN INDICATED IN YOUR IMPOVERISHED DATA. IN MANY CASES, THE FUEL DOES NOT CEASE TO LEAK WHEN THE CAR HAS WARMED UP, AND WILL CONTINUE TO LEAK FUEL STEADILY. THIS PRODUCES PUDDLES ON THE HOT INTAKE MANIFOLD, AND TOXIC CONDITIONS FOR PASSENGERS AND BYSTANDERS. AS MENTIONED IN SUBARU TSB 09-36-03, UNDER COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS, FUEL WILL LEAK FROM A RUBBER-METAL JOINT IN THE FUEL LINE. THE REASON GIVEN IS THAT THE STIFFENING OF THE RUBBER IN COLD WEATHER DEPRIVES THE MATERIAL OF THE RESILIENCY NEEDED TO PROVIDE STRAIN RELIEF FOR THE HIGH PRESSURE RUBBER-METAL JOINT, THIS STRESSING THE JOINT, AND ALLOWING FUEL TO LEAK FROM IT. IN MY CASE, AND IN THE CASE OF MANY OTHERS I HAVE RESEARCHED, THE FUEL WILL CONTINUE TO LEAK EVEN AFTER THE ENGINE IS WARMED UP, CONTRARY TO YOUR REPORT. I BELIEVE THAT YOUR REPORT HAS UNDERSTATED THE PROBLEM, AND BELIEVE THAT A RECALL SHOULD BE STRONGLY RECOMMENDED. == NHTSA ACTION NUMBER : PE04002 NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER : N/A MAKE / MODELS : MODEL/BUILD YEARS: SUBARU / IMPREZA 2002-2003 SUBARU / WRX 2002-2003 MANUFACTURER : SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. COMPONENT : FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS DATE INVESTIGATION OPENED : JANUARY 7, 2004 DATE INVESTIGATION CLOSED : MAY 27, 2004. *NM

EXTREMELY STRONG RAW FUEL SMELL INSIDE CAB OF CAR AND IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT. FOUND FUEL LEAKING FROM A LINE AND POOLING ON THE ENGINE BLOCK. HAVE READ NUMEROUS POSTS ABOUT THIS ON THE MULTIPLE SUBARU WRX AND RELATED WEB FORUMS. THE PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE COMING FROM A LOOSE CLAMP WHERE A RUBBER HOSE MEETS A METAL FUEL LINE....I CAN VISIBLY SEE FUEL DRIPPING ONTO THE ENGINE!. I CANNOT GET AT ALL THE HOSE CLAMPS AND CANNOT AFFORD THE $400 - $600 OTHERS ON THE FORUMS HAVE BEEN QUOTED FOR THE FIX. SUBARU HAS RELEASED A TSB FOR THIS PROBLEM ON 2002 WRX'S LIKE MINE BUT FOR SOME REASON HAS NOT ISSUES A RECALL. I GUESS IT'S GOING TO TAKE A BURNT UP FAMILY TO GET IT TAKEN CARE OF....I JUST HOPE IT'S NOT MINE. *JB

RAW FUEL SMELL IN COLD WEATHER; SUBARU TSB 09-36-03, ISSUE DATE 04/01/03 SEVERE RAW FUEL SMELL AND FUMES IN CABIN. ENGINE IS LEAKING COPIOUS AMOUNTS OF FUEL. *NM

I OWN A 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION. EVERY ONCE IN AWHILE WHEN I COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND SHIFT INTO FIRST THERE IS A GRIND NOISE. IT WAS INTERMITTENT AND I REPORTED IT AT LEAST 3 OR 4 TIMES AND THE DEALER COULDN'T REPRODUCE IT.. FINALLY AFTER DOING IN FOR OVER A YEAR IT HAS GOTTEN BAD ENOUGH THEY COULD REPRODUCE IT.. THEY TORE IT DOWN AND THE FIRST GEAR SYNCHO IS BAD AND THEY WILL NOT COVER IT UNDER WARRANTY STATING DRIVER ABUSE.. THIS IS TOTAL BS I NEVER ABUSED THE CAR, IT HAS BEEN DOING IT FOR A WHILE AND OTHER DRIVERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. IN FACT BETWEEN MY WIFE AND I WE HAVE HAD 6 CARS WITH STANDARDS AND HAVE NEVER HAD SUCH A PROBLEM.. THE ABUSE CLAIM IS JUST TO GET OUT OF PAYING FOR A FAILURE OVER TIME IN A FAULTY TRANSMISSION AND THE EXTENDED WARRANTY I HAVE IS SUPPOSED TO COVER IT.*JB

IN REFERENCE TO SUBARU SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER 09-36-03, I HAVE A FUEL LEAK IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT DUE TO FAULTY HOSES/CLAMPS. ALTHOUGH NO DEATHS OR ACCIDENTS HAVE OCCURRED AS A RESULT, THIS PROBLEM HAS GREAT POTENTIAL TO CAUSE HARM FROM FUMES TO POSSIBLE FIRE. PLEASE URGE SUBARU TO PERFORM A SAFETY RECALL ON THE NECESSARY PARTS!*JB

DRIVING DURING VERY LIGHT RAIN IN LEFT LANE ABOUT 30 MPH, CAR IN FRONT (ABOUT 2-3 CAR-LENGTHS AHEAD) STARTS BRAKING. I PRESSED THE BRAKES AND ABS CAME ON WITHOUT ANY REASON, THE CAR DID NOT SLOW DOWN ALMOST AT ALL, FORCING ME TO SWITCH THE LANE QUICKLY TO THE RIGHT. WHILE SWITCHING LANES, CAR STARTED SKIDDING AND DIVING THE NOSE TO THE RIGHT/TAIL TO THE LEFT, I TRIED TO CORRECT THE NOSE TO THE LEFT, BUT THAT CAUSED A MORE DANGEROUS SKID TO THE LEFT, TOWARD ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I TURNED THE WHEEL RIGHT AGAIN, TRYING TO REGAIN CONTROL, BUT THE CAR SPUN OUT AND HIT A TREE ON RIGHT SIDE OF ROAD WITH THE DRIVER'S DOOR. I WAS TAKEN TO A HOSPITAL AND STAYED THERE OVERNIGHT FOR OBSERVATION, RELEASED NEXT DAY. NOBODY WAS INJURED, THE TREE HAD A FEW VERY SMALL SCRATCHES. I AM STILL WAITING TO FIND OUT IF THE CAR WILL BE REPAIRABLE OR TOTALED. *NM

EXTREMELY STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE INSIDE CABIN AREA. TO THE POINT WHERE WINDOWS ALL HAVE TO BE ROLLED DOWN, SCARED THAT CAR MAY EXPLODE. NOTICED THAT IT IS WORSE ON COLD DAYS MORESO THAN ON HOT DAYS. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED WHAT LOOKS TO BE GASOLINE STAINS ON OUR DRIVEWAY, WHICH ARE LOCATED DIRECTLY UNDER ENGINE COMPARTMENT AREA OF WHERE OUR 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX USUALLY PARKS.

I HAVE EXPERIENCED "CLUTCH SHUDDER" ON MY 2002 WRX. THE DEALERSHIPS I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO (3) SAID THEY COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM SO HAVE LEFT IT UNADDRESSED. THE CAR SHAKES VIOLENTLY LIKE IT WAS BEING JACKHAMMERED WHEN FIRST DRIVEN. NO DEALER WILL REPAIR IT UNDER THE TSB THAT WAS ISSUED BY SUBARU.