2002 Subaru Impreza complaints

JUST LEARNED THAT MY 2002 IMPREZA SPORT HAS A LEAKING HEAD GASKET WHEN THE CAR ONLY HAS 72,000 ON IT. THE CAR HAS NEVER GOTTEN OVER 23 MILES PER GALLON, EVEN WHEN IT IS HIGHWAY DRIVEN. THE CAR HAS HAD VERY VERY LITTLE MILEAGE ON IT SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED THREE YEARS AGO WITH 55,000 ON IT. NO MENTION OF ANY PROBLEMS DURING ITS 60,000 MILE MAINTENANCE. THIS CAME OUT OF THE BLUE. *TR

2002 SUBARU IMPREZA RECALL NOTICE. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE HATCH STRUT BROKE AND RIPPED OUT WHEN SHE WAS JUST LIFTING THE TAILGATE. CAUSING THE TAILGATE TO LAND ON HER HEAD WHICH RESULTED IN A MILD CONCUSSION. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED FOR THE DEFECT. RECALL # 08V135000. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V135000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TAILGATE:LATCH). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. AFTERWARDS, WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO USE THE REAR LIFTGATE, ONE OF THE LIFTGATE STRUTS SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE LIFTGATE STRUCK THE CONTACT'S HEAD AND CAUSED A KNOT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED, BUT THE CONTACT HAS YET TO RECEIVE A RESPONSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.

I JUST PURCHASED THIS 02 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX CAR A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO AND NOTICED A STRONG SMELL OF GAS ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE CAR WHEN I STARTED IT AND ALSO ON THE INSIDE, I HAD IT LOOKED AT BY A MECHANIC AND IT WAS SPRAYING OUT OF ONE OF THE HOSES BY THE AIR INTAKE TUBE, HE WAS ABLE TO TIGHTEN IT A LITTLE TO SLOW THE LEAK BUT THE CAR HAS THE SAME PROBLEM WHEN YOU START IT AND DRIVING IT YOU CAN SMELL GAS VERY STRONG ON THE INSIDE OF THE CAR, I'M WORRIED TO DRIVE IT FEARING IT MAY START A FIRE. IS THERE ANYTHING THAT SUBARU WILL DO TO FIX THIS PROBLEM AND ALSO, I HAVE TO HAVE AN EMISSIONS TEST DONE IN ANOTHER STATE WHERE I WILL BE ATTENDING COLLEGE, I WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE A PROBLEM. THANKS, ANY HELP WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. *TR

2002 SUBARU IMPREZA WITH A LEAKING HEAD GASKET. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE DEALER SAID THEY WOULD PAY FOR HALF OF THE COST OF THE REPAIRS. CONSUMER WAS THEN INFORMED THAT BOTH HEAD GASKETS WERE LEAKING. *KB THE CYLINDERS WERE LEAKING COOLANT. *JB

2002 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX DURING COLD TEMPERATURES A FUEL LINE LEAKS. THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THIS PROBLEM (TSB: 09-36-03), BUT IT HAS NOT BEEN MADE A RECALL. IF ENOUGH FUEL ACCUMULATES I WOULD EXPECT. *TR

STRONG FUEL SMELL IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OF CAR, FOLLOWING START OF VEHICLE IN THE MORNING. SOUNDS SIMILAR TO NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE04002 EXCEPT THIS IS HAPPENING IN TEMPERATURES 40-50 DEGREE FARENHEIT. *CN

CAR DEVELOPS A FUEL LEAK FROM THE DEFECTIVE FUEL LINES IN COLD TEMPERATURE (WINTER). GASOLINE DRIPPING ONTO ENGINE BLOCK AND FILLING INSIDE CABIN WITH HEAVY SMELL OF GAS FUMES. SUBARU OF AMERICA IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM SINCE APRIL OF 2003 BUT UNWILLING TO FIX THE PROBLEM AT THEIR EXPENSE. DEFECT IS DUE TO THE INCORRECT MANUFACTURER'S DESIGN OF FUEL RAILS AND HOSES AND IS BEING FIXED BY INSTALLATION OF NEW UPDATED PARTS. *TR

ON COLD MORNINGS THERE IS A TREMENDOUS GASOLINE SMELL IN SIDE THE CAR. THIS SEEMS TO ONLY HAPPEN WHEN THE CAR HAS SAT OVERNIGHT AND WHEN THE OVERNIGHT TEMP GOES BELOW 35F. GAS CAN BE SMELLED IN THE ENGINE BAY AND WHAT LOOKS LIKE GAS CAN BE SEEN POOLING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE MOTOR. I DECIDED TO FILE THIS REPORT AFTER SPEAKING WITH OTHER 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX OWNERS WHO INDICATED THAT THEY HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. I BELIEVE THAT THIS ISSUE PRESENTS A FIRE HAZARD AND THAT IF THIS ISSUE IS WIDE SPREAD, A MANDATORY RECALL IS IN ORDER. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT NOTICED A STRONG GASOLINE ODOR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING. SHE TOOK HER VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FUEL LINE WAS TOO CLOSE TO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD, CAUSING FUMES TO EMIT AND POSSIBLY START A FIRE. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 118,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP WHEN THE BRAKE WAS DEPRESSED, THIS CAUSED HIM TO CRASH INTO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HIM. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED. THE POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. AS OF AUGUST 2, 2007, THE DEALER WAS INSPECTING THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 60,000.

WHEN THE WEATHER IS UNDER 20 DEGREES F, THERE ARE STRONG GASOLINE FUMES INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OF THE AUTOMOBILE. IT MAKES ME DIZZY, CAUSING THE NECESSITY TO DRIVE WITH THE WINDOWS DOWN IN SINGLE DIGIT TEMPERATURES. SUBARU IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND THEY HAVE ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN, BUT THEY WILL NOT FIX MANY CARS THAT ARE NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THIS IS A HEALTH CONCERN, AN EMISSIONS CONCERN, AND A SAFETY CONCERN, AS RAW GASOLINE IS LEAKING SOMEWHERE IN THE ENGINE BAY.

MY 2002 SUBARU HAS GAS FUMES IN THE CABIN WHENEVER THE WEATHER IS COLD. THE COLDER THE WEATHER THE STRONGER THE FUMES. SUBARU IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE, THE HAVE A BULLETIN ON THIS VERY ISSUE, HOWEVER THE DEALER REFUSES TO COVER THIS ISSUE. OVER THE PHONE THE SERVICE MANAGER WAS CONFIDENT THAT SUBARU WOULD NOT COVER THIS ISSUE. HE INFORMED ME THAT IT WAS JUST FUMES LEAKING. KNOWING A LITTLE ABOUT HOW GASOLINE IS IGNITED, I KNOW THAT THE FUMES ARE WHAT COMBUSTION, AND THAT IS WHAT I AM CONCERNED ABOUT. IF SUBARU IS SO CONCERNED ABOUT SAFETY, ONE WOULD THING THAT EXPLOSIVE FUMES WOULD BE ON THEIR LIST. HOWEVER BOTH SUBARU OF AMERICA, AND SUBARU OF ANNAPOLIS DID NOTHING TO REASSURE ME THAT THIS WOULD BE COVERED. WHEN I CALLED SUBARU OF AMERICA AGAIN, THEY TOLD ME TO CONTACT ANOTHER DEALER AND SEE WHAT THEY WOULD DO. THIS IS THE LAST SUBARU I WILL EVERY BUY! *JB

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA WR,X AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING FUEL, AND THERE WAS A RAW FUEL SMELL COMING FROM THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLE. THE FUEL SMELL WAS STRONGER WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING AND THE TEMPERATURE WAS BELOW 32 DEGREES. THE CONTACT CURRENTLY HAS THE VEHICLE AT THE DEALERSHIP. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE 119330.*AK THE VEHICLE ALSO HAD A COOLANT LEAD. THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR REGULATOR WAS INOPERTIVE, THE CLUTCH HAD A JUDDER, THERE WAS PROBLEM WITH THE ABS. UPDATED

RAW FUEL SMELL IN COLD WEATHER. HAD TO REPLACE CD PLAYER. SEALS ON WINDOWS FELL OFF. BRAKES PUMP WHEN HITTING THE BRAKE WHEN DEBRIS ON ROAD. (ROCKS,ETC.). *NM

RAW FUEL SMELL NOTICED WHILE CAR IS ON. SEEMS TO BE COMING FROM ENGINE BAY. HAS JUST BEGUN TO OCCUR AS TEMPERATURE HAS DROPPED BELOW FREEZING. *NM

2002 SUBARU IMPREZA TS - FUEL SMELL IN COLD WEATHER. WHEN STARTING MY IMPREZA TS AT TEMPERATURES BELOW 32F THERE IS A DISTINCT AND OVERPOWERING FUEL SMELL IN THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THERE IS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN RELEASED FOR THE WRX MODEL BUT NOT THE TS. PLEASE ADDRESS THE EXCLUSION OF THE TS MODEL AS THIS ISSUE IS A SIGNIFICANT HEALTH AND SAFETY CONCERN. *JB

IN VERY COLD TEMPERATURES (BELOW 30F), THE SMELL OF RAW FUEL ENTERS THE CABIN. SUBARU HAS A TSB FOR THIS ISSUE, BUT I THINK THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUE CONSIDERING THAT FUEL VAPOR IS HIGHLY FLAMMABLE AND IS ALSO A KNOWN CARCINOGEN. *NM

I JUST WANTED TO SHARE WITH YOU A VERY RECURRING, AND VERY UNSAFE PROBLEM REGARDING THE SUBARU WRX IMPREZA. I CAME HOME TONIGHT TO A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE COMING FROM THE ENGINE BAY OF MY CAR. I PROCEEDED TO OPEN MY HOOD AND INVESTIGATE. WHAT I FOUND WAS ACTUAL FUEL LEAKING FROM A PART OF MY CAR! THIS FUEL CAN IGNITE AND EVEN EXPLODE IF IT WERE TO TOUCH SOMETHING HOT (TURBO CHARGER, CAT CONVERTER) WELL UPON GOING ONLINE, I LOOKED THE PROBLEM UP, AND IT SEEMS A LOT OF WRX IMPREZA OWNERS ARE HAVING THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS A PROBLEM NOTED SINCE 2002 AND SUBARU HAS DONE NOTHING ABOUT THIS! IN THE LINK I AM ABOUT TO PROVIDE TO YOU, IT WILL SHOW MANY CASES OF PEOPLE DEALING WITH SUBARU, IN SOME CASES WITH VERY POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE. HTTP://FORUMS.NASIOC.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=131755 THAT WEBSITE IS JUST ONE WEBSITE REPRESENTING THE COUNTLESS AMOUNTS OF PEOPLE EXPERIENCING THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. I DO NOT SEE HOW SUBARU CANNOT CREATE A RECALL ON SOMETHING SO EXTREMELY UNSAFE. *JB

BEGAN SMELLING ODOR OF RAW FUEL INSIDE OF MY 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA. AFTER A SHORT RESEARCH I FOUND IT TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM DURING COLD WEATHER. CONTACTED A DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY OR RECALL. *JB

WHEN THE WEATHER IS COLD, MY 2002 SUBARU WRX DEVELOPS A FUEL LEAK IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT UNDERNEATH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. LEAK RATE IS ABOUT 1 DROP PER SECOND. VEHICLE HAS 64,000 MILES. I JUST RECENTLY MOVED TO A COLDER CLIMATE AREA. *NM

IN THE FIRST WINTER AFTER PURCHASING MY 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX, THERE WAS A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE IN THE PASSENGER CABIN AS WELL AS AROUND THE CAR. THE PROBLEM PERSISTED IN THE FOLLOWING YEARS PARTICULARLY DURING COLD WINTER DAYS, HOWEVER DEALERSHIPS WERE NOT ABLE TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. ONE DEALERSHIP ATTEMPTED TO REPLACE THE FUEL FILTER AND SPRAY "DEODORANT" INTO THE VENTS TO HELP, BUT THE STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE PERSISTED ON COLD DAYS, PARTICULARLY WHEN WE WANTED TO TURN THE HEAT ON. THE SMELL OF GASOLINE IS NOT ONLY NAUSEATING, BUT MOST LIKELY VERY HARMFUL TO MYSELF AND MY FAMILY. ON OCCASION, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE THE CAR WITH THE HEAT ON AND CONSEQUENTLY WE NEED TO DRIVE WITH THE WINDOWS DOWN, IN THE COLD, WITH THE HEAT OFF. NM

I DRIVE A 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX SEDAN. WHEN I START THE CAR ON COLD MORNINGS AND TURN ON THE HEATER WITH THE AIR RECIRCULATION OFF, A DISTINCT SMELL OF GAS COMES THROUGH THE AIR VENTS. THEN, WHEN I OPEN THE HOOD TO LOOK FOR THE PROBLEM, THE SMELL OF GAS IS EVEN STRONGER AND MORE NOTICEABLE. MUCH LIKE OTHER WRX OWNERS, I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO TRACE THIS PROBLEM. BECAUSE OF THIS, I HAVE NOT MADE ANY ATTEMPTS TO FIX IT. GASOLINE IS WIDELY KNOWN TO BE CARCINOGENIC AMONG MANY OTHER UNFORTUNATE THINGS, AND THE PRESENCE OF GASOLINE IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT ALONG WITH SPARKS AND HIGH HEAT SEEMS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN DOCUMENTED BY MANY, MANY OTHER PEOPLE FOR OVER THREE YEARS NOW. *JB

MY CAR IS SUBARU IMPREZA WRX SPORT WAGON. I USED TO GAS MY CAR AT SHELL GAS STATION IN HIGHLAND PARK. A LOT OF TIMES I FOUND WATER IN MY CAR'S GAS TANK. I USE THE 93 OCTANE, BECAUSE MY CAR HAS TURBO. PLEASE CHECK THE 93 OCTANE GAS ON THE SHELL GAS STATION. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL ON BUMPY ROADS, THERE WAS A LONGER STOPPING DISTANCE. THIS OCCURRED ON TWO OTHER OCCASIONS AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER A THIRD TIME, WHO DETERMINED THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. UPDATED 10/17/2006 - THE REAR WHEEL BEARING WAS REPLACED TWICE. *NM

STEERING ROLL CONNECTOR FAILED. CAUSES HORN, CRUISE, AND DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG TO STOP FUNCTIONING. PART IS POORLY DESIGNED, WIRES ARE HELD IN PLACE BY PAPER. THIS SUBSYSTEM IS UNSAFE. *NM

NOT A NEW AS OTHERS HAVE IT TOO AND SUBARU KNOWS OF THE TROUBLE. UPON FIRST STARTING THE 2002 SUBARU WRX THERE IS A RAW GAS SMELL DUE TO A DEFECTIVE PART WITHIN THE FUEL SYSTEM. BOTH THE NHTSA AND SUBARU KNOW OF THIS BUT I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY DEALERS THAT THE FULL COST OF THIS MANUFACTURE DEFECT MUST BE PAID BY THE CAR OWNER-I WAS TOLD BY A DEALER THAT FAILURE TO DO THIS WOULD RESULT IN ENGINE FIRES. I FOUND THIS INFO WITHIN THIS SITE AND CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHY SUBARU IS NOT WORKING WITH THE NHTSA TO ASSIST PEOPLE DRIVING POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARDS IN FIXING AS FAST AS POSSIBLE THE DEFECT. *NM

DURING RECENT COLD WEATHER, I NOTICED A STRONG ODOR OF UNBURNED FUEL IN THE PASSENGER CABIN. RESEARCH INDICATED THIS IS ADDRESSED BY TSB 009-36-03, HOWEVER A FUEL LEAK OF ANY NATURE SHOULD BE CONSIDERED FOR RECALL DUE TO THE RISK TO HEALTH AND LIFE. *JB

FUEL LEAK NEAR ENGINE. RAW FUEL SMELL IN CABIN. *JB

2002 SUBRAU WRX. LONG DRIVE IN SUB-ZERO WEATHER AFTER WHICH A EXTREME FUEL SMELL WAS ENTERING THE CAR AT STOPS. AFTER ARRIVING HOME I QUICKLY LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD WHERE I COULD SEE AND SMELL FUEL VAPORIZING ON THE LEFT (PASSENGER) SIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FUEL VAPOR WAS ORIGINATING FROM THE HOSE MENTIONED IN PE04002, SUBARU TSB #09-36-03. THIS IS CONTRARY TO THE PROBLEM ONLY EXISTING DURING COLD START CONDITIONS AS MY CAR WAS FULLY WARMED UP AND AFTER 2 HOURS DRIVING. THE FUEL VAPOR FILLED UP MY GARAGE TO THE EXTENT THAT I WAS FORCED TO OPEN THE GARAGE DOOR. ACCORDING TO SUBARU THIS IS NOT A RECALL AND THUS I NEED TO PAY TO FIX THIS ISSUE-- HOWEVER AFTER MY EXPERIENCE TONIGHT I'M SCARED TO DRIVE MY CAR IN SUB-ZERO WEATHER. I URGE NHTSA TO RE-EXAMINE ACTION NUMBER PE04002 AS THE AMOUNT OF FUEL VAPOR COMING FROM MY CAR THIS EVENING COULD HAVE VERY EASILY CAUSED A FIRE HAD AN IGNITION SOURCE BEEN INTRODUCED ANYWHERE AROUND MY CAR. *JB

IN COLD WEATHER (SUB-FREEZING), I SMELL GASOLINE VAPORS IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OF MY 2002 SUBURU IMPREZA WRX. THE SMELL OF GASOLINE IS EQUALLY STRONG UNDER THE HOOD. ONE MUST DRIVE WITH THE WINDOWS OPEN, WITH NO HEAT, SO AS TO AVOID LIGHT-HEADINESS. *JB

RAW FUEL SMELL WITH TEMPERATURES BELOW 20 DEGREES F AND RAW FUEL IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT WITH TEMPERATURES BELOW 0 DEGREES F. SMELL OCCURS ANYTIME CAR SITS IN SUB 20F TEMPERATURES. ACTUAL LEAK WITH RAW FUEL OCCURRED AFTER CAR SAT OUT OVERNIGHT IN SUB ZERO DEGREE TEMPERATURES. SMALL SMOLDERING FIRE SIGNIFIED BY SMALL AMOUNT OF GREY SMOKE COMING FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT UPON START UP. CAR HAS BEEN TAKEN TO DEALER THREE TIMES FOR PROBLEM OVER TWO YEARS AND STILL LEAKS. MOST RECENTLY AFTER LEAK THEY REPLACED FUEL RAIL SYSTEM, BUT CAR STILL LEAKS. *NM

WE HAVE TERRIBLE GASOLINE FUMES IN MY WIFE'S CAR WHEN IT'S COLD OUTSIDE. IT'S COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND GETTING INTO THE CABIN. IT'S SO OVERPOWERING THAT MY WIFE AND CHILDREN CAN NOT BE IN THE CAR WITH THE WINDOWS CLOSED. IT EVEN GAVE HER A HEADACHE TODAY AFTER SHE DROVE IT WITH THE WINDOWS OPEN. IT'S A 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA TS WAGON. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AND I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL, YET THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL. I HAVE SEEN THE INVESTIGATION REPORT PE04002. OUR PROBLEM PERSISTS EVEN WHEN THE CAR IS FULLY WARMED UP. I DROVE IT FOR 45 MINUTES, AND IT WAS JUST AS BAD AT THE END OF THE TRIP AS IT WAS AT THE BEGINNING. *JB

DURING ONE COLD DAY I NOTICED THAT MY CAR (2002 SUBARU WRX) HAD A RAW GAS SMELL AFTER STARTING UP, LIKE A FUEL LEAK. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS COOLANT LEAKING FROM THE RADIATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED TO HAVE A BLOWN RADIATOR WHICH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE IS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN AND NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE.

THIS ISSUE IS FOR A 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX WAGON. THERE IS A STRONG FUEL SMELL IN THE VEHICLE CABIN WHEN THE CAR IS STOPPPED AT IDLE. THE SUBARU MECHANIC SAID THERE IS A CLIP ATTACHING THE FUEL LINE FROM THE TANK TO THE ENGINE UNDER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WHICH IS LOOSE. THEY ADJUSTED THE CLIP BUT SAID IT WOULD BE ABOUT $800 TO FIX IF THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN SINCE THEY WOULD HAVE TO REMOVE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD TO REPAIR. THE SMELL CAME BACK A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER. *AK I HAVE DONE RESEARCH, AND THERE IS A TSB FOR THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE, BUT NO RECALL. LOOKING AT POSTINGS ON THIS ISSUE, THERE ARE HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE. IT SEEMS TO BE PARTICULAR WITH THE 2002 WRX. IT SEEMS FOR AN ISSUE THAT HAS ENOUGH HISTORY TO OCCUR TO GENERATE A TSB THAT IS ALSO SUCH A POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE WOULD WARRANT A RECALL.

SIDE VIEW MIRROR ATTACHMENT TO VEHICLE FAILED, MIRROR UNUSABLE. RESEARCHED TO FIND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE IT. ORDERED THE PART AND REPLACED IT MYSELF. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE HATCHBACK/LIFGATE FELL OUT BECAUSE THE SCREWS HOLDING THE LIFTGATE IN PLACE STRIPPED DUE TO WEARING. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED IT WAS ASSEMBLED IMPROPERLY, AND TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER BEFORE HAVING THE REPAIRS DONE. THE VEHICLE IS A 2002, SUBARU IMPREZA WRX. *AK

WHEN THE TEMPERATURE GETS BELOW 20 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT FUEL LINES LEAK ON THE ENGINE OF MY 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA RS. THE LEAK CAN BE CLEARLY SMELLED FROM INSIDE THE CAR. THIS ISSUE IS KNOWN BY SUBARU AND THEY WON'T DESIGNATE THIS AS A RECALL. THEY DO CONSIDER THIS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN AND ONLY SERVICE THIS UNDER WARRANTY. OTHERWISE, IT'S UP TO THE OWNER TO SPEND UPWARDS OF $350 TO HAVE A SUBARU DEALER PERFORM THE REPAIRS. *JB

I PURCHASED A NEW 2002 WRX THREE YEARS AGO AND AM INHALING GASOLINE FUMES IN MY CAR WHEN DRIVING IN COLD WEATHER. THE SUBARU DEALER TOLD ME THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM WITH THE "COLD FUEL SMELL". I THINK THAT INHALING GASOLINE FUMES IS VERY HAZARDOUS, ESPECIALLY WHEN DRIVING. I HOPE AND BEG THAT SUBARU CORPORATION WILL RECALL THIS COMMON FAULT. *NM

I PURCHASED A USED 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX AND HAVE BEEN SMELLING GAS. I HAVE READ A PREVIOUS INVESTIGATION, PE04002. I UNDERSTAND THERE IS NO IMMEDIATE SAFETY CONCERN FOR FIRE, BUT WHEN DRIVING OVER LONG PERIODS THE SMELL DOES NOT GO AWAY AND HAS CAUSED LIGHT HEADEDNESS FOR MYSELF AND PASSENGERS, TO THE POINT THAT I HAVE HAD TO PULL OVER AND GET OUT OF THE CAR. I ALSO AM CURIOUS WHY A RECALL HAS NOT BEEN ISSUED FOR A KNOWN DEFECT, FOUND AND ACKNOWLEDGED BY THE MANUFACTURER. LEAKING GAS IS DANGEROUS TO INHALE AND DANGEROUS TO THE ENVIRONMENT. I WOULD URGE YOU TO INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE FURTHER. *NM

IN REFERENCE TO NHTSA ACTION NUMBER : PE04002 & THE OCCURRENCE OF BEING OVERCOME BY VAPORS IN MY MY02 SUBARU IMPREZA RS. STARTING LAST NIGHT THERE IS A VERY APPARENT HAZARDOUS FUEL VAPOR LEAK INTO THE CABIN OF MY VEHICLE VIA THE HVAC SYSTEM DUE TO A PREVIOUSLY NOTED FAULTY FUEL LINE PART I HAVE CONTACTED MY DEALER & WAS ADVISED THERE WAS A TSB WHICH DID NOT INVOLVE COVERAGE & REPLACEMENT OF THE DEFECTIVE PART DUE TO ME BEING OVER 60,000 & MY ENGINE 2.5 RS NOT BEING LISTED IN THE TSB. MAY I ASK, WHAT DOES A WARRANTY HAVE TO DO WITH REPLACEMENT OF A PREVIOUSLY DOCUMENTED, & CONFESSED DEFECTIVE PART PLACED ON A VEHICLE BY THE MANUFACTURER? THE PART IS KNOWN & ESTABLISHED AS DEFECTIVE. THE EFFECTS OF THE FAILURE WITH THE KNOWN DEFECTIVE PART ARE A SERIOUS HEALTH HAZARD & SHOULD BE IMMEDIATELY ADDRESSED VIA RECALL/REPLACEMENT. I TRAVEL 40 MINUTES EACH WAY EACH WORK DAY WITH MY SON IN THE VEHICLE. I ALSO HAVE A PREGNANT WIFE WHO IS GOING TO BE FORCED BY YOUR LACK OF ACTION, TO BE EXPOSED TO VERY DANGEROUS FUMES. SOME ERRORS WITH THE PREVIOUS INVESTIGATION: THE VAPORS DO NOT GO AWAY WHEN ENGINE WARMS UP, IN FACT MINE IS VERY MUCH MORE EVIDENT WHEN THE ENGINE IS WARM. FUEL CONSUMPTION HAS SIGNIFICANTLY GONE UP, POINTING TO A SIGNIFICANT LEAK OF GASOLINE TO WHERE? HOT ENGINE COMPONENTS. THE FIRE CONCERN WHICH WAS DISMISSED IS NOT MY PROBLEM, I CAN JUMP OUT OF A BURNING CAR' THE EXTREME VAPORS WHICH CAUSED ME TO GET NAUSEOUS & A SEVERE HEADACHE IN JUST A 20 MINUTE TIME SPENT IN THE CAR

MY 2002 SUBARU WRX IS BECOMING INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE IN COLD WEATHER. THE SMELL OF RAW FUEL HAS RECENTLY BECOME INTOLERABLE DURING COLD TEMPERATURES. I AM FORCED TO USE RECIRCULATION ON THE VENTILATION SYSTEM AND DRIVE WITH MY WINDOWS OPEN IF FREEZING WEATHER TO HELP WITH THE GAS SMELL. I HAVE TRACKED THE LEAK DOWN TO A TWO-INCH RUBBER HOSE SECTION UNDER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. IT APPEARS THAT THE CLAMPS ARE LOOSE AND CANNOT BE TIGHTENED WITHOUT REMOVAL OF THE MANIFOLD. I HAVE SEEN THAT A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN HAS BEEN ISSUED ON THIS MATTER. I CALLED MY DEALER TO HAVE THIS SAFETY AND HEALTH ISSUE REPAIRED. TO MY DISMAY, I DISCOVERED THAT IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL OR WARRANTY. MY CAR CURRENTLY HAS 48,270 MILES ON IT AND HAS BEEN IMPECCABLY MAINTAINED. THE DEALER HAS VERBALLY QUOTED $400-$500 FOR THE REPAIR. UPON SEARCHING THE INTERNET AND THE NHTSA, I SEE THAT FUEL VAPOR ODOR IN THE CABIN IN CERTAIN 2002 WRX'S IS A WELL-DOCUMENTED DEFECT. I HOPE FOR MY SAKE, SUBARU'S SAKE, AND THE SAKE OF OTHERS WITH THIS PROBLEM, THAT SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. WILL SHOW ITSELF AS A STANDUP ORGANIZATION THAT WILL MAKE GOOD TO IT'S LOYAL CUSTOMERS. AS AN 11 YEAR MECHANICAL ENGINEER IN THE DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY, AND AN AUTOMOBILE ENTHUSIAST, I CAN EXPLAIN THAT THIS LEAK IS DUE TO THREE CONDITIONS. 1) IMPROPERLY TORQUED HOSE CLAMPS DURING FACTORY ASSEMBLY, 2) FUEL LINE MATERIAL SHRINKAGE/STIFFENING DUE TO COLD TEMPERATURES, LEADING TO FURTHER LOO

ON 1 OR 2 OCCASIONS IN THE PAST COUPLE YEARS I HAVE SMELLED A GAS FUMES DURING VERY COLD WEATHER ON MY 2002 SUBARU WRX WAGON. I WAS NOT OFTEN OR VERY STRONG, SO I DID NOT PAY MUCH ATTENTION. THIS WINTER IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING MORE, ANY TIME THE TEMPERATURE GETS INTO THE LOW 20'S, IT IS A MUCH STRONGER SMELL AND LASTS QUITE A WHILE (SEVERAL MINUTES). I DID SOME DIGGING ON YOUR SITE AND FOUND ACTION NUMBER PE04002. I PLAN TO VISIT MY DEALER AND HAVE THE SERVICE BULLETIN COMPLETED, BUT WANTED TO MAKE YOU AWARE THAT THE PROBLEM MAY GET WORSE OVER TIME, I CURRENTLY HAVE 66,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AND HAVE DRIVEN IT SINCE JULY 2001. *JB

I HAVE A 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX. THERE IS A FUEL SMELL COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, NEAR THE PASSENGER SIDE BY THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THIS HAPPENS WHEN I START THE CAR IN THE MORNINGS WHEN IT IS COLD OUTSIDE. THERE IS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN FROM SUBARU ON THIS MATTER, BUT I THINK IT SHOULD BE A RECALL ITEM SINCE THIS INVOLVES A FUEL SMELL COMING FROM SUBSTANDARD PARTS. *NM

IN JANUARY,2005 I PURCHASED A USED 2002 SUBURA WRX IMPREZA FROM A PRIVATE OWNER. THE PREVIOUS OWNER GAVE ME ALL RECEIPTS OF ALL REPAIRS DONE TO THE CAR.ON THE RECEIPT IT SHOWS THAT HE COMPLAINED TO THE CAR DEALER CALLED RAFFERTY SUBURA IN P.A. OF SCREECHING NOISE FRO THE FRONT BRAKES. THE DEALER REPLACE THE PADS AND LUBRICATED THE BRAKES. THAT WAS AT 36K MILES. THE CAR NOW HAS 38K MILES AND I HAVE THE SAME SCREECHING NOISE IN THE FRONT BRAKES. I BROUGHT IT TO MY MECHANIC AND HE HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKES PADS. THE SCREECHING NOISE STILL EXISTS. I LOOK UP ON THE WEB FOR ANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ABOUT SUBURA AND THEIR BRAKES. I FOUND TONS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. WWW.CARSMART.COM/CONTENT/RESEARCH/FORUMS/INDEX.CFM/ACTION/POSTS/FID/1959 SOME OF THE COMPLAINTS WRERE REGISTER WITH NHTSA. I NEED TO KNOW WHAT IS BEING DONE ABOUT THIS. SEVERAL OF THE COMPLAINTS PEOPLE HAVE GOTTEN INTO ACCIDENTS.

(1) DEFECTIVE SEAT MOUNT DESIGN, AND BAD MANUFACTURER REPAIR. (2) DRIVER FRONT SEAT MOUNT( LEFT FRONT MOUNT WERE MOUNT ATTACHES TO SEAT RAIL FAILED UNDER HARD BRAKING AND ACCELARATION. (3) NOTHING AT THIS TIME. MANUFACTURER UPGRADE WAS PERFORMED.

CAR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON GOING DOWNHILL IN 3RD GEAR, CAR THEN SHUTS DOWN AND I LOSES CONTROL OF CAR. OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS OVER THE LAST 10 MONTHS AND 20,000 MILES OR SO. TAKEN TO 2 DIFFERENT DEALERS , FOR A TOTAL OF 5 VISITS AND PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BY REGISTERED MAIL AND HAS DONE NOTHING TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I AM GETTING THE RUN AROUND FROM THE MANUFACTURER AND BOTH DEALERS, THEY ARE IGNORING A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION.*AK

CONSUMER TURNS THE IGNITION ON AND VEHICLE ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF FOR ABOUT 10 TO 15 MINUTES AND TURNED BACK ON THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. *AK

THE ACCELERATOR ON 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA BECAME STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM WAS A PART OF THE AIR CLEANER FILTER HAD FALLEN INTO THE CARBURETOR. *MR *NM