2002 Subaru WRX complaints

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

MY 2002 MODEL IMPREZA WRX-2.0L EXPERIENCES A FUEL SMELL IN COLD WEATHER. TOOK IT TO DEALER COURTESY MOTORS SUBARU-CHICO CA. THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID HE DIDN'T SMELL ANYTHING SO I LEFT MAD, BUT I LEFT. SINCE THEN, SUBARU HAS ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB) REGARDING THIS PROBLEM AND I STILL CAN'T GET IT FIXED. IT'S FROM A RUBBER HOSE CONNECTOR LOCATED UNDER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD BETWEEN TWO DIRECT METAL FUEL-FEED LINES TO THE INJECTORS. (STRAIGHT OFF OF THE TSB) THIS SHOULD BE FIXED BY SUBARU OR THERE SHOULD BE A GENERAL RECALL FROM FIRE AND FUMES RAW GAS LEAKAGE. *NM

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

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

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

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

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

STRONG FUEL SMELL INSIDE CAR. POSSIBLE LEAK. *NM

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

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

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

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

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

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

TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS SERVICE BULLETIN 09-36-03 ON THE 2002 SUBARU WRX REGARDING A FUEL SMELL IN COLD WEATHER. THE FAILURE, WHICH WAS ACTUALLY A LEAK IN COLD WEATHER APPEARED WHEN THE TEMPERATURE GOT TO BE 10 DEGREES OR LESS. THERE WAS A STRONG SMELL OF FUEL IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, AND THE CONTACT FOUND A FUEL LEAK WHICH DRIPPED ONCE A SECOND ON 1/24/07. THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A MISALIGNMENT BETWEEN TWO FUEL HOSES NEAR THE MANIFOLD. THE CONTACT WILL HAVE PICTURES AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50000.*AK

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

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

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

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

VERY STRONG ODOR OF FUEL IN CABIN. *JB

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

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

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

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

1. NONE, IT'S A FACTORY DEFECT. SEE SUBARU TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN 09-36-03 "FUEL SMELL IN COLD WEATHER". 2. ANYTIME IT GETS BELOW FREEZING THERE IS RAW FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL RAIL ONTO THE TOP OF THE ENGINE. THIS HAS TO BE A SERIOUS DEFECT! WHAT IS THE RISK OF MY CAR STARTING ON FIRE WHEN FUEL IS BEING LEAKED ONTO THE TOP OF MY MOTOR??? ON TOP OF THAT, WHEN THIS IS HAPPENING YOU HAVE TWO CHOICES IF YOU WANT TO FREEZE YOURSELF. 1. TURN ON THE HEATER AND LET ALL THE RAW FUEL FUMES BLAST YOU IN THE FACE (IT'S A GREAT WAY TO START OFF YOUR DAY) OR 2. LEAVE THE HEATER OFF AND FREEZE (BOTH CHOICES ARE UNACCEPTABLE). 3. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO BEARDMORE SUBARU IN BELLEVUE NEBRASKA 13 TIMES WHILE MY CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND 4 TIMES WHILE OUT OF WARRANTY. I DON'T KNOW HOW A DEALERSHIP CAN BE SO CLUELESS SINCE THE TSB WAS ISSUED BEFORE I EVEN BOUGHT MY CAR. I TOLD THEM OVER AND OVER, "RAW FUEL SMELL IN CABIN ON DAYS IT'S BELOW FREEZING". THE WOULD WASH THE ENGINE, OR PUT IN AN NEW AIR FILTER, OR DO NOTHING AND SAY THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THIS IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE! PLEASE HELP! *JB

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+

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

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

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 MIS

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

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

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

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

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.

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

COLD TEMPERATURE BELOW 40 DEGREES F. FUEL SMELL IN CABIN, AND IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT. CAUSES PASSENGERS TO BE NAUSEOUS. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP THE NEXT DAY OR TWO, AND THEY TIGHTENED THE FUEL LINE CLAMPS. OCCURS EVERY WINTER WHEN TEMPERATURES ARE BELOW 40. *NM

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

I HAVE A 2002 SUBARU WRX SEDAN. WHEN THE WEATHER IS COLD, THERE IS A STRONG FUEL SMELL IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. WENT TO DEALER TO HAVE IT DIAGNOSED, THEY SAID THERE WAS A FUEL LEAK, WHICH IS COMMON A PROBLEM WITH MY MODEL YEAR AND THAT IT WOULD ~$350 TO FIX. I WOULD THINK THAT IF LEAKING FUEL WAS A "COMMON PROBLEM", THEN THERE WOULD BE A RECALL TO GET THIS FIXED. INHALING GAS FUMES AND THE POSSIBILITY OF A CAR FIRE SEEMS MORE OF A SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE, MORE THAN JUST A QUICK FIX ITEM. *JB

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

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

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

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

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