2002 Subaru WRX complaints

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

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

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

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

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

1) FAILURE: SEVERELY LEAKING FUEL ON MY 2002 WRX WHENEVER THE WEATHER GETS COLD. 2) CONSEQUENCES: POTENTIAL ENGINE FIRE. GASOLINE POOLS ON THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. *JB 3) THIS IS ADDRESSED UNDER SUBARU TSB 03-51-02 BUT IT HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED AS OF YET. I CALLED MY LOCAL SUBARU SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THEY WERE UNAWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *JB

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

IF I TRY TO BRAKE OVER ROUGH OR SLIPPERY PAVEMENT IN MY 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX, THE ABS SYSTEM SHUTS OFF THE BRAKES. POTHOLES, MANHOLE COVERS, FROST HEAVES, ICY PATCHES, ANY OF THESE CAUSE THIS BEHAVIOR. ALSO, IN NOVEMBER 2004, WHILE DRIVING DOWNHILL AT ABOUT 30 TO 35 MPH ON DRY AND MOSTLY CLEAN PAVEMENT, A TRUCK DRIVING IN FRONT OF ME BRAKED GRADUALLY. I HIT MY BRAKES TO MAINTAIN A DISTANCE, BUT IT WAS A SECTION OF RIPPLED PAVEMENT AND THE ABS SYSTEM SHUT OFF THE BRAKES SO COMPLETELY FOR ABOUT 10 SECONDS. MY CAR WAS ACTUALLY PICKING UP SPEED DUE TO THE DOWNHILL. I AM SURE THAN IN ANY OTHER CAR I'VE HAD, I WOULDN'T HAVE HAD ANY TROUBLE SLOWING DOWN. I AVOIDED REAR-ENDING THE TRUCK BY SLOWING THE CAR WITH AGGRESSIVE ENGINE BRAKING. I ALSO STEERED TOWARDS THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD, WHERE THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC AT THAT MOMENT AND THE PAVEMENT WAS CLEANER, SO I COULD SLOW DOWN. ANOTHER TIME I REAR-ENDED A VEHICLE THAT STOPPED IN FRONT OF A POTHOLE, ALTHOUGH DAMAGE WAS MINOR. I'VE ALSO HAD A LARGE NUMBER OF SCARY NEAR - MISSES WITH REAR-ENDING OTHER VEHICLES, AND ON A FEW OCCASIONS SLID OUT INTO INTERSECTIONS WITH FROST HEAVES LEADING UP TO A STOP SIGN OR STOP LIGHT, BECAUSE MY BRAKING SPACE ESTIMATE WAS FAR LESS THAN I ACTUALLY NEEDED. I RECENTLY REPLACED ALL BRAKE PADS AND DISCS. THE REAR PADS FIT IN THE CALIPERS SO TIGHTLY I HAD TO POUND THEM OUT WITH A HAMMER AND PUNCH. BOTH PADS AND ROTORS WERE WORN VERY UNEVENLY. REPLACEMENT REAR PADS FIT IN THE SAME WAY. THEN I REALIZED SOM

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.

WHILE DRIVING ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET, WELL WITHIN ACCEPTABLE SPEEDS, APPROACHING A RIGHT HAND TURN WITH NO TRAFFIC I SLIGHTLY MOVED LEFT ON THE ROAD (OVER THE BUMP STRIP, BUT NOT INTO THE OTHER LANE) TO GET A SMOOTHER ANGLE INTO THE TURN.UPON BRAKING, THE DRIVERS FRONT TIRE SQUEALED/SLID, NO ABS PULSE AND BRAKE PEDAL WAS FAR CLOSER TO THE FLOOR THAN NORMAL.I LET OFF AND DOWNSIFTED TO NO AVAIL.I HIT THE CURB (ONLY, THANKFULLY) BUT DID EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO MY CAR RENDERING IT UNDRIVABLE.I NOW HAVE NO FAITH IN MY ONCE CHERISHED CAR AND ONCE IT IS REPAIRED AM CONTEMPLATING REPLACING IT.WHY HAVENT THEY FIXED THIS???????!?!?!?

WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE DRIVER NOTICED FLUID LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONSUMER NOTICED FUMES COMING FROM THE REAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A BODY SHOP FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE FUEL HOSE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS AT ALTITUDE AND THE TEMPERATURE WAS BELOW 32 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT, FUEL WOULD LEAK OUT OF THE LINE DUE TO THE RUBBER CONNECTION ON THE METAL VALVES. THE CABIN WOULD FILL UP WITH FUEL ODOR'S WHICH WERE VERY STRONG. *SC *JB

FUEL SMELL DURING COLD STARTS.*AK

WHEN IT IS COLD OUTSIDE, THERE IS A STRONG GAS ODOR INSIDE THE CABIN. *AK

ODOR OF GASOLINE IN PASSENGER CABIN CAUSED BY LEAKING FUEL LINE. FUMES CAUSING DRIVER DIZZINESS AND HEADACHES. SUBARU REPAIRED THE LEAK BY TIGHTENING A FUEL LINE CONNECTION. THE PROBLEM RETURNED AND SUBARU CAN NOT LOCATE SOURCE OF FUEL ODOR.*AK

WHEN IT GETS REALLY COLD OUT I GET A VERY NOXIOUS SMELL OF RAW GAS IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OF MY 2002 SUBARU WRX. THE SMELL ALSO FILLS MY GARAGE WHEN I PARK THE CAR. THE FUMES ARE VERY POTENT AND I AM FEARFUL OF A FIRE. FROM WHAT I HAVE LEARNED IT IS DUE TO FUEL LEAKS AT THE FUEL LINES, BUT THEY CAN'T BE REACHED UNLESS YOU REMOVE THE MANIFOLD AND IT IS A $500 JOB. MY VEHICLE HAS 95000 MILES ON IT, BUT I KNOW I REPORTED IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHEN IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, THOUGH THEY HAVE NO RECORD OF THAT. THIS IS A SAFETY AND HEALTH ISSUE.*AK

I OWN A 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION. EVERY ONCE IN AWHILE WHEN I COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND PLACE MY CAR IN NEUTRAL IT DOES NOT WANT TO GO BACK INTO FIRST GEAR. SO I HAVE TO GO AHEAD AND PUT IT INTO SECOND GEAR. I HAVE ALREADY COMPLAIN TO THE DEALER AND THEY HAVE DONE NOTHING ABOUT IT. THEY JUST SAY THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY TRANSMISSION. *JB

THERE WAS A FUEL LEAK FROM THE HOSE, MAKING IT DANGEROUS FOR A FIRE TO OCCUR. CONSUMER WILL TAKE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS.*AK *EH *JB

I HAVE 2002 SUBARU WRX. IN COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS A STRONG GASOLINE SMELL IS PRESENT IN THE PASSEGER COMPARTMENT AS WELL AS THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLE. SUBARU HAS ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB 09-36-03), FOR THE PROBLEM (SO THEY RECOGNISE IT DOES EXIST). I HAVE INQUIRED ABOUT THE WORK NECESSARY TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM, ISSUED UNDER THIS BULLETIN. THE COST WITH PARTS AND LABOR REACHES ALMOST FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS, WHICH I THINK IS RIDICULOUS. I ALSO REALIZE THAT YOUR ORGANIZATION HAS COMPLETED AN INVESTIGATION (NHTSA PE4002), AND FOUND NO SAFETY PROBLEMS. EVEN IF THERE IS NO PHYSICAL SAFETY PROBLEM, I BELIEVE SUBARU SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO COVER THE COST OF THE REPAIRS, SINCE IT REALIZES THAT SOMETHING IS WRONG. I DON'T BELIEVE THAT ITS HEALTHY TO BE DRIVING AROUND BREATHING GASOLINE FUMES.*AK

FUEL LEAK, TOOK TO DEALER GILLMAN SUBARU IN HOUSTON AND THEY STATED MANY CARS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM BUT SUBARU OF NORTH AMERICA WON'T PAY FOR REPAIRS. I BELIEVE IF THEY HAVE MANY CARS WITH THIS PROBLEM THEY SHOULD FIX IT AT THEIR EXPENSE AND ISSUE A RECALL. FUEL LEAKS CAN CAUSE FIRES AND PUT PASSENGERS IN DANGER. I HAVE A 2002 SUBARU WRX, VIN#[XXX]. SERVICE MANAGER(AMIR) AT GILLMAN SUBARU PHONE#713-776-6330. SUBARU OF NORTH AMERICA PHONE#1800-782-2783. *JB *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

STRONG FUEL SMELL IN PASSENGER CABIN, TEMPERATUER WAS ABOUT 10 F. THIS SEEMS TO BE KNOWN PROBLEM, BUT I WISH TO ADD TO THE LIST. DEALER TOOK 2 WEEKS TO ORDER PARTS, AND IT WILL COST ME $475 DOLLARS TO FIX A SAFTEY/HEALTH ISSUE THAT SUBARU KNOWS ABOUT. THE FIRST DAY I DEVELOPED A LOT OF EXCESS MUCUS & HEADACHE BEFORE I FIGURED OUT WHAT WAS GOING ON. I GUESS BREATHING 93 OCTANE DURING A COMMUTE WILL DO THAT TO A PERSON. SUBARU SHOULD BE PRESSURES TO MAKE THIS A RECALL. I PUT THE A/C ON RECIRCULATE UNTIL THE ISSUED WAS FIXED, BUT WHEN I WOULD GET OUT TO SCRAPE ICE OFF OF THE WINDOWS I COULD SMELL LOTS OF FUEL OUTSIDE. NOT SAFE.*AK

THE FUEL LINES HAVE A FAULTY HOSE CLAMP THAT LEAKS FUEL IN COLD TEMPERATURES. *JB

THE CAR NEVER SHIFTED GEARS EASILY FROM WHEN NEW. AT 13,000 MILES THE DEALER REPLACED THE CLUTCH UNDER WARRANTY WITH AN '03 SPEC CLUTCH ASSEMBLY. THE SHUDDERING CEASED, BUT THE TRANSMISSION WHINED EXCESSIVELY AND IT WAS STILL DIFFICULT TO SHIFT GEARS, ESPECIALLY WHEN COLD. LAST WEEK, IN VERY COLD TEMPERATURES, ALL POWER WAS LOST AND THE TRANSMISSION COULD NOT BE SHIFTED AND I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, INSPECTED BY REP AND DEEMED TO BE ABUSED, THEREFORE, NO COVERAGE UNDER WARRANTY. WHEN IS SUBARU GOING TO RECOGNIZE THAT THEY HAVE A PROBLEM IN THAT THIS PARTICULAR TRANSMISSION IS NOT ENGINEERED TO HANDLE THE INCREASE POWER OF THE WRX MOTOR? THERE WAS NO ABUSE, NO RACING OR DRIVER ERROR ASSOCIATED WITH THIS FAILURE. I AM FORTUNATE NOT TO HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. *JB

FUEL LEAKING FROM FUEL LINES DURING COLD STARTS (LESS THAN 32 DEG. F AMBIENT TEMPS.). EXTREMELY STRONG FUEL ODER BEING TRANSMITTED INTO PASSENGER CABIN FROM THE AIR VENTILATION SYSTEM. CAN SEE VISIBLE FUEL DRIPPING ONTO ENGINE FROM FUEL LINES. HAD CAR REPAIRED BY DEALER UNDER SUBARU TSB IN MARCH OF 2004 AND PROBLEM WAS NOT CORRECTED. SEEMS WORSE NOW THAN IT WAS BEFORE THE REPAIR. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE CAR CATCHING FIRE AND THE DEALERS INABILITY TO FIX THE FUEL LEAK. *AK

REFERENCE PE04002 . FIRST LEAKED AT 18 DEGREES F, JAN.2004. THE LEAK DOES'T GO AWAY AFTER ENGINE WARMS. IT GOES AWAY AFTER THE HOSE WARMS. WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND COLD AIR IS BLOWING ON THE HOSE, IT KEEPS LEAKING. NOT NOTICEABLE IN CABIN UNLESS YOU COME TO A STOP. DID NOT KNOW OF THE SERVICE BULLETIN TO GET IT FIXED. VEHICLE IS OVER MILEAGE FOR WARRANTY WORK , SO SUBARU WANT'S TO CHARGE ME $400 DOLLARS TO FIX IT. NOW IT STARTS LEAKING BELOW 50 DEGREES.*AK

FUEL ODOR IN CABIN DURING COLD WEATHER. I HAVE SEARCHED THE DEFECTS/RECALL PAGES FOR THIS ISSUES AND FOUDN THAT IT HAS BEEN CLOSED DUE TO THE OCCURANCE ONLY LASTING FOR A FEW MOMENTS. THIS IS NOT TRUE! THE FUELL LEAKAGE CONTINUES DURING ANY COLD WEATHER USE, NOT JUST AT STARTUP. I FIND THIS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE AS I HAD BECOME EXTREMELY DIZZY ON A NORMAL DAILY COMMUTE (15-20 MINUTES). THE ODOR IS CONTINUOUS AS LONG AS THE VEHICLE IN NOT IN MOTION (I.E. STOP AND GO TRAFFIC). I CONSIDER THIS FUEL LEAK A MAJOR ISSUE WITH DRIVER SAFETY, AND FOR THOSE ON THE ROAD AT THE SAME TIME AS ANYONE ELSE WITH A 2002 WRX IN COLD WEATHER. I AM A MECHANICAL ENGINEER AND A MEMBER OF SAE (SOCIETY OF AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERS), AND CONSIDER ANY OVERLOOK OF THIS PROBLEM BY SOA (SUBARU OF AMERICA) TO BE AN ENORMOUS RELIABILITY ISSUE. I HOPE THAT THE PROPER AUTHORITIES CAN STRAIGHTEN THIS OUT AND FIX THOSE VEHICLE MANUFACTURED WITH THIS VERY DANGEROUS DEFECT.*AK

FUEL SMELL INSIDE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT IN A 2002 SUBARU WRX WAGON DURING COLD WEATHER. VISUALLY DETECTED FUEL LEAK UNDER PASSENGER SIDE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THEY KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND HOW TO FIX IT WITH AN UPDATED FUEL RAIL AND HOSE. CAR IS IN FOR SERVICE NOW. NOTICED THIS SEVERAL OTHER TIMES BUT NEVER SPOTTED FUEL UNTIL YESTERDAY. *NM

MY 2002 WRX SEDAN HAS AN EXTREMELY STRONG GAS ODOR. I HAVE SEEN THERE IS A TSB ABOUT THE FUEL PROBLEM, BUT NOT A RECALL. THERE SEEMS TO BE SO MANY PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM. OF COURSE MY VEHICLE IS JUST OUT OF WARRANTY. *NM

2002 SUBARU WRX 47K MILES. ON COLD DAYS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS LEFT OUTSIDE AND THEN STARTED, THERE IS A SMALL FUEL LEAK IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. FUEL APPARENTLY DRIPS OFF OF A FUEL RAIL AND ONTO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WHERE IT IS HEATED AND EVAPORATES. ON OCCASION THE VAPOR/SMOKE COULD BE SEEN WHEN THE HOOD WAS RAISED. THIS VAPOR RESULTS IN A VERY STRONG GASOLINE SMELL IN THE CABIN. THE SMELL DISSIPATES AFTER FULLY WARMING UP THE CAR AND DRIVING FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD. *NM

2002 SUBARU WRX WAGON, 71000 MILES. I PARKED MY CAR OUTSIDE AS I USUALLY DO.. ONLY I HAPPENED TO BE PARKED AT MARIN GENERAL HOSPITAL, WHERE MY WIFE DELIVERED OUR FIRST BORN CHILD! THIS NIGHT WAS A PARTICULARLY COLD EVENING FOR NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, AROUND 32F. AS I PULLED OUT OF THE PARKING LOT POST BIRTH TO ROUND UP SOME FOOD, I STARTED TO SMELL GASOLINE. THE SMELL QUICKLY REACHED THE POINT WHERE I WAS FORCED TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOWS TO GET FRESH AIR. NEEDLESS TO SAY I TOOK MY CAR HOME, AND WE BROUGHT THE BABY HOME IN MY WIFE'S CAR! AFTER RETURNING TO THE HOSPITAL, I OPENED THE HOOD, AND DETERMINED THAT THE SMELL WAS COMING FROM AROUND THE ENGINE. THE NEXT MORNING AS I DROVE AWAY TO GET BREAKFAST, I EXPERIENCED THE SAME OVER POWERING GASOLINE ODOR. I ROLLED DOWN THE WINDOWS, AND AGAIN OPENED THE HOOD TO TRY TO LOCATE THE SMELL, BUT COULDN'T FIND THE SOURCE OTHER THAN AROUND THE ENGINE. I HAVE SINCE LEARNED THAT THIS PROBLEM IS A KNOWN "FEATURE" OF 2002 WRX'S. I HAVE ALSO LEARNED THAT SINCE I AM FAR OUT OF WARRANTY, SUBARU WILL NOT FIX THIS PROBLEM. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW THIS IS LEGAL, GIVEN THE SUPPOSED STATUS OF MY CAR AS A ULEV VEHICLE.. IT CERTAINLY ISN'T AS IF GASOLINE IS DRIPPING OUT OF THE FUEL LINES ONTO THE HOT ENGINE BLOCK. I AM ALSO HIGHLY CONCERNED BY THE HEALTH HAZARD POSED BY GASOLINE FUMES FILLING THE CABIN. *JB

ANY TIME THE TEMPERATURE GOES BELOW FREEZING YOU CAN SMELL RAW GASOLINE IN THE CABIN OF THE CAR. *JB

(1) EVENTS LEADING TO PROBLEM: WHILE TRAVELING FROM SEATTLE WA TO SUN PEAKS BC, TEMPERATURE ON BC5 HWY REACHED -27F. (2) FAILURE AND CONSEQUENCES: UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES ONE OF THE JOINTS CONNECTING A FUEL LINE TO AN INJECTOR STARTED LEAKING FUEL INTO THE ENGINE BLOCK. I ONLY NOTICED THIS CONDITION BASED ON A VERY STRONG SMELL OF FUEL EACH TIME I STOPPED THE CAR AND BY CLOSE VISUAL INSPECTION OF THE INJECTOR FUEL LINES -- I NOTICED FUEL WAS DRIPPING -- IN ORDER TO AVOID THE RISK OF FIRE, I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO SELECT AUTO OF KAMLOOPS (SUBARU DEALERSHIP). I COULD DETECT THE CONDITION MYSELF AND PUT A POST-IT FOR THE SUBARU DEALER. THE CONDITION DID NOT REPRO AT NORMAL TEMPERATURE (ABOVE 0F), SO THE MECHANIC HAD TO SPRAY FREON ON THE INJECTOR LINES TO REPRO THE FAILURE. I THINK THAT THE PROBLEM IS A MAJOR ONE AS IT (A) ENTAILS THE RISK OF GETTING A FIRE ON THE VEHICLE. (B) IS DIFFICULT TO REPRO. (3) FIXES DONE TO THE CAR: REPLACED RUBBER LINE AND CLAMPS. *JB

I OWN A 2002 SUBARU WRX. IF IT IS COLD OUTSIDE, BELOW 32, I HAVE A BAD GAS SMELL. SMELL IS SOMETIME OVERWHELMING AND CAN GIVE ME HEADACHES AT TIMES. I'VE READ SOME ON THE INTERNET AND NOTICED QUITE A LOT OF OTHER WRX OWNERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS. SEEMS LIKE ITS SOME SORT OF GAS LINE LEAKING. I HAVE A 4 MONTH OLD SON WHO I'M AFRAID MAY BECOME OVERCOME BY THESE HAZARDOUS FUMES. THE DEALERS ARE CHARGING 350 DOLLARS TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM WHICH SEEMS TO ME TO BE RIDICULOUS. THESE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM 09-36-03; DATE 04/01/03. THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE A DEFECT IN FUEL LINES THAT SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF BY SUBARU NOT THE CUSTOMER WHO HAS PURCHASED FAULTY AND DANGEROUS EQUIPMENT. THERE SEEMS TO BE SOME CHANCE FOR A MAJOR LAWSUIT IF SOMEONE CATCHES ON FIRE OR IS OVERCOME BY FUMES TO THE POINT OF BECOMING DIZZY AND CRASHING. I FEEL THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AND RECALLED. THE PARTS I HEAR ARE ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER. THAT MEANS THERE ARE A LOT OF CARS OUT THERE RUNNING AROUND WAITING TO CATCH FIRE. *JB

2002 SUBARU WRX FUEL SMELL IN COLD WEATHER. INSIDE, OUTSIDE, WHEN THE CAR IS WARM, WHEN THE HEAT IS ON. VERY STRONG FUEL ODOR WHEN THE HOOD IS OPEN. *JB

FUEL SMELL IN CAR WHEN TEMPERATURE IS COLD OUTSIDE. THIS IS THE SAME AS THE MANY OTHER DOCUMENTED CASES OF LEAKING FUEL LINES IN 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX 2.0L TURBO CARS. THIS IS LIKELY TO CAUSE AN ENGINE FIRE. APPARENTLY, SUBARU DEALERS REFUSE TO ISSUE A RECALL OR FIX AT THEIR COST. *NM

FUEL LEAK/SMELL FROM BAD CONNECTION OF FUEL LINES IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THIS ONLY OCCURS DURING COLD WEATHER. IT IS EXTREMELY AGGRAVATING THAT IT IS NOT COVERED BY THE MANUFACTURER. THIS IS A POTENTIAL HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE READ MULTIPLE TESTIMONIES FROM FELLOW OWNERS OF 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA WRXS. THIS CAN BE SEEN ON HTTP://FORUMS.NASIOC.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=131755&PAGE=1&PP=25. *NM

DURING COLD WEATHER RAW FUEL SMELL INSIDE THE PASSENGER CABIN. DEALER FIXED THE FUEL HOSES WITH TSB 09-36-03. THE FUEL SMELL IS NOW GONE. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL, I BELIEVE THIS COULD CAUSE A FIRE OR COULD CAUSE DRIVER TO PASS OUT FROM FUMES. *NM

WHEN WEATHER HAS DROPPED TO 30F OR BELOW, I SMELLED VERY STRONG GASOLINE FUMES IN AND AROUND VEHICLE. SEARCHED NASIOC AND FOUND OTHERS HAD PROBLEM. ALL FOUR CLAMPS HOLDING FUEL LINES ON UNDER INTAKE MANIFOLD WERE LOOSE TO THE POINT THAT THEY COULD BE SPUN AROUND. *NM

THERE IS A VERY STRONG RAW FUEL SMELL COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF MY 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX. IT IS SO OVERWHELMING I COULD NOT SIT INSIDE THE VEHICLE, I HAD TO ROLL-DOWN ALL THE WINDOWS AND STAND OUTSIDE IN 8 DEGREE(!) WEATHER FOR A FEW MINUTES. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 10 TIMES NOW, EACH TIME IT SEEMS TO GET WORSE. THE NHTSA HAS ALREADY INVESTIGATED SIMILAR PROBLEMS IN OTHER 2002 MODELS (CASE PE04002), AND SUBARU HAS ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (09-36-03) WITH INSTRUCTIONS ON PARTS REQUIRED TO FIX IT. UNFORTUNATELY SUBARU IS UNWILLING TO DO THIS WORK FREE OF CHARGE, QUOTES TO REPAIR THIS ARE BETWEEN $300 AND $500 DOLLARS, AND NOT EVERYONE CAN AFFORD IT. SINCE THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT IN MANY VEHICLES, I AM ASKING FOR THE NHTSA'S HELP IN CLASSIFYING THIS AS A MANDATORY RECALL FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS: 1) FUEL IS LEAKING OUT OF A RUBBER HOSE ONTO THE ENGINE, WHICH COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE A FIRE, SUBARU HAS ADMITTED THIS MUCH IN THEIR TSB. 2) THE VAPORS FROM THIS LEAK ARE STRONG ENOUGH TO OVERWHELM AN INDIVIDUAL AND/OR MAKE THEM NAUSEOUS, WHICH COULD MAKE THEM LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. 3) SMALL CHILDREN (MANY OF US HAVE ONE) CANNOT BE PUT INSIDE THE CAR DURING THIS TIME AS THE VAPORS ARE MUCH TOO STRONG FOR THEIR SMALL BODIES. WAITING OUTSIDE THE CAR IS NOT A VIABLE OPTION AS THIS USUALLY HAPPENS DURING COLD WEATHER, 8 DEGREES TODAY WITH A -20 DEGREE WINDCHILL. PLEASE PROTECT MY RIGHTS AS AN AUTO CONSUMER AND DRIVER AND DO THE RIGHT THING. THANK YOU, [XXX].

STRONG SMELL OF FUEL IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. SMALL LEAK UNDER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. ONLY HAPPENS WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS IN THE MID 20S OR BELLOW. STOPS WHEN ENGINE WARMS UP. *NM

I OWN A 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX. I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING A GAS SMELL IN THE CABIN AND ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I THOUGHT THAT MAYBE MY CAR WAS ACTING UP BUT I KNOW REALIZE THAT THIS IS A WIDELY RECOGNIZED PROBLEM. I CANNOT DRIVE AROUND WITH MY WINDOWS OPEN IN SUBZERO WEATHER IT IS RIDICULOUS. I REALIZE THAT THE PROBLEM IS CAUSED BY A LOOSE FUEL FITTING OR TWO THAT YOU NEED TO REMOVE PARTS TO GET TO. THIS IS EXPENSIVE AND SUBARU NEEDS TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR MISTAKE. THIS IS MY ONLY VEHICLE AND I NEED TO GET IT FIXED BUT I AM A COLLEGE KID THAT PAYS FOR MY OWN SCHOOL AND LIVES ON MY OWN, I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX A FACTORY MALFUNCTION. *NM

SEVERE FUEL SMELL IN CABIN AND UNDER HOOD DURING COLD WEATHER, 30F OR BELOW. MANUFACTURER ISSUED SERVICE BULLETIN. DEALERS QUOTE $400-$500 TO FIX WHAT SHOULD BE A RECALL. *JB

STRONG GASOLINE SMELL IN COLD WEATHER. *JB

STRONG FUEL SMELL IN CABIN DURING COLD (NOT EXTREME TEMPERATURES) WEATHER CONDITIONS. THIS IS ALREADY A REPORTED ISSUE AS NHTSA ISSUE PE04002 BUT THE INVESTIGATION IS CURRENTLY CLOSED - IS THIS BECAUSE NO-ONE HAS BEEN INJURED YET? ACCORDING TO ALL HEALTH-RELATED WEBSITES, GASOLINE VAPORS ARE A MAJOR CARCINOGEN AND THIS VEHICLE FAULT WHICH SUBARU OF AMERICA WILL NOT CORRECT UNLESS VEHICLE IS UNDER WARRANTY (REPAIR IS ESTIMATED AT ~$400-500 AND REPORTS CLAIM THAT THIS MAY NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM) IS RESPONSIBLE FOR STRONG GASOLINE VAPOR IN THE VEHICLE CABIN. THERE ARE RESPECTABLE SUBARU USER-GROUPS ON THE INTERNET WITH STORIES THAT THIS FAULT CAN LEAD TO FUEL LEAK POOLING IN THE ENGINE - SURELY THIS IS JUST A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THIS CAUSES SERIOUS INJURY OR EVEN DEATH TO 2002 WRX DRIVERS. *JB

COLD WEATHER CAUSES A FUEL LEAK IN THE ENGINE BAY. *NM

FUEL LEAKAGE IN MY 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX MODELS IN COLD WEATHER I AM DISAPPOINTED THAT COMPLAINTS OF FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF 2002 IMPREZA WRX MODELS HAVE NOT BEEN ELEVATED TO THE STATUS OF A SAFETY CONCERN. BECAUSE OF THIS, SUBARU IS NOT WILLING TO COVER THE COSTS OF REPAIR UNDER A RECALL SITUATION, AND INDIVIDUALS ARE FORCED TO PAY OUT-OF-POCKET. THIS CAUSES ONE OF 3 SITUATIONS: (1) PEOPLE ARE UNWILLING TO PAY FOR THE FULL REPAIR, AND END UP JUST TIGHTENING THE HOSES, WHICH IS ONLY A TEMPORARY FIX. (2) PEOPLE ARE UNWILLING TO PAY FOR THE FULL REPAIR, AND JUST LIVE WITH THE PROBLEM. (3) OWNERS HAVE TO PAY THE FULL EXPENSE TO THE DEALER, WHICH CAN BE AS HIGH AS $400 USD. SUBARU KNOWS THAT THIS PROBLEM DOES NOT SHOW ITSELF ON NEW CARS, AND TAKES 2 OR 3 YEARS TO SHOW UP, USUALLY AFTER THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. UNTIL THIS PROBLEM BECOMES ELEVATED TO THE STATUS OF A SAFETY CONCERN AND A RECALL IS ISSUED, WRX MOTORISTS WILL CONTINUE TO DRIVE AROUND DUMPING RAW FUEL INTO THE ENVIRONMENT. *NM

THERE IS A FUEL LEAK ON FROM THE FUEL RAIL WHEN ITS COLD OUT.