2002 Subaru Impreza Complaint Log

2002 SUBARU IMPREZA GIVES OFF A STRONG FUEL ODOR.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER THE ODOR WAS NORMAL AND THAT IT WAS DUE TO THE RICH FUEL IN COLD WEATHER. *JB

2002 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX - I WAS TAKING MY FIVE YR. OLD GRANDSON HOME WHEN WE BECAME AWARE OF A HEAVY SMELL IN THE CAR. I THOUGHT IT SMELLED LIKE ANTIFREEZE, BUT HE SAID 'GAS' MAMAW. I HURRIED TO GET HIM HOME, AND BEFORE I GOT BACK HOME MY THROAT WAS SORE AND MY NOSE BOTHERED ME FROM THE AWFUL FUMES. MY HUSBAND TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER TODAY AND THEY MAY CALL BACK WHEN THEY GET THEIR LOANER FREED UP BUT I DON'T THINK WE ARE BIG ON THE PRIORITY LIST. THEY SAID ANTIFREEZE WAS LEAKING FROM THE REAR OF THE ENGINE. IT HAS 55,000 OR SO MILES ON IT NOW. *JB

2002 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX, RAW FUEL SMELL IN CABIN AND LEAK COMING FROM NEAR MANIFOLD WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS BELOW FREEZING AND CAR IS COLD STARTED. *JB

THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AMONG MY2002 SUBARU OWNERS WHO HAVE THE EJ20T 2.0 LITER TUBOCHARGED MOTOR. I HAVE A 2002 WRX. WHEN THE WEATHER GETS VERY COLD (NEAR FREEZING) THERE IS A FUEL LEAK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE ENGINE. THE SMELL IS SO STRONG IT ENTERS INTO THE CABIN. SUBARU KNOWS ABOUT IT AND THERE IS A TSB SERVICE BULLETIN. I STRONGLY RECCOMEND A RECAL ON ALL OF THE CARS THAT HAD THE "OLD" STYLE FUEL RAILS. PLEASE SEE - HTTP://FORUMS.NASIOC.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?S=&THREADID=482496 FOR MORE INFORMATION.*AK

FUEL SMELL IS IN THE CABIN OF MY CAR. SYMTOM <30 DEGREES, AND THIS IS A KNOWN HOSE ISSUE IN THE WRX. *AK

1.EVENTS: CHRONIC GASOLINE SMELL/FUMES IN 2002 SUBARU WRX IN COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS (UNDER 34 DEGREES). 2.DEALER HAS CHECKED OUT THE CAR ONCE IN SUMMER OF 2004 AND REPORTED NO PROBLEMS EVEN THOUGH I WAS INHALING GASOLINE FUMES ON EVERY COLD MORNING SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. SECOND TIME I BROUGHT IN THE CAR MONDAY DEC 19. 2004 THE WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED AND THE DEALER WANTED TO CHARGE ME $425 TO FIX THE PROBLEM THEY JUST FOUND. *AK

AFTER 54000 MILES A SLIGHT TO STRONG RAW FUEL SMELL HAS BECOME MORE NOTICEABLE ESPECIALLY DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS. I AM LOCATED IN FLORIDA SO THE TEMPERATURE DOES NOT DROP THAT LOW AND THE RAW FUEL SMELL IS BECOMING MORE APPARENT. *AK

WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT TO SECOND GEAR. THE DRIVER TRIED NUMEROUS TIMES AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE DRIVER TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO DO SO. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB

2002 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX, FUEL LEAK ON PASSANGER SIDE OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT UNDER INTAKE MANIFOLD. OCCURS IN LOW TEMPURATURES AND LEADS TO A STRONG RAW GAS ODOR IN THE CABIN.*AK ISSUE HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED

TSB 09-36-03 DATED 04/01/03 ISSUED BY SUBARU FOR THE 2002MY IMPREZA WRX LISTS THAT SOME MODELS MAY EXPERIENCE A FUEL SMELL IN COLD WEATHER, IF YOU ARE SMELLING FUEL, IT'S FUEL VAPORS, AND FUEL IS LEAKING PERIOD. THIS IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION I WOULD THINK! THIS NEEDS TO BE AN OFFICIAL RECALL SO DEALERSHIPS CAN?T CHARGE PEOPLE TO FIX THIS DEFECT IF THEIR CARS ARE OUT OF WARRANTY. THEN THIS ISSUE CAN BE FIXED PROPERLY AND NO LONGER BE A HAZARD.*AK

FUEL SMELL/LEAK DURING COLD TEMPERATURES; ABOUT 30 AND BELOW. VERY STRONG SMELL. SO STRONG WE ARE AFRAID TO DRIVE IT DURING THESE TIMES. FIRST STARTED THIS SEASON (2004). OUT OF WARRANTY. 2002 SUBARU WRX. PURCHASED 3-12-2001. *AK

DURING COLD WEATHER MY 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX HAS A SMELL OF RAW FUEL INSIDE THE CABIN. COULD POSSIBLY START A FIRE. NOT SAFE, SHOULD BE FIXED UNDER A RECALL. *AK

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 LOOSENING OF CLAMPS, AND 3) MISALIGNMENT OF FUEL LINES. SUBARU SHOULD REPAIR THIS FUEL LEAK AT THEIR COST; AVOIDING HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUES, AND LOSS OF FUTURE CUSTOMERS. THIS IS NOT A CONDITION CAUSED BY THE OPERATOR OF THE VEHICLE BY ANY MEANS AND SHOULD NOT BE PLACED ON THE OPERATORS SHOULDERS. OVER TIME THIS LEAK WILL BECOME MORE SEVERE AND MAY POSSIBLY IGNITE UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS OR CAUSE DIZZINESS IN THE MORE SEVERE CASES. *JB

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

VEHICLE SERVICE SEVERAL TIME DUE TO GAS SMELL, UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *BF CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT A MOUSE NEST WAS THE CAUSE OF THE GAS SMELL IN HER VEHICLE AND WAS CHARGED $140.74. THE CONSUMER SHOWED THE MECHANIC WHERE THE FUEL WAS POOLING ON THE ENGINE. PROBLEM STILL NOT RESOLVED. *TC

2002 SUBARU WRX - I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR 30,000 MILE SERVICE, CAR WAS RUNNING FINE, NO COMPLAINTS. WHEN I GOT THE CAR BACK, I NOTICED THAT IT WAS DIFFICULT TO DOWNSHIFT INTO FIRST GEAR, AND I WAS SOMETIMES MISSING THE SHIFT - GRINDING GEARS. I HAVE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM LIKE THIS IN ANY CAR BEFORE. THE PROBLEM IS MORE SEVERE AT HIGHER SPEEDS, AND IS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER THE LAST 5000 MILES. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER TWICE, THE FIRST TIME THEY "COULDN'T SEE ANYTHING WRONG", THE SECOND TIME THEY NOTED THAT THE "SENCROS" WERE GOING BAD. I HAVE JUST RETURNED FROM THE DEALERSHIP AND TALKING TO THE SERVICE TECH, WHO CLAIMS THIS IS A PROBLEM HE SEES A LOT ON WRXS, AND THAT "THERE ISN'T ANYTHING I CAN DO ABOUT IT"!! THE DEALERSHIP HAS PROMISED TO "LOOK INTO WHAT WE CAN DO", BUT MEANWHILE THE CAR IS GETTING LESS AND LESS FUNCTIONAL. I AM DEEPLY CONCERNED THAT THE INTENTION OF THE DEALERSHIP IS TO STALL TILL THE WARRANTY RUNS OUT (I'M GETTING CLOSE) THEN TELL ME IT'S MY PROBLEM TO DEAL WITH. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE NOT BEING ABLE TO SHIFT INTO FIRST GEAR HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE A CHAIN REACTION PILE-UP, AS THERE ARE STOPLIGHTS HIGHWAYS ON HILLS NEAR WHERE I LIVE. AN INCIDENT OF STALLING DUE TO SHIFTING PROBLEMS COULD CAUSE FOLLOWING TRAFFIC TO BADLY MISJUDGE THE SPEED OF THE STALLING CAR IN SITUATIONS WHERE THE LIGHT HAS CHANGED AND THERE IS SLOW MOVING TRAFFIC FOLLOWED BY FASTER TRAFFIC (PREVIOUS LIGHT TURNS SOONER, LIGHTS NOT COORDINATED).*AK

HEADLIGHT LENSES ARE FOGGING UP ON THE OUTSIDE LMITING THE AMOUNT OF LIGHT RADIATED AT NIGHT. I HAVE CHECKED NUMEROUS OTHER SIMILAR MODEL CARS AND THEY ALL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM IN SOME DEGREE. SUBARU REFUSES TO TAKE ACTION UNDER THE WARRANTY AND MAINTAINS THAT THE PROBLEM IS "NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR IN THE ENVIRONMENT". I MAINTAIN THEY SELECTED AN INFERIOR PLASTIC FOR THE HEADLIGHT LENSES.I KNOW THAT SUBARU IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE "LENSES" ARE SPECIFICALLY EXCLUDED UNDER ALL THE EXTENDED SUBARU FACTORY WARRANTIES THEY OFFER. *AK

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

I HAVE A 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA RS, THIS VEHICLE SEEMS TO BE LIKE LOTS OF OTHERS, THE VEHICLES SHUDDERS AND JERKS ALOT WHEN I'M PULLING OFF IN THE MORNING, EVENING, WHETHER ITS COLD OR HOT. I TOOK IT TO SHELORS WHICH WANTED TO TEAR IT APART AND CHARGE ME, WHEN THE CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THIS VEHICLE DOES THIS ATLEAST 3 TIMES A WEEK. THE CAR ONLY HAS 35588 MILES SO ACTUALLY ITS STILL UNDER THE NEW CAR WARRANTY. I HAVE A HARD TIME SOMETIMES GETTING THE CAR INTO REVERSE (MANUEL TRANS.) I HAVEN'T HAD ANY ACCIDEN'T AS OF THIS DATE SO, I'M PUTTING THE DATE THAT I'M FILLING THIS OUT INTO THE INCIDENT DATE BOX.*AK

VERY STRONG FUEL SMELL IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT THAT IS ESPECIALLY APPARENT IN COLD WEATHER. *JB

WAS COMING TO A STOP SIGN AND THERE WAS A MAN HOLE COVER RECESSED INTO THE ROAD. HAD FOOT ON BRAKE, LIGHT PRESSURE TO COME TO THE STOP SIGN. WHEN THE WHEEL HIT THE MANHOLE COVER, I COULD FEEL ABS KICK IN (VIBRATION IN PEDAL) AND THE CAR LOST ALL BRAKING POWER MOMENTARILY. IF THERE HAD BEEN SOMEONE IN FRONT OF ME, I PROBABLY WOULD HAVE HIT THEM. *AK

WHILE DRIVING TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP BRINGING THE VEHICLE TO A SUDDEN STOP. OTHER PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE INCLUDE THE STEERING PUMP, BRAKES AND THE WINDSHIELD.*AK *MR

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

MY 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX HAS A RAW FUEL/GASOLINE SMELL IN THE CABIN WHEN THE VENTS ARE ON OUTSIDE AIR. IT IS MOST NOTICABLE AT STARTUP, OR WHEN THE CAR IS STATIONARY, BUT RUNNING. I'VE HAD THE PROBLEM SINCE MY FIRST WINTER IN THE AUTOMOBILE (WINTER '01-'02) AND I HAVE BEEN CONSISTANTLY REASSURED (BY 2 DEALERS) THAT IT'S "COMPLETELY NORMAL" TO HAVE THE FUEL SMELL, AND TO KEEP MY VENTS ON RECIRCULATE UNTIL THE CAR IS WARM. I BELIEVE THERE IS A TSB ISSUED BY SOA, HOWEVER I AM OUT OF WARRANTY, AND MANY DEALERS WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE TSB. THE FUEL SMELL IS STRONG ENOUGH TO CAUSE A HEADACHE, AND CERTAINLY SMELLS STRONG ENOUGH TO BE HAZARDOUS IN THE BAY OF AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE. THE SMELL ALSO SEEMS DANGEROUSLY CLOSE TO THE TURBO/EXHAUST MANIFOLD SIDE OF THE ENGINE BAY, WHICH IS OBVIOUSLY VERY HOT.

WHEN DRIVING DRIVER STARTED SMELLING GAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE. *AK A LEAKING RUBBER FUEL HOSE UNDER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD CASED THE GAS SMELL. *NM

FAULTY DESING OF THE FUEL LINES ON A 2002 SUBARU WRX ARE CAUSING A FUEL LEAK (ENOUGH TO PUDDLE ON THE MANIFOLD). DEALER (AS WELL AS SUBARU OF AMERICA) WILL NOT COVER THE PROBLEM UNDER WARRANTY, EVEN THOUGH THERE IS A NATIONWIDE SERVICE BULLETIN ABOUT THE ISSUE. MY CAR HAS SEVERAL NON-RELATED MODIFICATIONS, SO MY WARRANTY WILL NOT COVER THE ISSUE. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS HEALTH/SAFETY ISSUE, AND FOR SUBARU TO NOT BE FORCED TO RECALL OR AT LEAST OFFER FREE REPAIRS OF IT IS COMPLETELY UNSATISFACTORY. THIS POSES A DAGER TO MYSELF, MY FAMILY, AND POSSIBLY ANY ONE WHO WALKS BY MY CAR IN A PRAKING LOT WITH A CIGARETTE. SUBARU SHOULD BE TAKING THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR FAULTY DESIGN, AND IF FOR NO OTHER REASON THAN RESPECT FOR THEIR CUSTOMERS HER IN AMERICA, OFFER TO FIX THIS ISSUE NO MATTER THE MILEAGE ON THE CAR, OR THE MODIFICATIONS THAT MAY BE DONE TO IT.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED SMELLED FUEL ODOR AT COLD TEMPERATURES. THERE WAS A FUEL LEAK ON TOP OF THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD.*AK

2002 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX FUEL LEAK IN COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS.*AK

WHILE DRIVING THE CONSUMER SMELLED FUEL COMING THROUGH THE VENTS. THERE WAS A GAS LEAK IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THIS PROBLEM ONLY OCCURRED WHEN THE WEATHER WAS EXTREMELY COLD. THE CONSUMER INDICATED THAT THERE WAS A "TBS" ON THIS ISSUES. THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. *NM

STRONG FUEL SMELL IN COLD WEATHER. OCCURS WHENEVER THE TEMPERATURE DROPS BELOW 25 C.*AK

ABS INTERMITTENTLY KICKS IN ON DRY, SMOOTH ROAD AT LOW SPEEDS, WITH LIGHT PEDAL PRESSURE. DEALER CHECKED AND SAID ALL IS NORMAL. PROBLEM IS NOT READILY REPRODUCIBLE, BUT VERY DISCONCERTING WHEN IT HAPPENS, CAUSING PROLONGED STOPPING DISTANCES. NONE OF MY OTHER VEHICLES WITH ABS EVER ACTS THIS WAY. *AK

FUEL SMELL INSIDE CAR DURING COLD WHETHER. *AK

SUBARU OF AMERICA HAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULITEN ABOUT MODEL YEAR 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX'S HAVING A LEAKY FUEL LIKE WHERE IT ENTERS THE INJECTORS. THIS BULLITEN IS NOT COVERED IF THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRENTY. YET THE FUEL LEAK IS SO BAD THAT WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONING IS TURNED ON THERE IS A VERY STRONG FUEL SMELL COMIN FROM THE VENTS. I FEEL THAT THIS BULLITEN SHOULD BE A RECALL AND NOT A BULLITEN. THIS KIND OF PROBLEM CAUSES A HUGE SAFETY RICK AND IF A CAR WERE TO CATCH FIRE FROM THE LEAKY FUEL IT COULD NOT ONLY DESTROY THE CAR BUT ALSO HURT OR KILL THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS. *AK

I OWN A 2002 SUBARU WRX WAGON. THE COLD MORNING (-3F) OF JANUARY 9, 2004, I SMELLED FUEL INSIDE THE CABIN OF MY CAR A FEW MINUTES AFTER I STARTED THE CAR. THE GASOLINE SCENT WAS STRONG AROUND THE IMMEDIATE AREA OUTSIDE AND INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE SCENT CAN ALSO BE SENSED UNDER THE HOOD. AFTER A DRIVE, THE SCENT REMAINED. EVEN AFTER I REACHED MY DESTINATION 15 MILES AND 30 MINUTES LATER, I CAN STILL SMELL FUEL UNDER THE HOOD. I HAVE CALLED VILLAGE SUBARU (61 POWDERMILL RD. ACTON, MA 01742 978-897-1128) AND SCHEDULED A SERVICE ON MONDAY. THANK YOU, - ALEX TENG. *AK

FUEL LEAK IN COLD WEATHER. CAN SMELL FUEL INSIDE THE CAR WHEN THE OUTSIDE AIR VENT IS ON. GAS MILEAGE IS ALSO LOWER IN REALLY COLD WEATHER (MAY OR MAY NOT BE RELATED). *LA

VERY STONG FUEL SMELL ENTERING THE CABIN DURING EXTREME COLD WEATHER. *AK

ON THE DAYS OF JAN 7, 8 AND 9 2004 WITH TEMPS BELOW 25F DEGREES, A VERY STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE WAS PRESENT WITHIN AND OUSIDE OF THE CABIN OF THE 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX. THE SMELL COULD BE OVERWHELMING AT TIMES OF COLDER TEMPS (>15DEGREES) AND WOULD DEMINISH AFTER SOME DRIVING. TOOK AUTO INTO DEALER ON 8 JAN. EVEN THOUGH DEALER SERVICE REP COULD SMELL THE ODOR OF GASOLINE WHEN DRIVING IT BACK TO THE GARAGE AREA, THE TECHNICIANS COULD NOT REPLICATE THE ISSUE. WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE REP THAT THIS IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. SERVICE REP WAS AWARE OF TSB ISSUED BY SUBARU FOR A VERY SIMILAR ITEM, BUT THEY NEEDED TO REPLICATE THE ISSUE WITHIN THE CONFINES OF THE GARAGE TO BE SURE. FOUR DAYS LATER (AND COUNTING) I AM WAITING FOR COLDER TEMPS TO CAUSE THE GASOLINE ODOR FOR THE TECHS.*AK

WHEN IT IS COLD OUT (IN NEW ENGLAND) THERE IS A RAW FUEL SMELL. MY MPG GOES FROM 23 MPG TO 17 MPG. I AM AFRAID THAT THEIR CAR WILL CATCH FIRE BECAUSE IT SMELLS LIKE A FUEL LEAK. FROM WHAT I HEAR THERE IS A SUBARU TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ON THE FUEL LINES CRACKING UNDER EXTREME COLD, BUT IT HASN'T BEEN RECALLED. *LA

GAS LEEK IN ENGINE BAY. *LA

I HAVE A 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX SEDAN WHICH HAS AN APPARENT FUEL LEAK IN COLD WEATHER. SUBARU HAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLITAIN OUT ON THIS PROBLEM TO FIX IT (THEY DO KNOW ABOUT IT), BUT IT HAS YET TO BE MADE A RECALL. I FIRST EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM THE OTHER NIGHT WHEN IT WAS VERY COLD OUTSIDE, AND THERE WAS A VERY STRONG FUEL ODOR IN THE CABIN. I ASKED SOME OF MY FRIENDS WHO ALSO DRIVE WRX'S IF THEY HAVE HAD EXPERIENCE WITH THIS, AND THEY SAID THAT THEY HAVE BEEN HAVING THE PROBLEM RECENTLY AS WELL. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, THE TSB WAS DISCOVERED AND THE SOURCE BECAME CLEAR. FUEL WAS LEAKING ONTO THE ENGINE, WHICH POSES NOT ONLY A FOUL ODOR, BUT ALSO AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS FIRE HAZZARD. PLEASE GET SUBARU TO MAKE THIS A RECALL SO THAT THEY CAN PREVENT ANYTHING BAD FROM HAPPENING TO ONE OF THEIR CUSTOMERS. I DOUBT THEY WOULD WANT THEIR "SUBARU" NAME TO BECOME KNOWN AS THE "CARS THAT CATCH ON FIRE". MAKE THIS PROBLEM A RECALL AS SOON AS POSSIBLE SO NO LIVES ARE LOST. AK

ON MY 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX, THE CAR LEAKS FUEL AND A RAW FUEL SMELL IS STRONG IN THE CABIN WHENEVER THE CAR IS DRIVEN WHEN THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE IS BELOW 20 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. *LA

ON JAN. 5, 2004 AS I WAS DRIVING MY 2002 SUBARU WRX I COULD SMELL FUEL COMING IN FROM THE VENTS. I PULLED OVER AND POPPED THE HOOD TO GET A VERY STRONG SCENT OF FUEL AROUND THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. SUBARU HAS ISSUED A TSB ON THIS, BUT WHY THERE IS NO RECALL IS STILL BOTHERSOME TO ME. LEAKING FUEL IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT IS NOT A GOOD THING AND THIS NEEDS TO BE A RECALL. THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER WRX OWNERS ON THIS SAME ISSUE.*AK

FUEL RAILS LEAK IN COLD WEATHER CAUSING FUEL SMELL IN CAR AND POSSIBLE RISK OF FIRE. SUBARU HAS ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS. *CB

IT STARTED BEFORE WARRANTY WAS UP ON MY VEHICLE WHICH IS A 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX. AFTER 30,000 MILES NOTICED GAS SMELL IN CABIN AFTER STARTING IN COLD WEATHER. I TRACKED SMELL COMING FROM GAS LEAKING FROM FUEL RAIL. IT WAS A STEADY DRIP WHICH I VIDEO TAPED. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER 5 TIMES FOR THE PROBLEM, ON THE FITH TIME THEY WANTED TO CHARGE ME TO FIX DUE TO BEING OVER THE MILAGE FOR THE WARRANTY.*AK

ABS PREMATURE ENGAGEMENT. HAPPENED 11/18/03 AND ABOUT 10 TIMES SINCE 6/02. UNDER LIGHT TO MODERATE BRAKING, AROUND 35 MPH, THE ABS WILL ENGAGE AND DRASTICALLY REDUCE BRAKING DECELERATION OVER MINOR PAVEMENT IRREGULARITIES. TODAY IT HAPPENED WHEN GOING OVER BOTTS DOTS, BUT IT ALSO HAPPENS ON BUMPS, WASHBOARD PAVEMENT, ETC. THE PEDAL BECOMES LIGHT AND THE CAR BASICALLY STOPS BRAKING FOR 0.5 TO 1.0 SECONDS. VERY SCARY AND DANGEROUS. I AM A MECHANICAL ENGINEER, MASTER'S DEGREE, WITH EXPERIENCE IN VEHICLE DYNAMICS, HYDRAULICS, AND ELECTRONIC FEEDBACK CONTROL. THERE IS SOMETHING DRASTICALLY WRONG WITH THE ABS TUNING ON THIS CAR. I AM GOING TO DISABLE THE ABS SYSTEM UNTIL SUBARU FIXES THIS. PS I HAVE NEVER USED THE SPARE TIRE. *LA

MY CAR'S ABS ENGAGES WHEN GOING OVER BUMPY/UNEVEN SURFACES RESULTING IN NEARLY COMPLETE BRAKING LOSS. THE PEDAL GOES ALMOST ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND DOESN'T WANT TO STOP AT ALL. THIS CAN BE VERY SCARY, ESPECIALLY IF YOU AREN'T AWARE THAT THE ROAD IS UNEVEN. I'VE HAD TO GET USED TO THIS HAPPENING AND ADJUST MY DRIVING TECHNIQUES AS A RESULT!!! I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IS THIS! THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE CAR. *LA

I HAVE AN 02 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX. THE ABS SYSTEM ACTIVATES PREMATURELY AND OVERLY-AGRESSIVELY IN A VARIETY OF CONDITIONS. MOST OFTEN IT HAPPENS WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP AND DRIVING OVER BUMPY ROADS. SOMETHING AS MINOR AS A 1/2 INCH DIP IN THE PAVEMENT CAN SET OFF THE ABS. ONCE THE SYSTEM ACTIVATES THE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR AND THERE IS MOMENTARILY A COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY. IT CAN EXTEND THE BRAKING DISTANCE BY 1 OR 2 FULL CAR LENGTHS AS COMPARED TO WITHOUT ABS AND HAS CAUSED ME TO NEARLY CRASH INTO OTHER CARS SEVERAL TIMES.*AK

CLUTCH SHUTTERS UPON STARTUP. I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS IS A NORMAL CLUTCH FUNCTION AS SUBARU MENTIONS. I'VE HAD THE CAR FOR 1 YEAR AND WOULD LIKE TO SELL IT. THE PROBLEM, HOW DO I SELL THIS CAR TO SOMEONE ELSE WITH A CLUTCH THAT VIOLENTLY SHUTTERS WHEN COLD. IT'S A MATTER OF GOOD ETHICS WHICH SUBARU DOESN'T HAVE. *JB

EXTREME FUEL ODOR INSIDE PASSENGER CABIN OF MY 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX,ESPECIALLY IN COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS FOR THE LAST FOUR MONTHS. I HAVE ONLY 29000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER PRESENTLY. I HAVE NOTICED INCREASED FUEL CONSUMPTION RECENTLY MAY BE BECAUSE OF A POSSIBLE FUEL LEAK SOMEWHERE -PLEASE ENQUIRE AND ADVISE-THANKS, ANIL SEKHAR. *CB

CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKE AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE WENT THROUGH THE INTERSECTION BEFORE CONSUMER COULD APPLY THE BRAKE AGAIN TO STOP. THE ROAD WAS DRY AND EVEN WHEN THIS OCCURRED. *PH *NLM