2002 Subaru WRX Complaint Log

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???????!?!?!?

FUEL SMELL DURING COLD STARTS.*AK

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

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

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 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

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 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 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

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

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

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]. *NM INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

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

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

STRONG GASOLINE SMELL IN COLD WEATHER. *JB

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

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

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

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

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

(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

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

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

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.

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

FUEL SMELL OBSERVED INSIDE CABIN WHEN OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE IS BELOW 40 DEG F. DEFINITE FUEL SMELL FROM PASSENGER SIDE ENGINE BAY WHEREAS NO SMELL FROM DRIVER'S SIDE. DEFINITE SAFETY CONCERNS WITH FUEL DRIPPING FROM LINES ONTO HOT ENGINE/ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS. *AK

TODAY I STARTED MY CAR, IT WAS ABOUT 35 DEGREES OUTSIDE. AS I RELEASED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND TURNED UP THE HEAT, I SMELLED GASOLINE. THOUGHT IT WAS JUST BECUASE IT WAS SO COLD THAT THE FUEL DID NOT BURN ALL THE WAY. AT LUNCH I DROVE TO BURGER KING AND STILL SMELLED THE HORRIBLE FUMES. ON MY WAY HOME IT WAS STILL THERE AND I HAD TO HAVE THE HEAT ON BECAUSE IT WAS SO COLD OUT AND I WAS STUCK IN TRAFFIC. SO NEEDLESS TO SAY I HAVE A SPLITTING HEAD ACHE AND AM VERY FRUSTRATED AT THE INFORMATION I FOUND ON THE WEB. WITH THE MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS CAR COMPANIES MAKE YOU WOULD THINK THAT WHEN THERE IS A PROBLEM OF THIS MAGNATUDE THEY WOULD BE MORE THAN WILLING TO FIX THE PROBLEM. WHAT IF THE FUMES FROM THE GASOLINE HAD KNOCKED ME OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING HOME AND RAN INTO SOMEONE AND KILLED THEM WOULD'NT IT BE CHEAPER TO BE PROACTIVE THAN REACTIVE?*AK

FUEL LINES NEAR INTAKE MANIFOLD WERE LEAKING AT ODD TIMES DURING COLD WEATHER OFF AND ON. FUEL WAS SPILLING ONTO ENGINE BLOCK, AND OTHER HOT COMPONENTS. STRONG RAW FUEL SMELL THAT WAS NAUSEATING ENTERED INTO CABIN WITH THE CLIMATE CONTROL ON.*AK

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

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

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

AFTER COLD WEATHER THERE WAS VERY STRONG GASOLINE FUMES IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AND FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THIS CONTINUED EVEN WHEN THE TEMPERATURES ROSE TO 30 DEGF. FUMES WERE SO STRONG THAT PASSENGERS BECAME DIZZY AND LIGHT HEADED AND WINDOWS HAD TO BE OPENED FOR FRESH AIR. *JB

FUEL SMELL AND SMALL FUEL LEAK WHEN COLD (BELOW FREEZING). HAS OCCURED ON MULTIPLE OCCSIONS. FOUND SUBARUE TSB RELATING TO LEAKING FUEL LINES. I HAVE TIGHTEND THE LINES AND HOPE THAT WORKS. MY UNDERSTANDING IS SUBRUA IS CHARGING FOR THIS REPAIR ON CARS OUT OF 3/36 WARRANTY AT A COST OF AROUND $300-$400. THIS IS A FIRE HASARD AND SHOULD BE RECALLED.*AK

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

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)

1. STARTED MY CAR ON A COLD MORNING. 2. SMELLED GASOLINE IN THE CAR. HAD MY CAR TOWED TO A SUBARU DEALERSHIP TO BE LOOKED AT. THEY SAID THEY KNEW OF THE PROBLEM AND THAT IT WAS HAPPENING ALL THE TIME IN THE COLDER AREAS OF THE NATION, AND THAT IT WAS NOT ON A RECALL. I THINK A FUEL LEAK IS A HUGE SAFETY RISK. DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO DIE (IE, BURNED TO DEATH) BEFORE THIS BECOMES A RECALL ISSUE. I HAD TO PAY OVER 400 DOLLARS TO GET IT FIXED BECAUSE MY LIFE AND MY DAUGHTERS IS WORTH THAT MUCH. THIS WAS FIXED MY A LONGER TUBE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. COME ON PEOPLE IT'S A FUEL LEAK IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *JB

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

THERE IS A SMELL OF GAS IN AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER HAS NOT HAD THE VEHICLE SERVICED. *AK

GASOLINE SMELL WHEN STARTING CAR IN COLD WEATHER (<20F). THIS HAS BEEN A RECURRING PROBLEM ON MY 02 SUBARU WRX. THE FIRST EVENT WAS AT APPROX 15000 MILES AND THE FUEL LINE CLAMPS WERE TIGHTENED. A SECOND TIME AT 45000 MILES AND THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE (BECAUSE THE CAR WAS WARM IN THE DEALERSHIP.) NOW AT 73,000 MILES IN 20F WEATHER, THE SMELL HAS RETURNED WHEN STARTING THE CAR WITH THE ENGINE COLD. I CAN SEE THE GASOLINE PUDDLING BELOW THE PROBLEM HOSE CLAMPS. SUBARU HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS FOR YEARS NOW AND ISSUED A TSB, BUT THE DNAGEROUS FUEL LEAK PROBLEM PERSISTS! OF COURSE, THE REPAIR THEY DID ON MY CAR (TIGHTENING THE CLAMPS) WHILE IT WAS IN WARRANTY WAS NOT A PERMANENT FIX, AND I FACE POTENTIAL REPAIRS AT MY COST FOR A PROBLEM SUBARU SHOULD HAVE FIXED BY NOW. NOT ONLY IS THIS A SAFETY DEFECT (FUEL PUBBLING ON THE ENGINE), IT IS ALSO LIKELY AN EMISSIONS DEFECT (RAW GASOLINE VAPORS TO THE ATMOSPHERE) AND A PASSENGER HEALTH RISK FROM BREATHING GASOLINE VAPORS. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL ON THIS LONG-KNOWN PROBLEM! *JB

IN COLD WEATHER WHEN MY ENGINE HAS ONLY BEEN RUNNING FOR A FEW MINUTES, I SMELL A VERY STRONG FUEL ODOR. MY HUSBAND SAYS THAT IT IS STRONGEST ON THE RIGHT HAND (PASSENGER) SIDE OF THE ENGINE BUT HE SAYS THAT THE SMELL SEEMS TO DISSIPATE ONCE THE ENGINE IS UP TO OPERATING TEMPERATURE. I HAVE RECENTLY EXCEEDED THE 36000 MILE WARRANTY AND HAVE NOT HAD A REPAIR DONE YET UNDER MY EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT I THINK THAT THIS SHOULDN'T BE A PROBLEM THAT HAPPENS TO A CAR WITH ONLY 36000 MILES ON IT.*AK

THE PROBLEM IS WITH A FUEL LEAK IN THE FUEL LINES OF THE SUBARU IMPREZA 02. DURING THE COLDER WEATHER THE TUBES SHRINK A BIT, CAUSING FUEL TO LEAK AND GET ONTO THE ENGINE, SOMETIME CATCHING FIRE. IT BRINGS A RATHER FOUL SMELL INTO THE CABIN OF THE CAR, AS WELL AS SIGNIFICANTLY DECREASES GAS MILEAGE.*AK

ONLY IN COLD TEMPERATURES THERE IS A SMELL OF FUMES. GAS VAPORS ARE COMING FROM THE ENGINE INTO THE VEHICLE. NO RECALLS FOUND.*AK

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

WHENEVER THE TEMPERATURE IS BELOW 32 DEGREES THERE IS A RAW FUEL SMELL IN THE CABIN. UPON OPENING THE HOOD I CAN SEE FUEL COMING FROM THE LINES. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED WITH A RECALL FROM SUBARU. *AK

THE CAR APPEARS TO HAVE A FUEL LEAK IN THE ENGINE BAY. WITH RECENT COLD WEATHER, THE CAR BEGINS TO SMELL STRONGLY OF FUEL WHILE DRIVING, AND ESPECIALLY WHILE IDLING, EVEN AFTER 15 MINUTES OF DRIVING WHEN THE ENGINE IS WARM. SUBARU OF AMERICA HAS INFORMED ME THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN FOR A FUEL RAIL PROBLEM THAT INCLUDES MY VIN, BUT THIS IS NOT A RECALL. THEY ARE UNCLEAR ON WHETHER THEY WILL PAY FOR THE REPAIR DETAILED IN THE SERVICE BULLETIN. ONE SUBARU SERVICE CENTER TOLD ME THE PROBLEM WAS COLD-WEATHER RELATED, AND "NOT TO WORRY ABOUT IT." THEY DID NOT FEEL THE PROBLEM WARRANTED SERVICE. ANOTHER SERVICE CENTER AGREED TO SEE MY CAR TOMORROW. IF THE CAR IS LEAKING FUEL FROM A KNOWN PROBLEM AREA (RELATED TO SUBARU TSB 09-36-03) I WOULD HOPE THE COMPANY WOULD HAVE MORE INTEREST IN AT LEAST LOOKING AT THE CAR BEFORE DISMISSING CONCERNS.*AK

IN COLD WEATHER, WITH THE HEATER ON THERE IS A STRONG FUEL SMELL IN PASSENGER CABIN. IDENTIFIED BY TSB 03-0906: FUEL RAIL LEAK. SUBARU OF AMERICA WILL NOT COVER THIS FIX AS MY MILEAGE IS AROUND 45,000 AND THUS OUTSIDE THE WARANTY PERIOD.*AK MY FEELING IS THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE (GASOLINE LEAK AND NOXIOUS FUMES IN THE PASSENGER CABIN) OR AT LEAST AN EMISSIONS ISSUE AND SHOULD BE FIXED FOR FREE. INSTEAD THE DEALER ESTIMATES THIS IS A $600 FIX.

GAS SMELL COMING FROM THE VENTS AND UNDER THE HOOD. VERY RAW AND STRONG. FUEL LEAK! SUBARU OF AMERICA FIXED THIS UNDER WARRANTY LAST YEAR, BUT NOW ITS BACK AND ARE GOING TO CHARGE FOR THIS FIX.*AK

FUEL LEAKS WHEN STARTING MY CAR (02 SUBARU WRX) IN COLD WEATHER. STRONG FUMES WOULD ENTER THE CABIN THROUGH HEAT VENT CAUSING NAUSEA. *JB

THERE IS A VERY HEAVY RAW FUEL SMELL COMMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT! I LIVE IN MINNESOTA AND THIS WEEK WAS VERY COLD (0 DEGREES F). I CAN SEE FUEL LEAKING IN MY ENGINE BAY AND GAS FUMES ARE ALL OVER WHEN I POP MY HOOD. I HAVE A 2002 SUBARU WRX AND MY CAR HAS A TECHINCAL SERVICE BULLETIN OUT FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN AND MY CAR COULD START ON FIRE AT ANY MOMENT WITH FUEL LEAKING ON MY HOT ENGINE. WHY DOESN'T SUBARU FIX THIS FOR FREE WHEN IT IS PUTTING PEOPLE'S LIVES IN DANGER? *AK