2002 Subaru WRX Complaint Log

STRONG GASOLINE SMELL ON COLD STARTUP IN SUBARU 2002 WRX. *AK

MY 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX HAS KNOWN ISSUE OF LEAKY FUEL LINES WHEN THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE DROPS BELOW 20 DEGREES. THIS IS WELL-KNOWN AND SUBARU WILL NOT DO A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. IN FACT I HAVE HEARD FROM OTHERS WITH THIS PROBLEM THAT IF THE CAR IS PAST THE 3 YEAH/36,000 MILE MARK SUBARU WILL NOT EVEN FIX THE PROBLEM FOR FREE.*AK

FUEL SMELL WHEN THE WEATHER IS COLD. I KNOW THERE IS A TSB ON IT BUT A FUEL LEAK SEEMS LIKE AN AWFUL BIG PROBLEM. DEALER IS FIXING IT UNDER WARRANTY BUT I HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE PARTS TO COME IN. *LA

SMELL OF RAW FUEL IN CABIN, LEAKING CLAMPS ON FUEL LINES. GAS LEAKS ONTO ENGINE BLOCK, WHICH COULD VERY EASILY CATCH FIRE.*AK

ON A COLD MORNING, I STARTED THE CAR AND NOTICED A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE IN THE CABIN WHEN THE HEATER WAS TURNED ON. WHEN LOOKING UNDER THE HOOD, I COULD NOT FIND THE SOURCE OF THIS LEAK. I CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER, WHO TOLD ME THERE IS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN OUT FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT THAT THEY CANNOT FIX IT FOR FREE SINCE MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY. IN FACT, THEY QUOTED ME $250 FOR THE WORK! NOW TO ME, LEAKING GASOLINE FOR ANY REASON SEEMS TO BE A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN, AND I HAVE TALKED TO SEVERAL OTHER EARLY 2002 MODEL YEAR WRX OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I WOULD HOPE THAT SUBARU OF AMERICA WOULD GO OUT OF THEIR WAY TO FIX THIS PROBLEM FOR FREE SINCE ALL IT WOULD TAKE IS A STRAY SPARK TO HAVE A FIRE AND SERIOUS LEGAL ACTION BROUGHT AGAINST THEM. IF THEY KNOW THIS IS A PROBLEM, I WOULD HOPE THEY WOULD FIX IT FOR FREE TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF THEIR CARS.*AK

OVERPOWERING RAW FUEL SMELL IN INTERIOR CABIN IN COLD WEATHER, SUSPECT LEAK IN ENGINE BAY THAT HAS RECENTLY BEEN BROUGHT UP AS A TSB BY SUBARU. *LA

STRONG FUEL SMELL FROM UNDER HOOD ON VERY COLD DAYS (< 10' F). HAD VEHICLE IN TO DEALERSHIP ONCE LAST YEAR FOR THIS PROBLEM; CLAMPS ON FUEL HOSES TIGHTENED, AND PROBLEM NOT RE-ENCOUNTERED LAST WINTER (MOST LIKELY DUE TO THE FACT THAT WE HAD NO MORE BITTERLY COLD DAYS). SUBARU HAS ISSUED A TSB, AND I'M CALLING THE DEALER TO ARRANGE ANOTHER VISIT FOR THE RE-OCCURRENCE OF THE PROBLEM.*AK

MY CAR MATCHES THE DESCRIPTION OF ISSUE PE04002. I AM FILING THIS SINCE I BELIEVE THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL AND ADDRESS THIS. I HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE FOR THE PAST TWO WINTERS, BUT ONLY NOW BECAME OF AWARE OF THE TSB THROUGH THE INTERNET. IT CONCERNS ME CUSTOMERS HAVE NOT BE PROACTIVELY CONTACTED NOR HAS THERE BEEN UNIFORM DEALER TREATMENT OF THIS ISSUE. I WOULD LIKE THE NHTSA TO INVESTIGATE THE SAFETY IMPACTS OF THIS LIKELY FUEL LEAK.*AK

OVERWHELMING GASOLINE FUEL SMELL IN THE INTERIOR CABIN AND ENGINE COMPARTMENTS IN EXTREMELY COLD WEATHER. *AK

MY 2002 SUBARU WRX HA SA RAW FUEL SMELL WHEN ITS COLD. THE DEALER SAY PARTS ARE ON ORDER. THIS WAS A MONTH AGO. I'M WORRIED IT MIGHT CATCH FIRE. THERE IS A TSB, BUT I'M NOT GETTING ANY CLOSER TO HAVING THE PROBLEM CHECKED/FIXED. *AK

I GET A RAW FUEL SMELL IN THE CABIN OF MY 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX IN COLD WEATHER. *AK

THERE IS A RAW FUEL SMELL COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR DURING COLD (BELOW FREEZING) TEMPERATURES. THE SMELL IS OVERWHELMING AND THE WINDOWS MUST BE ROLLED DOWN TO CLEAR OUT THE FUMES.*AK

MY 02 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX HAS A FUEL LEAK. THE DEALERSHIP WILL CHARGE ME TO FIX THE LEAK. THEY KNOW IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD AND WON'T FIX IT FOR FREE. *AK

OVERWHELMING FUEL SMELL INSIDE VEHICLE TO THE POINT OF MY EYE'S TEARING DUE TO THE STRONG SMELL OF FUEL AND PULL THE CAR OVER TO GET OUT AND BREATHE FRESH AIR. STRONG EVEN WITH THE HOOD CLOSED YOU CAN SMELL THE FUEL STANDING BY THE CAR. CANNOT DRIVE VEHICLE OR HAVE CHILDREN IN CAR. ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM ENGAGES PREMATURELY WHEN NOT NEEDED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO TRAVEL OVER A LONGER DISTANCE THAN NEEDED.

GAS LEAK FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE ENGINE BAY. ONLY OCCURS IN COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS.

A FUEL LINE BREAKAGE CAUSED FUEL TO SPILL ALL OVER THE ENGINE. *AK *MR

THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN AND SUBSEQUENT HARD BRAKING LED TO LOSS OF CONTROL. THE REAR END SWAYED TO THE RIGHT AND HIT THE RIGHT BARRIER, THEN TURNED AROUND, FRONT RIGHT HIT THE LEFT BARRIER. THE VEHICLE HAD HISTORY OF NOT BEING ABLE TO STOP ON SURFACES WITH THE SLIGHTEST BUMPS, AS FOUND ON EXIT RAMPS AND INTERSECTIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS CHECKED PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT FOR THE BRAKES BY THE DEALER AND HAD FOUND NO PROBLEM. SUBARU DECLINED TO LOOK AT THE VEHICLE AFTER THE ACCIDENT FOR POSSIBLE MANUFACTURING DEFECT REGARDING THE ABS. IT IS STILL IN MY GARAGE FOR POSSIBLE INSPECTION.

I DRIVE A 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX SEDAN. THE ABS SYSTEM IS TERRIBLE ON THIS VEHICLE AND HAS NUMEROUS TIMES FAILED TO APPLY PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE SYSTEM, REGARDLESS OF PEDAL POSITION. ONE TIME SPECIFICALLY THIS CAUSED ME TO NOT BE ABLE TO AVOID HITTING A DEER, AND DOING 4000 DOLLARS OF DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP DENIES ANY PROBLEMS, BUT I WAY MORE THAN ENOUGH STOPPING DISTANCE WHERE ANY VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO STOP. THE SURFACE WAS ROUGH ASPHALT. I WAS GOING APPROXIMATED 55 MPH (SPEED LIMIT), AND WAS 200 FT AWAY FROM THE DEER WHEN I FIRST APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. *LA

ABS FAILURE ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. WHILE DRIVING DOWN A STEEP HILL IN 6 INCHES OF SNOW AT LESS THAN 5 MPH THE ABS KICKED IN AND I COULD NOT STOP THE CAR. I HAD NO BRAKES. THE CAR WAS IN DEEP SNOW AND WAS NOT SLIDING. AS I WAS APPROACHING A MULTI CAR ACCIDENT AT 5 MPH I HAD TO STOP. I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION ON THE CAR AND IT STOPPED INSTANTLY. I HAVE FOUND THAT IN DEEP SHOW GOING DOWN HILL I HAVE ZERO BRAKES. I'M FORCED TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKES OR TO TURN OFF THE CAR. THIS IS AT SUB 5 MPH SPEEDS. THIS IS AN ALL WHEEL DRIVE CAR DESIGNED FOR TRAVEL ON SNOWY ROADS. IN ANOTHER INCIDENT I WAS TRAVELING AT 55 MPH ON A WINDY ROAD WHEN THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME STOPPED QUICKLY FOR A RIGHT TURN. I HIT MY BRAKES AND HAD NOTHING. THE ABS ACTIVATED AND I WAS FORCED TO TURN INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC TO AVOID A REAR END COLLISION. THIS WAS ON DRY PAVEMENT. I WAS FOLLOWING WITH PLENTY OF ROOM TO STOP. THE DEALER REFUSED TO LOOK AT THE CAR AND TOLD ME I NEEDED TO LEARN TO DRIVE. *LA

FUEL SMELL INSIDE CAR. *AK

STRONG SMELL OF FUEL IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. HAS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS NOW UNDER VARIOUS CONDITIONS. *LA

THERE IS A SMELL OF GAS ON MY 2002 WRX FOR A PERIOD OF TIME AFTER I START THE CAR. I'VE READ ON SOME INTERNET FORUMS THAT THERE MAY BE AN INCOMPATIBILITY BETWEEN ONE OF THE GAS HOSES AND THE GAS RAILS. THE SMELL SEEMS WORST WHEN IT IS COLD OUT. IT IS VERY NOTICABLE WHEN I HAVE OUTSIDE AIR VENTING ENABLED. IT SEEMS ODD THAT I WOULD EVER SMELL GASOLINE AND FEAR THIS MAY BE DANGEROUS.*AK

MY CAR A 2002 SUBARU WRX LEAKES FUEL FROM THE FUEL RAIL WHEN THE AMBIENT TEMPATURE IS BELOW 14F (I HAVE WHITENESS IT UP TO ~40F) THIS IS A KNOW PROUBLEM NOTED UNDER SUBARU TSB 09-36-03.. IT IS EXTREAMLY DANGEROUS FUEL IS LEAKED ON TO THE HEADS WHERE IT IS BOILED .. THEN FLOWS DIRECTLY INTO THE CABIN HVAC SYSTEM .. SCHEDULED FOR REPAIR 12-15-03 I SHOULD HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED AND GIVEN THE OPTION TO REPAIR IT DUE TO LIVING IN A COLD CLIMATE. *AK

I GET A OVERWHELMING FUEL SMELL WHEN STARTING MY CAR. MY MILEAGE IS HORRBILE. I BELEIVE THERE IS A FUEL LEAK IN MY CAR.*AK

GASOLINE AND EXHAUST SMELL IN CABIN DURING COLD WEATHER; HAS OCCURED SINCE VEHICLE WAS NEW; SUBARU DEALER CLAIMS THEY CAN'T SMELL IT.*AK

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

ABS ACTIVATES IN UNNECESSARY SITUATIONS. WHEN APPROACHING A STOP SIGN ON MY STREET, ON CLEAN DRY ASPHALT, THE ABS ACTIVATED WHEN GOING OVER A SMALL POTHOLE. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THERE WAS NO BRAKING POWER UNTIL I RELEASED AND REAPPLIED THE BRAKE. THIS EXACT SITUATION HAS OCCURRED AT LEAST 10-15 TIMES AT THE SAME LOCATION. I HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED THE UNNECESSARY ABS ACTIVATION AND BRAKE FAILURE IN OTHER LOCATIONS WHERE I HAVE DRIVEN OVER BUMPS OR PAVEMENT IRREGULARITIES. THE RESULT IS USUALLY THE ACTIVATION OF ABS, THEN THE LOSS OF BRAKING POWER, AND THE REQUIREMENT THAT THE BRAKES BE RELEASED AND REAPPLIED. TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE, THIS IS NOT THE PORPER OPERATION OF AN ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM. THIS BEHAVIOR HAS NOT YET CAUSED AN ACCIDENT OR ANY DAMAGE, BUT IT IS EASY TO SEE THAT IF I WERE IN CLOSER PROXIMITY TO OTHER VEHICLES OR OBJECTS, THE RESULT COULD BE CATASTROPHIC. *AK

LAST WEEK AS I WAS DRIVING TO WORK, THE CLUTCH PEDAL STARTED FEELING A BIT LOOSE (IE SOFT UNTIL IT WAS DEPRESSED HALF-WAY) AND WAS STICKING TO THE FLOOR WHEN DEPRESSED FULLY. IT BECAME INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT TO SHIFT AT ALL AND I WAS QUITE FORTUNATE TO HAVE NOT CAUSED ANY ACCIDENTS AS I WAS NOT ON THE HIGHWAY. HAD I BEEN AT HIGHER SPEED AND BEEN FOR EXAMPLE ATTEMPTING TO PASS SOMEONE AND THE PEDAL WOULD HAVE FAILED IN THE SAME WAY, MUCH MORE SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES WOULD HAVE OCCURRED. IT THEN BECAME IMPOSSIBLE TO SHIFT INTO 1ST GEAR ON A COLD MORNING UNTIL I HAD PUMPED THE CLUTCH FOR AWHILE AND LET THE CAR WARM UP. ONCE I HAD DONE THIS, I COULD SOMETIMES SHIFT WITH NO PROBLEMS, BUT THE PEDAL WOULD STILL STICK TO THE FLOOR MOST OF THE TIME MAKING ME HAVE TO PULL IT BACK UP WITH MY FOOT. AFTER CALLING THE LOCAL DEALER, I FOUND THAT SUBARU HAS IDENTIFIED THIS AS AN ISSUE WITH MY CAR AND HAS ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB# 03-52-03) CONFIRMING THAT A HOSE FAILURE IS AT FAULT. SUBARU WILL NOT REPLACE MY HOSE FREE OF CHARGE BECAUSE I AM OUT OF THE WARRANTY PERIOD. CONSIDERING THE QUICK ONSET OF THIS PROBLEM AND THE POTENTIAL HAZARD TO THE DRIVER AND OTHERS, IT WOULD SEEM THAT SUBARU SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACING THE OFFENDING HOSE WITH ONE THAT WILL NOT FAIL FREE OF CHARGE REGARDLESS OF WARRANTY STATUS.*AK

IN COLD WEATHER YOU CAN SMELL THE STONG ODOR OF RAW FUEL COMING IN THE CABIN OF MY 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX. THERE IS A TECH SERVICE BULLETIN OUT TO THE DEALERS REGARDING THIS MATTER. IT EXPLAINS THAT THERE WAS A POORLY DESIGNED FUEL LINE WHICH LEAKS WHEN COLD. I CAN SEE VISABLE LEAKAGE OF FUEL FROM THE SPECIFIED LINE. SUBARU OF AMERICA HAS REFUSED TO FIX MY CAR BECAUSE I HAVE PUT A DIFFERENT EXHAUST PIPE ON MY CAR EVEN THOUGH I AM WITHING THE 60K MILE WARRANTY WHICH COVERS THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM. OBVIOUSLY THE EXHAUST HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE FUEL LINE LEAKING, BUT AS USUAL SUBARU OF AMERICA IS LOOKING FOR ANY EXCUSE, EVEN ILLEGITIMATE AND ILLEGAL ONES, TO AVOID PERFORMING WARRANTY WORK.*AK

WHEN THE WEATHER BEGAN TO TURN COLDER, I SMELLED FUEL COMING FROM SOMEWHERE UNDER THE HOOD. THE SMELL WOULD PERSIST THE WHOLE TIME I DROVE THE CAR AND WOULD BE ESPECIALLY EVIDENT WHEN THE CAR WAS IDLING AND THE VENT WAS ON. I CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER WHO TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN OUT ON THIS PROBLEM (TSB# 09-36-03) AND THAT IT WAS NOT COVERED AS A FREE REPAIR BECAUSE MY CAR HAD OVER 60,000 MILES AND THUS WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. I BELIEVE THAT A PROBLEM LIKE THIS IS NOT TRIVIAL AND SHOULD NOT SIMPLY BE A SERVICE BULLETIN BUT INSTEAD A RECALL. SUBARU SHOULD REPLACE THE OFFENDING PARTS FOR FREE; HAVING FUEL VAPOR CIRCULATING IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CERTAINLY SEEMS TO ME TO BE CAUSE FOR GRAVE CONCERN. THANK YOU FOR CONSIDERING MY COMPLAINT.*AK

I AM THE OWNER OF A 2002 SUBARU WRX. I AM CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING A STRONG FUEL SMELL IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO TIGHTEN A CLAMP ON A HOSE BENEATH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD BUT THIS DID SOLVE THE PROBLEM. GASOLINE LEAKS FROM A FUEL LINE IN THIS AREA OF THE CAR. MANY OTHER WRX OWNERS ARE ALSO EXPERIENCING THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM DURING COLD WEATHER. CURRENTLY MY CAR HAS THIS PROBLEM WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS BELOW FREEZING. THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM HOWEVER I BELIEVE THEIR SHOULD BE ONE ON THIS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS DEFECT. (WWW.NASIOC.COM) SEARCH "RAW FUEL SMELL THREAD".

THE ABS ON MY 2002 SUBARU WRX WAGON ENGAGES IN SITUATIONS WHEN IT SEEMS THAT IT SHOULD NOT ENGAGE. IT FEELS LIKE THERE ARE NO BRAKES SOMETIMES. *LA

I OWN A 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX WAGON, WHICH COMES STANDARD WITH ABS BRAKES. I'D HEARD THROUGH A VARIETY OF CHANNELS THAT THERE WAS AN ABS ISSUE WITH THE CAR, IN THAT UNDER SPECIFIC CIRCUMSTANCES THE DRIVER COULD MOMENTARILY LOSE ALL BRAKING ABILITY. I HAD MY DOUBTS, HAVING OWNED THE CAR FOR 2 YEARS BEFORE MY INCIDENT OCCURRED, BUT IT DID FINALLY HAPPEN TO ME. I WAS COMING TO A STOP AT A LIGHT THAT HAD TURNED RED. THERE WERE NO CARS IN FRONT OF ME. I WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 35-40 MPH AND BEGAN BRAKING WITH A LIGHT-MODERATE PEDAL PRESSURE. ABOUT 200 FEET BEFORE THE INTERSECTION, THERE IS A SEAM IN THE PAVEMENT AND THE LATTER PIECE OF ROADWAY IS ABOUT 1-2 INCHES BELOW THE PART BEFORE IT. IN OTHER WORDS, IT'S A VERY SMALL DROP OFF. UPON HITTING THIS DROP OFF AND MAINTAINING PEDAL PRESSURE, THE ABS BRIEFLY CYCLED (FELT AS A VIBRATION IN THE BRAKE PEDAL) AND THEN THE CAR STOPPED DECELERATING FOR ABOUT 2 SECONDS. IT WAS AS IF I'D LIFTED COMPLETELY OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL, YET I HAD NOT. ONCE I REALIZED I WASN'T GOING TO STOP, I RELEASED THE PEDAL AND REAPPLIED IT VERY QUICKLY. BRAKING FORCE WAS RETURNED, AS IF THERE WERE NO PROBLEM. THIS IS THE ONLY TIME I'VE EXPERIENCED THE INCIDENT. I'VE DRIVEN MANY ABS-EQUIPPED CARS IN THE PAST, AND AM VERY FAMILIAR WITH WHAT ABS BRAKING FEELS LIKE. I'M ASE CERTIFIED IN BRAKING SYSTEMS, AND HAVE RACED BOTH ABS AND NON-ABS EQUIPPED CARS AT AN AMATEUR LEVEL. WHAT I FELT WAS NOT NORMAL ABS OPERATION, AND HAD THERE BEEN A CAR STOPPED AT THE INTERSECTION AHEAD OF ME I MAY WELL HAVE RUN INTO IT. I ENJOY MY CAR QUITE THOROUGHLY, AND LIKE EVERYTHING ELSE ABOUT IT. I'M NOT 'OUT TO GET' SUBARU. BUT THERE IS DECIDEDLY A FLAW IN THE ABS SYSTEM THAT MANY OTHERS AND NOW MYSELF HAVE EXPERIENCED. I JUST DON'T WANT TO BE CAUGHT OFF GUARD AGAIN. *JB

ABS SYSTEM WILL ENGAGE OVER ROUGH ROADS, BUMPS, RAILROAD TRACKS, MANHOLE COVERS OR ANY UNEVEN ROAD SITUATION EVEN WHEN ABS IS NOT NEEDED. THE SYSTEM THEN TAKES SEVERAL SECONDS TO RECOVER AND ALLOW NORMAL BRAKING. THIS RESULTS IN GREATLY INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES AND DRIVER UNEASINESS. GENERALLY, HAPPENS AT LOW SPEEDS (LESS THAN 40 MPH) WHEN APPROACHING A STOP SIGN, TRAFFIC SIGNAL, OR STOPPED TRAFFIC. *LA

THERE IS A KNOWN INTERNAL TSB BEING CIRCULATED BY SUBARU OF AMERICA ABOUT THIS VERY PROBLEM. PRICING HAS RANGED FROM $650.00 AND UP. THIS IS A HAZARD AND A SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE. I SHOULD NOT BE MADE TO PAY FOR A PROBLEM THAT IS RECURRING AMONGST HUNDREDS OF WRX OWNERS. FUEL LEAKS FROM A LINE ONTO THE ENGINE. TWO DANGERS EXIST, 1)POSSIBLE IGNITION OF THE RAW GASOLINE DUE TO PROXIMITY TO ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. 2)POSSIBLE EXPLOSION IN VEHICLE CABIN DUE TO ACCUMULATION OF DENSE GASOLINE VAPORS. IN ANY CASE IT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE FOR A SMOKER TO SUSTAIN THEIR HABIT WHILST INSIDE THIS VEHICLE. THE CONCENTRATIONS OF VAPOR ARE 10X THAT OF A GAS STATION. CLEARLY THIS SHOULD AT THE VERY LEAST ENTITLE THE 10-15% OF 2002-03 WRX OWNERS TO A FREE REPAIR. (OR EVEN PARTS WITHOUT LABOR) PLEASE ADVISE AS TO HOW WE CAN ADDRESS THIS VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM BEFORE WE END UP ADDRESSING IT BECAUSE OF NUMEROUS CASUALTIES. IF A VEHICLE COMBUSTS BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM, IT WILL NOT ONLY KILL THE DRIVER BUT THE 8 PEOPLE SURROUNDING THE EXPLODED VEHICLE WHO WERE RIDING ALONGSIDE IT ON THE HIGHWAY. PROBLEM STARTED AT 21K MI AND HAS CONTINUED. SEVER COLD (BELOW 14 DEGREES) IS TYPICALLY REQUIRED TO PRODUCE THE PROBLEM WITH 100% CONSISTENCY. TSB DATA: TSB#09-36-03, DATE OF INCEPTION:04-01-2003, PARTS REQUIRED:17544AA134, 807707140. *NM

LACK OF BRAKING FORCE WHEN ABS CYCLES ON. OCCURS ON BUMPY OR SLIPPERY SURFACES. *LA

MY 2002 SUBARU WRX SEDAN HAS DISPLAYED UNRELIABLE ABS BEHAVIOR. THIS HAS RESULTED IN MY FIRST ACCIDENT IN 10 YEARS OF DRIVING. THE CAR APPEARS TO LOOSE VIRTUALLY ALL BREAKING POWER WHEN ENCOUNTERING ANY ROAD IMPERFECTIONS. WHILE THE ABS SYSTEM SHOULD ENGAGE IN SUCH AN EVEN, IT SHOULD DISENGAGE AS SOON AS IT CLEARS THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, WHILE DRIVING, I HAVE NOTICED THE WRX CONTINUES TO LOOSE BREAKING POWER. WHILE DRIVING DOWN A 35-MPH ROAD, I ENCOUNTERED A MINOR COLLISION CAUSED BY A CAR BEING OBSTRUCTED OR CUT OFF. NORMALLY AT THIS SPEED I WOULD ASSUME 5-6 CAR LENGTHS TO BE SUFFICIENT TO STOP THE CAR, BUT WHILE BREAKING I ENCOUNTERED A SMALL DIP IN THE ROAD SURFACE. WHEN THE CAR PASSED OVER THE DIP, THE ABS ENGAGED, AFTER THAT POINT THE CAR CONTINUED TO LOOSE BREAKING POWER UNTIL I COLLIDED WITH THE CAR AHEAD OF ME. DURING THE YEAR I HAVE OWNED THE CAR, I HAVE ENCOUNTERED THIS PROBLEM A NUMBER OF TIMES  NON OF WHICH CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. I INITIALLY ATTRIBUTED IT TO THE BRAKE AND ROTOR WEAR, BUT AFTER REPLACING THE WHOLE BREAKING SYSTEM ABOUT A MONTH BEFORE THIS ACCIDENT, THE PROBLEM RE-OCCURRED. IT APPEARS TO BE SYSTEMIC TO THE ABS DESIGN/PROGRAMMING.*AK

RAW FUEL SMELL FOR ENGINE COMPARTMENT IN COLD WEATHER. *AK

ABS OVER SENSITIVE - WILL OFTEN CAUSE FAILURE OF BRAKING POWER WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS/POTHOLES/ROAD SEAMS DURING NORMAL BRAKING. WILL CAUSE EXTENDED BRAKING DISTANCES DESPITE GOOD ROAD CONDITIONS AND SLOW TRAVEL SPEED. BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO FLOOR AND CAR FAILS TO STOP. *LA

ANTILOCK BRAKE FAILURE CAUSED ACCIDENT. A VECHICLE IN FRONT OF ME STOPPED QUICKLY SO I APPLIED THE BRAKES WITH MODERATE TO HEAVY PRESSURE. ALTHOUGH I WAS GOING ONLY 30-35 MPH AND HAD SEVERAL CAR LENGTHS TO STOP, THE BRAKES LOCKED AND THE PEDAL WENT SOFT AND I WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR CAUSING ME TO REAR-END THE VECHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. I HAVE HAD SIMILAR INCIDENTS IN THE PAST WITH THE WRX WHERE THE ABS WOULD TRIGGER WHEN GOING OVER A BUMP WITH MODERATE BRAKE PRESSURE AND THE PEDAL WOULD GO SOFT (RATHER THAN THE KICKBACK I EXPECT WITH ABS), BUT IT WAS NEVER IN A SITUATION THAT WOULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THE ACCIDENT OCCURED ON DRY PAVEMENT, AT THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT, AND I DO NOT RECALL WHETHER I HIT A BUMP DURING THE INCIDENT TRIGGERING THE BRAKE PROBLEM. GIVEN THE DISTANCE AND THE SPEED, I SHOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO STOP WELL BEFORE HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. IN MY PAST EXPERIENCE WITH ABS BRAKES ON OTHER CARS, THERE IS STRONG FEEDBACK TO THE DRIVER DURING ABS OPERATION, NOT THE SOFT, INEFFECTIVE PEDAL THAT OCCURS ON THE WRX.

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

WHILE DRIVING AT 55-60 MPH CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO TURN A CORNER TOO FAST AND VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH A BRICK WALL. CONSUMER WAS THROWN AGAINST THE WINDSHIELD AND BROKE HIS NOSE. THE SEAT BELTS WERE NOT WORN , AND FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER WAS CITED BY THE POLICE FOR DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY. *AK

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

MANY INCIDENTS. I WAS DRIVING AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED, AROUND 25, COMING UP TO A STOP SIGN AND THERE WAS A CAR AHEAD OF ME. A SECOND OR SO AFTER I APPLIED THE BRAKES I WENT OVER SOME SMALL BUMPS ON DRY PAVEMENT AND IT FELT LIKE ABS WAS COMING ON, THE PEDAL DROPPED, BUT THEN IT WENT WAY DOWN AND IT WASN'T PULSING. BASICALLY THE CAR FELT LIKE IT LOST THE MAJORITY OF ITS BRAKING POWER AND DID NOT RETURN UNTIL I LIFTED UP AND PUSHED DOWN AGAIN BRIEFLY. I'VE HAD THIS HAPPEN MANY TIMES WHERE A SMALL AMOUNT OF BUMPS IN THE ROAD WILL CAUSE THE ABS "OVERREACT" FOR LACK OF A BETTER TERM.

WAS DRIVING THE SUBARU WRX IN A NORMAL FASHION WHEN THE TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP. AFTER HAVING IT TOWED TO CLASSIC SUBARU, THEY OPENED IT UP AND 2ND GEAR WAS STRIPPED OF ALL THE TEETH. THEY WILL NOT FIX IT UNDER WARRANTY CLAIMING IT WAS ABUSED. THIS IS NOT TRUE. THERE ARE A LARGE NUMBER OF THESE TRANSMISSIONS THAT ARE STRIPPING OUT OBVIOUSLY BECAUSE THEY ARE ENGINEERED INCORRECTLY. THERE IS NO WAY THEY CAN PROVE ABUSE. THE CAR WAS ONLY TRAVELING 10MPH WHEN IT HAPPENED. THE CAR ONLY HAS 23,000 MILES ON IT. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE OF NOT BEING ABLE TO MOVE THE CAR AT ALL WHEN THIS HAPPENS. *LA

WHEN BRAKING OVER UNEVEN SURFACES OR BUMPS ON DRY PAVEMENT, THE ABS KICKED IN AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR LEAVING ME WITH ABSOLUTELY NO BRAKES FOR A SECOND UNTIL I LIFTED MY FOOT OFF THE PEDAL AND REAPPLIED PRESSURE. THIS CAUSED ME TO ALMOST CRASH INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME WHICH WAS STOPPED AT THE STOPLIGHT. I HAD TO CHANGE INTO THE RIGHT TURN LANE TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. *AK

TEMPERATURE GAUGE FLUCTUATED WILDLY WHILE DRIVING, AND CONSUMER FELT THAT THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND WAS GIVEN BACK TO THE CONSUMER, DEALER CLAIMED THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. *AK

ON 8/25 MY 2002 WRX WAGON WOULD NOT GO INTO ANY GEAR,WITH ENGINE ON OR OFF.I CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED IN,WHEN IT WAS DROPPED OFF I WAS THERE,THE SERVICE PERSON TRIED TO SHIFT IT AND GOT IT TO GO INTO GEAR.WHEN THEY TRIED TO ENGAGE REVERSE,IT GROUND THE GEARS 4 TIMES,THEY SAID THE CAR WAS NOT STOPPED WHEN THEY TRIED,I WAS STANDING RIGHT THERE,IT WAS NOT MOVING!.THIS CAR HAS HAD TRANSMISSION CONCERNS BEFORE AND HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER ON THREE OTHER VISITS WHERE THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM WITH GRINDING GEARS WHILE DRIVING,THIS COULD CAUSE IN MY OPINION A SAFTEY ISSUE ,DISTRACTION WHILE DRIVING.DO WE HAVE TO EXPERIENCE A TRANSMISSION LOCKING UP CAUSING INJURY OR DEATH BEFORE IT IS DELT WITH?. I AM SURE I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM.

ABS BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED GOING OVER RAIL ROAD TRACKS AND/OR THE OCCASIONAL METAL EXPANSION JOINT.*AK

THE BRAKES ON MY 2002 SUBARU WRX FADED, AND MY FOOT WENT TO THE FLOOR, AND THEN THE BRAKES AFTER 3 TO 5 SECONDS KICKED IN.*AK