There are 4 owner-reported fuel system complaints for the 2006 Subaru WRXin NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
UPON START UP OF MY 2006 SUBARU WRX, THERE IS VISUAL EVIDENCE OF FUEL LEAKAGE UNDER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF ENGINE. THIS ONLY HAPPENS DURING TIMES OF COLD WEATHER. YOU CANNOT SEE THE LEAK AS IT IS UNDERNEATH COMPONENTS HOWEVER, YOU CAN SMELL RAW FUEL AND SEE WHERE IT PUDDLES UP AFTER A FEW MOMENTS OF ENGINE OPERATION. THIS PUDDLE ACCUMULATES ON TOP OF THE ENGINE BLOCK, DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE TURBOCHARGER AND EXHAUST SYSTEM. THIS IS CAUSE OF MAJOR CONCERN FOR THE SAFETY OF MYSELF, MY FAMILY, PASSENGERS IN MY VEHICLE AND OTHER MOTORIST ON THE ROAD. SOA, SUBARU OF AMERICA, HAS ISSUED RECALLS FOR PREVIOUS MODEL YEARS BUT SHOULD INVESTIGATE TO POSSIBILITY OF EXTENDING THE RECALL TO INCLUDE MORE CURRENT MODEL YEARS. I HAVE CONTACTED SOA WITH MY PROBLEM TO NO AVAIL. *JS
STARTED MY 2006 SUBARU WRX THIS MORNING IN 5 DEGREE TEMP, AND THERE IS AN EXTREMELY STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE IN THE CABIN. I HAVE A SHORT DRIVE TO WORK, BUT THE SMELL STAYED STRONG FOR A GOOD 10MINS. *TR
RAW FUEL SMELL OUTSIDE AND INSIDE THE VEHICLE DURING AND AFTER COLD STARTS
FUEL SYSTEM LINES AND HOSES BECOME UNSTABLE, LEAKING FUEL AND FUEL ODORS ARE PRESENT IN CABIN OF VEHICLE. THE NATURE OF THIS COMPLAINT FOLLOWS NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER: PE04002. THAT REPORT FOUND THAT THE CONDITION MANIFESTED IN "VERY COLD" TEMPERATURES. HOWEVER, IT HAS STARTED IN 45-50 DEGREE F. THE UNDERSIGNED REQUEST THAT THE INVESTIGATION BE REOPENED. FURTHER, THE PROBLEM DOES NOT RESOLVE ITSELF UPON ENGINE WARM UP. SMELL OF FUEL LINGERS IN AND AROUND THE VEHICLE EVEN WHILE PARKED IN GARAGE. NOTICEABLE LOSS IN RANGE OF CAR UPON FULL TANK OF GAS. *NM
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 26, 2026