Fuel Hoses Lines/piping And Fittings Problems of Subaru Impreza - part 2

On 1 or 2 occasions in the past couple years I have smelled a gas fumes during very cold weather on my 2002 Subaru wrx wagon. I was not often or very strong, so I did not pay much attention. This winter it has been happening more, any time the temperature gets into the low 20's, it is a much stronger smell and lasts quite a while (several minutes). I did some digging on your site and found action number pe04002. I plan to visit my dealer and have the service bulletin completed, but wanted to make you aware that the problem may get worse over time, I currently have 66,000 miles on the vehicle and have driven it since July 2001.

See all problems of the 2002 Subaru Impreza 🔎.

I have a 2002 Subaru Impreza wrx. There is a fuel smell coming from under the hood, near the passenger side by the intake manifold. This happens when I start the car in the mornings when it is cold outside. There is a technical service bulletin from Subaru on this matter, but I think it should be a recall item since this involves a fuel smell coming from substandard parts.

2002 Subaru wrx emits a gas smell, due to a leaking fuel line, into the cabin. This is a known problem with Subaru (see service bulletin 09-36-03). In my opinion this potentially dangerous situation is an engineering oversight and should be repaired at no cost to the consumer.

Gasoline smell/leak in sub-zero temperatures. Originates from engine compartment, passenger side. Noticed pooling of gas in engine block cracks. Only occurs when under 20 degrees f.

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. . Read more...

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.

Fuel smell is in the cabin of my car. Symtom <30 degrees, and this is a known hose issue in the wrx.

A terrible raw fuel smell is present in the cabin at startup in cold weather. Fuel seems to be leaking and pooling somewhere. This is not the same leak as the TSB for 2002 models.

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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Very strong fuel smell in passenger compartment that is especially apparent in cold weather.

Ref pe04002: Subaru Impreza wrx '02/'03 fuel leak 1 ? temp: ~5 deg. F overnight. Started car in am; smelled raw fuel via the vents. 2 - with flashlight could see leakage from both hose clamps noted in Subaru TSB (09-36-03); also took photos. Front clamp: pressurized stream of fuel; approx. 2 oz. Fuel pooled in recess in the manifold by the time engine shut off. Rear clamp: rapid drip of fuel; approximately 0. 5 oz. Pooled. Fuel accumulation occurred within approx. 3 min. Of starting. 3 - spent 6+ hrs tightening the screws on both clamps. Both leaks diminished to slow drip; not stopped completely; min. Fuel pooling, still there if temp low enough. TSB fix not implemented yet. Filing complaint against closed pe04002 because: a - no mention of fuel accumulation in the published resolution, only smell of fuel. Numerous instances reported online of noticeable fuel leakage. B - subject vehicles noted for their all weather travel ability; commonly used for winter sports - potentially vulnerable to this problem. C - apparently no reported fires due to this problem, but it seems very possible: coincidental electrical fault or static electricity discharge. D - if vents closed, fuel accumulation could occur unnoticed. E - if fuel pooled under a leaking junction ignited it seems very possible that the heat generated could burn/melt the hose above and create a far larger discharge of fuel. While the odor of fuel may not be a significant safety problem, I cannot see how significant fuel leakage onto a running engine can be considered anything except a safety issue.

When driving driver started smelling gas coming from the engine. A leaking rubber fuel hose under the intake manifold cased the gas smell.

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.

2002 Subaru Impreza wrx fuel leak in cold weather conditions.

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.

Very stong fuel smell entering the cabin during extreme cold weather.

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.

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.

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 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.

Upon starting the car on a cold day (around 0 f), a very strong raw gasoline smell came through the dashboard vents. The odor dissipated while driving, but every time the vehicle was stopped/idling (even after the engine was warmed up), the overwhelming gasoline vapor odor came back through the vents. I researched the problem on the internet and identified a potential source--in my 2. 2l engine, there is a short rubber hose connecting two metal fuel lines that becomes wetted with fuel and sometimes even drips down onto the engine block. This certainly seems to be one source, if not the only one, for this problem. It seems to be a safety issue not only for the passengers' health, but inside the engine compartment as well. . Read more...

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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.

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.

The consumer smelled gas inside the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that the clamp on the fuel line came loose and leaked fuel.