Fuel Injection Rail Problems of Subaru Impreza

I have raw fuel smell upon start up during cold weather. Fuel drips from the fuel line under the intake manifold on the drivers side of the car and/or drips from the fuel rail. This is a continuing problem for Subaru Impreza's for years beyond the recall that was entered for the 02-03 models. Research on several Subaru forums reflect it is still a very significant problem on 04-05 year wrx Imprezas. There have been several fires and accidents caused by the raw fuel dripping on the hot motor block. At this time there is no action being taken by Subaru for the later years.

See all problems of the 2005 Subaru Impreza 🔎.

The contact owns a 2005 Subaru Impreza wrx. The contact was driving 25 mh when there was an overpowering gasoline odor emitting from the air vents. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for diagnosis. The dealer tightened two hose feeder clamps that were connected to the fuel rail to correct the problem. The failure recurred two weeks following the repair. The vehicle was not further repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 71,000.

During cool weather conditions from cold startup the engine has heavy fuel/gas smell which is transported into the vehicle cabin causing unhealthy breathing conditions for any occupants. Called Subaru cooperate and the dealer, they stated that there is a recall for a leaking fuel rail but not on our model. After much internet searching it appears the recall should be for all Subarus with the same engine as the problem is engine related and not model related. The original recall should be extended to all Subarus with the same engine configuration. The company is getting off easy with a limited recall of less than 6000 vehicles nation wide when there are clearly many many more out there.

See all problems of the 2002 Subaru Impreza 🔎.

The previous winter and this one, a raw fuel smell occurs on start up. Upon observation, there is a fuel leak below the turbo inlet tube, coming from the fuel rail/hose. Once warm, the smell is gone.

In cold weather (freezing), the fuel rail under the intake manifold leaks gasoline. The gas drips directly onto the hot engine. Not only is this a major fire hazard (and known source of a handful of fires) but it also is a health risk as the fumes from the gas enter into the cabin of the car when the heater is in use. I have had to keep windows open when driving my car in the middle of winter to prevent getting sick from the gas fumes. The issue get progressively worse the longer it goes without repair. My model year is 2002, and the problem has been known since 2003 when a service bulletin was issues to all Subaru dealers. This has occurred on thousands of cars and there is great inconsistencies in Subaru dealers repairing this problem. My car is a 2002 Subaru Impreza wrx with 920000 miles on the car. While this problem just started with my car, others reported the issue within the first 20,000 miles.

Due to a flawed design related to the fuel delivery system, whenever the outside temperature drops below 14 degrees a rubber hose contracts and gasoline leaks out of a fuel rail connection above the engine on the passenger side. This flaw is outlined in Subaru service bulletin (#09-36-03). I think it is a dangerous situation having raw fuel leaking onto an engine especially since the smell inside the cabin of the car is extremely strong. This design issue should have forced a recall, yet it has not and Subaru dealers are charging in excess of $500 to correct the situation by replacing the rubber hose with one that is 30mm longer. The leaking fuel situation has been an issue with the vehicle since I originally purchased it. It seems to be getting more severe each winter with today being no exception. The temperature here in cheyenne this morning was in a low teens and even as I went to get into the vehicle I could smell gas as I stood next to the car. When I turned on the fan for the heater the cabin filled with gas fumes. A quick search of the internet revealed that there are hundreds of comments, postings and threads by owners who are experiencing this hazardous problem.

See all problems of the 2003 Subaru Impreza 🔎.

Fuel leak on passenger side fuel rails in weather below 30' f. Substantial amount of fuel is leaking due to the rubber hoses underneath the intake manifold not being tightened enough. There is a TSB on this matter however I'm past my warranty period. Considering this leak is right next to the turbocharger this is just an accident waiting to happen.

See all problems of the 1999 Subaru Impreza 🔎.

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.

Raw fuel smell with temperatures below 20 degrees f and raw fuel in engine compartment with temperatures below 0 degrees f. Smell occurs anytime car sits in sub 20f temperatures. Actual leak with raw fuel occurred after car sat out overnight in sub zero degree temperatures. Small smoldering fire signified by small amount of grey smoke coming from engine compartment upon start up. Car has been taken to dealer three times for problem over two years and still leaks. Most recently after leak they replaced fuel rail system, but car still leaks.