Fuel Hoses Lines/piping And Fittings problems of the 2002 Subaru Impreza Wrx - part 1

2002 Impreza Wrx wagon, leaking fuel lines located under the intake manifold in cold weather. I have noticed gas fumes from leaking fuel lines in this vehicle which I purchased new in 2002. Nevada is not a state listed in the wvk-21 Subaru recall of Dec, 2009, but this vehicle is leaking fuel from the same problem on cold mornings in northern nevada.

Recently the outside air temperatures have hovered near or below zero degrees f. On those mornings when it is that cold and I start my car, I smell a strong raw fuel odor for several minutes or until I have driven several miles. I investigated and found the main fuel line to be leaking raw fuel onto the engine when it is started in weather this cold. There is a vol recall by Subaru of America covering this (Subaru recall campaign wvk-21) on this model but it does not cover the state of missouri where I reside and have my car registered. This same issue could easily cause an engine fire should the leaking raw fuel come into contact with an ignition source or with the nearby hot turbocharger or exhaust. There is no reason what so ever that this recall should be limited to the few states that it is since it is just as dangerous in my state as in any of the states listed on the recall. Btw, my car was originally purchased and registered in one of the covered states. . . Minnesota. Thank you.

During cold weather, the fuel line leaks gasoline inside the engine compartment. The gasoline pools on top of the engine block, and the gasoline vapor is also pulled into the passenger compartment by the car's ventilation system. There is an obvious risk of fire.

1. When ambient temperature is roughly below 45 degrees f, and the car is "cold". 2. Gasoline leaks from fuel line under intake manifold. It occurs when the rubber hose and the metal fuel pipe contract in cold conditions and break the seal causing gasoline to leak. The leak drips fuel onto the engine and causes a strong odor to permeate the cabin through the ventilation system. 3. Nothing has been done yet to correct the problem. The Subaru dealer has quoted $150 in parts plus labor to fix the problem under Subaru technical service bulletin # 09-36-03. Parts required are new hose and pipe plus gaskets for intake manifold and coolant. Parts would have to be ordered by dealer.

Gasoline odor fills the cabin on my 2002 Subaru Impreza Wrx when the heater is turned on. This has happened repeatedly. The odor is overwhelming and intoxicating! I popped the hood of my car and smelled gas coming from the fuel lines next to the intake manifold.

Smell of raw gas from vents while not moving. Checked under the engine and found underneath the turbo inlet hose fuel dripping from a hose. Also found 2 other hoses that may be leaking fuel as well around the area. Car is parked under storage status until parts can be replaced, not sure if there is a dealer in germany. Heard of many other complaints on a 2002 wrx with the fuel lines leaking.

Our 2002 Subaru wrx 2. 0l turbo has developed a fuel line leak (high pressure side) below the intake. A simple google search revealed a Subaru service bulletin 09-36-03 "fuel smell in cold weather" warning of this issue with the 2002 2. 0l engine. The problem is clearly much more than a fuel smell. It is very dangerous leak that will eventually cause someone to be killed in a fuel fire. This is a fundamental design flaw and a very dangerous one at that. A recall should have been issued. I'd be surprised there isn't pending litigation.

2002 Subaru Impreza Wrx fuel leaks at temperatures under about 20 degrees f from rubber hose clamps to steel pipes under intake manifold. Problem matches description of technical service bulletin 09-36-03 and shown in existing report ea09011. Tried to tighten clamps by removing power steering pump, but problem persists. Planning to conduct repair work per Subaru tech bulletin 09-36-03 before winter. Car has about 75k miles.

1) when the vehicle is parked, and when the temperatures drop below 40 degrees, a strong pungent smell of gasoline is apparent in the cabin. 2) the failure is the fuel lines in the vehicle and hoses are improperly designed, causing a shrinking of the size of the hoses. This problem is a TSB and known by the manufacture, but this should not be a TSB , because this is a safety hazard not just for mileage reasons but for safety and health problems 3) nothing was done, called Subaru of America and they re not honoring this warranty.

The passenger compartment of my 2002 Subaru wrx smells like raw gasoline when I start the car in cold temperatures. I have read stories of other wrx owners who have the same problem, and it is a leaky fuel line in the engine compartment. I am concerned that one of these times, the fuel is going to catch fire and cause serious injury to myself and my passengers.

Car produces a strong fuel inside the cabin on cold mornings. Fuel is visible on the engine block where the fuel line is leaking.

1. Faulty fuel lines and connections where under cold temperatures, fuel leaks onto engine and fuel smell enters cabin of vehicle. 2. Every time the temperature outside drops close to freezing. Dizziness occurs while sitting inside vehicle to where the windows have to be rolls down canceling the effects of having the heater run to warm the inside of the vehicle. Lately the smell has become intolerable the more problematic. 3. Nothing has been done as of currently but there appears to be a fix per vehicle manufacturer but at owners expense.

Strong smell of gas in the car when starting from cold . We are forced to idle car in the driveway with the heat system off and can only turn it on when the car is in motion or the fumes are overpowering. Sympathetic comments from the Subaru dealer but unable to fix this problem. I understand that a recall is costly for Subaru, but this is a dangerous situation.

We just had an extended period of snow & cold weather here where I live in oregon. My wrx suddenly developed an extremely strong, toxic, raw fuel smell inside the car when it was first started in the morning. I called my dealer and was told they knew what it was, and that there is a TSB to fix the fuel line leak. Was also told that Subaru did not think it was a safety issue so would not cover it outside of warranty and wanted $600 to fix! this is most definitely a safety issue! I have to open the windows to get fresh air to be able to breathe and am concerned that the car might catch fire!.

Very strong raw fuel smell inside the car coming through the ventilation system as well as strong exterior fuel smell.

Unbearably strong smell of fuel. Temperature 20 f and below. 62,000 on car, never had this issue. Always exposed to same climate changes and extremes in temperature. Unable to drive car, nauseated and severe headache ensued.

Stopped at light and noticed strong fuel odor in cabin. Upon further inspection, noticed large amount of fuel leaking onto top of engine block, and running down to exhaust components. Considering quantity and location of leaking fuel, it seems like it could be a fire hazard.

We had a colder than normal spell below freezing for a day. Upon driving the Subaru wrx 2002 model, I noticed a strong fuel smell coming into the cabin. Once returning home examined the engine and noticed fuel puddling under the passenger side intake manifold. I suspect that it is the high pressure fuel line interface/clamp and the rubber hose connected to it under the manifold leaking/ seeping. It's location and fumes pose a fire safety hazard and occupant safety hazard.

2002 Subaru Impreza Wrx at temperatures of 40 deg f and below the passenger fuel lines leak fuel raw fuel onto the engine block and generate large amounts of vapors that are drawn into the passenger compartment. At lower temperatures the problem is worse. There is a technical service bulletin that calls to tighten the line but does not fix the problem at all, and the dealer says that they do not guarantee that this procedure will fix the issue. The toxic fumes give me nausea and irritate my eyes since they are so strong in the passenger compartment. I close the recir to prevent fresh air from coming into the cabin but the windows fog up quickly and it is difficult to see out of them while driving in the cold weather. I also consider this to be a fire hazard just waiting to happen. There are countless other people that have the same problem and to date there is no fix for people driving the 2002-03 Subaru Impreza Wrx. The following link is an example of just some of the people having this issue. Searches on the net will yield many more complaints about this issue.

Fuel smell comes from right side of engine compartment when its cold out (under 50). The smell fills the inside of the car while I drive. I have talked to other owners of my car and this is common.

An extremely strong odor of unburnt fuel engulfed the cabin of the vehicle, giving my passenger and I a headache. The odor has returned every day since then.

Rubber fuel line connecting two sections of hard metal fuel line leaks in cold temperatures (under 35 degrees). Problem not yet corrected by dealer.

The temperature was in the 40's today. Noticed a strong smell of raw fuel coming from under the hood. I have experienced this problem on multiple occasions. Was able to locate and verify a leak from one of the fuel hoses on the passenger side under the intake manifold (I have video to prove that there is a leak). Have obtained and installed new fuel line on the entire fuel delivery rail. Now, after performing more research I have learned that the problem is with the actual fuel rail and not the hoses. I also know that Subaru knows of a manufacturer defect in the original fuel rail. Aside from being a dangerous fire hazard, this defect is allowing possibly thousands of cars to release copious amounts of hydrocarbons into the air. This safety hazard and environmental hazard needs to be highly considered as the basis of a recall!.

Raw fuel smell in cold weather in my 2002 Subaru wrx.

Raw fuel smell in the cabin of my 2002 Subaru Impreza Wrx, when I park my car in my garage at night the raw fuel smell can also be smelled throughout the garage after the car is shut off. Subaru dealership will fix it for a 85 dollar part and two hours of service time, which is around 230 dollars, at my expense when it is a factory defect, that is wrong to do in my opinion. In my opinion Subaru should fix it for free.

My 2002 Subaru Impreza Wrx exhibits a very strong raw gasoline smell after running in cold weather. I find the problem most pronounced after a temperature change. I am concerned that my car will catch on fire.

During cold weather I can smell gas fumes in my cabin and see gasoline leaking from the fuel lines in the engine.

Early model year 2002 Subaru imprezza wrx - exhibits a very strong raw gasoline odor when the ambient temperature is 60f or below and the engine is cold. The smell is so strong that the windows of the car must be opened in order not to get sick from the vapors. A very similar if not identical issue is recorded by Subaru as service bulletin 09-36-03, however the temperature does not have to be below freezing for the problem to occur. As strong as the odor is from this problem, there is clearly raw fuel pooling or spilling somewhere within the engine. . Read more...

2002 Subaru wrx sedan. Strong fuel smell comes from passenger side of the engine compartment. A minor fuel leak occurs occasionally during cold weather. Took it to Subaru dealer but they could not reproduce the leak since the weather warmed up. Service rep recalled similar problem with another customer who paid $400 for replacing a fuel line. Fuel leaks are safety hazards and should be fixed as recalls.

The contact owns a 2002 Subaru wrx. In cold weather conditions, the contact smells raw fuel within the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The odor occurred without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they stated that the metal fuel lines that run under the intake manifold were leaking gasoline. The intake manifold would have to be removed for the repair. The cost to repair the vehicle would be $460. The vehicle has not yet been repaired. The contact is in the process of notifying the manufacturer. The failure mileage was 105,000 and current mileage was 116,000.

Smell of raw gas fumes in the passenger compartment of vehicle and under the hood of the vehicle at temperatures below freezing. Took the car to the dealer and they quoted a $500. 00 estimate to "repair leaking fuel lines below manifold". They told me not to worry about it-"it won't catch fire"!!!.

Strong smell of fuel during cold weather operation. I have taken the vehicle to the Subaru dealer. The dealer reported a fuel line was visibly leaking fuel.

There is a very strong raw fuel smell inside the car often. This occurs most of the time when the temperature is below freezing. After researching, many others are having the exact same problem.

I have just purchased a 2002 Subaru Impreza Wrx, upon driving home I was extremely light headed and very sleepy I also noticed the pungent smell of raw fuel, after driving home with the windows open in 30 degree weather I did some research which lead me to find there was a significant fuel leak in one of the fuel pipe / hose connections,(on the passenger side in the engine compartment) which has resulted in the fuel dripping on to the engine. . . This is extremely unsafe and I am fearful of driving the car. This is now a TSB w/ Subaru, but for the safety of owners and other drivers this needs to be a recall placed in the highest regard!! I will be contacting Subaru of America to seek assistance!! the parts and the repair labor are stated in the bulletin. . . However this is no simple fix. . Pricing and technical know how are of an elevated degree. .

During the cold period last week, my 2002 Subaru Impreza Wrx had a very strong smell of raw gas. Subaru has issued a TSB # 09-36-03 dated 4/01/03 acknowledging the problem and has a repair kit specifically designed to fix the problem. This problem should result in a recall by Subaru and be repaired at Subaru's expense. It is a potential explosive/fire event and is a fault in the original design. The dealers will not fix this problem without charging the customers. The repair kit is about $60 but labor is $700-800. Its a safety issue and I'm afraid to drive it like it is.