general problems of the 2002 Subaru Impreza Wrx - part 2

60 problems related to gasoline fuel system have been reported for the 2002 Subaru Impreza Wrx. The most recently reported issues are listed below.

36 Gasoline Fuel System problem

Failure Date: 12/01/2004

I own a 2002 Subaru Impreza Wrx. I have been experiencing a gas smell in the cabin and engine compartment. I thought that maybe my car was acting up but I know realize that this is a widely recognized problem. I cannot drive around with my windows open in subzero weather it is ridiculous. I realize that the problem is caused by a loose fuel fitting or two that you need to remove parts to get to. This is expensive and Subaru needs to be responsible for their mistake. This is my only vehicle and I need to get it fixed but I am a college kid that pays for my own school and lives on my own, I do not have the money to fix a factory malfunction.

37 Gasoline Fuel System problem

Failure Date: 11/25/2004

Fuel odor and seepage while engine is running during cold weather. Warming up of the engine does not stop the odor. While the engine is not warmed up liquid fuel seeps out. Once the engine warms up fuel vapor seeps out. The seepage occurs whenever the weather is cold. For note, this relates to defect investigation pe04002.

38 Gasoline Fuel System problem

Failure Date: 02/02/2004

I noticed my 2002 Subaru wrx has fuel smell coming into the cabin when I open the vent to allow air from outside. It usually happens when the temperature is around 30f to 40f. I am really concern if it would cause fire in the engine compartment.

39 Gasoline Fuel System problem

Failure Date: 01/20/2004

Since the weather has gotten cold here in michigan (below freezing) there has been a strong smell of raw fuel in the passenger compartment of my 2002 Subaru wrx. It is most apparent upon start up. The smell at times will be so strong that it will bring you to the point of vomiting or passing out if you do not open the windows down.

40 Gasoline Fuel System problem

Failure Date: 01/19/2004

I own a 2002 Subaru wrx. There is a very strong gas odor eminating from the engine compartment and vent during cold weather. I have told the dealership but they want to charge me to look at it. It is my strong feeling that this is a safety issue and should be addressed on their tab.

41 Gasoline Fuel System problem

Failure Date: 01/14/2004

2002 Subaru wrx wagon - strong gasoline odor in car when cold. Dealer advised purge valve was replaced, found Subaru TSB 09-36-03 which describes my problem, still have gasoline odor in very cold weather.

42 Gasoline Fuel System problem

Failure Date: 01/10/2004

While the vehicle idles, fuel leaks. As a result, a foul odor seeps into the passenger compartment.

43 Gasoline Fuel System problem

Failure Date: 01/10/2004

Smell of gasoline in car when temperature was below 5 degrees f.

44 Gasoline Fuel System problem

Failure Date: 01/09/2004

While driving consumer smelled gas fumes inside the vehicle. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.

45 Gasoline Fuel System problem

Failure Date: 01/09/2004

There is a very strong fuel smell that comes through the vents whenever I start the car in cold temperatures (10 degrees fahrenheit or below). The smell will linger until the car has been moving for fifteen minutes or so. This would happen when the car would sit overnight in cold temperatures it would also happen after it had been sitting in the parking lot at my work during the day time.

46 Gasoline Fuel System problem

Failure Date: 01/08/2004

Gas smell entering cabin via air vents during cold weather operation.

47 Gasoline Fuel System problem

Failure Date: 01/07/2004

Smell of fuel in passenger compartment of 02 Subaru wrx on several occasions. Noticeable when first starting the car and running climate control. Dissipates in approximately 15 mins. Also noticeable one night in garage after exiting the car. Has happened approximately 3-4 times this winter. Never occurred before.

48 Gasoline Fuel System problem

Failure Date: 01/04/2004

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.

49 Gasoline Fuel System problem

Failure Date: 01/04/2004

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.

50 Gasoline Fuel System problem

Failure Date: 01/04/2004

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.

51 Gasoline Fuel System problem

Failure Date: 01/01/2004

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.

52 Gasoline Fuel System problem

Failure Date: 01/01/2004

I get a raw fuel smell in the cabin of my 2002 Subaru Impreza Wrx in cold weather.

53 Gasoline Fuel System problem

Failure Date: 01/01/2004

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.

54 Gasoline Fuel System problem

Failure Date: 12/30/2003

Gas leak from the passenger side engine bay. Only occurs in cold weather conditions.

55 Gasoline Fuel System problem

Failure Date: 12/20/2003

Strong smell of fuel in passenger compartment. Has happened on several occasions now under various conditions.

56 Gasoline Fuel System problem

Failure Date: 12/12/2003

I get a overwhelming fuel smell when starting my car. My mileage is horrbile. I beleive there is a fuel leak in my car.

57 Gasoline Fuel System problem

Failure Date: 10/01/2003

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.

58 Gasoline Fuel System problem

Failure Date: 07/22/2003

During normal driving on days where ambient temperatures exceed 90 degrees, an overwhelming smell of gasoline enters the cabin after about 30 minutes of driving. The gasoline fumes often remain in the cabin for several hours after the vehicle has been parked.

59 Gasoline Fuel System problem

Failure Date: 01/01/2003

Strong smell of raw gas during engine start-up when cold outside.

60 Gasoline Fuel System problem

Failure Date: 11/01/2002

Any time the weather is cold there is a strong smell of gas inside and around the car.



Safety Ratings of Impreza Wrx Cars
Impreza Wrx Service Bulletins
Impreza Wrx Safety Recalls
Impreza Wrx Defect Investigations