general problems of the 2002 Subaru Impreza Wrx

In cold temperatures the fuel leaks from rubber fuel lines onto the fuel rail and manifold resulting in a very strong fuel odor coming into the vehicles cabin. When at a stop with the vehicle idiling the smell is overwhelming. Not nearly as bad while driving.

A fuel line under the intake manifold located on the passenger side is leaking gas on cold starts. This is my second time dealing with this issue. As of now, it is only leaking gas when the engine is cold, but the leaking is starting to get worse and faster than before. The first time I had this issue it was leaking gas regardless of engine temperature. It is only a matter of time before it starts to leak at any given moment with a possibility to cause a fire putting my life and others at risk. I live in the state of California and this recall has only been announced for "cold weather" states. It is evident that this fuel line problem has nothing to do with the weather since I live in a warm climate. This probiem is unfixable and time consuming. I had already tried to solve this issue at my local repair shop and it ended up being a waste of time and money. This is clearly a manufacturer's problem. Subaru needs to issue a national recall for this vehicle.

Fuel rail on 2002 wrx is leaking heavily on the engine. This is a high fire hazard as well as noxious for passengers in the car as it smells heavily of fuel. Since I live in washington state Subaru of America has not honored the recall they've put in other states for this exact issue. Subaru has denied warranty repair due to the extended warranty expiring for this issue in 2013. I was never notified of this issue. I am the original owner of this car and have taken it in for every other recall issue that I've been notified of. This is reckless and dangerous. The local repair shop has said they don't think it is correct to charge me for labor and parts that should be covered under warranty by Subaru and have directed me to the dealership. The dealership asked me to get authorization from Subaru, which was denied. This is a safety issue that should be covered under warranty for the life of the car. It is a bone stock car with no aftermarkets parts or enhancements.

When it is cold outside my car smells like raw fuel very strongly in the cabin resulting in headaches and dizziness. This is a common problem among-st these cars and Subaru knows about it because they had an extended recall but does not cover the problem now.

Smell of fuel from within the car during cold temperatures. This is a known issue per TSB 01-170-09. Dealership may deny repairs if they can't reproduce the issue. Email from Subaru regarding this problem: we welcome your contact, as it relates to the wvk-21 fuel line warranty extension. Your 2002 Subaru wrx is affected by the warranty extension for these components. The dealership would need to perform a diagnosis of the current concern. They can then advise you regarding the issue and whether it is the same as the warranty extension. I would recommend that you make an appointment at a Subaru dealership, at your earliest convenience.

There is a constant raw fuel smell when driving, to the point of making me feel sick, cant even drive my car without all the windows down, ive reasurched this issue with other models using the same engine & componints that are on the recall list, but I can not get any help from anyone at Subaru, even with explaining its the exact same problem as ither the forester or outback. . . Of a raw fuel smell from a fulty gas line under the manifold,,, not cool that they are willing to compromise my safety to avoid doing the fix, or addmiting the defect affects the 2002 wrx.

I have the fuel leak/ smell issue covered in NHTSA campaign id number: 09v468000, NHTSA action number: ea09011. I have had the problem for several years but it appears to be worse this winter in that it happens at temperatures just below freezing now. In previous winters it would have to be below 20 degrees before I would notice the smell of raw gasoline. I notice the problem when stopped and idling in the cold weather. In particular when stopped at traffic lights. My car was purchased in and registered in massachusetts. I would like to know why it was not covered in the recall. Massachusetts is further north than CO and parts of ne, IA and NY which are included in the recall.

I bought a 2002 Subaru wrx in September and didn't notice the raw fuel smell until it started getting cold. I noticed it every time I started the car when the temperature was below 30 degrees f. One night I let is run to warm up and saw a large puddle of what appeared to be oil/gas mixture coming from underneath the car. From research I understand that many other 2002 wrx owners seem to have this same problem due to a fuel line leak. I believe that Subaru should have a recall to fix this dangerous problem.

I have a 2002 Subaru wrx that has a fuel leak when the weather gets cold. It occurs usually on start up and lasts usually 10-15 minutes. . Read more...

In cool or cold weather, there is a very strong odor of raw fuel inside the passenger compartment. Anyone inside or near the car is exposed to harmful gasoline fumes, these vapors are toxic when concentrated and may cause dizziness and hallucinations in smaller amounts. There is also concern of potential fire danger. Fuel odor has been present year-round on my car, and also on many other 2002 and 2003 Subaru imprezas. This is a common issue that Subaru needs to address, but their position seems to be that it is the customer's fault and responsibility. This repair, to correct a design flaw in the Subaru wrx, will cost the loyal customer several hundred dollars. Thanks Subaru, thanks a lot.

During cold weather there is an awful smell of gasoline. It almost smells as though there's a gas leak inside the car. There was a TSB released but the Subaru dealership could not recreate the problem so nothing has been done. The smell is unbearable and cannot be healthy.

I have the terrible gasoline smell in and outside of the car as a result of a recall that is not valid in the state of ohio. As Subaru thinks ohio is not a cold weather state and has denied the recall on my vehicle. It smells the whole house. It is sickening. I have been putting up for it since I bought the vehicle and am the original owner. According to the recall, it can cause a fire. I cannot purchase another car, and Subaru will not honor the recall because I live in ohio (a very very cold state).

I'm filing my complaint with all the others about the strong fuel smell during the cold months. I cannot believe ohio is not included in the recall. I've taken my car to the dealer numerous times to be told that the car is okay. Frankly, this past cold winter has been awful. The smell makes it's way into the house. It is awful. I cannot believe Subaru does not believe ohio is cold and will not stand by its autos. Also, when I brought the auto in for a recall on the front control arms, they only rustproofed them and never told me the frame was rusted out. This was at 125,000 miles. This auto has been meticulously cared for. If this car is meant to be in all kinds of weather, why can't it stand up past 125,000 miles. Rediculous! I have three other vehicles from other brands with many more miles, one car of which is stored outside in the winter, and all the other autos have great lasting frames. Considering I had only 125,000 miles, I saved the money and made this expensive repair. Com'on Subaru make a car that lasts!!!!!.

2002 Subaru Impreza Wrx-----very strong fuel smell in cabin of car during cold weather driving. Fumes in cabin are so bad as to cause nausea and headache after prolonged exposure. This is related to Subaru of America TSB#09-36-03, NHTSA action number pe04002. Not only am I concerned about fuel ignition in engine compartment, but studies also show that gasoline fumes are carcinogenic. This has been a problem since I owned the vehicle in June of 2001, has been occurring ever since. Finally I've had enough of "dealing with it". Dealerships have looked at my car and told me that nothing is wrong, and I've had enough. This is dangerous.

When the weather is cold and below freezing there is a gas leak and I can smell gas in the inside of my car as well as outside. It is hard to be able to drive anywhere when it is below freezing. . Read more...