general problems of the 2004 Subaru Impreza Wrx

During cold weather (~36 f), there is a strong fuel smell in the cabin. The smell seems to be coming form the engine compartment (passenger side). The smell disappears after the engine warms up.

I have a 2004 wrx and when the vehicle is left outside during very cold temperatures, at startup, there is a prominent fuel smell. This seems to occur if I leave the vehicle parked for an extended period of time (3+ hours) at 20 degree f or below. There have been numerous reports regarding this defect reported on the nasioc forums. In addition, there is a recall regarding this same defect for the 2002-2003 wrx's. I am greatly concerned about the risks associate with raw fuel being dispersed on the engine upon startup.

On cold mornings less than 10 degrees a strong fuel smell enters the vehicle. This issue was subject to recall on 2002 and 2003 model cars yet 2004 models also experience this problem. This is a wide ranging problem that effects many cars all the up to the 2007 model year of the Subaru impreza. This problem has been well documented since 2002 on the largest Subaru impreza web forum. . Read more...

Starting car in cold weather causes interior cabin to fill with gas fumes. Apparent fuel leak in cold temperatures. Leak resolves after engine has warmed.

It has been much colder than usual here in tennessee and I have been having a very strong fuel smell inside the cabin of my 2004 Subaru Impreza Wrx. It has happened every time I have driven over the past three days and does seem to go away when I accelerate but I have come to believe that is because the fuel vapor is being blown away by the moving of the air around the engine compartment while driving. As soon as I slow of come to a stop there is a strong raw fuel smell again.

During cold weather (below 10 degrees or so), my 2004 Subaru wrx impreza smells very strongly of gasoline coming from engine bay. This eventually goes away after 20 minutes or so of driving. During one episode, I actually watched under the manifold on passenger side and observed gasoline puddling under the gas lines! I have tightened the hose clamps but they eventually leak again. I am actually hesitant to drive the car anymore during the winter months here in minnesota.

Whenever the car is cold the cabin fills up with a fuel smell. This has not yet been remedied as it has not been a problem that occurs too often, but now I am reading that this is a fairly common problem with my car and for obvious reasons a fuel leak is very concerning.

Temps in the teens causes a fuel leak in the engine compartment of an 04 Subaru wrx.

My 2004 Subaru Impreza Wrx has a strong fuel smell in the cabin when the engine is first started. This happens when it's cold out (mostly below 20 degrees). I have an appointment to get it diagnosed at the dealership, but upon searching the internet, it looks like there are many owners of this car that experience this same problem. There was a technical bulletin for the 2002 model year addressing this issue but it apparently hasn't gone away.

I have a 2005 Subaru Impreza Wrx and in cold temperature I smell a overpoweringly raw fuel smell in the passenger cabin I know that odi has received complaints about this problem. Soa (Subaru of America) does not acknowledge that the 2005 my has this problem. What should I do to get this fixed?.

During cold weather, strong fuel odor is present indicating a fuel leak in the engine compartment. Event is repeatable on any day when ambient temp is ~36 degrees f or less and lasts until engine has warmed (about 15 minutes). Dealership reports that there is a service bulletin covering '02-'03 my. Odor is strong enough in cabin to cause physiological reactions (headache, nausea).

The contact owns a 2004 Subaru wrxsti. The contact smelled gasoline in the passenger compartment of the vehicle. He noticed fuel vapors and a puddle of gasoline on top of the engine upon further inspection. The dealer stated that there were no recalls for this failure; therefore, the contact would have to pay $550 for the repairs. The manufacturer advised him to take the vehicle to the dealer. The contact was concerned with the possibility of a fire due to the fuel leakage. He wanted to submit documentation and video of the damages and failure. The failure mileage was 65,000.

2004 Subaru wrx sti. Strong fuel smell in cabin during cold weather. Upon start of cold engine, after a few minutes. Smell overwhelms cabin till vehicle reaches operating temp. Approx. 5-10 min.