Fuel Hoses Lines/piping And Fittings Problems of Subaru Impreza Wrx - part 1

On the morning of Feb 3, 2014 I started my car and it smelled very strongly of raw gas. I turned off the car and had it towed to my local repair shop. The tow cost $84. 70. I found out later that morning that Subaru issued a recall beginning December 31, 2009 for 2002 and 2003 Subaru wrxs where the fuel line leaks in extreme cold. Unfortunately, the recall included only 16 states, and offered an extended warranty to the other 34 states not named in the recall (I reside in one of the 34 for the "extended warranty"). I promptly phoned Subaru of America and my local dealership, webster groves Subaru about the issue. The service department employee, [xxx], advised me to drive my vehicle over to have it checked out. Considering this is talking about raw gas and at least one fire has been reported in relation to the recall, I do not agree with this suggestion. Both Subaru of America and the dealership affirmed that the car would have to be taken to a dealership to see if it might be considered for the recall. After directly telling [xxx] I will not drive the vehicle since it is dangerous (the recall even states that it is dangerous!), she agreed to call her district manager then return my call. This is not the whole of my concern. We have had colder weather all over the united states this year and I am very concerned about this issue. I was not notified of the extended warranty or the issue by Subaru, and I gather other individuals were not as well and their safety could be at risk. While it would be ideal for Subaru to pay for the necessary repairs to my vehicle, I ultimately hope they will notify all 2002 and 2003 Subaru wrx owners of this potential hazard for the safety of everyone! this is not just a small optional recall, but one that could cause serious harm to drivers, their passengers and fellow drivers. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

See all problems of the 2003 Subaru Impreza Wrx 🔎.

Strong raw fuel smell in cabin when starting in temps <30 degrees. Fuel is clearly visible leaking from lines below manifold.

See all problems of the 2005 Subaru Impreza Wrx 🔎.

When I started my car the other morning (~14 degrees f) I smelled a strong fuel odor in the cabin. I opened the hood of the car and also smelled it there as well. I drove the car about 2 miles and the smell went away. Once stopped and idling, the odor returned. It is a very strong raw gasoline smell. Upon further research, I found that many other Subaru owners are experiencing the same exact issue. It turns out to be a faulty clamp and/or hose, which results in leaking gasoline out of the fuel line. This concerns me for numerous reasons, but the main reason is that it is leaking gasoline in the engine bay, which could result in a fire and ultimately injury/death. The smell it produces in the cabin is also something that concerns me, especially if children are in the car. This only happens when temperatures are very cold, probably below 20 or 25 degrees f. Please look into this issue and you will find many are experiencing the same thing with their vehicles. Thanks.

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.

See all problems of the 2002 Subaru Impreza Wrx 🔎.

Fuel lines on top of the engine leak during cold weather, below 10 degrees f. There is a strong fuel odor out side the vehicle and inside when the vents are on. The smell goes away after the car is completely warmed up, 10-20 minutes of driving.

See all problems of the 2004 Subaru Impreza Wrx 🔎.

Strong gasoline odor smell inside car. Happens when the outside temperature is very cold, below 15 degrees. This issue is similar to that reported in earlier model wrxs. See recall NHTSA campaign number: 09v468000 which addressed leaking fuel lines at cold temperatures. Other complaints like this one have been filed for wrxs years not covered by the recall.

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.

Fuel line leak in engine compartment. Impreza sti '04. In cold weather, say less than 20 deg f, fuel lines leak at hard/soft line connections. Fuel can be seen dripping onto engine & strong smell of fuel inside cabin. Very similar to Subaru TSB 01-170-09, bulletin wvk-21.

Gas leak that causes very strong gas fumes in the car during cold starts and significant gas loss overnight. Local Subaru dealership determines it's faulty fuel line gaskets and $900 to repair. The fumes are so strong that I fear something will ignite the vapors and start a fire.

During cold starts, typically under extremely cold temperatures, fuel leaks in the fuel delivery line could occur where the line connects with a rubber hose.

During cold weather startup, my Subaru will have a strong fuel smell coming from the engine bay and inside the car. Apparently, this effects many different Subarus during cold weather startup and a fuel line on top of the engine is the suspected culprit for leaking fuel.

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.

There is a technical service bulletin concerning 2000 and later Subaru vehicles, including but not limited to the impreza, wrx, and outback. Under 14 degrees f or lower, the fuel lines connectors shrink to expose enough of the fuel line and allow fuel and vapors to release. The fuel can pool on the manifold, and the vapors can enter the cabin. This should be a major concern due to fuel and vapors.

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.

Fuel line leaks raw gasoline fumes into passenger compartment and outside of vehicle during cold weather. Gas fumes are overpowering inside the vehicle, and possibly creates a serious safety hazard of fire/ explosion.

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.

I have a 2003 Subaru wrx wagon. As temperatures approach freezing the fuel lines on the passenger side of the engine begin to leak, heavily, during cold start up. This causes raw fuel smell to enter the cabin as well as creating a potentially hazardous situation with raw fuel openly pooling on the engine. Subaru and their dealers are aware of the situation and it is fixable, however it requires removal of the intake manifold - a very labor intensive job - which makes it a costly repair for the consumer to bear. I acquired the car last year and the problem occurred throughout last winter and has recurred already once this fall.

I have a 2003 Subaru wrx. My car started to smell like something was burning a few days ago in the engine bay. I have also noticed that when the temperature goes below 30 degrees the inside cabin starts to strongly smell like raw fuel. The vapors can cause harmful and even deadly consequences. I have done some research on this issue and it seems that its a widely common issue with Subaru wrx's from 2002 to 2004. I took the car to a mechanic shop and got the car examined. The mechanic told me that the clamps that hold the gas lines intact were very loose. He said that the during high fuel pressure the fuel lines could separate and cause a engine fire. I have called Subaru of America and they told me there's a bulletin on this issue. It seems that this can be a very dangerous safety issue, and it sounds to me that Subaru of America is not willing to repair the $500 issue. I have noticed that there was another fuel issue with another Subaru model (NHTSA campaign id number: 03v303000). The Subaru outback had a recall because there was a loose clamp at the filler cap that could have caused a fuel leak. Why is there no recall for the fuel leak in the wrxs? the leak happens very close to the engine. Any type of heat or ignition could cause a fire or even death! please research this issue as it could become a very dangerous problem!.

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 fuel smell on cold days when ambient temperature is below ~35-40 degrees f. Occurs without fail based on outside temperature and cold motor but goes away after engine has warmed. Dealer made minor adjustments (tightened lines) but states if problem returns, then fuel lines will need to be replaced.

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.