Gasoline Fuel System Problems of Subaru Impreza Wrx - part 2

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.

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Raw fuel smell coming from engine area.

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Severe smell of gasonline in passenger compartment when outside temp is <40 deg f. Has been happening for over a year. I took it to dealer last year and they told me they tightened up clamps but that had no effect. This isnt a recall?? over 140 complaints fo raw fuel leaking onto the engine and no recall?? does someone have to die in a car fire??.

In Feb of 2006 I began smelling a slight fuel odor in my 2002 Subaru wrx. A few days after I noticed this I came home and was going to try and find the source of the smell, it had slightly worsened over those days. I pulled in my driveway, opened the hood and looked around the engine for a minute, I then went into my garage to get some tools and a light. While in the garage I heard a "whoosh" and went outside to see what made the noise. When I went outside my car was on fire in the engine compartment. I then called 911. When they fire dept arrived I informed them that I had ammunition in the car, and they said they would have to wait to put it out until the ammo burned off. After a few minutes the fire had reached the rear of the car and the ammo exploded, the fire dept then put the fire out.

When its very cold outside very strong odor of gasoline in the passenger compartment . . 2002 Subaru wrx sedan.

Car was out side over night, temps dropped below 35, raw fuel smell in cabin and around car.

During the winter months the car begins to emit the smell of gas into the passenger compartment - so much that I have to roll the windows down or I begin to gag. Most likely this is a fuel leak but I can't seem to locate it. This is on a 2002 Subaru wrx sedan purchased in April 2001.

In regards to NHTSA action number : pe04002 I have a 2002 Subaru wrx with 34000 miles and live in houston, TX. I first encountered the problem when visiting my family in ft. Worth several years ago. It was not very cold, but there was snow on the ground. I started the car and turned on the heater to let car warm up. When I returned about five minutes later, I detected a strong odor of gasoline before getting in. The fumes inside were unbearable and I had to air out the car before driving, but the order persisted for about an hour. I left for houston that evening and thought the fumes were just a one time occurrence. Last night I visited a friend for about 2 hours. It rarely gets very cold in houston, but at 9 p. M. Last night when I left the temperature was probably just a little above freezing. When I started the car all appeared normal, but when I turned on the heater, the smell of gas was overwhelming. I aired out the car while driving, but the got the same result every time I tried to use the heater. The car reeked of raw gasoline when I parked it after the 1. 5 mile drive home. I got on-line after I got home and found out this was a very common complaint and that TSB had been issued. I also saw your action and believe Subaru of America may have given you the impression that the defect is the result of "very cold conditions. " from what I've seen on the internet, I do not believe that to be the case. . 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.

Extremely strong smell of gasoline inside cabin area. To the point where windows all have to be rolled down, scared that car may explode. Noticed that it is worse on cold days moreso than on hot days. I have also noticed what looks to be gasoline stains on our driveway, which are located directly under engine compartment area of where our 2002 Subaru Impreza Wrx usually parks.

After a cold weekend the inside of the cabin smells of raw fuel. I see the manufacturer has a TSB for fixing this in the north and canada, but no mentions of it in the south. Also, they say it happens in 02 vehicles, but I have an 03 and it just started.

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Any time the temperature goes below freezing you can smell raw gasoline in the cabin of the car.

Strong smell of fuel in the passenger compartment. Small leak under the intake manifold. Only happens when the temperature is in the mid 20s or bellow. Stops when engine warms up.

When it is cold outside, there is a strong gas odor inside the cabin.

After cold weather there was very strong gasoline fumes in the passenger compartment and from the engine compartment. This continued even when the temperatures rose to 30 degf. Fumes were so strong that passengers became dizzy and light headed and windows had to be opened for fresh air.

There is a very heavy raw fuel smell comming from the engine compartment! I live in minnesota and this week was very cold (0 degrees f). I can see fuel leaking in my engine bay and gas fumes are all over when I pop my hood. I have a 2002 Subaru wrx and my car has a techincal service bulletin out for this exact problem. This is a huge safety concern and my car could start on fire at any moment with fuel leaking on my hot engine. Why doesn't Subaru fix this for free when it is putting people's lives in danger?.

Starting two weeks ago, I have encountered a fuel smell when starting my car in cold weather. It's so bad I really am afraid to drive the vehicle at times and the odor inside the car is really bad. I opened the hood on the car one morning when I smelled it and it looked there was an overpowering smell of gasoline, almost like it was leaking somewhere. I am going to contact the dealership in my area as this cannot be safe to drive.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.