2002 Subaru Impreza: gas smell in the cabin

Filed Dec 10, 2019 · Fuel system · 73,000 miles · CA

Strong smell of fuel upon start-up when in sub-freezing conditions. It has occurred twice in 2019, which are the only recent times it has been exposed to those conditions. The first occurrence was in february, 2019. The second was in november, 2019. Recall 09v468000 applies to my model vehicle, but only in certain states. The recall, therefore, does not apply to my VIN, although the description of the recall notice appears to match the symptoms of my car. After speaking with subaru, they indicated they are not willing to do anything about it because my VIN is not covered in the recall.

Filed Feb 11, 2019 · Fuel system · 141,000 miles · MN

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.

Filed May 24, 2018 · Fuel system · 151,000 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 subaru impreza. The contact stated that the vehicle emitted an abnormal fuel odor without warning. Subaru of winchester (3019 valley ave, winchester, va) diagnosed that the fuel line was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that a manager would call the contact. The failure mileage was approximately 151,000.

Filed May 22, 2017 · Engine, Fuel system · 90,000 miles · OH

I was denied the fuel line recall due to I live in ohio and ohio is not on the list of "cold states." I am forced to breath gasoline fumes and my engine smokes burning off those gasoline fumes. Just waiting for the car to blow up. Thank you, subaru

Filed May 14, 2017 · Fuel system · HI

For the last 5 years now, when the car is cold, sitting in the garage, then you start it up and your vents are open to the outside air, the interior smells of gasoline. I live in hawaii and the recall does not cover our state. The only way to not let the smell in the inside compartment is to close the vents.

Filed Feb 18, 2016 · Fuel system, Suspension · 135,000 miles · MA

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 subaru impreza. The contact stated that while driving at 15 MPH, the front passenger side lower control arm suddenly failed causing the passenger side of the vehicle to lower. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the lower control arm had fractured. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under the federal safety agency campaign number: 11v464000 (suspension) but the failure persisted. The contact also indicated that there was a fuel odor present while operating the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed of repaired. The failure mileage was 135,000.

Filed Nov 6, 2013 · Fuel system · 91,337 miles · MT

During cool weather conditions from cold startup the engine has heavy fuel/gas smell which is transported into the vehicle cabin causing unhealthy breathing conditions for any occupants. Called subaru cooperate and the dealer, they stated that there is a recall for a leaking fuel rail but not on our model. After much internet searching it appears the recall should be for all subarus with the same engine as the problem is engine related and not model related. The original recall should be extended to all subarus with the same engine configuration. The company is getting off easy with a limited recall of less than 6000 vehicles nation wide when there are clearly many many more out there.

Filed Dec 29, 2011 · Fuel system · 104,481 miles · CA

When the weather is mildly cold, and it is approximately 50 degrees or less, and the vehicle sits parked for at least 4-5 hours, typically overnight and/or in a garage, there is a very strong smell of fuel when the vehicle is started. The smell dissipates after a few minutes and will not return unless the car sits parked for at least 4-5 hours overnight and/or in a garage.

Filed Jul 6, 2010 · Fuel system · 60,000 miles · VA

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 subaru impreza rs. The contact noticed a very strong gasoline odor inside of the vehicle. The vehicle was not examined by a dealer for the cause of failure. The contact stated that over time he noticed that the failure only recurred while driving in very cold weather conditions. An authorized dealer confirmed that the contacts VIN was not included in the recall associated with the federal safety agency campaign id number 09v468000. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 60,000 and the current mileage was 127,000. The VIN was unavailable.

Filed Mar 16, 2010 · Fuel system · 70,000 miles · FL

During the past several years my 2002 subaru impreza wrx has had the strong smell of fuel. Its not consistent nor does it happen all the time but often enough that it concerns me. I have called subaru's headquarters about this problem and they just keep telling me there is no re-call for this problem, so they won't fix it. I'm concerned this is a real safety problem that subaru refuses to address nor fix.

Filed Jan 4, 2010 · Fuel system · 50,000 miles · NC

I have a 2002 subaru impreza wagon, also known as the "outback sport". The car reeks of gasoline recently. Subaru recently recalled some 2002 imprezas because the fuel line leaked fuel in cold weather. The recall # is 09v468000. It has been quite cold here in nc recently with temps in the teens and 20s. The problem with my car seems identical to the problem that was the subject of the recall, but my car model was not included in the recall. The gas smell is very strong and I am afraid that this could be dangerous and set my car and possibly my house on fire.

Filed Dec 16, 2009 · Engine · 100,000 miles · MD

Strong fuel smell in cold weather.