Began smelling odor of raw fuel inside of my 2002 subaru impreza. After a short research I found it to be a common problem during cold weather. Contacted a dealer and was told that it is not covered under warranty or recall.
2002 Subaru Impreza fuel system complaints
Page 3 of 4: complaints 41 to 70 of 99, newest first, as owners wrote them.
I just wanted to share with you a very recurring, and very unsafe problem regarding the subaru wrx impreza. I came home tonight to a strong smell of gasoline coming from the engine bay of my car. I proceeded to open my hood and investigate. What I found was actual fuel leaking from a part of my car! This fuel can ignite and even explode if it were to touch something hot (turbo charger, cat converter) well upon going online, I looked the problem up, and it seems a lot of wrx impreza owners are having this exact same problem. This is a problem noted since 2002 and subaru has done nothing about this! In the link I am about to provide to you, it will show many cases of people dealing with subaru, in some cases with very poor customer service. Http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=131755 that website is just one website representing the countless amounts of people experiencing the same exact problem. I do not see how subaru cannot create a recall on something so extremely unsafe.
When the weather is cold, my 2002 subaru wrx develops a fuel leak in the engine compartment underneath the intake manifold on the passenger side. Leak rate is about 1 drop per second. Vehicle has 64,000 miles. I just recently moved to a colder climate area.
In the first winter after purchasing my 2002 subaru impreza wrx, there was a strong smell of gasoline in the passenger cabin as well as around the car. The problem persisted in the following years particularly during cold winter days, however dealerships were not able to replicate the problem. One dealership attempted to replace the fuel filter and spray "deodorant" into the vents to help, but the strong smell of gasoline persisted on cold days, particularly when we wanted to turn the heat on. The smell of gasoline is not only nauseating, but most likely very harmful to myself and my family. On occasion, it is impossible to drive the car with the heat on and consequently we need to drive with the windows down, in the cold, with the heat off. Nm
I drive a 2002 subaru impreza wrx sedan. When I start the car on cold mornings and turn on the heater with the air recirculation off, a distinct smell of gas comes through the air vents. Then, when I open the hood to look for the problem, the smell of gas is even stronger and more noticeable. Much like other wrx owners, I have been unable to trace this problem. Because of this, I have not made any attempts to fix it. Gasoline is widely known to be carcinogenic among many other unfortunate things, and the presence of gasoline in an engine compartment along with sparks and high heat seems extremely dangerous. This problem has been documented by many, many other people for over three years now.
My car is subaru impreza wrx sport wagon. I used to gas my car at shell gas station in highland park. A lot of times I found water in my car's gas tank. I use the 93 octane, because my car has turbo. Please check the 93 octane gas on the shell gas station.
Not a new as others have it too and subaru knows of the trouble. Upon first starting the 2002 subaru wrx there is a raw gas smell due to a defective part within the fuel system. Both the federal safety agency and subaru know of this but I have been told by dealers that the full cost of this manufacture defect must be paid by the car owner-I was told by a dealer that failure to do this would result in engine fires. I found this info within this site and cannot understand why subaru is not working with the federal safety agency to assist people driving potential fire hazards in fixing as fast as possible the defect.
During recent cold weather, I noticed a strong odor of unburned fuel in the passenger cabin. Research indicated this is addressed by tsb 009-36-03, however a fuel leak of any nature should be considered for recall due to the risk to health and life.
Fuel leak near engine. Raw fuel smell in cabin.
In cold weather (sub-freezing), I smell gasoline vapors in the passenger compartment of my 2002 suburu impreza wrx. The smell of gasoline is equally strong under the hood. One must drive with the windows open, with no heat, so as to avoid light-headiness.
2002 subrau wrx. Long drive in sub-zero weather after which a extreme fuel smell was entering the car at stops. After arriving home I quickly looked under the hood where I could see and smell fuel vaporizing on the left (passenger) side of the engine compartment. The fuel vapor was originating from the hose mentioned in pe04002, subaru tsb #09-36-03. This is contrary to the problem only existing during cold start conditions as my car was fully warmed up and after 2 hours driving. The fuel vapor filled up my garage to the extent that I was forced to open the garage door. According to subaru this is not a recall and thus I need to pay to fix this issue-- however after my experience tonight I'm scared to drive my car in sub-zero weather. I urge the federal safety agency to re-examine action number pe04002 as the amount of fuel vapor coming from my car this evening could have very easily caused a fire had an ignition source been introduced anywhere around my car.
We have terrible gasoline fumes in my wife's car when it's cold outside. It's coming from the engine compartment and getting into the cabin. It's so overpowering that my wife and children can not be in the car with the windows closed. It even gave her a headache today after she drove it with the windows open. It's a 2002 subaru impreza ts wagon. I have done some research online and I have found that this is a common problem with this model, yet there has not been a recall. I have seen the investigation report pe04002. Our problem persists even when the car is fully warmed up. I drove it for 45 minutes, and it was just as bad at the end of the trip as it was at the beginning.
Raw fuel smell with temperatures below 20 degrees f and raw fuel in engine compartment with temperatures below 0 degrees f. Smell occurs anytime car sits in sub 20f temperatures. Actual leak with raw fuel occurred after car sat out overnight in sub zero degree temperatures. Small smoldering fire signified by small amount of grey smoke coming from engine compartment upon start up. Car has been taken to dealer three times for problem over two years and still leaks. Most recently after leak they replaced fuel rail system, but car still leaks.
During one cold day I noticed that my car (2002 subaru wrx) had a raw gas smell after starting up, like a fuel leak.
I purchased a new 2002 wrx three years ago and am inhaling gasoline fumes in my car when driving in cold weather. The subaru dealer told me that they are aware of this problem with the "cold fuel smell". I think that inhaling gasoline fumes is very hazardous, especially when driving. I hope and beg that subaru corporation will recall this common fault.
When the temperature gets below 20 degrees fahrenheit fuel lines leak on the engine of my 2002 subaru impreza rs. The leak can be clearly smelled from inside the car. This issue is known by subaru and they won't designate this as a recall. They do consider this a technical service bulletin and only service this under warranty. Otherwise, it's up to the owner to spend upwards of $350 to have a subaru dealer perform the repairs.
I purchased a used 2002 subaru impreza wrx and have been smelling gas. I have read a previous investigation, pe04002. I understand there is no immediate safety concern for fire, but when driving over long periods the smell does not go away and has caused light headedness for myself and passengers, to the point that I have had to pull over and get out of the car. I also am curious why a recall has not been issued for a known defect, found and acknowledged by the manufacturer. Leaking gas is dangerous to inhale and dangerous to the environment. I would urge you to investigate this issue further.
My 2002 subaru wrx is becoming increasingly difficult to drive in cold weather. The smell of raw fuel has recently become intolerable during cold temperatures. I am forced to use recirculation on the ventilation system and drive with my windows open if freezing weather to help with the gas smell. I have tracked the leak down to a two-inch rubber hose section under the intake manifold on the passenger side. It appears that the clamps are loose and cannot be tightened without removal of the manifold. I have seen that a technical service bulletin has been issued on this matter. I called my dealer to have this safety and health issue repaired. To my dismay, I discovered that it is not covered under a recall or warranty. My car currently has 48,270 miles on it and has been impeccably maintained. The dealer has verbally quoted $400-$500 for the repair. Upon searching the internet and the federal safety agency, I see that fuel vapor odor in the cabin in certain 2002 wrx's is a well-documented defect. I hope for my sake, subaru's sake, and the sake of others with this problem, that subaru of america, inc. Will show itself as a standup organization that will make good to it's loyal customers. As an 11 year mechanical engineer in the design and manufacturing industry, and an automobile enthusiast, I can explain that this leak is due to three conditions. 1) improperly torqued hose clamps during factory assembly, 2) fuel line material shrinkage/stiffening due to cold temperatures, leading to further loosening of clamps, and 3) misalignment of fuel lines. Subaru should repair this fuel leak at their cost; avoiding health and safety issues, and loss of future customers. This is not a condition caused by the operator of the vehicle by any means and should not be placed on the operators shoulders. Over time this leak will become more severe and may possibly ignite under certain conditions or cause dizziness in the more severe cases.
On 1 or 2 occasions in the past couple years I have smelled a gas fumes during very cold weather on my 2002 subaru wrx wagon. I was not often or very strong, so I did not pay much attention. This winter it has been happening more, any time the temperature gets into the low 20's, it is a much stronger smell and lasts quite a while (several minutes). I did some digging on your site and found action number pe04002. I plan to visit my dealer and have the service bulletin completed, but wanted to make you aware that the problem may get worse over time, I currently have 66,000 miles on the vehicle and have driven it since july 2001.
I have a 2002 subaru impreza wrx. There is a fuel smell coming from under the hood, near the passenger side by the intake manifold. This happens when I start the car in the mornings when it is cold outside. There is a technical service bulletin from subaru on this matter, but I think it should be a recall item since this involves a fuel smell coming from substandard parts.
It started before warranty was up on my vehicle which is a 2002 subaru impreza wrx. After 30,000 miles noticed gas smell in cabin after starting in cold weather. I tracked smell coming from gas leaking from fuel rail. It was a steady drip which I video taped. I took it to the dealer 5 times for the problem, on the fith time they wanted to charge me to fix due to being over the milage for the warranty.
Fuel smell/leak during cold temperatures; about 30 and below. Very strong smell. So strong we are afraid to drive it during these times. First started this season (2004). Out of warranty. 2002 subaru wrx. Purchased 3-12-2001.
Upon start up and driving in cold weather a strong fuel smell emitted from the vehicle. The owner has contacted the dealer and the manufacturer and was told that this is common. Provide further details.
2002 subaru impreza developed a fuel leak.***no answer required***. *mr
I drive a 2002 subaru impreza wrx manufactured in feb 2001. I have owned the vehicle for 3 months. I noticed the failure during the first day the temperature dropped below freezing. The failure is described as a very strong scent of noxious fuel into the passenger cabin of the vehicle. The scent is present when the vehicle is started with a cold engine and the outside temperature is below freezing. The scent dissipates after 5 minutes of running the engine. This occurs every time these conditions are present which can be multiple times daily. The consequences to date have simply been discomfort but I am concerned that long term exposure may have lasting damage to my and my passengers lungs and eyes. So far I have not taken any corrective action as the discussion forum at www.nasioc.com has many postings describing failed attempts of fixing the problem by subaru trained mechanics.
2002 subaru wrx emits a gas smell, due to a leaking fuel line, into the cabin. This is a known problem with subaru (see service bulletin 09-36-03). In my opinion this potentially dangerous situation is an engineering oversight and should be repaired at no cost to the consumer.
2002 subaru impreza gives off a strong fuel odor.***no answer required***. *mr the dealer told the consumer the odor was normal and that it was due to the rich fuel in cold weather.
Strong gas odor in cabin when temps are below 30 out side. This is the same problem reported last year with no recall or resolution by dealer/the federal safety agency.
Gasoline smell/leak in sub-zero temperatures. Originates from engine compartment, passenger side. Noticed pooling of gas in engine block cracks. *jb only occurs when under 20 degrees f.
2002 subaru impreza wrx, raw fuel smell in cabin and leak coming from near manifold when the temperature is below freezing and car is cold started.
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