This is a common problem among my2002 subaru owners who have the ej20t 2.0 liter tubocharged motor. I have a 2002 wrx. When the weather gets very cold (near freezing) there is a fuel leak on the passenger side of the engine. The smell is so strong it enters into the cabin. Subaru knows about it and there is a tsb service bulletin. I strongly reccomend a recal on all of the cars that had the "old" style fuel rails. Please see - http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=482496 for more information.
2002 Subaru Impreza fuel system complaints
Page 4 of 4: complaints 71 to 99 of 99, newest first, as owners wrote them.
During cold weather my 2002 subaru impreza wrx has a smell of raw fuel inside the cabin. Could possibly start a fire. Not safe, should be fixed under a recall.
After 54000 miles a slight to strong raw fuel smell has become more noticeable especially during inclement weather conditions. I am located in florida so the temperature does not drop that low and the raw fuel smell is becoming more apparent.
Fuel smell is in the cabin of my car. Symtom <30 degrees, and this is a known hose issue in the wrx.
Tsb 09-36-03 dated 04/01/03 issued by subaru for the 2002my impreza wrx lists that some models may experience a fuel smell in cold weather, if you are smelling fuel, it's fuel vapors, and fuel is leaking period. This is an unsafe condition I would think! This needs to be an official recall so dealerships can?t charge people to fix this defect if their cars are out of warranty. Then this issue can be fixed properly and no longer be a hazard.
Vehicle service several time due to gas smell, unsafe to drive. *bf consumer was told that a mouse nest was the cause of the gas smell in her vehicle and was charged $140.74. The consumer showed the mechanic where the fuel was pooling on the engine. Problem still not resolved.
Very strong fuel smell in passenger compartment that is especially apparent in cold weather.
When driving driver started smelling gas coming from the engine. *ak a leaking rubber fuel hose under the intake manifold cased the gas smell.
Strong fuel smell in cold weather. Occurs whenever the temperature drops below 25 c.
My 2002 subaru impreza wrx has a raw fuel/gasoline smell in the cabin when the vents are on outside air. It is most noticable at startup, or when the car is stationary, but running. I've had the problem since my first winter in the automobile (winter '01-'02) and I have been consistantly reassured (by 2 dealers) that it's "completely normal" to have the fuel smell, and to keep my vents on recirculate until the car is warm. I believe there is a tsb issued by soa, however I am out of warranty, and many dealers will not acknowledge the tsb. The fuel smell is strong enough to cause a headache, and certainly smells strong enough to be hazardous in the bay of an internal combustion engine. The smell also seems dangerously close to the turbo/exhaust manifold side of the engine bay, which is obviously very hot.
Gas smell in car cabin in a 2002 wrx in cold weather conditions.
When it is cold out (in new england) there is a raw fuel smell. My mpg goes from 23 mpg to 17 mpg. I am afraid that their car will catch fire because it smells like a fuel leak. From what I hear there is a subaru technical service bulletin on the fuel lines cracking under extreme cold, but it hasn't been recalled.
Faulty desing of the fuel lines on a 2002 subaru wrx are causing a fuel leak (enough to puddle on the manifold). Dealer (as well as subaru of america) will not cover the problem under warranty, even though there is a nationwide service bulletin about the issue. My car has several non-related modifications, so my warranty will not cover the issue. This is a very serious health/safety issue, and for subaru to not be forced to recall or at least offer free repairs of it is completely unsatisfactory. This poses a dager to myself, my family, and possibly any one who walks by my car in a praking lot with a cigarette. Subaru should be taking the responsibility for faulty design, and if for no other reason than respect for their customers her in america, offer to fix this issue no matter the mileage on the car, or the modifications that may be done to it.
2002 subaru impreza wrx fuel leak in cold weather conditions.
The consumer stated that the vehicle had a very strong gas smell when the temperature was below 14 degrees. The consumer stated that there was a fuel leak. There is a bulletin describing the same problem.
While driving the consumer smelled fuel coming through the vents. There was a gas leak in the engine compartment. This problem only occurred when the weather was extremely cold. The consumer indicated that there was a "tbs" on this issues. The dealer could not find anything wrong with the vehicle.
Extreme fuel odor inside passenger cabin of my 2002 subaru impreza wrx,especially in cold weather conditions for the last four months. I have only 29000 miles on the odometer presently. I have noticed increased fuel consumption recently may be because of a possible fuel leak somewhere -please enquire and advise-thanks, anil sekhar.
Fuel rails leak in cold weather causing fuel smell in car and possible risk of fire. Subaru has issued a technical service bulletin on this.
On the days of jan 7, 8 and 9 2004 with temps below 25f degrees, a very strong odor of gasoline was present within and ouside of the cabin of the 2002 subaru impreza wrx. The smell could be overwhelming at times of colder temps (>15degrees) and would deminish after some driving. Took auto into dealer on 8 jan. Even though dealer service rep could smell the odor of gasoline when driving it back to the garage area, the technicians could not replicate the issue. Was told by the service rep that this is not a safety issue. Service rep was aware of tsb issued by subaru for a very similar item, but they needed to replicate the issue within the confines of the garage to be sure. Four days later (and counting) I am waiting for colder temps to cause the gasoline odor for the techs.
Fuel leak in cold weather. Can smell fuel inside the car when the outside air vent is on. Gas mileage is also lower in really cold weather (may or may not be related).
On my 2002 subaru impreza wrx, the car leaks fuel and a raw fuel smell is strong in the cabin whenever the car is driven when the outside temperature is below 20 degrees fahrenheit.
Fuel smell inside car during cold whether.
Subaru of america has a technical service buliten about model year 2002 subaru impreza wrx's having a leaky fuel like where it enters the injectors. This bulliten is not covered if the car is out of warrenty. Yet the fuel leak is so bad that when the air conditioning is turned on there is a very strong fuel smell comin from the vents. I feel that this bulliten should be a recall and not a bulliten. This kind of problem causes a huge safety rick and if a car were to catch fire from the leaky fuel it could not only destroy the car but also hurt or kill the driver and passengers.
I have a 2002 subaru impreza wrx sedan which has an apparent fuel leak in cold weather. Subaru has a technical service bullitain out on this problem to fix it (they do know about it), but it has yet to be made a recall. I first experienced this problem the other night when it was very cold outside, and there was a very strong fuel odor in the cabin. I asked some of my friends who also drive wrx's if they have had experience with this, and they said that they have been having the problem recently as well. After doing some research, the tsb was discovered and the source became clear. Fuel was leaking onto the engine, which poses not only a foul odor, but also an extremely dangerous fire hazzard. Please get subaru to make this a recall so that they can prevent anything bad from happening to one of their customers. I doubt they would want their "subaru" name to become known as the "cars that catch on fire". Make this problem a recall as soon as possible so no lives are lost. Ak
Very stong fuel smell entering the cabin during extreme cold weather.
I own a 2002 subaru wrx wagon. The cold morning (-3f) of january 9, 2004, I smelled fuel inside the cabin of my car a few minutes after I started the car. The gasoline scent was strong around the immediate area outside and inside the vehicle. The scent can also be sensed under the hood. After a drive, the scent remained. Even after I reached my destination 15 miles and 30 minutes later, I can still smell fuel under the hood. I have called village subaru (61 powdermill rd. Acton, ma 01742 978‑897‑1128) and scheduled a service on monday. Thank you, - alex teng.
Gas leek in engine bay.
On jan. 5, 2004 as I was driving my 2002 subaru wrx I could smell fuel coming in from the vents. I pulled over and popped the hood to get a very strong scent of fuel around the intake manifold. Subaru has issued a tsb on this, but why there is no recall is still bothersome to me. Leaking fuel in the engine compartment is not a good thing and this needs to be a recall. There have been several complaints from other wrx owners on this same issue.
The consumer smelled gas inside the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that the clamp on the fuel line came loose and leaked fuel.
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