Fuel line leaking gas in cold weather. I really don't think it's safe to drive with quite a bit of gas leaking all over the right side of the engine that gets very hot and could cause a fire.
2003 Subaru Impreza: fuel leak
13 of the 62 complaints about the 2003 Subaru Impreza describe fuel leak.
- owner complaints
- 13
- of this car's complaints
- 21%
- typical mileage
- 99,850
- recalls
- 1
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall for this area of the car. See below
Fuel leak by model year
What owners say
My car is leaking fuel. I smell the poisonous fuel inside my vehicle every time I am inside it. I am losing 50 miles per full tank. Can this leak cause my car to blow-up and kill me or others? I am scared. My name is [xxx] from clifton new jersey. My extended warranty expired in november. Isn't safety more important than a 3 month expired warranty? I work for nj transit, I know the dot would be concerned! Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Tl - the contact owns a 2003 subaru impreza. The contact stated that fuel fumes were emitted in and around the vehicle. The contact mentioned that after inspecting the vehicle he noticed that there was a fuel leak. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technician confirmed the failure. As a result, some of the fuel lines needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 160,000. Rk
Only on cold days I smell fuel while driving, upon investagation I found that the little rubber lines under the intake were leaking fuel on to the top of the engine. I called subaru and they said the they know about the problem but my car is not in the recall becauase I don;t live in the affected states so if I move to newyork or michigan I would be covered well I like ohio so if this could get expanded that would be great.
Following initial startup in cold weather, fuel leak occurs in engine compartment. Leak causes gasoline odor in vehicle cabin and poses fire hazard. Once engine is warm, after a few minutes, leak and odor dissipate. Initial occurrence was in 2008 at high altitude. Problem did not resurface in southern california where night time temperatures are now low enough for issue to manifest. Since relocating to san joaquin valley, where overnight temperatures are significantly lower, problem occurs on every morning start in cold weather.
Fuel leaking from lines in engine compartment of 2003 (man. Date july 2002) subaru wrx sedan. Leak appears to be triggered by cold temperatures. Fuel pools in the engine compartment. Very strong smell of fuel in the passenger compartment. Contacted local dealer, who did not think it was a serious issue.
2003 subaru wrx. Cold start raw fuel smell. Fuel leak under intake on passenger side.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 subaru impreza. As soon as the vehicle is started in the mornings, a fuel leak occurs. The metal fuel rail will shrink if the temperature reaches below 30 degrees. The contact referenced tsb number 09-3603. The manufacturer advised him to take his vehicle to the dealer for repairs. The failure mileage was 140,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 subaru impreza. In freezing weather conditions, the contact could smell a strong odor of gasoline. The odor was so strong as if someone doused the vehicle in gasoline. She was unable to determine the origin of the odor, but the vehicle could not be driven because of the intense smell. The dealer stated that there were no recalls; therefore, they could not assist with the repairs. The failure mileage was 37,654 and current mileage was 55,000. 4/01/09 *nj the consumer husband found gas leaking onto the engine. After doing some research, the consumer found the leak happens when the weather is cold. Updated 04/07/09.
Due to a flawed design related to the fuel delivery system, whenever the outside temperature drops below 14 degrees a rubber hose contracts and gasoline leaks out of a fuel rail connection above the engine on the passenger side. This flaw is outlined in subaru service bulletin (#09-36-03). I think it is a dangerous situation having raw fuel leaking onto an engine especially since the smell inside the cabin of the car is extremely strong. This design issue should have forced a recall, yet it has not and subaru dealers are charging in excess of $500 to correct the situation by replacing the rubber hose with one that is 30mm longer. The leaking fuel situation has been an issue with the vehicle since I originally purchased it. It seems to be getting more severe each winter with today being no exception. The temperature here in cheyenne this morning was in a low teens and even as I went to get into the vehicle I could smell gas as I stood next to the car. When I turned on the fan for the heater the cabin filled with gas fumes. A quick search of the internet revealed that there are hundreds of comments, postings and threads by owners who are experiencing this hazardous problem.
I have a cold weather fuel leak underneath the intake manifold. This fuel leak causes the cabin of the car to fill up with volatile fumes. It is a visible leak and drips on top of the engine near sources of ignition. I contacted subaru of america and 3 of my local dealerships and they have acknowledged the problem but only rank it as a service bulletin not a recall. This problem exists with all subaru wrx owners in a cold climate. Use a search engine on the internet for (cold weather fuel leak wrx ect..) and you will find thousands of affected owners. Subaru wants $500-$900 for the repair. I believe that this is a serious hazard for explosion, health, and the environment. Please help.
For a couple of years in cold weather, usually below 32 degrees, the smell of gasoline existed in the cabin of the vehicle. I had it checked during an local state inspection and discovered fuel was leaking on the passenger side of the engine compartment. It was discovered that the manufacturer was aware of this. I contacted three(3) local dealers, that all new about tsb 09-36-03. They all quoted the same $500 estimate to repair. Two of the dealers, subaru of dallas and huffines subaru in dallas texas informed me that failure to correct the condition could result in an engine fire. Given the severe nature of the defect, that the manufacturer clearly knows about, this should be upgraded to a recall. 1) the danger of leaking fuel due to a manufacture defect. 2) the hazards of inhaling gasoline fumes 3) the environmental hazard and violations of epa regulations release gasoline and gasoline vapors into the environment.
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump
- What is wrong
- Subaru is recalling certain model year 2002 and 2003 impreza wrx vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of south dakota, nebraska, north dakota, minnesota, idaho, iowa, montana, colorado, wisconsin, new york, wyoming, michigan, alaska, new hampshire, vermont, and maine. 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.
- Risk
- Fuel leaks, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the fuel line free of charge. The recall began on december 31, 2009. Owners may contact subaru at 1‑800‑782‑2783.
Recall number 09V468000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2003 Subaru Impreza fuel leak
Is fuel leak a common problem on the 2003 Subaru Impreza?
13 of 62 owner complaints about the 2003 Subaru Impreza (21%) mention fuel leak. The model year with the most reports is 2002.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2003 Subaru Impreza?
There is 1 recall and 0 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2003 Subaru Impreza
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