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.
2003 Subaru Impreza fuel system complaints
Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 26 of 26, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 subaru impreza. The contact stated that while driving approximately 1 MPH after accelerating from a complete stop, a strong odor of fuel was smelled inside the vehicle. There was no visible sign of a leak. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the fuel line and clamps were replaced. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number 09v468000 (fuel system, gasoline). The approximate failure mileage was 61,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 subaru impreza. The contact stated that the front end of the vehicle smelled of gasoline. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was told that there was a leak coming from the fuel delivery line. The contact referenced the federal safety agency campaign id number: 09v468000 (fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump), but was told by the manufacturer that the vehicle was not included in the recall campaign. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileages were 137,000.
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.
2003 subaru impreza sport wagon. In cold weather, strong smell of raw gasoline fills the passenger compartment. It sickens my children.
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.
2003 subaru impreza wrx has a problem with the rubber connector between fuel lines. Consumer feels that it should be a recall for this part and would like assistance with the repair cost. *nj the consumer smelled a strong odor of gas when the vehicle was cold.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 subaru impreza. The contact smelled a strong odor of gasoline coming from the vehicle. She took the vehicle to a local dealer and had it repaired according to a tsb (replacement of the fuel lines). The contact had to assume financial responsibility for the repair because there was no recall for that component. Weeks later, the failure recurred and a technician stated that they would have to repair the vehicle according to another tsb (add clamps to fuel lines). She is in the process of having the vehicle repaired. The manufacturer did not offer any assistance. The failure mileage was 135,000 and current mileage was 140,000.
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.
Tl* - the contact owns a 2003 subaru impreza. While attempting to warm the vehicle, the contact smelled fuel in the passenger compartment. He immediately looked under the hood and saw a constant dripping of fuel onto the engine. He turned the vehicle off. The vehicle has not been driven since the failure on january 20, 2007. The vehicle was purchased in may 2006. However, the problem only occurred in the winter months. The vehicle hasd the same problem as stated the federal safety agency action number pe04002 which has been closed, and did not result in a recall.
See odi number 10179098 (cont). I do not know if subaru will assuage my concerns, but I cannot in good conscience not report this issue. First I think you have underestimated the fire danger. True there have been no fires caused directly by this problem (I think), but the problem only occurs in the cold, there are relatively few wrxs (when compared to ford explorers), and people who drive them normally are gearheads and take pretty good care of their cars--I.e. When they smell fuel they fix their car rapidly, or they have already modified their car with different fuel lines and no longer have the problem. I have to question how thoroughly you investigated this issue since your investigation only lasted 5 months. Were independent tests performed? From your statement you seem to be taking subaru's word. The smell continues after the car is running, significant amounts of fuel are involved, and the fuel drips onto the engine block or turbo-very hot components. I don't know how this isn't a fire hazard. Secondly, the fumes are noxious. The first time this problem occurred I was transporting my newborn baby daughter home from the hospital. This is our only car. Please consider if you would like your child riding around in a vehicle with this problem. I think this is as much of a safety hazard as the fire danger. I would be happy to help with any investigation. I will provide an official statement, or allow you to come to my home do any diagnostics you would like to my car. I have to admit, I am somewhat disappointed at the federal safety agency's response to this issue. It seems that many have reported this issue, and the investigation has not been reopened. As a federal employee I know it is my responsibility to protect the public. I hope you feel the same way. I will be sending a copy of the note to my congresswoman, my senators, the senate committee on commerce; science; and transportation, and the house transportation and infrastructure committee. Thank you.
This is regarding a 2003 subaru impreza wrx. I am experiencing the fuel leak addressed in the federal safety agency action number : pe04002. I am located in albuquerque, new mexico. Recently I have had the car outside in temperatures as low as 30 f (nights are spent in a garage next to a furnace--probably 40 f). I am having the fuel leak that you and subaru of america claim occurs at only "extremely low temperatures." I have had it occur three times, and both times the fuel smell persisted after 15 minutes of driving, even with windows open. The fuel smell was bad enough that it gave me a headache and was detectable in my garage the next day by both my wife and I (and my wife did not know about the smell, I asked her to check the next morning if she smelled anything to confirm my nose). I brought it to the dealer to fix. They never mentioned the tsb, the federal safety agency investigation, or how common the problem is. They did diagnose exactly the problem noted in the tsb. After being quoted north of $600 to fix the problem, I brought the car home because parts needed to be ordered. Researching on the internet I found multiple complaints on the web, including complaints on nasioc and clubwrx.com. I contacted subaru of america about the problem. I am still working with subaru of america to fix the problem, but based on others comments, subaru's response has been erratic, and I am not counting on anything. (continued).
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