There is a strong fuel/gasoline smell coming thru the air vents from the engine when the temperature goes under 30-25 degrees farenheit. I've checked under the hood and there is two fuel hoses that start leaking when it gets cold outside. This has been happening every winter since I got my car back in 2016. I had the clamps on the hoses retightened by a subaru dealership but that didn't solve the problem. I'm writing this complaint because there is an open recall for this issue on the 2002 and 2003 wrx, but not on the later models. There's many people on the internet with the same issue and it seems to be happening to other years of wrx and even other models of subaru. It's really stressful and annoying having the strong smell of fuel coming in to your car. Also it's a fire hazard having gasoline pooling up on the engine block. This issue has been known to subaru of america but they only took care of the 2002 and 2003 wrx models. I'm hoping this can somehow help other subaru owners get this problem fixed as it can be something that could end up getting worst.
2004 Subaru Impreza: gas smell in the cabin
22 of the 96 complaints about the 2004 Subaru Impreza describe gas smell in the cabin.
- owner complaints
- 22
- of this car's complaints
- 23%
- typical mileage
- 80,000
- recalls
- 0
Gas smell in the cabin by model year
What owners say
During cold weather a strong smell of fuel can be detected coming from the engine bay while both moving and stationary. This problem only occurs during colder weather.
During the past 8+ winters, there is a strong fuel smell. I've called subaru of america and they said that only the two previous models were recalled for this problem. According to my resarch, it sounds like this problem persists with many subaru models. I've been able to close the air vents to keep the smell out in previous years. Today, white smoke started to come out of my hood while driving and stationary. The temperature is in the single negative digits.I believe there is now enough fuel leakage onto the manifold that it is starting the smoke.
It recently been cold in colorado and now I have this raw fuel smell in cabin during cold weather. Fuel line leaking coming from the rubber hose connector located under the intake manifold, between two direct feed line to the injector.
Please note that recalls have been done for the exact same problem on the 2002 & 2003 subaru impreza models, but not the 2004. When the vehicle is parked or being driven in colder temperatures (below 45 degrees), the fuel hose constricts causing fuel to spill out onto the intake manifold & the engine to heavily smoke. During warmer temperatures, the vehicle does not smoke but there is still a strong smell of gasoline in the passenger compartment. The fuel hoses are intact with no cracks or breaks of any kind. I have found hundreds of other 2004 model consumer's with the same issue. I have attached a copy of one of the forum's for your reference. I have called subaru of america regarding this, but have been told my claim is not valid because the vehicle hasn't had this problem before. I explained that the vehicle hadn't lived in colder temperatures until we bought it. Still no help. This has the potential to cause an engine fire and poses a huge safety risk. Please help!
Strong fuel smell when temperatures are below freezing that does not disipate. 2002-2003 models have been recalled for same design flaw in fuel line. Since I own a 2004, repair may cost upwards of $400 due to extensive labor involved. Found many others with same issue when researching situation online. I am concerned about potential fire hazard.
Raw fuel smell when starting our 2004 subaru wrx in sub freezing weather. The fuel fumes fill the cabin and create a fire hazard under the hood.
There is a very strong smell of unburned fuel in the cabin on cold days (below 10f). The fuel smell dissipates when the car warms-up. The smell has caused passengers in the car to become sick and is a serious distraction to driving. When I contacted two different subaru dealers, they acted like it was the first time they had heard of this issue and both wanted to take the engine apart. However, a quick search on the internet reveals this is a prevalent issue for the subaru impreza in cold weather.
While under freezing temperatures outside car smells strongly of fuel while running. Sometimes it takes half an hour or more to just what I consider breathable air in the cabin. It was -20 degrees outside so opening windows is not an option and driving in gas fumes is not safe.
At temperatures of 20 degrees f or below, there is a strong fuel smell when the car is running. Tightening up the fuel hoses/clamps works for a day or two however the smell always comes back. The smell will go away after 30 minutes to 60 minutes of warming up or driving.
There is a strong gasoline odor when starting the car up in cold weather. The odor of gasoline fills the passenger compartment. It only happens when it's cold outside. We just purchased the car used in july.
In cold temperatures, most often during cold starts, the vehicle's cabin fills with the smell of gasoline. Usually takes about 15 to 30 minutes for odor to go away. During that time at stop signs, stop lights, etc the smell of gasoline persists.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the 2004 Subaru Impreza fuel smell
Is gas smell in the cabin a common problem on the 2004 Subaru Impreza?
22 of 96 owner complaints about the 2004 Subaru Impreza (23%) mention gas smell in the cabin. The model year with the most reports is 2002.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2004 Subaru Impreza?
There is no recall or service bulletin for this area of the car on record.
Other symptoms on the 2004 Subaru Impreza
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