Under cold conditions (40f or less) the rubber fuel rails will contract under the intake manifold and will slowly leak gasoline causing an overwhelming smell and possibility for a fire. This happens when the car is both stationary and under motion. This problem was acknowledged in the year 2009 for the 2002-2003 year models for the subaru impreza wrx and a recall was enacted. However, this recall did not include the 2004-2005 models even though the same engine with the same fuel rails were used. This problem has been consistent and predictable for the 3 winters that I have owned the car. I have also heard from others with the same year car that they are having similar problems. The pictures I included show the screw that clamps the rubber hoses. The gas leaks at this connecting point but it was hard to get a picture of the actual hoses. I have contacted subaru of america and they directed me to bring this up with the federal safety agency. Thank you!
2004 Subaru Impreza fuel system complaints
Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 37 of 37, newest first, as owners wrote them.
In tempatures less than freezing, a strong odor of gasoline is noticed within the cabin. Fuel lines are not cracked in any way, clamps have been tightened, all measures taken up to replacing all fuel lines, which is not needed. This is a known issues with prior models as well.
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.
In cold weather <30 degrees f, gasoline leaks from the fuel lines under the intake manifold. The leak appears to be coming from where the rubber fuel line is connected to the metal fuel line on under the passenger side of the intake manifold. Looks to be a loose hose clamp. There is no access to this line to facilitate tightening.
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.
My 2004 impreza wrx sti leaks gasoline out of a fuel line under the intake manifold every time the temperature drops below about 30 f. The rubber hose connecting the metal fuel lines isn't long enough and at that temperature the shrinkage is enough to make it visibly drip gasoline while the car is running. The hose location requires removing the intake manifold to gain access to fix the problem. I've researched this issue and there are many, many subaru owners with the same problem. Subaru did a recall for 2000-2002 vehicles, but this problem affects many other years of impreza with the exact same fuel rail setup.
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.
As with the previous years of this vehicle, I am experiencing the fuel leak under my intake manifold from the rubber fuel lines in cold weather. I have not experienced fire but the danger is present as the leak is near the turbo inlet and exhaust. The 2002-03 imprezas have been recalled.
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.
Upon cold starting the car there is a prominent raw fuel smell. It only seems to happen when temperatures outside are sub-freezing. The lower the temperature the worse the fuel smell becomes. After the car has warmed up the fuel smell goes away. It is very similar to the problem subaru had with it's 02-03 imprezas, which they issued a recall for the fuel lines, which were too short and in the cold would shrink further causing a leak until the car warmed up. I am submitting this complaint because subaru of america denies the issue exists and is charging around $400 at the dealership to swap out the fuel lines.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 subaru impreza. The contact stated that they smelled fuel coming from the vents inside the cabin of the vehicle. The contact looked under the hood and found that the clamp going to the high pressure fuel rail for the injectors was loose and leaking fuel. The contact tightened the clamp and planned to take the vehicle to the dealer. The failure and the current mileages were 95,068.
Upon starting the car during the colder winter months, a raw fuel smell will begin to fill the cabin if the HVAC system is turned on to vent fresh air. This smell is strong enough to cause lightheadedness and the sensation of nausea. Upon further investigation, the passenger side fuel line is leaking fuel underneath the intake manifold, to the extent that you can visibly see a puddle of fuel boiling on top of the engine block. This happens because there are two hard metal fuel lines running to the fuel injectors connected by a small piece of rubber hose with clamps. However this hose from the factory is cut too short, so when the temperature is cold enough the rubber looses its elastic properties and as the metal lines vibrate / move with the motor, it leaks fuel out of the rubber hose. This problem has been addressed by subaru in the tsb #09-36-03. They offer to replace the rubber hose and hard metal fuel line for model years 2002 and 2003 impreza wrx's free of charge. Having been an owner of a 2002 impreza wrx before purchasing my 2004 impreza wrx, I had this service performed at my local subaru dealership. I am disgusted to find out that this coverage does not apply to the model year 2004 impreza wrx, when it features an identical motor and drivetrain to the previous years (2002, 2003.) this means that the fueling system is identical as well, and that the previously acknowledged raw fuel leak is happening in my car as well. The fact that the 2004 impreza wrx has the same motor. And same fuel system, and subaru of america will openly deny coverage to have the parts replaced is truly disgusting in itself. Raw fuel leaking on top of a hot engine block, around sources of ignition is the most extreme of safety hazards, and now I own a vehicle in which I cannot transport my wife and child. I am truly disappointed in subaru for turning a cold shoulder to this.
Fuel leaking from hoses under intake manifold, causing pooling of fuel on top of the motor.
Today's date is december 06, 2008. I started to smell a foul gas smell inside my cabin a few days ago. The smell has occurred since then. What seems to trigger the smell of gas is the cold start ups in temperature degrees of low 20's and below. The smell is extreme. It's enough to make sitting driving almost unbearable, my passengers, along with me get headaches. I am forced to open the windows in freezing weather to allow the gas smell to exit. The smell goes away after opening windows and/or 10 or more minutes of vehicle operation. I have only searched for help from the nasioc online community. It is a community of thousands of subaru owners who as well have reported hundred of cases of the same gas smell.
I was driving down a main road in boston when my engine caught on fire. As a result I ended up crashing into a snow bank. When I reported this to the dealership they said that they would look at the problem and fix it. When the car was inspected it was found to have aftermarket parts that are not d.o.t. Legal and no c.a.r.b. Id's. All of these modifications were installed prior of me buying this vehicle and it was sold to me with a warrenty. I had complained about a smell of gas and a huge loss of oil before this happened but was told that is how a subaru impreza wrx sti runs. Also the dealership got a emmisions sticker for this car when it will not pass emissions with all of the afterarket parts. Nothing has been done to fix this problem and the dealership refuses to take any responsibility for this event.
My 2004 subaru wrx sti has a fuel odor in the cabin when the car is started in moderately cool temperatures. The problem is described in odi resume pe 04-002. The manufacturer says the problem occurs in very cold temperatures and stops quickly. I have found that it occurs in moderate temps. Below 50f and lasts for 20 to thirty minutes. I take this to mean that the problem is worsening and could result in ignition of the leaking fuel. This problem occurs in several models of subaru according to my internet research. The manufacturer has a service bulletin #09-36-03 that describes how to fix the problem but the cost would have to be paid by me. I believe this to be a serious design flaw and that the manufacturer should be required to fix it under a recall.
I own a 2004 subaru impreza wagon wrx with 67,000 miles on it. I bought the car from someone in nm and I live in colorado springs, co. It had no issues in the summer and fall but in the winter I had a fuel smell in cabin with heater running during a cold day ~15 degrees f or below. I thought it was just a fluke but it now happens every time I start the car in the morning, evening or when engine has cooled down and it is really cold outside (less than 20 degrees f). I called a local subaru dealer and they said around $500.00 to fix issue. Seems the rubber hoses on the fuel rails contract when it is very cold outside. I have seen on the web that this problem has been occurring in 2002 wrxs as well. I can't believe subaru has not done a recall for this serious issue! The fuel smell gives me a headache and pollutes the environment. I would try to fix myself but getting to the fuel rails requires extensive top side engine tear down.
Fuel odor in vehicle cabin when starting in cool/cold temperatures.
During cold weather my 2004 subaru wrx smells of fuel both inside and outside of the vehicle. Using the heat causes the odor to increase and turning off the heat to dissipate the odor causes all of the windows to fog up and/or ice-over. The fumes have caused my eyes to water and have also given me headaches.
2004 impreza sti - repeated momentary fuel cut out during left turns. Never during right turns; left turns only. Low speed and high speed. At all fuel levels. Will happen 3 times in one day, then go away for 3 weeks before occuring again. Occurs frequently during left turns and u-turns at intersections. Car hesitates for a moment as if fuel to engine was momentarily cut. Engine does not stall however and comes back to normal operation after the momentary hesitation. Have tried to resolve issue with both my local authorized subaru dealer and corporate subaru of america service rep. Neither were able to recreate problem and say they are unable to resolve issue. Continued fuel cut out for no apparent reason causing car to hesitate is a serious safety issue. I am afraid to make left turns at intersections in front of oncoming traffic for fear that my car will not respond. My car has no modifications and has been experiencing this problem since it had less than 12,000 miles. Several other owners of identical car also reporting exact same issues. I will have them join me in this complaint process to the federal safety agency.
Ref pe04002: subaru impreza wrx '02/'03 fuel leak 1 ? Temp: ~5 deg. F overnight. Started car in am; smelled raw fuel via the vents. 2 - with flashlight could see leakage from both hose clamps noted in subaru tsb (09-36-03); also took photos. Front clamp: pressurized stream of fuel; approx. 2 oz. Fuel pooled in recess in the manifold by the time engine shut off. Rear clamp: rapid drip of fuel; approximately 0.5 oz. Pooled. Fuel accumulation occurred within approx. 3 min. Of starting. 3 - spent 6+ hrs tightening the screws on both clamps. Both leaks diminished to slow drip; not stopped completely; min. Fuel pooling, still there if temp low enough. Tsb fix not implemented yet. Filing complaint against closed pe04002 because: a - no mention of fuel accumulation in the published resolution, only smell of fuel. Numerous instances reported online of noticeable fuel leakage. B - subject vehicles noted for their all weather travel ability; commonly used for winter sports - potentially vulnerable to this problem. C - apparently no reported fires due to this problem, but it seems very possible: coincidental electrical fault or static electricity discharge. D - if vents closed, fuel accumulation could occur unnoticed. E - if fuel pooled under a leaking junction ignited it seems very possible that the heat generated could burn/melt the hose above and create a far larger discharge of fuel. While the odor of fuel may not be a significant safety problem, I cannot see how significant fuel leakage onto a running engine can be considered anything except a safety issue.
A terrible raw fuel smell is present in the cabin at startup in cold weather. Fuel seems to be leaking and pooling somewhere. This is not the same leak as the tsb for 2002 models.
The "check engine" light has come on 7 times since the vehicle was purchased new in january 2004. The first two times I was told by the dealership (valley dodge, inc.) that it was a false code (#p0301) for a 1st cylinder miss fire. On the third time the "check engine" light came on, the dealership removed the ECM and sent to the subaru of america, inc. Factory to reprogram. The fourth time the dealership, per subaru of america, inc. Factory, adjusted the #1 cylinder exhaust valve. The fifth and sixth time, the dealership per subaru of america, inc. Replaced the injection and still have the car to beta test on a 100-mile 'test drive' as I was told to compare the read-outs from the ECM during this 'test-drive.' I have been without the vehicle for 20 days non-consecutive in the 6 months that I have owned the vehicle.
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