My 2003 Subaru Impreza WRX has a very strong fuel odor that is coming into the cabin when I start my car up on cold days. It's been unusually cold here in Washington state this winter with temperatures in Seattle dipping well below freezing. I see that there is a recall for this exact problem for my exact car . But when I called the dealer (Michael's Bellevue Subaru), and then subsequently called Subaru (1-800-SUBARU3), they told me that they will not fix this issue, since this recall does not apply to my state (Washington). I think that's not right. It is the exact same problem of cold weather causing this fuel line to leak, and they should honor this recall.
Subaru Impreza fuel smell problems
140 of the 2,655 owner complaints about the Subaru Impreza describe gas smell in the cabin, most of them for the 2002 model year.
- owner complaints
- 140
- worst model year
- 2002
- typical repair cost reported
- $500
- typical mileage
- 65,000
Is there a fix? There are 5 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
Fuel leak 42Fire or smoke 5Fuel pump 3Transmission failure 1Shudder 1Oil consumption 1Loss of power 1
What owners say
I noticed fresh smell of gasoline everytime I start the car. I look at the fuel line and its sipping fuel.
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.
Strong smell of fuel upon start-up when in sub-freezing conditions. It has occurred twice in 2019, which are the only recent times it has been exposed to those conditions. The first occurrence was in february, 2019. The second was in november, 2019. Recall 09v468000 applies to my model vehicle, but only in certain states. The recall, therefore, does not apply to my VIN, although the description of the recall notice appears to match the symptoms of my car. After speaking with subaru, they indicated they are not willing to do anything about it because my VIN is not covered in the recall.
After 7 weeks and multiple cosmetic attempts to repair the damage they did to my car I am still driving an unsafe car that smells of gas. All of this occurring after a faulty recall repair (that they do not deny) that nearly caused a multi car crash on rt495. What I want from patrick motors/ subaru of america: I want my car repaired as soon as possible to the satisfaction that the car is not dangerous to drive. Can you help me!
In cold temperatures the fuel leaks from rubber fuel lines onto the fuel rail and manifold resulting in a very strong fuel odor coming into the vehicles cabin. When at a stop with the vehicle idiling the smell is overwhelming. Not nearly as bad while driving.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 subaru impreza. The contact stated that the vehicle emitted an abnormal fuel odor without warning. Subaru of winchester (3019 valley ave, winchester, va) diagnosed that the fuel line was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that a manager would call the contact. The failure mileage was approximately 151,000.
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.
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump
- What is wrong
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Ascent, 2018 Forester, 2018-2020 Impreza, Legacy, Outback, 2018-2019 BRZ, WRX, and Toyota 86 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
- Risk
- Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the low-pressure fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2021. Subaru and Toyota owners may call customer service at 1‑844‑373‑6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRG-21.
Recall number 21V587000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump
- What is wrong
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2019 Impreza, Outback, Legacy, and Ascent vehicles. The low pressure fuel pump may become inoperative.
- Risk
- If the low pressure fuel pump fails, the engine may stall without the ability to restart the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the low pressure fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2020. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1‑844‑373‑6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRD-20.
Recall number 20V218000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2017 Impreza vehicles. Winter fuels may vaporize prematurely in the fuel line, resulting in a reduction in fuel pressure, possibly causing the engine to stall.
- Risk
- An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the engine control unit to turn the radiator cooling fan on at a lower temperature, free of charge. The recall began on April 20, 2017. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1‑800‑782‑2738. Subaru's number for this recall is WTP-75.
Recall number 17V216000 · Recall details
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
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap
- What is wrong
- The fuel filler system does not comply with the leakage requirements of fmvss 301, "fuel system integrity".
- Risk
- Leaking fuel can result in a fire if exposed to a sourceof ignition.
- Remedy
- A modified replacement fuel vent pipe will be installed on the fuel filler system to reduce leaking.
Recall number 93V072000 · Recall details
Questions about the Subaru Impreza fuel smell
Which Subaru Impreza years have gas smell in the cabin problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2002 (79 complaints), 2004 (22 complaints) and 2005 (15 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix gas smell in the cabin on the Subaru Impreza?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $500 (median of 11 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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