Subaru WRX Complaints (2002)

427 consumer complaints on file.

#10150083February 13, 2006
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
FUEL ODOR / LEAK FROM ENGINE BAY IN COLD TEMPERATURES. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10150197February 13, 2006
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
COLD TEMPERATURE BELOW 40 DEGREES F. FUEL SMELL IN CABIN, AND IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT. CAUSES PASSENGERS TO BE NAUSEOUS. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP THE NEXT DAY OR TWO, AND THEY TIGHTENED THE FUEL LINE CLAMPS. OCCURS EVERY WINTER WHEN TEMPERATURES ARE BELOW 40. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10148054January 18, 2006
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
CAR WAS OUT SIDE OVER NIGHT, TEMPS DROPPED BELOW 35, RAW FUEL SMELL IN CABIN AND AROUND CAR. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10147638January 12, 2006
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
I HAVE A 2002 SUBARU WRX SEDAN. WHEN THE WEATHER IS COLD, THERE IS A STRONG FUEL SMELL IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. WENT TO DEALER TO HAVE IT DIAGNOSED, THEY SAID THERE WAS A FUEL LEAK, WHICH IS COMMON A PROBLEM WITH MY MODEL YEAR AND THAT IT WOULD ~$350 TO FIX. I WOULD THINK THAT IF LEAKING FUEL WAS A "COMMON PROBLEM", THEN THERE WOULD BE A RECALL TO GET THIS FIXED. INHALING GAS FUMES AND THE POSSIBILITY OF A CAR FIRE SEEMS MORE OF A SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE, MORE THAN JUST A QUICK FIX ITEM. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10146754January 3, 2006
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
SHORTLY AFTER STARTING CAR WHEN OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE IS COLD THE SMELL OF GASOLINE OVERWHELMS THE CABIN OF THE CAR. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10145886December 22, 2005
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL
THERE IS A RUBBER FUEL LINE LINKING THE INJECTOR FUEL RAIL TO THE HARD STEEL FUEL LINE LEADING FROM THE FUEL TANK, THAT CONTRACTS AT A DIFFERENT RATE THAN THE FUEL RAIL NIPPLE. THIS CAUSES A FUEL LEAK ON THE TURBO SIDE OF THE ENGINE. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT SUBARU AND IT'S DEALERS ARE WELL AWARE OF AS IT HAPPENS ON THE 2002-3 SUBARU WRXS IN COLD CLIMATES. THE MOST ALARMING ASPECT OF THIS IS NOT JUST A LEAK, BUT THE LEAK IS ON THE TURBO CHARGER SIDE OF THE ENGINE. THE AMOUNT OF HEAT IN THE TURBO WOULD IGNITE VAPORIZED/LIQUID FUEL RATHER QUICKLY. TO ME IT IS REALLY AMAZING THAT THESE THINGS ARE NOT BURSTING INTO FLAMES ALL OVER. THE COMPANY IS ALSO CHARGING THEIR CUSTOMERS FOR THE FIX, WHICH IS EXPENSIVE, TO A PROBLEM THAT IS CLEARLY THEIR FAULT. NOT TO MENTION THAT LEAKING RAW FUEL IS AN ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEM. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10145785December 21, 2005
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
WHEN THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE DROPS BELOW 20F A VERY STRONG GASOLINE SMELL HAPPENS INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE CAR. SUBARU IS AWARE OF THIS AND HAVE TSB 09-36-03 TO COVER CARS UNDER WARRANTY AND EXPECT THE OUT OF WARRANTY OWNER TO HAVE THE MANUFACTURING DEFECT REPAIRED. THIS AFFECTS 2002 WRX CARS AND THE DESIGN WAS CHANGED PER THE TSB. THE SMELL IS SEVERE AND CAN ALSO FILL THE GARAGE WHERE THE CAR IS PARKED. SUBARU ARE AWARE OF THIS AND SHOULD RECALL THE AFFECTED 2002 MODELS. GASOLINE LEAKING ONTO THE AREA OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD HAS TO BE A SAFETY CONCERN. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10145439December 16, 2005
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
DURING THE WINTER MONTHS THE CAR BEGINS TO EMIT THE SMELL OF GAS INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT - SO MUCH THAT I HAVE TO ROLL THE WINDOWS DOWN OR I BEGIN TO GAG. MOST LIKELY THIS IS A FUEL LEAK BUT I CAN'T SEEM TO LOCATE IT. THIS IS ON A 2002 SUBARU WRX SEDAN PURCHASED IN APRIL 2001. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10144894December 10, 2005
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL
VEHICLE IS LEAKING FUEL INTO THE ENGINE BAY. THE PASSENGER SIDE FUEL RAIL IS LEAKING. SUBARU OF AMERICA IS NOT WILLING TO FIX THE ISSUE IT IS HAPPENING TO A LOT OF PEOPLE. THE VEHICLE HAS GASOLINE FUMES COMING IN THROUGH THE VENTS. THE CONDITION IS WORSENED IN WINTER. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10144855December 9, 2005
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
GASOLINE FUEL SMELL IN CABIN OF CAR, WHEN DRIVING AND WARMING IT UP IN THE MORNING. HAD JUST HAD CAR SERVICED BY DEALERSHIP FOR 60,000 MILE CHECK UP. WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE CAR SINCE I COULD SEE GASOLINE POOLED ON ENGINE BLOCK AND WAS SMOKING AS IT EVAPORATED. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED VEHICLE TO HAVE IT SERVICED. WAS INFORMED OF A SERVICE BULLETIN SUBARU PUBLISHED 4/1/03 - BULLETIN NO. 09-36-03 CONCERNING THE PROBLEM AND REPAIR. ASKED DEALERSHIP IF PROBLEM WAS COVERED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY. THEY SAID NO. SINCE THIS PROBLEM WAS IDENTIFIED BY THE MANUFACTURER OF THE VEHICLE BEFORE MY PURCHASE OF THE CAR AND IS IN FACT A SAFETY ISSUE, I AM CONFUSED AS TO WHY THIS REPAIR IS NOT COVERED BY THE DEALERSHIP/MANUFACTURER OF THE VEHICLE. PAID FOR REPAIR COST OF $ 818. DEALERSHIP UNWILLING TO TRY TO HELP RESOLVE MY ISSUE WITH THE REPAIR. CONTACTED AUTO MANUFACTURER DIRECTLY AND AM WAITING FOR RESPONSE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10144860December 9, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
IN REGARDS TO NHTSA ACTION NUMBER : PE04002 I HAVE A 2002 SUBARU WRX WITH 34000 MILES AND LIVE IN HOUSTON, TX. I FIRST ENCOUNTERED THE PROBLEM WHEN VISITING MY FAMILY IN FT. WORTH SEVERAL YEARS AGO. IT WAS NOT VERY COLD, BUT THERE WAS SNOW ON THE GROUND. I STARTED THE CAR AND TURNED ON THE HEATER TO LET CAR WARM UP. WHEN I RETURNED ABOUT FIVE MINUTES LATER, I DETECTED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE BEFORE GETTING IN. THE FUMES INSIDE WERE UNBEARABLE AND I HAD TO AIR OUT THE CAR BEFORE DRIVING, BUT THE ORDER PERSISTED FOR ABOUT AN HOUR. I LEFT FOR HOUSTON THAT EVENING AND THOUGHT THE FUMES WERE JUST A ONE TIME OCCURRENCE. LAST NIGHT I VISITED A FRIEND FOR ABOUT 2 HOURS. IT RARELY GETS VERY COLD IN HOUSTON, BUT AT 9 P.M. LAST NIGHT WHEN I LEFT THE TEMPERATURE WAS PROBABLY JUST A LITTLE ABOVE FREEZING. WHEN I STARTED THE CAR ALL APPEARED NORMAL, BUT WHEN I TURNED ON THE HEATER, THE SMELL OF GAS WAS OVERWHELMING. I AIRED OUT THE CAR WHILE DRIVING, BUT THE GOT THE SAME RESULT EVERY TIME I TRIED TO USE THE HEATER. THE CAR REEKED OF RAW GASOLINE WHEN I PARKED IT AFTER THE 1.5 MILE DRIVE HOME. I GOT ON-LINE AFTER I GOT HOME AND FOUND OUT THIS WAS A VERY COMMON COMPLAINT AND THAT TSB HAD BEEN ISSUED. I ALSO SAW YOUR ACTION AND BELIEVE SUBARU OF AMERICA MAY HAVE GIVEN YOU THE IMPRESSION THAT THE DEFECT IS THE RESULT OF "VERY COLD CONDITIONS." FROM WHAT I'VE SEEN ON THE INTERNET, I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT TO BE THE CASE. HTTP://FORUMS.NASIOC.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=675874&HIGHLIGHT=FUEL+LEAK HTTP://WWW.WRXFORUM.COM/CGI-BIN/ULTIMATEBB.CGI?UBB=PRINT_TOPIC;F=3;T=008039 HTTP://WWW.DAYTONSUBIES.COM/FORUMS/INDEX.PHP?ACT=ST&F=3&T=185 HTTP://64.119.173.9/FORUMS/PRINTTHREAD.PHP?T=81610 HTTP://CLUBWRX.NET/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=48256 ANYWAY, I BELIEVE RAW GASOLINE LEAKING ONTO THE TOP OF THE ENGINE IN THE QUANTITIES THAT WOULD CAUSE THAT STRONG OF ODOR HAS TO CREATE A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY HAZARD; AND THAT IT HAPPENS MORE OFTEN THAN SOA HAS ADMITTED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10144739December 8, 2005
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
RAW FUEL SMELL DURING COLDER WEATHER. THE SMELL IS FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND IS DUE TO POORLY DESIGNED FUEL DELIVERY PIPING/HOSES. RAW FUEL IS LEAKING FROM THE FUEL DELIVERY PIPING/HOSES AND THEN PUDDLES ON THE ENGINE BLOCK. THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT AND SUBARU OF AMERICA STILL WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE ANY ISSUES NOR FIX THE PROBLEM. THE THREAT OF ENGINE FIRE IS VERY REAL AS IS PERSONAL INJURY AND/OR DEATH. I STRONGLY ENCOURAGE NHTSA TO INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY HURT OR KILLED. TO FIX THIS PROBLEM WOULD BE MUCH BETTER FOR SOA THAN TO DEAL WITH LAWSUITS INVOLVING INJURY & DEATH. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10144763December 8, 2005
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
SINCE THE WEATHER HAS GOTTEN COLDER THERE IS A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THIS IS DUE TO A LEAK IN THE FUEL LINE BETWEEN A RUBBER HOSE AND A METAL FUEL LINE. SUBARU IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL. (TSB 09-36-03) SEE POST HERE: HTTP://FORUMS.NASIOC.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=131755&PAGE=7&PP=25. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10144706December 7, 2005
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
THIS IS A FOLLOW UP TO COMPLAINT 10144181. I TRIED TO CALL IN A FOLLOW UP AND WAS TREATED WITH TOTAL INDIFFERENCE. THE WEATHER IS NOW IN THE -8 TO +5 RANGE HERE IN WESTERN NE AND THE FUEL LEAK DOES NOT STOP, EVER. AFTER DRIVING 20 MILES TO WORK AND PARKING THE SMELL IS SO STRONG I FELT LIGHT HEADED, HEADACHE AND NAUSEOUS. A CO-WORKER PARKED 2 SPACES AWAY COULD SMELL IT GETTING OUT OF HIS CAR. I HAVE PARKED THE CAR. I WILL NOT SUBJECT MYSELF OF MY FAMILY TO THE HEALTH AND FIRE RISK. I GUESS I WILL WAIT UNTIL SOMEONE DIES FROM A FIRE OR ASPHYXIATION AND THEN SEE IF THERE IS ANY RECALL OR REACTION FROM THE NHTSA. THIS IS CUT DIRECTLY FOR YOUR WEB SITE. HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV/PAGES/ODIFAQSREV2.HTM#OD5 WHAT ARE EXAMPLES OF SAFETY DEFECTS? EXAMPLES INCLUDE: PROBLEMS WITH FUEL SYSTEM COMPONENTS, PARTICULARLY IN THEIR SUSCEPTIBILITY TO CRASH DAMAGE, THAT RESULT IN LEAKAGE OF FUEL AND POSSIBLY CAUSE VEHICLE FIRES. FORGET CRASH DAMAGE, THIS THING LEAKS FUEL SITTING STILL. REVIEWING THIS MODEL YEAR ON YOUR SITE I NOTICE PEOPLE ARE LOGGING COMPLAINTS UNDER THE IMPREZA MODEL AND THE WRX MODEL AND IF YOU LOOK THROUGH THE COMPLAINTS ON THESE SYMPTOMS THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS. I AM SHOCKED THAT NO RECALL HAS BEEN FORCES CONSIDERING IT IS, BY YOUR OWN DEFINITION, A SAFETY HAZARD. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10143683November 26, 2005
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
WITH REGARDS TO THE INVESTIGATION LISTED BELOW, I WOULD LIKE TO ATTEST THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED. AS REGARDS THE LEAKING OF FUEL INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, IT IS A MORE SERIOUS HAZARD THAN INDICATED IN YOUR IMPOVERISHED DATA. IN MANY CASES, THE FUEL DOES NOT CEASE TO LEAK WHEN THE CAR HAS WARMED UP, AND WILL CONTINUE TO LEAK FUEL STEADILY. THIS PRODUCES PUDDLES ON THE HOT INTAKE MANIFOLD, AND TOXIC CONDITIONS FOR PASSENGERS AND BYSTANDERS. AS MENTIONED IN SUBARU TSB 09-36-03, UNDER COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS, FUEL WILL LEAK FROM A RUBBER-METAL JOINT IN THE FUEL LINE. THE REASON GIVEN IS THAT THE STIFFENING OF THE RUBBER IN COLD WEATHER DEPRIVES THE MATERIAL OF THE RESILIENCY NEEDED TO PROVIDE STRAIN RELIEF FOR THE HIGH PRESSURE RUBBER-METAL JOINT, THIS STRESSING THE JOINT, AND ALLOWING FUEL TO LEAK FROM IT. IN MY CASE, AND IN THE CASE OF MANY OTHERS I HAVE RESEARCHED, THE FUEL WILL CONTINUE TO LEAK EVEN AFTER THE ENGINE IS WARMED UP, CONTRARY TO YOUR REPORT. I BELIEVE THAT YOUR REPORT HAS UNDERSTATED THE PROBLEM, AND BELIEVE THAT A RECALL SHOULD BE STRONGLY RECOMMENDED. == NHTSA ACTION NUMBER : PE04002 NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER : N/A MAKE / MODELS : MODEL/BUILD YEARS: SUBARU / IMPREZA 2002-2003 SUBARU / WRX 2002-2003 MANUFACTURER : SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. COMPONENT : FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS DATE INVESTIGATION OPENED : JANUARY 7, 2004 DATE INVESTIGATION CLOSED : MAY 27, 2004. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10143677November 25, 2005
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
EXTREMELY STRONG RAW FUEL SMELL INSIDE CAB OF CAR AND IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT. FOUND FUEL LEAKING FROM A LINE AND POOLING ON THE ENGINE BLOCK. HAVE READ NUMEROUS POSTS ABOUT THIS ON THE MULTIPLE SUBARU WRX AND RELATED WEB FORUMS. THE PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE COMING FROM A LOOSE CLAMP WHERE A RUBBER HOSE MEETS A METAL FUEL LINE....I CAN VISIBLY SEE FUEL DRIPPING ONTO THE ENGINE!. I CANNOT GET AT ALL THE HOSE CLAMPS AND CANNOT AFFORD THE $400 - $600 OTHERS ON THE FORUMS HAVE BEEN QUOTED FOR THE FIX. SUBARU HAS RELEASED A TSB FOR THIS PROBLEM ON 2002 WRX'S LIKE MINE BUT FOR SOME REASON HAS NOT ISSUES A RECALL. I GUESS IT'S GOING TO TAKE A BURNT UP FAMILY TO GET IT TAKEN CARE OF....I JUST HOPE IT'S NOT MINE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10143101November 18, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
RAW FUEL SMELL IN COLD WEATHER; SUBARU TSB 09-36-03, ISSUE DATE 04/01/03 SEVERE RAW FUEL SMELL AND FUMES IN CABIN. ENGINE IS LEAKING COPIOUS AMOUNTS OF FUEL. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10141348October 31, 2005
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
1) FAILURE: SEVERELY LEAKING FUEL ON MY 2002 WRX WHENEVER THE WEATHER GETS COLD. 2) CONSEQUENCES: POTENTIAL ENGINE FIRE. GASOLINE POOLS ON THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. *JB 3) THIS IS ADDRESSED UNDER SUBARU TSB 03-51-02 BUT IT HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED AS OF YET. I CALLED MY LOCAL SUBARU SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THEY WERE UNAWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10139631October 13, 2005
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
I OWN A 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION. EVERY ONCE IN AWHILE WHEN I COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND SHIFT INTO FIRST THERE IS A GRIND NOISE. IT WAS INTERMITTENT AND I REPORTED IT AT LEAST 3 OR 4 TIMES AND THE DEALER COULDN'T REPRODUCE IT.. FINALLY AFTER DOING IN FOR OVER A YEAR IT HAS GOTTEN BAD ENOUGH THEY COULD REPRODUCE IT.. THEY TORE IT DOWN AND THE FIRST GEAR SYNCHO IS BAD AND THEY WILL NOT COVER IT UNDER WARRANTY STATING DRIVER ABUSE.. THIS IS TOTAL BS I NEVER ABUSED THE CAR, IT HAS BEEN DOING IT FOR A WHILE AND OTHER DRIVERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. IN FACT BETWEEN MY WIFE AND I WE HAVE HAD 6 CARS WITH STANDARDS AND HAVE NEVER HAD SUCH A PROBLEM.. THE ABUSE CLAIM IS JUST TO GET OUT OF PAYING FOR A FAILURE OVER TIME IN A FAULTY TRANSMISSION AND THE EXTENDED WARRANTY I HAVE IS SUPPOSED TO COVER IT.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10139446October 12, 2005
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
IN REFERENCE TO SUBARU SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER 09-36-03, I HAVE A FUEL LEAK IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT DUE TO FAULTY HOSES/CLAMPS. ALTHOUGH NO DEATHS OR ACCIDENTS HAVE OCCURRED AS A RESULT, THIS PROBLEM HAS GREAT POTENTIAL TO CAUSE HARM FROM FUMES TO POSSIBLE FIRE. PLEASE URGE SUBARU TO PERFORM A SAFETY RECALL ON THE NECESSARY PARTS!*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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