Subaru WRX Complaints (2002)

427 consumer complaints on file.

#10179033January 18, 2007
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
HAVE NOTICE A STRONG FUEL SMELL WHEN TEMPERATURES DROP BELOW FREEZING IN MY 2002 SUBARU IMPREZZA WRX. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10178988January 17, 2007
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
VERY STRONG ODOR OF FUEL IN CABIN. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10178776January 16, 2007
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
CURRENT OUTDOOR TEMPERATURES ~35 DEGREES F. STRONG SMELL OF GAS COMING FROM FUEL LINES UNDER INTAKE MANIFOLD ON PASSENGER SIDE OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT. ALSO, GAS SMELL INSIDE CAR. I AM AWARE OF AND HAVE READ SUBARU TSB #09-36-03. ALTHOUGH THE TSB STATES IT OCCURS <14 DEGREES F, THE FUEL LEAKAGE PROBLEM IS OCCURING IN MY VEHICLE WELL ABOVE THAT TEMPERATURE. I AM EXTREMELY CONCERNED THAT THIS PROBLEM IS A SAFETY/HEALTH ISSUE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10178731January 15, 2007
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
2002 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX WAGON FUEL LEAK. ~81000 MILES. LEAK DESCRIPTION CONSISTENT WITH SUBARU INTERNAL BULLETIN 09-36-03 WITH THE EXCEPTION THAT QUANTITY OF FUEL WAS SIGNIFICANTLY MORE THAN 1 DROP. A POOL OF FUEL WAS VISIBLE AND DRIPPED LATER ONTO GARAGE FLOOR. OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE WAS APPROXIMATELY 24F WHEN THE LEAK OCCURRED. LEAK HAS CONTINUED TO OCCUR WHEN TEMPERATURE AT SIMILAR RANGE. SUBARU DEALER IS CLAIMING THIS WILL NOT BE COVERED BY SUBARU (OR SUBARU EXTENDED WARRANTY WHICH I AM CURRENTLY COVERED ON) SINCE IT IS ONLY AN ADVISOR AND NOT A RECALL. THE FUEL CONCENTRATION WAS STRONG ENOUGH THAT A FIRE COULD HAVE OCCURRED. I AM SURPRISED THERE WAS NO PREVENTATIVE RECALL OF THIS PROBLEM AFTER RESEARCHING THE NUMBER OF OTHER 2002 WRX OWNERS AFFECTED ALREADY. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10178753January 15, 2007
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
2002 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX TOXIC FUEL BEING FORCED INTO THE CABIN AIR INTAKE AND INGESTED/INHALED BY PASSENGER WHICH IS CAUSING A HEALTH AND SAFETY RISK. POSSIBLE FIRE RISK. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10177744January 4, 2007
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
SEVERE RAW FUEL SMELL COMING FROM PASSENGER SIDE OF THE ENGINE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10176720December 21, 2006
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
2002 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX LEAKS "RAW GAS" COMING FROM THE ENGINE BAY. THE FUMES ARE SO STRONG THAT THEY'LL TRAVEL THROUGH THE FIRE-WALL EVEN WITH THE WINDOWS CLOSED. THE GAS LEAKS VERY CLOSE TO THE TURBO SET UP WHERE TEMPERATURES ARE EXTREMELY HIGH. HEADACHES OCCUR WHILE SMELLING THESE FUMES. GAS MILEAGE IS SEVERELY AFFECTED AND THE RISK OF FIRE IS A MAJOR CONCERN. SUBARU OF AMERICA WON'T RECOGNIZE THIS AS A RECALL AND WILL CHARGE CUSTOMERS FOR REGULAR REPAIRS AT DEALERSHIPS, SOMETIMES IN EXCESS OF $600.00 WHEN THIS SHOULD BE TREATED AS A RECALL SERVICE. I AM A DISABLED/HANDICAPPED PERSON AND THIS SUBARU IS MY ONLY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION. I CANNOT DRIVE THE CAR DUE TO THIS PROBLEM AND I CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR...IT SHOULD BE A RECALL ITEM. I WON'T SACRIFICE MY TWO CHILDREN AND PUT THEM AT DANGER INSIDE THIS CAR WHEN IT'S LEAKING GASOLINE AND POTENTIALLY CREATE A DEADLY ACCIDENT/FIRE. I CAN'T EVEN PARK THE CAR INSIDE THE GARAGE BECAUSE I'M CONCERNED THAT THE FUMES COULD REACH THE HOUSE WATER FURNACE AND TRIGGER A FIRE WHEN IT ENCOUNTERS THE PILOT LIGHT. YOU CAN VERIFY THIS PROBLEM/COMPLAINT AT THE FORUMS OF NASIOC...HUNDREDS/THOUSANDS ARE AFFECTED. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10176367December 18, 2006
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
1. NONE, IT'S A FACTORY DEFECT. SEE SUBARU TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN 09-36-03 "FUEL SMELL IN COLD WEATHER". 2. ANYTIME IT GETS BELOW FREEZING THERE IS RAW FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL RAIL ONTO THE TOP OF THE ENGINE. THIS HAS TO BE A SERIOUS DEFECT! WHAT IS THE RISK OF MY CAR STARTING ON FIRE WHEN FUEL IS BEING LEAKED ONTO THE TOP OF MY MOTOR??? ON TOP OF THAT, WHEN THIS IS HAPPENING YOU HAVE TWO CHOICES IF YOU WANT TO FREEZE YOURSELF. 1. TURN ON THE HEATER AND LET ALL THE RAW FUEL FUMES BLAST YOU IN THE FACE (IT'S A GREAT WAY TO START OFF YOUR DAY) OR 2. LEAVE THE HEATER OFF AND FREEZE (BOTH CHOICES ARE UNACCEPTABLE). 3. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO BEARDMORE SUBARU IN BELLEVUE NEBRASKA 13 TIMES WHILE MY CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND 4 TIMES WHILE OUT OF WARRANTY. I DON'T KNOW HOW A DEALERSHIP CAN BE SO CLUELESS SINCE THE TSB WAS ISSUED BEFORE I EVEN BOUGHT MY CAR. I TOLD THEM OVER AND OVER, "RAW FUEL SMELL IN CABIN ON DAYS IT'S BELOW FREEZING". THE WOULD WASH THE ENGINE, OR PUT IN AN NEW AIR FILTER, OR DO NOTHING AND SAY THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THIS IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE! PLEASE HELP! *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10176504December 18, 2006
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
FUEL LEAK IN COLD WEATHER, RESULTING IN RAW FUEL SMELL IN THE CABIN OF THE CAR AND THE DANGER OF FUEL IGNITING IN THE ENGINE BAY. THERE HAS BEEN A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUED BY SUBARU OF AMERICA, BUT I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS ISN'T A RECALL. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND CAN HAVE DISASTROUS CONSEQUENCES. FOR PEOPLE OUT OF WARRANTY, THIS IS ABSOLUTELY ABSURD TO HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. *NM+
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10175545December 8, 2006
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
HTTP://MEMBERS.NASIOC.COM/USERPICS/4832/TSB.JPG. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10175593December 8, 2006
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
ON COLD DAYS I GET A STRONG FUEL SMELL IN THE CABIN. IF YOU LOOK AT THE LOWER PART OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD YOU CAN SEE YELLOW STAINS FROM WHERE FUEL HAS LEAKED AS WELL AS DISPLACEMENT OF GRIM FROM AREAS BELOW THE FUEL HOSE. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE AND IT IS COMMON WITH MY YEAR VEHICLE YET SUBARU HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL DESPITE ISSUING A SERVICE BULLETIN (#09-36-03). IN THIS BULLETIN IT STATES THAT THE REPLACEMENT OF A FUEL LINE AND HOSE IS NEEDED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM AND PARTIAL DISASSEMBLY OF THE ENGINE IS REQUIRED TO MAKE THE FIX. IT ALSO STATES THAT THIS FIX IS REQUIRED TO ACHIEVE BETTER ALIGNMENT OF THE FUEL LINES. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10175229December 5, 2006
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
2002 SUBARU WRX 1. COLD WEATHER 2. RAW FUEL SMELL WHEN IDLING WHEN VEHICLE IS WARMING UP TO THE EXTREME WHERE I HAVE TO AIR OUT MY VEHICLE BEFORE DRIVING. 3. NOTHING AS OF YET, WAITING FOR A RECALL THIS IS HAPPENING WITH ALMOST ALL 2002 WRX'S. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10174699November 29, 2006
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
THERE IS A RECURRENT PROBLEM WITH 2002 SUBARU WRX MODELS. WITH A SMALL FUEL HOSE UNDER THE AIR INTAKE MANIFOLD. IN COLD TEMPERATURES IT CONTRACTS AND BEGINS TO LEAK FILLING THE CABIN WITH A STRONG RAW FUEL SMELL ALSO. I HAVE RECENTLY FOUND WITH THE COLD WEATHER THAT THIS PROBLEM IS HAPPENING TO MY CAR. THERE ARE MANY BLOGS ON THE INTERNET ON THIS PROBLEM. HOWEVER SUBARU OF AMERICA HAS NOT SUBMITTED A RECALL ON ANY 2002 MODELS. IF YOU HAVE TIME PLEASE VISIT THIS LINK: HTTP://FORUMS.NASIOC.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=138069&HIGHLIGHT=RAW+FUEL+SMELL YOU WILL BE ABLE TO READ OTHERS INTERACTIONS WITH SUBARU OF AMERICA. IT IS A PROBLEM WITH MANY OTHER'S TOO. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10173570November 15, 2006
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
I OWN A 2002 SUBARU WRX. STARTING IN THE WINTER OF 2005 (AND RECURRING IN THE WINTER OF 2006), A STRONG GAS SMELL INSIDE THE CABIN AND AROUND THE CAR IS PRESENT. THIS ONLY HAPPENS WITH THE AMBIENT OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE IS COLD; USUALLY BELOW 35 DEGREES. DURING THE WINTER OF 2005, I BELIEVED THE SMELL WAS NOTHING MAJOR BUT WHEN IT RECURRED IN 2006, I DECIDED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. I DID RESEARCH ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE, ALONG WITH SUBARU WEB FORUMS (WWW.I-CLUB.COM; WWW.NASIOC) AND COME TO FIND OUT THAT THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH THIS MODEL. I TOOK MY CAR TO MY LOCAL SUBARU ON 11/13/06. IT SITS OVERNIGHT SO THEY CAN CHECK THE CAR ON THE MORNING OF THE 14TH WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS COLD ENOUGH FOR THE PROBLEM TO ARISE. THEY DO FIND A GAS LEAK CONCURRENT WITH THE MANUFACTURER'S TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (# 09-36-03 DATED 04-01-03). THE TSB REPLACES THE FUEL PIPE ASSEMBLY AND HOSE AS A SET. THE LEAK COMES FROM THE RUBBER HOSE CONNECTOR, LOCATED UNDER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD, BETWEEN THE TWO DIRECT FUEL-FEED METAL LINES TO THE INJECTORS. WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS COLD, THE METAL FUEL LINE CONTRACTS MORE THAN THE RUBBER FUEL LINE, THUS CREATING A "HOLE" FOR THE GAS TO LEAK OUT OF. THE REPAIR WAS QUOTED AT $380.38. I AM OUTRAGED OVER THIS REPAIR FOR TWO REASONS: I AM NOT HAPPY WITH HAVING TO SPEND MONEY ON A REPAIR THAT IS ESSENTIAL A DESIGN FLAW. THOUGH I AM PAST THE WARRANTY PERIOD, I FEEL THAT THIS REPAIR SHOULD BE COVERED BY SUBARU AS IT IS NOT A "REPAIR;" IT IS A FIX FOR THEIR MISTAKE. I AM MOST UPSET, HOWEVER, OVER THE FACT THAT SUBARU AND THE NHTSA HAVE NOT CREATED A RECALL CAMPAIGN FOR THIS FIX. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM AS LEAKING FUEL IN A HOT ENGINE COMPARTMENT IS DANGEROUS. IT'S A PROBLEM THAT COULD PROVE TO BE FATAL FOR SOME OWNERS. I HOWEVER AM FORTUNATE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM BEFORE ANYTHING HAPPENED TO ME. I ASK THAT BOTH SUBARU OF AMERICA AND THE NHTSA TAKE A SERIOUS LOOK AT THIS PROBLEM AND INITIATE A RECALL BEFORE ANY DEATHS OR INJURIES OCCUR. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10170526October 11, 2006
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
WHEN ITS VERY COLD OUTSIDE VERY STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT .. 2002 SUBARU WRX SEDAN. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10151694March 3, 2006
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
I OWN A 2002 SUBARU WRX IMPREZA WAGON. I, LIKE MANY, MANY OF FELLOW OWNERS OF THIS CAR EXPERIENCE FUEL LEAKS AROUND THE CARS ENGINE WHEN THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE FALLS BELOW ~40 DEGREES F. I HAVE CONTACTED SUBARU ABOUT THIS PROBLEM MANY TIMES, AND EACH TIME I TAKE THE CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSTICS THEY STATE "THEY CAN NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM." THIS IS PATENTLY FALSE SINCE THE CAR REEKS OF GASOLINE FUMES BEFORE AND AFTER I LEAVE THE DEALERSHIP. APPARENTLY THE CLAMPS THAT HOLD THE FUEL LINE ASSEMBLY TOGETHER FAIL WHEN THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURES ARE COLD. SUBARU WILL NOT REPAIR/REPLACE THESE CLAMPS (EVEN WHEN THE CAR IS UNDER WARRANTY) AND REPAIRS TOTAL APPROXIMATELY $350-400. THIS PROBLEM IS VERY SIMILAR TO THAT ISSUE THAT RESULTED IN THE CHALLENGER SPACE SHUTTLE DISASTER IN 1986, COLD TEMPERATURES LEADING TO FUEL LEAKS, WHICH COULD LEAD TO FIRE AND EXPLOSIONS. A BRIEF LOOK AT AN ONLINE COMPLAINT WEBSITE REVEALED ABOUT 150 OTHER PEOPLE WITH THIS PROBLEM, AND THAT'S JUST THE NUMBER THAT TOOK THE TIME TO SEND IN A MESSAGE. IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE ONE OF THE VEHICLES CATCHES ON FIRE AND KILLS SOMEONE. SUBARU IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND TACITLY ACKNOWLEDGE THE FAULTY MANUFACTURE OF THIS CAR PART, BUT WILL DO NOTHING TO HELP THE OWNERS OF THESE CARS. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER, I DO NOT WANT ANYONE TO DIE BECAUSE SUBARU IS TOO CHEAP TO REPLACE A 50 CENT O-RING. THANK YOU. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10151255February 26, 2006
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
NOTICED A FUEL LEAK IN ENGINE BAY. YOU COULD SMELL IT IN THE ENGINE BAY AND THE CAB NOT TO MENTION OUT SIDE THE VEHICLE. IT ONLY HAPPENS ON REALLY COLD DAYS. DID RESEARCH ON INTERNET AND FOUND HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE COMPLAINING OF THE SAME THING. TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL SUBARU DEALER THEY SAID THEY WOULDN'T COVER IT. OUT OF WARRANTY BY 1000 MILES. I THINK THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL THEY PUT FAULTY PARTS ON THE CAR. IT IS TOTALLY UNSAFE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10151161February 24, 2006
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
SEVERAL TIMES DURING THIS WINTER (PAST 2 TO 3 MONTHS) WE HAVE NOTICED AN OVERWHELMING SMELL OF FUEL WITH OUR 2002 SUBARU WRX. THE SMELL IS MOST NOTICEABLE WHEN THE WEATHER IS BELOW FREEZING TEMPERATURES. THE SMELL WAS OVERPOWERING LAST WEEKEND WHEN WE EXPERIENCED TEMPERATURES BELOW ZERO. I'VE SEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND OTHER WRX OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME THING. I CALLED MY LOCAL DEALER TODAY (2/24/06) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY ARE WELL AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THEY EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO A LEAK IN THE FUEL LINE WHICH WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AS WELL AS A FUEL RAIL. FURTHERMORE, THIS PROBLEM IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL EVEN THOUGH IT INVOLVES FUEL! THOUGH WE BARELY HAVE OVER 20,000 MILES ON THE CAR, WE HAVE OWNED IT SINCE DECEMBER 2001 AND IT IS, THEREFORE, OUT OF WARRANTY. I WAS TOLD THE COST FOR THIS 'HIGHLY RECOMMENDED' REPAIR TO BE SCHEDULED 'AS SOON AS POSSIBLE' WAS AROUND $600.00! THE DISCUSSION THREADS ENCOURAGED FILING A COMPLAINT AS AN INVESTIGATION INTO THIS MATTER HAS BEEN LAUNCHED. IT WOULD BE A SHAME THAT A REPAIR INVOLVING A FUEL LEAK WOULD HAVE TO RESULT IN INJURY AND LAWSUIT BEFORE SUBARU DECIDES TO ISSUE A SAFETY RECALL. CAN'T SOMETHING BE DONE ABOUT THIS BEFOREHAND?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10150611February 19, 2006
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
RAW FUEL SMELL IN CABIN WHEN OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE BELOW FREEZING. BRINGING CAR TO DEALER 02/20/2006. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10150615February 19, 2006
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
DURING COLD STARTS (<35F), THERE IS A VERY STRONG RAW FUEL SMELL LEAKING INTO THE CABIN. THIS IS RESOLVED BY SWITCHING TO RECIRC. THE SMELL IS EVEN STRONGER OUTSIDE TOWARDS THE FRONT OF THE CAR. THE FUEL SMELL GOES AWAY ABOUT 10-15 MINUTES OF DRIVING. *JB THIS HAS HAPPENED DURING THE LAST TWO WINTERS IN SEATTLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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