Subaru WRX Complaints (2002)

427 consumer complaints on file.

#10107802January 24, 2005
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
MY 2002 WRX SEDAN HAS AN EXTREMELY STRONG GAS ODOR. I HAVE SEEN THERE IS A TSB ABOUT THE FUEL PROBLEM, BUT NOT A RECALL. THERE SEEMS TO BE SO MANY PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM. OF COURSE MY VEHICLE IS JUST OUT OF WARRANTY. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10107824January 24, 2005
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
2002 SUBARU WRX 47K MILES. ON COLD DAYS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS LEFT OUTSIDE AND THEN STARTED, THERE IS A SMALL FUEL LEAK IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. FUEL APPARENTLY DRIPS OFF OF A FUEL RAIL AND ONTO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WHERE IT IS HEATED AND EVAPORATES. ON OCCASION THE VAPOR/SMOKE COULD BE SEEN WHEN THE HOOD WAS RAISED. THIS VAPOR RESULTS IN A VERY STRONG GASOLINE SMELL IN THE CABIN. THE SMELL DISSIPATES AFTER FULLY WARMING UP THE CAR AND DRIVING FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10107761January 23, 2005
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
2002 SUBARU WRX WAGON, 71000 MILES. I PARKED MY CAR OUTSIDE AS I USUALLY DO.. ONLY I HAPPENED TO BE PARKED AT MARIN GENERAL HOSPITAL, WHERE MY WIFE DELIVERED OUR FIRST BORN CHILD! THIS NIGHT WAS A PARTICULARLY COLD EVENING FOR NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, AROUND 32F. AS I PULLED OUT OF THE PARKING LOT POST BIRTH TO ROUND UP SOME FOOD, I STARTED TO SMELL GASOLINE. THE SMELL QUICKLY REACHED THE POINT WHERE I WAS FORCED TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOWS TO GET FRESH AIR. NEEDLESS TO SAY I TOOK MY CAR HOME, AND WE BROUGHT THE BABY HOME IN MY WIFE'S CAR! AFTER RETURNING TO THE HOSPITAL, I OPENED THE HOOD, AND DETERMINED THAT THE SMELL WAS COMING FROM AROUND THE ENGINE. THE NEXT MORNING AS I DROVE AWAY TO GET BREAKFAST, I EXPERIENCED THE SAME OVER POWERING GASOLINE ODOR. I ROLLED DOWN THE WINDOWS, AND AGAIN OPENED THE HOOD TO TRY TO LOCATE THE SMELL, BUT COULDN'T FIND THE SOURCE OTHER THAN AROUND THE ENGINE. I HAVE SINCE LEARNED THAT THIS PROBLEM IS A KNOWN "FEATURE" OF 2002 WRX'S. I HAVE ALSO LEARNED THAT SINCE I AM FAR OUT OF WARRANTY, SUBARU WILL NOT FIX THIS PROBLEM. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW THIS IS LEGAL, GIVEN THE SUPPOSED STATUS OF MY CAR AS A ULEV VEHICLE.. IT CERTAINLY ISN'T AS IF GASOLINE IS DRIPPING OUT OF THE FUEL LINES ONTO THE HOT ENGINE BLOCK. I AM ALSO HIGHLY CONCERNED BY THE HEALTH HAZARD POSED BY GASOLINE FUMES FILLING THE CABIN. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10107729January 22, 2005
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
ANY TIME THE TEMPERATURE GOES BELOW FREEZING YOU CAN SMELL RAW GASOLINE IN THE CABIN OF THE CAR. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10107738January 22, 2005
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL
(1) EVENTS LEADING TO PROBLEM: WHILE TRAVELING FROM SEATTLE WA TO SUN PEAKS BC, TEMPERATURE ON BC5 HWY REACHED -27F. (2) FAILURE AND CONSEQUENCES: UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES ONE OF THE JOINTS CONNECTING A FUEL LINE TO AN INJECTOR STARTED LEAKING FUEL INTO THE ENGINE BLOCK. I ONLY NOTICED THIS CONDITION BASED ON A VERY STRONG SMELL OF FUEL EACH TIME I STOPPED THE CAR AND BY CLOSE VISUAL INSPECTION OF THE INJECTOR FUEL LINES -- I NOTICED FUEL WAS DRIPPING -- IN ORDER TO AVOID THE RISK OF FIRE, I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO SELECT AUTO OF KAMLOOPS (SUBARU DEALERSHIP). I COULD DETECT THE CONDITION MYSELF AND PUT A POST-IT FOR THE SUBARU DEALER. THE CONDITION DID NOT REPRO AT NORMAL TEMPERATURE (ABOVE 0F), SO THE MECHANIC HAD TO SPRAY FREON ON THE INJECTOR LINES TO REPRO THE FAILURE. I THINK THAT THE PROBLEM IS A MAJOR ONE AS IT (A) ENTAILS THE RISK OF GETTING A FIRE ON THE VEHICLE. (B) IS DIFFICULT TO REPRO. (3) FIXES DONE TO THE CAR: REPLACED RUBBER LINE AND CLAMPS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10107596January 20, 2005
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
I OWN A 2002 SUBARU WRX. IF IT IS COLD OUTSIDE, BELOW 32, I HAVE A BAD GAS SMELL. SMELL IS SOMETIME OVERWHELMING AND CAN GIVE ME HEADACHES AT TIMES. I'VE READ SOME ON THE INTERNET AND NOTICED QUITE A LOT OF OTHER WRX OWNERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS. SEEMS LIKE ITS SOME SORT OF GAS LINE LEAKING. I HAVE A 4 MONTH OLD SON WHO I'M AFRAID MAY BECOME OVERCOME BY THESE HAZARDOUS FUMES. THE DEALERS ARE CHARGING 350 DOLLARS TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM WHICH SEEMS TO ME TO BE RIDICULOUS. THESE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM 09-36-03; DATE 04/01/03. THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE A DEFECT IN FUEL LINES THAT SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF BY SUBARU NOT THE CUSTOMER WHO HAS PURCHASED FAULTY AND DANGEROUS EQUIPMENT. THERE SEEMS TO BE SOME CHANCE FOR A MAJOR LAWSUIT IF SOMEONE CATCHES ON FIRE OR IS OVERCOME BY FUMES TO THE POINT OF BECOMING DIZZY AND CRASHING. I FEEL THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AND RECALLED. THE PARTS I HEAR ARE ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER. THAT MEANS THERE ARE A LOT OF CARS OUT THERE RUNNING AROUND WAITING TO CATCH FIRE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10107617January 20, 2005
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
2002 SUBARU WRX FUEL SMELL IN COLD WEATHER. INSIDE, OUTSIDE, WHEN THE CAR IS WARM, WHEN THE HEAT IS ON. VERY STRONG FUEL ODOR WHEN THE HOOD IS OPEN. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10107523January 19, 2005
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
FUEL SMELL IN CAR WHEN TEMPERATURE IS COLD OUTSIDE. THIS IS THE SAME AS THE MANY OTHER DOCUMENTED CASES OF LEAKING FUEL LINES IN 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX 2.0L TURBO CARS. THIS IS LIKELY TO CAUSE AN ENGINE FIRE. APPARENTLY, SUBARU DEALERS REFUSE TO ISSUE A RECALL OR FIX AT THEIR COST. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10106516January 18, 2005
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
FUEL LEAK/SMELL FROM BAD CONNECTION OF FUEL LINES IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THIS ONLY OCCURS DURING COLD WEATHER. IT IS EXTREMELY AGGRAVATING THAT IT IS NOT COVERED BY THE MANUFACTURER. THIS IS A POTENTIAL HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE READ MULTIPLE TESTIMONIES FROM FELLOW OWNERS OF 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA WRXS. THIS CAN BE SEEN ON HTTP://FORUMS.NASIOC.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=131755&PAGE=1&PP=25. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10106517January 18, 2005
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
DURING COLD WEATHER RAW FUEL SMELL INSIDE THE PASSENGER CABIN. DEALER FIXED THE FUEL HOSES WITH TSB 09-36-03. THE FUEL SMELL IS NOW GONE. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL, I BELIEVE THIS COULD CAUSE A FIRE OR COULD CAUSE DRIVER TO PASS OUT FROM FUMES. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10106528January 18, 2005
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
WHEN WEATHER HAS DROPPED TO 30F OR BELOW, I SMELLED VERY STRONG GASOLINE FUMES IN AND AROUND VEHICLE. SEARCHED NASIOC AND FOUND OTHERS HAD PROBLEM. ALL FOUR CLAMPS HOLDING FUEL LINES ON UNDER INTAKE MANIFOLD WERE LOOSE TO THE POINT THAT THEY COULD BE SPUN AROUND. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10106532January 18, 2005
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
THERE IS A VERY STRONG RAW FUEL SMELL COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF MY 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX. IT IS SO OVERWHELMING I COULD NOT SIT INSIDE THE VEHICLE, I HAD TO ROLL-DOWN ALL THE WINDOWS AND STAND OUTSIDE IN 8 DEGREE(!) WEATHER FOR A FEW MINUTES. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 10 TIMES NOW, EACH TIME IT SEEMS TO GET WORSE. THE NHTSA HAS ALREADY INVESTIGATED SIMILAR PROBLEMS IN OTHER 2002 MODELS (CASE PE04002), AND SUBARU HAS ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (09-36-03) WITH INSTRUCTIONS ON PARTS REQUIRED TO FIX IT. UNFORTUNATELY SUBARU IS UNWILLING TO DO THIS WORK FREE OF CHARGE, QUOTES TO REPAIR THIS ARE BETWEEN $300 AND $500 DOLLARS, AND NOT EVERYONE CAN AFFORD IT. SINCE THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT IN MANY VEHICLES, I AM ASKING FOR THE NHTSA'S HELP IN CLASSIFYING THIS AS A MANDATORY RECALL FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS: 1) FUEL IS LEAKING OUT OF A RUBBER HOSE ONTO THE ENGINE, WHICH COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE A FIRE, SUBARU HAS ADMITTED THIS MUCH IN THEIR TSB. 2) THE VAPORS FROM THIS LEAK ARE STRONG ENOUGH TO OVERWHELM AN INDIVIDUAL AND/OR MAKE THEM NAUSEOUS, WHICH COULD MAKE THEM LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. 3) SMALL CHILDREN (MANY OF US HAVE ONE) CANNOT BE PUT INSIDE THE CAR DURING THIS TIME AS THE VAPORS ARE MUCH TOO STRONG FOR THEIR SMALL BODIES. WAITING OUTSIDE THE CAR IS NOT A VIABLE OPTION AS THIS USUALLY HAPPENS DURING COLD WEATHER, 8 DEGREES TODAY WITH A -20 DEGREE WINDCHILL. PLEASE PROTECT MY RIGHTS AS AN AUTO CONSUMER AND DRIVER AND DO THE RIGHT THING. THANK YOU, [XXX]. *NM INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10106549January 18, 2005
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
STRONG SMELL OF FUEL IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. SMALL LEAK UNDER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. ONLY HAPPENS WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS IN THE MID 20S OR BELLOW. STOPS WHEN ENGINE WARMS UP. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10106586January 18, 2005
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
I OWN A 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX. I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING A GAS SMELL IN THE CABIN AND ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I THOUGHT THAT MAYBE MY CAR WAS ACTING UP BUT I KNOW REALIZE THAT THIS IS A WIDELY RECOGNIZED PROBLEM. I CANNOT DRIVE AROUND WITH MY WINDOWS OPEN IN SUBZERO WEATHER IT IS RIDICULOUS. I REALIZE THAT THE PROBLEM IS CAUSED BY A LOOSE FUEL FITTING OR TWO THAT YOU NEED TO REMOVE PARTS TO GET TO. THIS IS EXPENSIVE AND SUBARU NEEDS TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR MISTAKE. THIS IS MY ONLY VEHICLE AND I NEED TO GET IT FIXED BUT I AM A COLLEGE KID THAT PAYS FOR MY OWN SCHOOL AND LIVES ON MY OWN, I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX A FACTORY MALFUNCTION. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10106473January 17, 2005
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
SEVERE FUEL SMELL IN CABIN AND UNDER HOOD DURING COLD WEATHER, 30F OR BELOW. MANUFACTURER ISSUED SERVICE BULLETIN. DEALERS QUOTE $400-$500 TO FIX WHAT SHOULD BE A RECALL. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10106512January 17, 2005
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
STRONG GASOLINE SMELL IN COLD WEATHER. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10106515January 17, 2005
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
STRONG FUEL SMELL IN CABIN DURING COLD (NOT EXTREME TEMPERATURES) WEATHER CONDITIONS. THIS IS ALREADY A REPORTED ISSUE AS NHTSA ISSUE PE04002 BUT THE INVESTIGATION IS CURRENTLY CLOSED - IS THIS BECAUSE NO-ONE HAS BEEN INJURED YET? ACCORDING TO ALL HEALTH-RELATED WEBSITES, GASOLINE VAPORS ARE A MAJOR CARCINOGEN AND THIS VEHICLE FAULT WHICH SUBARU OF AMERICA WILL NOT CORRECT UNLESS VEHICLE IS UNDER WARRANTY (REPAIR IS ESTIMATED AT ~$400-500 AND REPORTS CLAIM THAT THIS MAY NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM) IS RESPONSIBLE FOR STRONG GASOLINE VAPOR IN THE VEHICLE CABIN. THERE ARE RESPECTABLE SUBARU USER-GROUPS ON THE INTERNET WITH STORIES THAT THIS FAULT CAN LEAD TO FUEL LEAK POOLING IN THE ENGINE - SURELY THIS IS JUST A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THIS CAUSES SERIOUS INJURY OR EVEN DEATH TO 2002 WRX DRIVERS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10106436January 16, 2005
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
COLD WEATHER CAUSES A FUEL LEAK IN THE ENGINE BAY. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10106270January 13, 2005
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
FUEL LEAKAGE IN MY 2002 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX MODELS IN COLD WEATHER I AM DISAPPOINTED THAT COMPLAINTS OF FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF 2002 IMPREZA WRX MODELS HAVE NOT BEEN ELEVATED TO THE STATUS OF A SAFETY CONCERN. BECAUSE OF THIS, SUBARU IS NOT WILLING TO COVER THE COSTS OF REPAIR UNDER A RECALL SITUATION, AND INDIVIDUALS ARE FORCED TO PAY OUT-OF-POCKET. THIS CAUSES ONE OF 3 SITUATIONS: (1) PEOPLE ARE UNWILLING TO PAY FOR THE FULL REPAIR, AND END UP JUST TIGHTENING THE HOSES, WHICH IS ONLY A TEMPORARY FIX. (2) PEOPLE ARE UNWILLING TO PAY FOR THE FULL REPAIR, AND JUST LIVE WITH THE PROBLEM. (3) OWNERS HAVE TO PAY THE FULL EXPENSE TO THE DEALER, WHICH CAN BE AS HIGH AS $400 USD. SUBARU KNOWS THAT THIS PROBLEM DOES NOT SHOW ITSELF ON NEW CARS, AND TAKES 2 OR 3 YEARS TO SHOW UP, USUALLY AFTER THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. UNTIL THIS PROBLEM BECOMES ELEVATED TO THE STATUS OF A SAFETY CONCERN AND A RECALL IS ISSUED, WRX MOTORISTS WILL CONTINUE TO DRIVE AROUND DUMPING RAW FUEL INTO THE ENVIRONMENT. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10106228January 12, 2005
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL
THERE IS A FUEL LEAK ON FROM THE FUEL RAIL WHEN ITS COLD OUT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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