2004 SUBARU WRX Fuel System, Gasoline Problems

STRONG SMELL OF RAW FUEL COMING INTO PASSENGER COMPARTMENT DURING VERY COLD OUTSIDE TEMPERATURES. *TR

Mileage: 209,000

IN BELOW-FREEZING TEMPERATURES, THERE IS A FUEL SMELL COMING FROM THE ENGINE BAY. IT SEEMS TO START AT APPROXIMATELY 20 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT, AND BECOMES INCREASINGLY STRONG AT LOWER TEMPERATURES. ON A RECENT MORNING WHEN THE TEMPERATURE WAS 9 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT, THE SMELL WAS STRONG ENOUGH TO CAUSE A LIGHT-HEADED SENSATION. THIS APPEARS TO BE A KNOWN PROBLEM, WITH THERE ALREADY BEING A RECALL FOR SIMILAR VEHICLES. MANY VEHICLES EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL, INCLUDING MY OWN, SEEM TO EXPERIENCE THE SAME PROBLEM. EVEN WORSE, SOME WHO HAVE HAD THE RECALL FIX PERFORMED HAVE STATED THAT THE FIX PRESCRIBED BY THE RECALL DOES NOT ALWAYS RESOLVE THE PROBLEM COMPLETELY. *TR

Mileage: 170,000

WHEN IN FREEZING TEMPERATURES, MY CAR IS LEAKING GASOLINE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. GASOLINE FUMES ARE ENTERING THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT CAUSING NAUSEA,DIZZINESS AND COUGHING (HENCE I AM CLAIMING/CONSIDERING THIS AS PERSONAL INJURY). I CANNOT ALWAYS CLOSE THE EXTERNAL VENT BECAUSE OF FOGGING. THIS HAPPENS ALMOST EVERY TIME THE TEMPERATURE DROPS BELOW FREEZING. WORSE, I AM AFRAID OF THE ENGINE CATCHING FIRE. I WILL TAKE MY CAR TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. I JUST WANT TO REPORT THIS. *TR

Mileage: 91,000

ON COLD MORNINGS LESS THAN 10 DEGREES A STRONG FUEL SMELL ENTERS THE VEHICLE. THIS ISSUE WAS SUBJECT TO RECALL ON 2002 AND 2003 MODEL CARS YET 2004 MODELS ALSO EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS A WIDE RANGING PROBLEM THAT EFFECTS MANY CARS ALL THE UP TO THE 2007 MODEL YEAR OF THE SUBARU IMPREZA. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN WELL DOCUMENTED SINCE 2002 ON THE LARGEST SUBARU IMPREZA WEB FORUM. HTTP://FORUMS.NASIOC.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=131755. IT'S ABOUT TIME SUBARU FIXES THIS PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 75,000

WHEN I START MY CAR WHEN IT IS COLD OUT 20 DEGREES OR BELOW MY GAS LINE NEAR THE FUEL RAIL LEAKS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE ENGINE UNTIL THE CAR WARMS UP. IT LEAKS A LITTLE UP TO ENOUGH TO POOL ON THE ENGINE..IT WORRIES ME BECAUSE IT IS ON THE TURBO SIDE OF THE ENGINE WITH THE EXHAUST WHICH TEMPERATURES CAN REACH UP TO 1500 DEGREES. THE CAR COULD EASILY CATCH FIRE. IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM IN SUBARU IMPREZA WRX MODELS 02-05 AND HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO SUBARUS ATTENTION MULTIPLE TIMES. *TR

Mileage: 88,090

STARTED VEHICLE AFTER SITTING OVERNIGHT IN SUB-30 DEGREE WEATHER AND A VERY STRONG SMELL OF RAW FUEL WAS EVIDENT IN VEHICLE. THIS HAPPENED ON MANY MORE OCCASIONS; IN ANY SITUATION WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS GIVEN TIME TO SIT IN COLD WEATHER. AFTER THE CLAMPS WERE TIGHTENED ON THE LINES, THE SMELL WAS DECREASED; BUT AFTER FEAR OF A FIRE THE LINES AND CLAMPS WERE THEN REPLACED BY MYSELF. AS SUBARU OF AMERICA WOULD NOT EXTEND THE RECALL TO MY 2004 VEHICLES AND I COULD NOT AFFORD TO PAY RETAIL FOR THE REPAIR. THIS WAS VERY DISAPPOINTING, AS THIS IS MY FIRST SUBARU AND IT WAS EVIDENT THAT THE DESIGN WAS FAULTY. AFTER REPLACING THE LINES AND CLAMPS, IT SEEMS AS THOUGH THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN RESOLVED. HOWEVER, I CANNOT RULE OUT THE POSSIBILITY OF REQUIRED REPAIR IN THE FUTURE. *TR

Mileage: 94,000

I HAVE A 2004 WRX AND WHEN THE VEHICLE IS LEFT OUTSIDE DURING VERY COLD TEMPERATURES, AT STARTUP, THERE IS A PROMINENT FUEL SMELL. THIS SEEMS TO OCCUR IF I LEAVE THE VEHICLE PARKED FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME (3+ HOURS) AT 20 DEGREE F OR BELOW. THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS REPORTS REGARDING THIS DEFECT REPORTED ON THE NASIOC FORUMS. IN ADDITION, THERE IS A RECALL REGARDING THIS SAME DEFECT FOR THE 2002-2003 WRX'S. I AM GREATLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE RISKS ASSOCIATE WITH RAW FUEL BEING DISPERSED ON THE ENGINE UPON STARTUP.

Mileage: 80,000

DURING COLD WEATHER (~36 F), THERE IS A STRONG FUEL SMELL IN THE CABIN. THE SMELL SEEMS TO BE COMING FORM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT (PASSENGER SIDE). THE SMELL DISAPPEARS AFTER THE ENGINE WARMS UP. *TR

Mileage: 65,000

2004 SUBARU WRX STI. STRONG FUEL SMELL IN CABIN DURING COLD WEATHER. UPON START OF COLD ENGINE, AFTER A FEW MINUTES. SMELL OVERWHELMS CABIN TILL VEHICLE REACHES OPERATING TEMP. APPROX. 5-10 MIN. *TR

Mileage: 30,000

DURING COLD WEATHER, STRONG FUEL ODOR IS PRESENT INDICATING A FUEL LEAK IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. EVENT IS REPEATABLE ON ANY DAY WHEN AMBIENT TEMP IS ~36 DEGREES F OR LESS AND LASTS UNTIL ENGINE HAS WARMED (ABOUT 15 MINUTES). DEALERSHIP REPORTS THAT THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN COVERING '02-'03 MY. ODOR IS STRONG ENOUGH IN CABIN TO CAUSE PHYSIOLOGICAL REACTIONS (HEADACHE, NAUSEA). *TR

Mileage: 45,000

FUEL LINES ON TOP OF THE ENGINE LEAK DURING COLD WEATHER, BELOW 10 DEGREES F. THERE IS A STRONG FUEL ODOR OUT SIDE THE VEHICLE AND INSIDE WHEN THE VENTS ARE ON. THE SMELL GOES AWAY AFTER THE CAR IS COMPLETELY WARMED UP, 10-20 MINUTES OF DRIVING. *TR

Mileage: 40,000

IT HAS BEEN MUCH COLDER THAN USUAL HERE IN TENNESSEE AND I HAVE BEEN HAVING A VERY STRONG FUEL SMELL INSIDE THE CABIN OF MY 2004 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX. IT HAS HAPPENED EVERY TIME I HAVE DRIVEN OVER THE PAST THREE DAYS AND DOES SEEM TO GO AWAY WHEN I ACCELERATE BUT I HAVE COME TO BELIEVE THAT IS BECAUSE THE FUEL VAPOR IS BEING BLOWN AWAY BY THE MOVING OF THE AIR AROUND THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHILE DRIVING. AS SOON AS I SLOW OF COME TO A STOP THERE IS A STRONG RAW FUEL SMELL AGAIN. *TR

Mileage: 62,000

STARTING CAR IN COLD WEATHER CAUSES INTERIOR CABIN TO FILL WITH GAS FUMES. APPARENT FUEL LEAK IN COLD TEMPERATURES. LEAK RESOLVES AFTER ENGINE HAS WARMED. *TR

Mileage: 120,345

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. *TR

Mileage: 72,000

FUEL LINE LEAK IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT. IMPREZA STI '04. IN COLD WEATHER, SAY LESS THAN 20 DEG F, FUEL LINES LEAK AT HARD/SOFT LINE CONNECTIONS. FUEL CAN BE SEEN DRIPPING ONTO ENGINE & STRONG SMELL OF FUEL INSIDE CABIN. VERY SIMILAR TO SUBARU TSB 01-170-09, BULLETIN WVK-21. *TR

Mileage: 130,000

DURING COLD WEATHER (BELOW 10 DEGREES OR SO), MY 2004 SUBARU WRX IMPREZA SMELLS VERY STRONGLY OF GASOLINE COMING FROM ENGINE BAY. THIS EVENTUALLY GOES AWAY AFTER 20 MINUTES OR SO OF DRIVING. DURING ONE EPISODE, I ACTUALLY WATCHED UNDER THE MANIFOLD ON PASSENGER SIDE AND OBSERVED GASOLINE PUDDLING UNDER THE GAS LINES! I HAVE TIGHTENED THE HOSE CLAMPS BUT THEY EVENTUALLY LEAK AGAIN. I AM ACTUALLY HESITANT TO DRIVE THE CAR ANYMORE DURING THE WINTER MONTHS HERE IN MINNESOTA. *TR

Mileage: 50,000

DURING COLD WEATHER STARTUP, MY SUBARU WILL HAVE A STRONG FUEL SMELL COMING FROM THE ENGINE BAY AND INSIDE THE CAR. APPARENTLY, THIS EFFECTS MANY DIFFERENT SUBARUS DURING COLD WEATHER STARTUP AND A FUEL LINE ON TOP OF THE ENGINE IS THE SUSPECTED CULPRIT FOR LEAKING FUEL. *TR

Mileage: 69,990

I HAVE A 2005 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX AND IN COLD TEMPERATURE I SMELL A OVERPOWERINGLY RAW FUEL SMELL IN THE PASSENGER CABIN I KNOW THAT ODI HAS RECEIVED COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. SOA (SUBARU OF AMERICA) DOES NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE 2005 MY HAS THIS PROBLEM. WHAT SHOULD I DO TO GET THIS FIXED? *TR

Mileage: 60,000

STRONG FUEL SMELL ON COLD DAYS WHEN AMBIENT TEMPERATURE IS BELOW ~35-40 DEGREES F. OCCURS WITHOUT FAIL BASED ON OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE AND COLD MOTOR BUT GOES AWAY AFTER ENGINE HAS WARMED. DEALER MADE MINOR ADJUSTMENTS (TIGHTENED LINES) BUT STATES IF PROBLEM RETURNS, THEN FUEL LINES WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. *TR

Mileage: 60,000

WHENEVER THE CAR IS COLD THE CABIN FILLS UP WITH A FUEL SMELL. THIS HAS NOT YET BEEN REMEDIED AS IT HAS NOT BEEN A PROBLEM THAT OCCURS TOO OFTEN, BUT NOW I AM READING THAT THIS IS A FAIRLY COMMON PROBLEM WITH MY CAR AND FOR OBVIOUS REASONS A FUEL LEAK IS VERY CONCERNING. *TR

THERE IS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN CONCERNING 2000 AND LATER SUBARU VEHICLES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPREZA, WRX, AND OUTBACK. UNDER 14 DEGREES F OR LOWER, THE FUEL LINES CONNECTORS SHRINK TO EXPOSE ENOUGH OF THE FUEL LINE AND ALLOW FUEL AND VAPORS TO RELEASE. THE FUEL CAN POOL ON THE MANIFOLD, AND THE VAPORS CAN ENTER THE CABIN. THIS SHOULD BE A MAJOR CONCERN DUE TO FUEL AND VAPORS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU WRXSTI. THE CONTACT SMELLED GASOLINE IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLE. HE NOTICED FUEL VAPORS AND A PUDDLE OF GASOLINE ON TOP OF THE ENGINE UPON FURTHER INSPECTION. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THIS FAILURE; THEREFORE, THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY $550 FOR THE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED HIM TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF A FIRE DUE TO THE FUEL LEAKAGE. HE WANTED TO SUBMIT DOCUMENTATION AND VIDEO OF THE DAMAGES AND FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

Mileage: 65,000

I WANT TO REPORT A FUEL LEAK IN A 2004 SUBARA IMPREZA WRX. THE LEAK IS OCCURRING DUE TO A LOOSE HOSE CLAMP ALONG THE FUEL RAIL NEAR THE MANIFOLD (DRIVER SIDE). THE LEAK ONLY SEEMS TO OCCUR IN COLD WEATHER (<20 F). YOU CAN VISIBLY SEE THE LEAK. IN ONE WEEK WHEN THE TEMPERATURE WAS NEAR 10F (FOR THE ENTIRE WEEK) I LOST NEARLY 1 GALLON OF FUEL DURING A 5 DAY SPAN WHERE I DROVE ONLY 270MILES. *TR

Mileage: 77,000

MY 2004 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX HAS A STRONG FUEL SMELL IN THE CABIN WHEN THE ENGINE IS FIRST STARTED. THIS HAPPENS WHEN IT'S COLD OUT (MOSTLY BELOW 20 DEGREES). I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT TO GET IT DIAGNOSED AT THE DEALERSHIP, BUT UPON SEARCHING THE INTERNET, IT LOOKS LIKE THERE ARE MANY OWNERS OF THIS CAR THAT EXPERIENCE THIS SAME PROBLEM. THERE WAS A TECHNICAL BULLETIN FOR THE 2002 MODEL YEAR ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE BUT IT APPARENTLY HASN'T GONE AWAY. *TR

Mileage: 65,000

TEMPS IN THE TEENS CAUSES A FUEL LEAK IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF AN 04 SUBARU WRX. *TR

Mileage: 66,000

I OWN A 2004 SUBARU WRX WITH 42000 MILES. IT WAS RECENTLY BELOW 20 DEGREES IN TOWN AND I NOTICED A RAW GAS SMELL COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION I PINPOINTED THE SMELL WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE AIR INTAKE MANIFOLD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR IN FOR DIAGNOSIS FROM GALLAS AND DAVIS SUBARU IN ALBUQUERQUE. THEY CONFIRMED GAS LEAK COMING FROM FUEL RAIL. DEALER HAS QUOTED 670.00 FOR REPAIRS. I HAVE SEEN SUBARU RELEASED TSB 09-36-03 RELATING TO THIS ISSUE. I AM WAITING ON RESPONSE FROM SUBARU OF AMERICA TO SEE IF SOME OR ALL OF THE REPAIR COST WILL BE COVERED. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER TO CLOSE THE VENT AND I WOULD NOT SMELL THE GAS. I WAS ALSO TOLD BY SOA THAT THE ISSUE IS ONLY RELATED TO 02 MODELS BUT HAVE FOUND EVIDENCE STATING OTHERWISE AS ALL FUEL RAIL LINES ARE THE SAME ON 02-04 MODEL. THE REPLACEMENT PARTS RELATED TO TSB 09-36-03 FITS ALL THE SAME YEAR MODELS. *TR

Mileage: 42,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU WRX. IN AN ATTEMPT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG GASOLINE SMELL COMING FROM THE FRONT END. HE OPENED THE HOOD AND DISCOVERED A FUEL LEAK ON THE FUEL LINE NEAR THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THIS FAILURE. THE BULLETIN NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 58,000.

Mileage: 58,000