Owners have filed 46 complaints
about the 2004 Subaru WRX with NHTSA between 2006 and 2018.
The largest single group is the fuel & propulsion.
Across this model's run it ranks 12 of 17 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 33
Against the median year of the Subaru WRX. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 45
8.7% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 18
11% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
1,000 – 9,999 miles
12.6%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
25.3%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
410.5%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
1231.6%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
923.7%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
718.4%
150,000+ miles
37.9%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Jul 2006peak 6Apr 2018
NHTSA investigations into the 2004 Subaru WRX
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
PE09017Opened 10 Mar 2009Closed 2 Jul 2009FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM
FUEL LINE LEAK
COMPLAINANTS REPORT FUEL LEAKAGE MOST FREQUENTLY IN WINTER DURING INITIAL COLD ENGINE STARTUP.OWNERS WILL EITHER NOTICE A FUEL ODOR INSIDE THE OCCUPANT COMPARTMENT OR FUEL ODOR/LEAKAGE AT THE FUEL LINES ON THE RIGHT SIDE ATOP THE ENGINE. ONCE THE ENGINE HAS WARMED, THE ODOR/LEAKAGE MAY CEASE.SUBARU REVISED THE FUEL PIPE/HOSE DESIGN FOR MODEL YEAR (MY) 2003-04 WRX VEHICLES PRODUCED AFTER AUGUST 2003.SUBARU ALSO INTRODUCED A MY 2004 IMPREZA STI VEHICLE WITH A DIFFERENT ENGINE AND FUEL PIPE/HOSE LAYOUT.OUT OF THE TOTAL OF 994 COMPLAINTS, 944 CONCERN MY 2002-03 WRX VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH AUGUST 20...
Recalls on the 2004 Subaru WRX
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
23V076000
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2004-2005 Impreza and WRX vehicles that received replacement front passenger air bag inflators under a previous recall. The replacement air bag inflators may have been installed incorrectly.
Risk: An incorrectly installed inflator may not properly inflate the passenger air bag, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
20V003000
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
20V002000
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (including STI), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
20V001000
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Forester, 2003-2006 Baja, 2004-2011 Impreza, 2004-2014 WRX (STI included), 2003-2014 Legacy and Outback, and 2005-2006 Saab 9-2X vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." These vehicles had their passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
06E060000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
CERTAIN AAI MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LIST PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Risk: LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Iowa City, IACrash1 killed
AIR BAGS
AS A RESULT OF A MULTI-VEHICLE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED CAUSING THE FEMALE OCCUPANT TO HAVE A FRONTAL SKULL FRACTURE FROM SHRAPNEL LIKE PIECES AND NEURO TRAUMA. THESE INJURIES LEAD HER TO BE UNCONSCIOUS AND ON LIFE-SUPPORT FOR 6 DAYS AND ULTIMATELY HER DEATH......UPDATED 11-24/14
NHTSA complaint #10654124 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 91,000 milesHilliard, OH1 injured
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #10563930 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 91,000 milesHilliard, OH1 injured
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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.
NHTSA complaint #10563930 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 60,000 milesIthaca, NY
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
HAVING RECENTLY MOVED TO A COLD WEATHER STATE, I DISCOVERED THAT WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS BELOW FREEZING THERE IS A SMELL OF GASOLINE IN THE PASSENGER CABIN. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, SUBARU APPEARS TO BE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND IN FACT ISSUED A RECALL ON EARLIER MODEL VEHICLES FOR THE SAME ISSUE. THE FUEL LINES AND CLAMPS SHRINK IN COLD WEATHER ALLOWING FUEL TO LEAK AT THE FUEL FILTER OR MORE PROBLEMATICALLY ONTO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD NEAR THE TURBO. THIS HAS BEEN RESOLVED IN NEWER MODEL VEHICLES, BUT FOR SOME REASON SUBARU DECIDED NOT TO ISSUE A RECALL FOR THE 2004-2005 VEHICLES HAVING THIS PROBLEM. WHEN THE VEHICLE WARMS UP, THE HEAT OF THE ENGINE REDUCES OR ELIMINATES THE LEAKS. ALTHOUGH I WAS ABLE TO TIGHTEN THE HOSE CLAMPS, I SUSPECT THAT NEXT WINTER I WILL BE FACING THE SAME ISSUE AND/OR A $500-1000 REPAIR BILL FROM THE DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #11084965 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Allentown, PA
ENGINE
DURING COLD WEATHER FUEL SMELL COMING FROM ENGINE AND IS LEAKING
NHTSA complaint #11057300 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Allentown, PA
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
DURING COLD WEATHER FUEL SMELL COMING FROM ENGINE AND IS LEAKING
NHTSA complaint #11057300 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 103,000 milesHugo, MN
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I HAVE A 2004 WRX AND WHENEVER IT GETS COLD LOTS OF FUEL LEAKS FROM UNDER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD THERES A RECALL FOR THE SAME ISSUE IN 2002 2003 BUT IT STILL DOES IT ON MY CAR
NHTSA complaint #10946917 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
South Jordan, UT
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL/SUBARU RECALL CAMPAIGN WQR-53 NHTSA RECALL NO. 15V-323 RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN MAY 2015 EXPLAINING THAT THE AIRBAG WAS RECALLED AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. LETTER STATES THAT UNTIL THE REPAIR IS PREFORMED, DO NOT ALLOW PASSENGERS TO RIDE IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. I RECENTLY RECEIVED ANOTHER LETTER WITH THE SAME INFORMATION STATING THAT WHEN SUBARU ACQUIRES A SUFFICIENT SUPPLY OF PARTS TO PERFORM THE REPAIR, THEY WILL CONTACT ME ABOUT MAKING AN APPOINTMENT. I CALLED SUBARU 6 MONTHS AGO AND WAS TOLD THAT A DEALERSHIP SHOULD "LEND" ME A VEHICLE UNTIL THE REPAIR IS COMPLETE. I LEFT SEVERAL MESSAGES WITH DEALERSHIPS IN THE AREA AND NO ONE RETURNED MY PHONE CALL. IT HAS BEEN OVER A YEAR AND I AM NOT ABLE TO HAVE PASSENGERS IN MY VEHICLE. I USE MY CAR FOR WORK AND I NEED THIS FIXED. IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE AND I DO NOT WANT TO HAVE MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR UNTIL IT IS FIXED.
NHTSA complaint #10897983 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesWest Chester, PA
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
DURING VEHICLE OPERATION IN COLDER WEATHER (32 DEG F OR COLDER), THERE IS A STRONG FUEL SMELL COMING FROM THE ENGINE BAY. FUEL LINES ARE LEAKING IN AN AREA CLOSE TO THE AIR INTAKE. THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN DURING WARMER WEATHER.
NHTSA complaint #10819641 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Long Beach, CA
AIR BAGS
WAS NOTIFIED IN JULY 2015 OF DEFECTIVE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WITH WARNING TO NOT USE THE PASSENGER SEAT.UPON FOLLOWUP WITH SUBARU ON 10-1-2015 WAS TOLD THAT PARTS WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL AFTER 12-1-2015. THIS MEANS 5 MONTHS WITHOUT FULL USE OF MY VEHICLE. THEIR LETTER REGARDING NHTSA RECALL 15V-323 INFORMED M TO CONTACT NHTSA AT THIS WEBSITE IF SUBARU FAILED TO REMEDY THE VEICLE WITHOUT CHARGE IN A TIMELY MANNER. 5 TO 6 MONTHS IS NOT A TIMELY MANER.
NHTSA complaint #10779126 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 209,000 milesQueensbury, NY
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
STRONG SMELL OF RAW FUEL COMING INTO PASSENGER COMPARTMENT DURING VERY COLD OUTSIDE TEMPERATURES.
NHTSA complaint #10672351 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 209,000 milesQueensbury, NY
ENGINE
STRONG SMELL OF RAW FUEL COMING INTO PASSENGER COMPARTMENT DURING VERY COLD OUTSIDE TEMPERATURES.
NHTSA complaint #10672351 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 170,000 milesST. Charles, MO
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #10671183 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Iowa City, IACrash1 killed
AIR BAGS
AS A RESULT OF A MULTI-VEHICLE TRAFFIC ACCIDENT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED CAUSING THE FEMALE OCCUPANT TO HAVE A FRONTAL SKULL FRACTURE FROM SHRAPNEL LIKE PIECES AND NEURO TRAUMA. THESE INJURIES LEAD HER TO BE UNCONSCIOUS AND ON LIFE-SUPPORT FOR 6 DAYS AND ULTIMATELY HER DEATH......UPDATED 11-24/14
NHTSA complaint #10654124 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 139,000 milesDorr, MI
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
FUEL LINES LEAK UPON COLD START UP IN THE WINTER. FUEL LEAKS ALL OVER ENGINE BLOCK, MY FEAR THAT THIS CAN CAUSE A FIRE. SUBARU'S ANSWER IS TO BRING IT IN, SPEND MONEY TO HAVE THE CAR LOOKED AT. ALL THE WHILE THEY WILL NOT PROVIDE ME WITH A COMP CAR AND THIS IS MY ONLY CAR. WITH WORK, SCHOOL AND TRYING TO MOVE AT THAT TIME IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE TO RELEASE THE CAR TO THEM AND HOPE IT LEAKED ON THAT DAY FOR THE TECH OR RISK HANDING OUT CASH EVERY TIME I TAKE IT IN FOR THEM TO LOOK AT. THEY KNOW THEY HAVE AN ISSUE THEY DON'T WANT TO FIX ANY LONGER. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE FOR SOME WRX'S AND THEY SAY THE PROBLEM WAS TAKEN CARE OF IN 2004, OBVIOUSLY NOT. IT APPEARS MY CAR WAS BUILT IN MID 2003...... AND IS POSSIBLE IN MY OPINION THAT MY CAR COULD HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH THESE FAULTY PARTS.
NHTSA complaint #10626516 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 91,000 milesHilliard, OH1 injured
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #10563930 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 91,000 milesHilliard, OH1 injured
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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.
NHTSA complaint #10563930 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 125,000 milesTroy, MO
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
AFTER STARTING MY CAR IN COLD WEATHER, I NOTICED A STRONG SMELL OF GAS. I FOUND THAT THERE WAS GAS POOLING ON TOP OF MY ENGINE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, UNDER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND THE GAS STOPPED LEAKING, BUT WHEN I TURNED IT ON AGAIN, I COULD SEE IT DRIPPING ON TO THE LOCATION THAT IT WAS POOLING.
NHTSA complaint #10561735 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,000 milesMethuen, MA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #10561186 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 88,090 milesBallston SPA, NY
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #10556567 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 88,090 milesBallston SPA, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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.
NHTSA complaint #10556567 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 94,000 milesLynchburg, VA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #10543452 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 115,000 milesMedford, MA
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
WHEN THE WEATHER WAS VERY COLD OUT, ABOUT 10F THERE WAS A NOTICEABLE GAS SMELL OUTSIDE THE CAR AND IN THE CABIN WHEN THE HVAC TURNED ON. THIS IS A FUEL LINE ISSUE WHICH IS KNOWN TO SUBARU - THERE IS A RECALL ON 2002-2003 WRX MODELS. HOWEVER THERE IS NO RECALL ON LATER MODELS SUCH AS MY 2004 WRX, WHICH ALSO SUFFER FROM THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10494441 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesNaperville, IL
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
AT TEMPERATURES AT OR BELOW 15F THERE IS A FUEL LEAK FROM THE INLET MANIFOLD. CAN SEE GASOLINE LEAKING NEAR WHERE THE FUEL LINE ENTERS THE MANIFOLD. LEAK STOPS ONCE VEHICLE HAS WARMED UP.
NHTSA complaint #10494457 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesBoise, ID
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #10393598 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,000 milesSunnyvale, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #10374858 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 30,000 milesRichmond, VA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #10369538 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 20,000 milesOAK Park, IL
SUSPENSION:REAR
REAR SUSPENSION STRUTS BIND AND CLUNK DUE TO LUBRICATION ISSUE. BOTH ORIGINAL STRUTS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AS WELL AS ONE OF THE REPLACEMENTS AND PROBLEM HAS RETURNED AGAIN FOR A TOTAL OF 5 FAILED STRUTS. WARRANTY HAS NOW EXPIRED AND REPAIR WOULD BE AT MY COST. THE BINDING HAS PROGRESSED UNABATED AND WILL LIKELY RESULT IN TIME IN COMPLETE FAILURE (FROZEN OR UNRESTRICTED MOVEMENT).
NHTSA complaint #10315717 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.