35 of the
46 complaints about the 2004 Subaru WRX are about the
fuel system — 76% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
73,500 miles.
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
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.
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.
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 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.
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 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 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 45,000 milesOAK Park, IL
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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).
NHTSA complaint #10315709 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 40,000 milesST Louis, MO
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #10298796 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 62,000 milesEast Ridge, TN
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #10298232 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,345 milesRiverview, FL
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #10298212 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 72,000 milesBoise, ID
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #10297876 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,000 milesSanta FE, NM
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #10297674 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesRochester, MN
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #10296108 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 69,990 milesCharlottesville, VA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #10294222 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesAnchorage, AK
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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?
NHTSA complaint #10265405 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesOAK Park, IL
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #10262696 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Maplewood, MN
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #10261723 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Englewood, CO
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #10256426 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,000 milesAnne Arbor, MI
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #10256123 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.