10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 1 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 91,636 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
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« Read the previous 20 complaints
Upon cold starting the car there is a prominent raw fuel smell. It only seems to happen when temperatures outside are sub-freezing. The lower the temperature the worse the fuel smell becomes. After the car has warmed up the fuel smell goes away. It is very similar to the problem Subaru had with it's 02-03 Imprezas, which they issued a recall for the fuel lines, which were too short and in the cold would shrink further causing a leak until the car warmed up. I am submitting this complaint because Subaru of America denies the issue exists and is charging around $400 at the dealership to swap out the fuel lines.
- Woodstock, CT, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that they smelled fuel coming from the vents inside the cabin of the vehicle. The contact looked under the hood and found that the clamp going to the high pressure fuel rail for the injectors was loose and leaking fuel. The contact tightened the clamp and planned to take the vehicle to the dealer. The failure and the current mileages were 95,068.
- Kingston, NY, USA
Upon starting the car during the colder winter months, a raw fuel smell will begin to fill the cabin if the HVAC system is turned on to vent fresh air. This smell is strong enough to cause lightheadedness and the sensation of nausea. Upon further investigation, the passenger side fuel line is leaking fuel underneath the intake manifold, to the extent that you can visibly see a puddle of fuel boiling on top of the engine block. This happens because there are two hard metal fuel lines running to the fuel injectors connected by a small piece of rubber hose with clamps. However this hose from the factory is cut too short, so when the temperature is cold enough the rubber looses its elastic properties and as the metal lines vibrate / move with the motor, it leaks fuel out of the rubber hose. This problem has been addressed by Subaru in the tsb #09-36-03. They offer to replace the rubber hose and hard metal fuel line for model years 2002 and 2003 Impreza WRX's free of charge. Having been an owner of a 2002 Impreza WRX before purchasing my 2004 Impreza WRX, I had this service performed at my local Subaru dealership. I am disgusted to find out that this coverage does not apply to the model year 2004 Impreza WRX, when it features an identical motor and drivetrain to the previous years (2002, 2003.) this means that the fueling system is identical as well, and that the previously acknowledged raw fuel leak is happening in my car as well. The fact that the 2004 Impreza WRX has the same motor. And same fuel system, and Subaru of America will openly deny coverage to have the parts replaced is truly disgusting in itself. Raw fuel leaking on top of a hot engine block, around sources of ignition is the most extreme of safety hazards, and now I own a vehicle in which I cannot Transport my wife and child. I am truly disappointed in Subaru for turning a cold shoulder to this.
- State College, PA, USA
- Florence, NJ, USA