This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
It has recently been extremely cold in Chicago and upon initial startup of the vehicle there is a strong smell of gasoline inside the cabin. The smell does not go away until the car is completely warmed up. I noticed that there has been a recall for this type of problem. It was Subaru recall no. Wvk-21. I believe my car should fall under this recall. I called Subaru customer service and they told me that my car did not fall under this recall campaign. But the problems I've been having fit the description of the recall campaign.
Fuel leaking from lines in engine compartment of 2003 (man. Date July 2002) Subaru WRX sedan. Leak appears to be triggered by cold temperatures. Fuel pools in the engine compartment. Very strong smell of fuel in the passenger compartment. Contacted local dealer, who did not think it was a serious issue.
The contact owns a 2003 Subaru Impreza. In freezing weather conditions, the contact could smell a strong odor of gasoline. The odor was so strong as if someone doused the vehicle in gasoline. She was unable to determine the origin of the odor, but the vehicle could not be driven because of the intense smell. The dealer stated that there were no recalls; therefore, they could not assist with the repairs. The failure mileage was 37,654 and current mileage was 55,000. 4/01/09 the consumer husband found gas leaking onto the engine. After doing some research, the consumer found the leak happens when the weather is cold. Updated 04/07/09.
Due to a flawed design related to the fuel delivery system, whenever the outside temperature drops below 14 degrees a rubber hose contracts and gasoline leaks out of a fuel rail connection above the engine on the passenger side. This flaw is outlined in Subaru service bulletin (#09-36-03). I think it is a dangerous situation having raw fuel leaking onto an engine especially since the smell inside the cabin of the car is extremely strong. This design issue should have forced a recall, yet it has not and Subaru dealers are charging in excess of $500 to correct the situation by replacing the rubber hose with one that is 30mm longer. The leaking fuel situation has been an issue with the vehicle since I originally purchased it. It seems to be getting more severe each winter with today being no exception. The temperature here in cheyenne this morning was in a low teens and even as I went to get into the vehicle I could smell gas as I stood next to the car. When I turned on the fan for the heater the cabin filled with gas fumes. A quick search of the internet revealed that there are hundreds of comments, postings and threads by owners who are experiencing this hazardous problem.
The contact owns a 2003 Subaru Impreza. The contact smelled a strong odor of gasoline coming from the vehicle. She took the vehicle to a local dealer and had it repaired according to a tsb (replacement of the fuel lines). The contact had to assume financial responsibility for the repair because there was no recall for that component. Weeks later, the failure recurred and a technician stated that they would have to repair the vehicle according to another tsb (add clamps to fuel lines). She is in the process of having the vehicle repaired. The manufacturer did not offer any assistance. The failure mileage was 135,000 and current mileage was 140,000.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Glenview, IL, USA