2002-2003 WRX recall on gas leak in cold weather

[Dr16Chris]

I guess Subaru issued a limited recall for the gas leak issue in cold weather. But are limiting the states from where you can get the recall. (Recall Results : ODI - Office of Defects Investigation).

I was wondering if anyone has heard whether they are going to extend this to other states. I live in Indiana and get this same issue. Mine was purchased from a dealer like 40 miles from one of the states that qualify. It seems to be a joke that they are not covering other states that get hit by cold whether. Yet they are covering Arkansas.

If you hear of additional states please let me know.

Thanks

[frypod]

Chris, I doubt they'll ever extend it to other states. But I would speak with them anyways. Take a look at this thread: >>>>The I smell raw gas from my WRX and its cold outside Thread (TSB inside)<<<<

Notice the picture of the Service Bulletin, print that off, along with any recall information. They might not service it for free, but it couldn't hurt.

[Sarra]

This irritates me to no end. It's been down into single digits here several nights in a row, and I've got a leak in my fuel system, and I just paid $650 to have my local dealership fix my O rings a few months ago because they were leaking.

Since this recall doesn't apply to the state I'm in, I'm ditching factory fuel rails and going aftermarket, and upgrading to STi injectors. God, what a disaster.

This is one reason I'm not going to ever buy a new Subaru. Ever.

[kjb]

Haha, this morning I had finally decided to bite the bullet and get it fixed, after several winters' worth of people asking "why does your car smell like gas?" I requested a quote from the dealer and then noticed this! Thanks for the post! I hope they don't make me wait until January, as its already below zero in Minnesota.

[Donkey]

It's quite an easy fix to do yourself but I would bring the TSB in first to your local dealership and see what they say.

Raw Fuel Smell Log - NASIOC

Subaru Voluntary Recall: 2002–2003 Impreza WRX Cold Weather Fuel Line/Hose Seep - NASIOC

[kjb]

From the post on NASIOC, it looks like everyone with the problem will be able to get the fix:

Additionally, Subaru will follow up in early CY 2010 with letters to owners that it will provide an extended 12 year/unlimited mileage warranty for this condition to owners of affected vehicles located in the remaining 34 states

[zax]

nice catch... my car used to have frequent fuel leaks in cold weather, but the dealership went in and replaced the fuel lines years ago and it seemed to clear the problem. But I don't know since it hasn't seen extremely cold weather since I moved to MD. I wonder if my soob is still eligible since it was purchased in Michigan?

[silverautorex]

just wanted to let u guys know that subaru finally sent out a recall notice for fuel seepage on 2002-03 models. got mine today. Finally no more gas smell!!

[EvoEatr]

just wanted to let u guys know that subaru finally sent out a recall notice for fuel seepage on 2002-03 models. got mine today. Finally no more gas smell!!

Unfortunately it only includes states in NOAA zone #1 which is 16 of them...I have an account on Subarunet however I think its like illegal or something for me to post a link to the entire recall bulletin they put up...lol..

[VVVV]

It never hurts to try, even if you aren't in the associated states. If you can't get the dealership to do it, then send a letter to the NHTSA and copy the dealership. Maybe in 7 years or so of complaining you too can get a recall.

From Home | National Highway Traffic Safety Administration(NHTSA) | U.S. Department of Transportation

Recall Campaign 09V468000 has 1 Related Investigation(s)
________________________________________
NHTSA Action Number: EA09011


Vehicle Make / Model:
Model Year(s):
SUBARU / IMPREZA
2002


SUBARU / WRX
2002


________________________________________
Manufacturer:
SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
________________________________________
Component:
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS


________________________________________
Date Investigation Opened:
July 2, 2009
________________________________________
Date Investigation Closed:
December 14, 2009


Summary:
THE DESIGN OF THE FUEL LINE (METAL RAIL/RUBBER HOSE INTERFACE) IS SUSCEPTIBLE TO FUEL ODOR AND/OR SEEPAGE IN EXTREME COLD TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS. OWNERS MOST OFTEN NOTICED FUEL ODOR IN THE OCCUPANT COMPARTMENT AREA DURING INITIAL COLD ENGINE START-UP. ONCE THE ENGINE IS WARMED, THE ODOR/SEEPAGE ISSUE DISSIPATES. FROM SUBARU'S DATA, ODI NOTES THAT THE INCIDENT RATES ARE HIGHER IN STATES WITH COLDER TEMPERATURES. THERE WAS ONE ALLEGATION OF A FIRE INCIDENT IN WHICH THE OWNER HAD REPORTED THAT HE NOTICED FUEL ODOR A FEW DAYS EARLIER, BUT ODI COULD NOT CONFIRM THE ORIGIN OF THE FIRE. TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE, SUBARU WILL REPLACE THE FUEL LINE WITH A "LONGER RUBBER HOSE SEGMENT VERSION/DESIGN" ON 5,724 MY 2002-2003 VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH SEPTEMBER 12, 2002 IN 16 STATES (AK, CO, IA, ID, ME, MI, MN, MT, ND, NE, NH, NY, SD, VT, WI & WY). IN ADDITION, SUBARU WILL EXTEND THE WARRANTY COVERAGE TO 12 YEARS/UNLIMITED MILEAGE ON VEHICLES IN THE REMAINING 34 STATES. THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS IS CLOSED (SEE RECALL CAMPAIGN 09V-468)

[jcdt]

I was just looking over the registered complaints for 2002 WRX on the NHTSA site and saw one where they asked why all all cars were not covered. Here's the complaint.

I HAVE THE FUEL LEAK PROBLEM COVERED IN RECALL NUMBER 09V468000 IN MY 2002 SUBARU IMPREZZA WRX BUT MY CAR IS REGISTERED IN PENNSYLVANIA AND APPEARS NOT TO BE COVERED. I CAN SMELL GAS AND SEE IT POOL ON THE ENGINE WHEN STARTING MY CAR BELOW ABOUT 30 DEGREES FARENHEIT WHICH IS NOT UNCOMMON IN PENNSYLVANIA. THE SMELL IS VERY STRONG INSIDE THE VEHICLE. WHY AREN'T ALL OF THESE CARS BEING RECALLED? EVEN A CAR REGISTERED IN FLORIDA MAY SPEND A FEW DAYS IN A NORHERN STATE AND LEAK GASOLINE WHEN STARTED. DO I HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL MY CAR CATCHES FIRE?

After seeing that I registered my own complaint.

I have the fuel leak/ smell issue covered in NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 09V468000, NHTSA Action Number: EA09011. I have had the problem for several years but it appears to be worse this winter in that it happens at temperatures just below freezing now. In previous winters it would have to be below 20 degrees before I would notice the smell of raw gasoline. I notice the problem when stopped and idling in the cold weather. In particular when stopped at traffic lights. My car was purchased in and registered in Massachusetts. I would like to know why it was not covered in the recall. Massachusetts is further north than CO and parts of NE, IA and NY which are included in the recall.

If your state is not covered in the recall go to the NHTSA website and register a complaint and ask why your state was not included.

Maybe they will do the right thing and extent the recall to all affected cars.

[wrecks]

Surprised to see this issue still around. I had a 02 bugeye I bought new and this started happening the first winter (albeit at -30C). Dealer fixed it the first time I mentioned it to him, which was seven years ago. Also surprised to see it happening at 'warmer' temps such as 30F (around -1C).

If the dealer wants proper paperwork before he's forced to do it, just tell him you think it might leak on the exhaust, and if it does, do you contact the police or your lawyer when the car burns to the ground after telling him of the problem?

[EvoEatr]

Surprised to see this issue still around. I had a 02 bugeye I bought new and this started happening the first winter (albeit at -30C). Dealer fixed it the first time I mentioned it to him, which was seven years ago. Also surprised to see it happening at 'warmer' temps such as 30F (around -1C).

If the dealer wants proper paperwork before he's forced to do it, just tell him you think it might leak on the exhaust, and if it does, do you contact the police or your lawyer when the car burns to the ground after telling him of the problem?

I got a laugh thanks man... ...good way to go about it I suppose though...lol

[offroadbiker16]

--*Chris, I doubt they'll ever extend it to other states. But I would speak with them anyways.

Notice the picture of the Service Bulletin, print that off, along with any recall information. They might not service it for free, but it couldn't hurt. *--

I just got off the phone with SOA and the rep told me that although the recall is limited to certain "government classified cold weather states, as that is how we first issued the recall" there will nevertheless be a warranty issued on the 2002-2003 Subaru WRX models that will cover them for I believe, 12 years and unlimited mileage. Because the recall was only issued very recently, they are working to get this information out to all the dealers and in the near future the warranty will be issued for the remaining 34 or 36 states.

just make it for a few more weeks, they should pull through...hopefully

[Jstreet]

yeah I am currently having this fixed, drove from san diego to reno NV and dealer said during the cold winters they see a few of these every year. I bring in information on the recall and since its not in NV or Ca they said nothing we can do. such a pain in the arsss.