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)
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NHTSA Action Number: EA09011
Vehicle Make / Model:
Model Year(s):
SUBARU / IMPREZA
2002
SUBARU / WRX
2002
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Manufacturer:
SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
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Component:
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
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Date Investigation Opened:
July 2, 2009
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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)
