2003 Subaru WRX Problems, complaints & recalls

Car was recalled in approximately 2009 for a fuel leak which could cause and engine fire. I know because I've owned this car I bought it new in 2003. The problem has reoccurred. To fix it, the intake manifold had to be removed and 3 short fuel lines had to be replaced. Work was done by alpine automotive in lake zurich, illinois. I've reached out to subaru who say they know of no issue. However, I found an article published in 2009 in us news & world report, saying that the warranty for this issue was being extended by 12 years , which puts the car still in warranty for this issue.. *Bf

Fuel leaking onto my engine block could result in my car engulfing in flames, no recall for it on my car but I see it everywhere and it's a super common problem. The cabin of the car always smells like gas usually in the cold, but when I smell the engine it smells badly of raw gasoline.

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 subaru wrx. The contact noticed a strong fuel odor inside the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to byers airport subaru (located at 401 n hamilton rd, columbus, oh 43213). The dealer would not repair the vehicle per nhtsa campaign number: 09v468000 (fuel system, gasoline). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and demanded the dealer to repair the vehicle; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The contact was advised that the recall had expired and he would have to pay for the repair. The failure mileage and vin were unknown. Updated 10/24/17*lj updated 10/25/2017*js

When it get cold out, the fuel line starts leaking and there is the smell of gas in the car. There has been a limited recall for this issue depending on where the vehicle was purchased. I live in a state not included in the recall area. This doesn't change the fact that it is a serious safety issue and the manufacturer should correct it no matter what state I live in (illinois). This is clearly a manufacturer's defect and ask that they fix this issue.

My dream car demolished in split second. Could have very easily died as well as my passenger. I looked up the recalls when I got the car and it was not listed yet, the steel front control arms in the snow belt states rust out and cause the vehicle to loose control and or crash. Well it did both to me as well as excelerate my car. I was on a date that night for the first time in a while. And on our way home, we were coming around a slight bend, I was going probably 35-40 mph and right when I turned the steering...

In cold weather the fuel lines leak on the 2003 subaru impreza wrx! There was a limited recall in certain northern states, however it gets cold in many states where there was no recall. The car has become dangerous to drive b/c I can smell the gas which means there is the danger of ignition. Subaru knows of this issue and should issue a recall for all cars affected. *Tr

On the morning of feb 3, 2014 I started my car and it smelled very strongly of raw gas. I turned off the car and had it towed to my local repair shop. The tow cost $84.70. I found out later that morning that subaru issued a recall beginning december 31, 2009 for 2002 and 2003 subaru wrxs where the fuel line leaks in extreme cold. Unfortunately, the recall included only 16 states, and offered an extended warranty to the other 34 states not named in the recall (i reside in one of the 34 for the "extended...

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 subaru wrx. The contact stated the vehicle began leaking oil from the avcs line and would leak onto the manifold, creating a fire hazard. The manufacturer advised there were no recalls for the failure and any repairs would be the contact's expense. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were approximately 31,000.

Fuel line leaks raw gasoline fumes into passenger compartment and outside of vehicle during cold weather. Gas fumes are overpowering inside the vehicle, and possibly creates a serious safety hazard of fire/ explosion. *Tr

Occasionally my wrx smells like raw gas. Three times when I have been driving to mt. Lemon, up a very steep road, I have had a very strong (unbearable) gas smell enter the car. I took it into the dealer and was told that I am just "overfilling the tank," however, I never try to fill the tank beyond the automatic shutoff point on the gas pump. I have also smelled gas occasionally when driving but never as strong as when I drive to mt. Lemon. *Tr

There has been no accident or crash. This is an ongoing safety problem with a model of tires. The tires are kumho spt 225/45r-17. These tires have serious directional stability issues. They make the car very scary to drive in cross winds. In corners, the car always feels like it is squirming around and you never really know what direction it is going to go. I've aligned the car twice, both times adding more rear toe in to increase stability. This has had almost no effect. I've tried a number of different tire...

2003 Subaru wrx, raw fuel smell in cabin before engine is warm and coolant temperatures are warm. Happens infrequently but would like to get rid of the smell. Seems like it's a popular problem for the cars in this production range. First noticed it on the date shown but occurs more often when temperatures are below 50f. *Tr

I have a 2003 subaru wrx wagon. As temperatures approach freezing the fuel lines on the passenger side of the engine begin to leak, heavily, during cold start up. This causes raw fuel smell to enter the cabin as well as creating a potentially hazardous situation with raw fuel openly pooling on the engine. Subaru and their dealers are aware of the situation and it is fixable, however it requires removal of the intake manifold - a very labor intensive job - which makes it a costly repair for the consumer to bear. I acquired the car last year and the problem occurred throughout last winter and has recurred already once this fall. *Tr

I would like to file this complaint after reading all of the complaints related to the same problem I am having with my 2003 subaru wrx. Very strong raw gasoline fumes inside the passenger compartment during cold weather startup. I am the original owner of this car. This problem just started this winter. Yes subaru of america it's happening on the 2003 models also. I would appreciate some direction as how to proceed with this developing safety problem with my car. Thank you. *Tr

Took my vehicle in for routine maintenance when it was found to have a significant gas leak. Specifically the fuel rail had something like 16 leaks. While I never had an engine fire the possibility for that happening was very real. This is my family car, which I transport my children in. From reading other experiences about this I have found it to be a flaw in design with the 2003 subaru wrx. I would hope that subaru would value its customers safety and make a safety recall about this issue. *Tr

I have a 2003 subaru wrx. My car started to smell like something was burning a few days ago in the engine bay. I have also noticed that when the temperature goes below 30 degrees the inside cabin starts to strongly smell like raw fuel. The vapors can cause harmful and even deadly consequences. I have done some research on this issue and it seems that its a widely common issue with subaru wrx's from 2002 to 2004. I took the car to a mechanic shop and got the car examined. The mechanic told me that the clamps that...

I am writing with respect to the investigations concerning fuel leaks in the 2002-2003 models of the subaru impreza wrx models. I purchased a wrx in february of 2003. Like other reports, my car initially emitted a fuel odor only on cold days. I took the car to my local subaru dealership, bel air subaru, to have the problem investigated. They informed my that I had a faulty fuel line, replaced the fuel line, and charged me $800.00. The following week I still smelled fuel. I took the car back to the dealership;...

As I pulled into a parking space, the engine died and flames about 2' tall shot out from between the hood and cowl and out of the intercooler inlet in the center of the hood. The flames were followed by about 10 seconds of a huge smoke cloud. It took me about 90 seconds to get a fire extinguisher and get the fire put out. I examined the damage. The pressure side power steering hose was rubbing against the sheet metal heat shield over the turbocharger. After a while, the relative motion and heat rubbed a hole in...

The cruise control unit on my car will cause the throttle to remain open, even if the cruise is turned off. This can result in anything from higher than normal idle to random instances of wide open, uncontrolled acceleration. The car has been to 2 different subaru dealers for a total of 7 times over the course of 5 years, and the problem has yet to be resolved. All applicable tsb's and recalls have been performed, but problem still occurs. *Tr

Driver side floor mat will not stay in metal rod designed to keep the mat from going forward. Mat slides underneath the petals and has worn the upholstery on the floor as well. Problem has not been fixed as I do not have the money to get it repaired. *Jb

I own a 2003 subaru impreza wrx wagon. On cold mornings (like today: 3f), there is a raw fuel smell in the passenger compartment. I've talked to other impreza owners that have experienced the same problem, apparently there is a design flaw involving a flexible fuel hose connecting the rigid fuel lines. I've just tried contacting subaru of america (soa) regarding this problem, but they seem to be fighting many owners on covering this obvious safety issue.

Raw fuel smell in passenger compartment of 2003 subaru impreza wrx, a known problem on 2002 subaru impreza wrx with fuel pipes/hoses/clamps. Dealers deny there is a problem for 2003 models. *Nm

Strong gas smell in the cabin on a cold day probably a gas leak. Stronger when vehicle is stop. Smell enough to get a good headache and dizzy. *Nm

Gas smell coming through air vents of 2003 subaru wrx when vehicle is stopped with outside air vents open. Problem is intermittent. Nhtsa has a significant number of complaints of this same problem in 2002-2003 wrx models, and a significant number of internet automotive websites discuss this problem. Since gasoline is flammable, and automobile fires are dangerous, I am requesting nhtsa to reopen its file on this matter and to issue a recall since nhtsa has already found that a fuel hose on the engine, in close proximity to the exhaust manifold, is leaking. *Jb

When using windshield wipers in the rain, driver side windshield wiper arm slides past area of windshield and gets stuck on side pillar. This has happened five times on the same trip while driving at speeds over 50 m.P.H. On freeway. Windshield wipers then become inoperable until wiper arm is freed from side pillar. Freeing wiper arm required driving to nearest freeway exit in the rain with inoperable windshield wipers. Checked tightness of wiper arm and was found to be tight and secure. However, wiper arm was found to have a lot of "play" in it. *Jb