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.
Engine & cooling
2003 Subaru WRX Engine problems
Owners have filed 4 complaints about the 2003 Subaru WRX's engine & cooling with NHTSA - 7% of all its complaints, most recently on June 24, 2010. They describe 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.
- Complaints
- 4
- Recalls
- 0
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
Engine complaints
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
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...
Read the full complaint
the power steering hose. The power steering hose then pumped power steering fluid all over the turbocharger, exhaust manifold, heat shields, hood, firewall, etc. When the power steering fluid hit the heat shields and exhaust, it started burning and this caused the fire. I have not finished repairing the vehicle yet so I don't know the complete extent of the damage. At this point, at least the power steering hose and fluid need to be changed. The pressure side power steering hose has no brackets to hold it in position within about 1' of the turbocharger heat shield. The outside of the hose is rubber. There is no heat shield over it. It is guaranteed to rub against the heat shield and fail this way. The power steering return hose also has no brackets within 1' of the turbocharger heat shield, but it does at least have a corrugated aluminum heat shield over it. *Tr
Engine check light continues to stay on. Dealer is unable to duplicate the problem. *Ak
Subaru WRX engine complaints by year
WRX engine problems, every yearSource: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data