WASHINGTON — Subaru is recalling 5,724 2002-'03 Impreza WRX vehicles sold in 16 cold-weather states because fuel leaks in the fuel delivery line, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The vehicles were originally sold in or are registered in South Dakota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Minnesota, Idaho, Iowa, Montana, Colorado, Wisconsin, New York, Wyoming, Michigan, Alaska, New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine.
"During cold starts, typically under extremely cold temperatures, fuel leaks in the fuel delivery line could occur where the line connects with a rubber hose," said NHTSA in its summary of the problem. "Fuel leaks, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire."
Customers typically complained of a fuel odor connected with the problem. No fires, crashes, injuries or deaths attributed to this defect have been reported, Subaru said.
Subaru dealers will replace the fuel line for free. The recall is expected to begin sometime in December. Subaru owners can contact the company at 800-782-2783.
For owners in the other 34 states, Subaru will extend the warranty on this fuel line/hose to 12 years/unlimited mileage. Owners in these states who smell a fuel odor can take their vehicle to a Subaru dealer for a free fuel line update, the automaker said in other documentation filed with the federal government.
Inside Line says: If you own the aforementioned Impreza WRX, have it checked out with your dealer ASAP. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
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tagtronix says:
06:56 PM, 03/12/2010
We use to have an O2 Outback that also had the fuel leaks where rubber hoses connected to the fuel delivery lines and the injectors. It also leaked when cold but by tightening the hose clamps the leaks stopped. My wife, who commutes 110 miles round trip a day to mwork was complaining of the gas smell and it was frigid outside hear in Upstate New York. The car was about 2 years old with 75,000 miles on it, I do most of maintenance and after tigtening, no more leak. The car was sold an an 05 Outback purchased that never had this problem. The 05 is also gone now, we have an 08 Outback with 93 K on it and an 09 with 21 K.
meche_de says:
07:22 PM, 12/21/2009
I experienced this fuel leak on my 02 WRX about three years ago. I live in northern Delaware, hardly a cold climate (though it manifested on a very cold day in February). Initially the local Subaru dealer charged me over $600 to repair the leak, (requires removal of the intercooler and intake manifold to reach the fuel line). Afterwards I read about the TSB and filed a report with NHTSA. I followed up with a professional letter to Subaru USA headquarters, urging them to issue a safety recall. Their response was a check to cover the dealer charges. I'm glad to see they are stepping up now, even if a bit late.
vergil says:
04:58 PM, 12/17/2009
Subaru has had this fuel leak problem in a TSB for at least 3 years in the U.S. and I think they fix the problem back in 2005 for all cars that were shipped to Canada. Granted, it is pretty bad that they just now put a recall out for it when it has been a problem for years. And now this is their second fuel related recall that has come to life in about the last the last few months.
davesuton says:
09:45 PM, 12/14/2009
Status quo now for Japanese automakers to hide defects
huyracing says:
01:49 PM, 12/14/2009
there are lots of problems Subaru kept secret, if they are smart they would do a TSB, but they were obviously too cheap to even do that. Recalls are forced upon them by law.
intothewest says:
01:43 PM, 12/14/2009
Wow. I had that problem on my 2002 WRX way back in 2003 (in Alberta, Canada). Subaru kept it for a couple days to fix it. I was shocked then that it wasn't a TSB!
It took 6 or 7 years for Subaru to put this warning out there??? Crazy.