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2003 SUBARU WRX — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

fire · 699125 · 2008-12-07

Vehicle

Make
SUBARU
Model
WRX
Year
2003
Manufacturer
Subaru of America, Inc.
Component
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Miles at failure
55,000
Speed
30 mph

Severity

Deaths
0
Injured
0
Fire
Yes
Crash
No
Police report
No
Medical attention
No
Vehicle towed
No

Narrative

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 HOLD THE GAS LINES INTACT WERE VERY LOOSE. HE SAID THAT THE DURING HIGH FUEL PRESSURE THE FUEL LINES COULD SEPARATE AND CAUSE A ENGINE FIRE. I HAVE CALLED SUBARU OF AMERICA AND THEY TOLD ME THERE'S A BULLETIN ON THIS ISSUE. IT SEEMS THAT THIS CAN BE A VERY DANGEROUS SAFETY ISSUE, AND IT SOUNDS TO ME THAT SUBARU OF AMERICA IS NOT WILLING TO REPAIR THE $500 ISSUE. I HAVE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS ANOTHER FUEL ISSUE WITH ANOTHER SUBARU MODEL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V303000). THE SUBARU OUTBACK HAD A RECALL BECAUSE THERE WAS A LOOSE CLAMP AT THE FILLER CAP THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED A FUEL LEAK. WHY IS THERE NO RECALL FOR THE FUEL LEAK IN THE WRXS? THE LEAK HAPPENS VERY CLOSE TO THE ENGINE. ANY TYPE OF HEAT OR IGNITION COULD CAUSE A FIRE OR EVEN DEATH! PLEASE RESEARCH THIS ISSUE AS IT COULD BECOME A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM! *TR

Source

Authoritative
NHTSA ODI Flat-File Downloads
ODI Number
10251008
Machine
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