# NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE09017
> **FUEL LINE LEAK** · Opened 2009-03-10 · Closed 2009-07-02
## Investigation
- **Action number:** PE09017
- **Type:** Preliminary Evaluation
- **Open date:** 2009-03-10
- **Close date:** 2009-07-02
- **Manufacturer:** Subaru of America, Inc.
- **Affected makes:** SUBARU
- **Affected components:** FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:CARBURETOR SYSTEM; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RA
- **Affected model years:** 2002, 2003, 2004
- **Affected (make, year) variants:** 66
## Summary

COMPLAINANTS REPORT FUEL LEAKAGE MOST FREQUENTLY IN WINTER DURING INITIAL COLD ENGINE STARTUP.OWNERS WILL EITHER NOTICE A FUEL ODOR INSIDE THE OCCUPANT COMPARTMENT OR FUEL ODOR/LEAKAGE AT THE FUEL LINES ON THE RIGHT SIDE ATOP THE ENGINE. ONCE THE ENGINE HAS WARMED, THE ODOR/LEAKAGE MAY CEASE.SUBARU REVISED THE FUEL PIPE/HOSE DESIGN FOR MODEL YEAR (MY) 2003-04 WRX VEHICLES PRODUCED AFTER AUGUST 2003.SUBARU ALSO INTRODUCED A MY 2004 IMPREZA STI VEHICLE WITH A DIFFERENT ENGINE AND FUEL PIPE/HOSE LAYOUT.OUT OF THE TOTAL OF 994 COMPLAINTS, 944 CONCERN MY 2002-03 WRX VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH AUGUST 2003.SUBARU ALSO REPORTS ONE FIRE ON A MY 2002 WRX VEHICLE THAT OCCURRED IN FEBRUARY 2006.IN MARCH 2009, ODI INSPECTED AND VIDEO TAPED A MY 2002 WRX VEHICLE WITH A FUEL LEAK DURING COLD ENGINE START UP.THE VIDEO WAS PROVIDED TO SUBARU AND IS IN THE INVESTIGATION FILE. THIS INVESTIGATION IS BEING UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA09-011) TO FURTHER STUDY THIS ISSUE.

## Source
- [NHTSA ODI investigation page](https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchResults?searchType=ID&targetCategory=I&searchCriteria.nhtsa_ids=PE09017)
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