2002 Subaru WRX Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 295about this part
- Share
- 69%of 427 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 48,450miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 295 complaints about the fuel system of the 2002 Subaru WRX, 69% of the 427 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 48,450 miles. 2 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“2002 impreza WRX wagon, leaking fuel lines located under the intake manifold in cold weather. I have noticed gas fumes from leaking fuel lines in this vehicle which I purchased new in 2002. Nevada is not a state listed in the wvk-21 Subaru recall of dec, 2009, but this vehicle is leaking fuel from the same problem on cold mornings in northern nevada.”
NHTSA complaint #10303387, filed 2010-01, 113,683 miles“Working night shifts, started my car to let warm up, temperature was 43 degrees fahrenheit at the time. After start up I could smell raw fuel out side the car as well as inside the car through the vents. Also gas mileage has gone down by drastically, normally get 300-330 miles a tank and currently getting barley 200. Noticed car starting to smoke a little as well from under the hood, no fire but not going to keep driving the car.”
NHTSA complaint #10578785, filed 2014-04, 126,000 miles“The passenger compartment of my 2002 Subaru WRX smells like raw gasoline when I start the car in cold temperatures. I have read stories of other WRX owners who have the same problem, and it is a leaky fuel line in the engine compartment. I am concerned that one of these times, the fuel is going to catch fire and cause serious injury to myself and my passengers.”
NHTSA complaint #10253737, filed 2009-01, 69,850 miles“I have the terrible gasoline smell in and outside of the car as a result of a recall that is not valid in the state of ohio. As Subaru thinks ohio is not a cold weather state and has denied the recall on my vehicle. It smells the whole house. It is sickening. I have been putting up for it since I bought the vehicle and am the original owner. According to the recall, it can cause a fire. I cannot purchase another car, and Subaru will not honor the recall because I live in ohio (a very very cold state).”
NHTSA complaint #10965915, filed 2017-03, 50 miles“Severe smell of gasonline in passenger compartment when outside temp is <40 deg f. Has been happening for over a year. I took it to dealer last year and they told me they tightened up clamps but that had no effect. This isnt a recall?? Over 140 complaints fo raw fuel leaking onto the engine and no recall?? Does someone have to die in a car fire??”
NHTSA complaint #10213198, filed 2007-12, 30,000 milesRelated recalls
- 09V468000Dec 4, 2009Subaru is recalling certain model year 2002 and 2003 impreza wrx vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of south dakota, nebraska…Covers: Subaru WRX 2002–2003, Impreza 2002–2003
Related service bulletins
- 10083644Feb 19, 2013Note: service bulletin 09-36-03 (fuel smell in cold weather) has been deleted from stis and has been replaced with service bulletin 01-170-09 (engine fuel line extended warranty…
- 10014461Nov 1, 2004Fuel odor in cold weather.
Fuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 4% |
| 2021 | 1 | 8% |
| 2020 | 1 | 6% |
| 2019 | 3 | 10% |
| 2018 | 7 | 16% |
| 2017 | 3 | 6% |
| 2016 | 2 | 6% |
| 2015 | 5 | 10% |
| 2009 | 1 | 2% |
| 2008 | 2 | 3% |
| 2006 | 4 | 29% |
| 2005 | 12 | 63% |
| 2004 | 35 | 83% |
| 2003 | 20 | 33% |
| 2002 | 295 | 69% |
Other parts of the 2002 Subaru WRX
80 complaintsEngine cooling
16 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
16 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
8 complaintsSuspension
6 complaintsAir bags
3 complaintsElectrical system
3 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsEngine
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsTires
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Subaru WRX
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology