Subaru of America is recalling 2002-2003 Impreza WRX sedan and wagon models originally sold in or currently registered in 16 cold weather states.
Subaru says the problem involves seepage of fuel around connections between a metal line and a rubber hose located beneath the intake manifold in the engine compartment. This seepage occurs during cold starts, typically under extremely cold temperatures. Customers complain of a fuel odor.
No fires, crashes, injuries or deaths attributed to this defect have been reported. Based on its investigations, Subaru has concluded that the affected vehicles do not contain a safety related defect.
An engineering analysis by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration remains open.
Vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of South Dakota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Minnesota, Idaho, Iowa, Montana, Colorado, Wisconsin, New York, Wyoming, Michigan, Alaska, New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine are affected.
Dealer will replace the fuel line (unless already replaced) as described in TSB 09-36-03 with a line that has a longer rubber hose segment to reduce loading on the seal between the hoses and the metal lines. The actual time to replace the fuel line is about 2.5 hours.
Repairs will be done at no charge to the owner. Owners who paid for prior repairs for this fuel line seepage will be reimbursed for their full expense.
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 have a fuel odor can take their WRX to a Subaru dealer for a free fuel line update.
Letters informing owners of this warranty extension will be mailed as soon after the 16-state campaign mailing as possible.
The recall is expected to begin during December 2009. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru recall number WVK-21.
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 or go to http://www.safercar.gov. NHTSA campaign number 09V-468.