Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Subaru Impreza owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that while driving at 15 MPH, the front passenger side lower control arm suddenly failed causing the passenger side of the vehicle to lower. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the lower control arm had fractured. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 11V464000 (suspension) but the failure persisted. The contact also indicated that there was a fuel odor present while operating the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed of repaired. The failure mileage was 135,000.
Very strong smell of raw gasoline in the engine compartment and cabin that would be consistent with spilled fuel but there wasn't any spilled in either location. The smell is strongest while driving with heat or A/C on to the point that windows had to be opened because the fumes were irritating the eyes. After speaking with a mechanic, was told that a common problem is the rubber fuel lines that run along the top of the engine dry rot and break causing raw gasoline to spill onto the hot engine and turbocharger potentially causing a fire. This has been an issue the entire time I have owned the vehicle.
Strong smell of fuel upon start-up when in sub-freezing conditions. It has occurred twice in 2019, which are the only recent times it has been exposed to those conditions. The first occurrence was in February, 2019. The second was in November, 2019. Recall 09V468000 applies to my model vehicle, but only in certain states. The recall, therefore, does not apply to my VIN, although the description of the recall notice appears to match the symptoms of my car. After speaking with Subaru, they indicated they are not willing to do anything about it because my VIN is not covered in the recall.
Raw fuel smell with temperatures below 20 degrees f and raw fuel in engine compartment with temperatures below 0 degrees f. Smell occurs anytime car sits in sub 20f temperatures. Actual leak with raw fuel occurred after car sat out overnight in sub zero degree temperatures. Small smoldering fire signified by small amount of grey smoke coming from engine compartment upon start up. Car has been taken to dealer three times for problem over two years and still leaks. Most recently after leak they replaced fuel rail system, but car still leaks.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that the vehicle emitted an abnormal fuel odor without warning. Subaru of winchester (3019 valley ave, winchester, va) diagnosed that the fuel line was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that a manager would call the contact. The failure mileage was approximately 151,000.
In cold temperatures the fuel leaks from rubber fuel lines onto the fuel rail and manifold resulting in a very strong fuel odor coming into the vehicles cabin. When at a stop with the vehicle idiling the smell is overwhelming. Not nearly as bad while driving.
I was denied the fuel line recall due to I live in ohio and ohio is not on the list of "cold states." I am forced to breath gasoline fumes and my engine smokes burning off those gasoline fumes. Just waiting for the car to blow up. Thank you, Subaru
When the temperature drops 35 degrease and below the fuel line tends to leak fuel/vapor and the smell inside of the vehicle is unbearable, and I'm sure that it's not safe nor environmentally friendly ether.
I have a 2002 Subaru Impreza wrx sedan which has an apparent fuel leak in cold weather. Subaru has a technical service bullitain out on this problem to fix it (they do know about it), but it has yet to be made a recall. I first experienced this problem the other night when it was very cold outside, and there was a very strong fuel odor in the cabin. I asked some of my friends who also drive wrx's if they have had experience with this, and they said that they have been having the problem recently as well. After doing some research, the TSB was discovered and the source became clear. Fuel was leaking onto the engine, which poses not only a foul odor, but also an extremely dangerous fire hazzard. Please get Subaru to make this a recall so that they can prevent anything bad from happening to one of their customers. …
Subaru recently issued a recall, (recall no. Wvk-21), for leaking fuel in '02-'03 wrx's. As stated, only some vehicles are covered. I called the Subaru phone # to check eligibility, and was told that my car is not covered under this recall, but that I should have a dealer fix it, at my own cost, asap, because leaking fuel is dangerous. Well at least the Subaru rep admitted it, if so won't as a company. I would like to file a formal complaint to extend this recall to all 02-03 wrx's. The leak is bad enough that I see raw fuel dripping onto the pavement below my car, that alone is a horrendous safety risk, as well as a major source of pollution. There is no possible way this vehicle would pass any emissions test with the amount of unburned hydrocarbon escaping. …
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump
Subaru is recalling certain model year 2002 and 2003 impreza wrx 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.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel line free of charge. The recall began on December 31, 2009. Owners May contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783.
NHTSA investigations
Fuel line leak
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.
Fuel line leakage in engine compartment
Subaru reports that the fuel odor is caused by fuel seepage during cold start of the engine under extremely cold temperatures. The leak occurs in a fuel line in the engine compartment.it reports that the failure is due to the misaligned angle between two fuel delivery lines which resulted in such fuel seepage during the first few seconds of cold engine start during these cold temperatures.Subaru reports that the two…
Fuel line leak
The design of the fuel line (metal rail/rubber hose interface) is susceptible to fuel odor and/or seepage in extreme cold temperature conditions.owners most often noticed fuel odor in the occupant compartment area during initial cold engine start-up.once the engine is warmed, the odor/seepage issue dissipates.from Subaru's data, odi notes that the incident rates are higher in states with colder temperatures.there…
Fuel System complaints in other Impreza years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2002 Subaru Impreza?
NHTSA has 99 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2002 Subaru Impreza, 34% of the model year's 292 complaints. The component named most often is delivery › hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (44 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Subaru Impreza fuel system problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 09V-468 (fuel pump, Dec 4, 2009). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2002 Subaru Impreza fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 1 injury to fuel & propulsion system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.