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 2003 Subaru Impreza owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
My 2003 Subaru Impreza WRX has a very strong fuel odor that is coming into the cabin when I start my car up on cold days. It's been unusually cold here in Washington state this winter with temperatures in Seattle dipping well below freezing. I see that there is a recall for this exact problem for my exact car (https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2009/RCONL-09V468-4248.pdf). But when I called the dealer (Michael's Bellevue Subaru), and then subsequently called Subaru (1-800-SUBARU3), they told me that they will not fix this issue, since this recall does not apply to my state (Washington). I think that's not right. It is the exact same problem of cold weather causing this fuel line to leak, and they should honor this recall.
For a couple of years in cold weather, usually below 32 degrees, the smell of gasoline existed in the cabin of the vehicle. I had it checked during an local state inspection and discovered fuel was leaking on the passenger side of the engine compartment. It was discovered that the manufacturer was aware of this. I contacted three(3) local dealers, that all new about TSB 09-36-03. They all quoted the same $500 estimate to repair. Two of the dealers, Subaru of dallas and huffines Subaru in dallas texas informed me that failure to correct the condition could result in an engine fire. Given the severe nature of the defect, that the manufacturer clearly knows about, this should be upgraded to a recall. 1) the danger of leaking fuel due to a manufacture defect. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Subaru Impreza. The contact smelled fuel inside and outside the engine bay. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 09V468000 (fuel system, gasoline). Kearny mesa Subaru (4797 convoy st, san diego, ca 92111, [phone]) was contacted and stated that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact to call NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 159,800.
My car is leaking fuel. I smell the poisonous fuel inside my vehicle every time I am inside it. I am losing 50 miles per full tank. Can this leak cause my car to blow-up and kill me or others? I am scared. My name is [redacted] from clifton new jersey. My extended warranty expired in November. Isn't safety more important than a 3 month expired warranty? I work for nj transit, I know the dot would be concerned!
Subaru of America recall wvk-21 occured while driving at operating temperature, causing smoke to rise from engine bay. Subaru of America refused to fix the issue as my VIN did not come up in their system with the recall.
This is regarding a 2003 Subaru Impreza wrx. I am experiencing the fuel leak addressed in NHTSA action number : pe04002. I am located in albuquerque, new Mexico. Recently I have had the car outside in temperatures as low as 30 f (nights are spent in a garage next to a furnace--probably 40 f). I am having the fuel leak that you and Subaru of America claim occurs at only "extremely low temperatures." I have had it occur three times, and both times the fuel smell persisted after 15 minutes of driving, even with windows open. The fuel smell was bad enough that it gave me a headache and was detectable in my garage the next day by both my wife and I (and my wife did not know about the smell, I asked her to check the next morning if she smelled anything to confirm my nose). I brought it to the dealer to fix. They never mentioned the TSB, the NHTSA investigation, or how common the problem is. …
I have a cold weather fuel leak underneath the intake manifold. This fuel leak causes the cabin of the car to fill up with volatile fumes. It is a visible leak and drips on top of the engine near sources of ignition. I contacted Subaru of America and 3 of my local dealerships and they have acknowledged the problem but only rank it as a service bulletin not a recall. This problem exists with all Subaru wrx owners in a cold climate. Use a search engine on the internet for (cold weather fuel leak wrx ect..) and you will find thousands of affected owners. Subaru wants $500-$900 for the repair. I believe that this is a serious hazard for explosion, health, and the environment. Please help.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Subaru Impreza. The contact smelled a strong odor of gasoline coming from the vehicle. She took the vehicle to a local dealer and had it repaired according to a TSB (replacement of the fuel lines). The contact had to assume financial responsibility for the repair because there was no recall for that component. Weeks later, the failure recurred and a technician stated that they would have to repair the vehicle according to another TSB (add clamps to fuel lines). She is in the process of having the vehicle repaired. The manufacturer did not offer any assistance. The failure mileage was 135,000 and current mileage was 140,000.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Subaru Impreza. In freezing weather conditions, the contact could smell a strong odor of gasoline. The odor was so strong as if someone doused the vehicle in gasoline. She was unable to determine the origin of the odor, but the vehicle could not be driven because of the intense smell. The dealer stated that there were no recalls; therefore, they could not assist with the repairs. The failure mileage was 37,654 and current mileage was 55,000. 4/01/09 the consumer husband found gas leaking onto the engine. After doing some research, the consumer found the leak happens when the weather is cold. Updated 04/07/09.
Tl* - the contact owns a 2003 Subaru Impreza. While attempting to warm the vehicle, the contact smelled fuel in the passenger compartment. He immediately looked under the hood and saw a constant dripping of fuel onto the engine. He turned the vehicle off. The vehicle has not been driven since the failure on January 20, 2007. The vehicle was purchased in May 2006. However, the problem only occurred in the winter months. The vehicle hasd the same problem as stated NHTSA action number pe04002 which has been closed, and did not result in a recall.
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 2003 Subaru Impreza?
NHTSA has 26 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2003 Subaru Impreza, 42% of the model year's 62 complaints. The component named most often is delivery › hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 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 2003 Subaru Impreza fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 103,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 2 injuries 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.