2003 Subaru WRX defect investigations

Investigations by NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation that name the 2003 Subaru WRX. An investigation is how complaints can become a recall: complaints → investigation → (sometimes) TSB → recall.

• FUEL LINE LEAK
  Engineering Analysis EA09011 · opened Jul 2, 2009 · closed Dec 14, 2009 · led to recall 09V468000

  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 suba…

• FUEL LINE LEAK
  Preliminary Evaluation PE09017 · opened Mar 10, 2009 · closed Jul 2, 2009

  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 pip…

• FUEL LINE LEAKAGE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT
  Preliminary Evaluation PE04002 · opened Jan 7, 2004 · closed May 27, 2004

  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 th…

• EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES
  Engineering Analysis EA03024 · opened Nov 19, 2003 · closed Jul 12, 2005

  During the ea, odi and vrtc performed the following activities:1.conducted a mail survey of 246 subject vehicle owners todetermine the roadway surface that caused owners' concern;2.interviewed complaining owners;3.conducted field inspections of seven (7) complaint vehicles;4.instrumented testing at vrtc of complaint an…

• BRAKING SYSTEM/ABS
  Preliminary Evaluation PE03029 · opened Jul 8, 2003 · closed Nov 19, 2003

  Subaru's supplemental response of september 29, 2003, identified that the 2002, 2003 subaru wrx models areequipped with the bosch 5.3 abs system, and identified that other model subaru vehicles are also equipped with the bosch 5.3 abs system, but have different calibrations than the wrx model vehicles.subaru identified…