I know this has been done before, but I'm one of those unlucky ones that has an 02 wrx with the fuel line problem in cold weather. I went to my local dealership and found that this is a 800 dollar fix!! I have called SOA and I'm currently waiting to hear back from them. Has anyone dealt with SOA on this issue?

 

See this thread...
https://www.i-club.com/forums/showth...her+fuel+smell

Getting in touch with SOA is definitely the right thing to do! Check out my last post on the above thread and be persistent. They should make it right, but you'll have to work for it.

 

By the way, my last post is on page four...

 

Thanks for the info, sounds like you have to be persistant, or call the local news media and ask them if its okay to drive around in a car that leaks gas from the factory!! I will keep this post updated on my luck with SOA.

 

I had this problem, and I figured cleaning out the garage would be easier than getting SOA to own up to this and the dealership agreeing to fix it under warranty. Heres the porblem you'll face: the dealership will want to recreate the problem, but it may not get cold enough for them to correctly recreate it. In this case they'll find no problem and you'll get to pay the diagnostics fee.

 

Same issue. Just got my car back after 8 days in the shop and $370. I called SOA and told them this would be the last vehicle I buy if they did not pay for the repair. I also told them I would be contacting NHTSA to ask why a fuel leak does not qualify for a recall. I have to mail a copy of the receipt to SOA for repayment (maybe).

 

This has already been through NHTSA and rejected for whatever reason. You can try again but most likely it will be a waste of time. Realize that it's not a new issue, this has been known to Subaru and NHTSA since the first winter after the '02's were on the road.
At least be aware that the amount you were charged for the repair is very reasonable compared to what others have paid or been quoted, someone else just posted that a dealer gave them a figure of $800 for this job.

 

I have just received a call from SOA, they are going to pay for the repair. I take it in next week. Seems like being persistant and calm can work sometimes.

 

Well, the dealer can't duplicate the smell, maybe because its 45 degrees today, and won't be cold for awhile. So I'm stuck until next year when its below 14 degrees. I love my suby, but this has been a pain in the butt.

 

Since you already convinced them to pay for the repair, you should be able to get them to go ahead and do the work. It's not like they don't know what needs to be fixed, they have the TSB.

 

through my investigation, it seems that SOA will pay for this repair if you have had your maintance work done at the dealership, or have purchased filters and etc through them. Making you a loyal customer. I have purchased all of my filters and etc through the dealership and SOA paid for the repair.