2002 Subaru Outback fuel system problems

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

WHEN THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE GETS BELOW 35 DEGREES, MY CAR SMELLS VERY STRONGLY OF GAS INSIDE. I HAVE TO ROLL THE WINDOWS DOWN FOR VENTILATION. WHEN THE TEMPERATURE WARMS UP, THE SMELL GOES AWAY. IT IS WORSE WHEN I FIRST STARTED MY CAR IN THE MORNING. MECHANICS HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM BUT I JUST READ MANY COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THIS ISSUE. I WILL TAKE THEIR SUGGESTED FIXES TO MY MECHANIC.

NHTSA complaint #11052416 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TERRIBLE GAS SMELL. FUEL IS LEAKING BECAUSE IT IS COLD OUTSIDE.

NHTSA complaint #10819273 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

WHEN TEMP. OUTSIDE GO BELOW 32 DEGREES, THE INSIDE OF MY CAR FILLS WITH RAW GAS SMELL, THIS HAPPENS EVERY WINTER. I LIVE IN WI. WHEN IT IS ABOVE FREEZING IT IS FINE AND ALL SUMMER IT IS FINE. I AM SO AFFRAID TO HAVE MY GRAND KIDS IN THE CAR. NOT SURE IF THE FUMES WILL EXPLODE.WHEN I AM DRIVING I DO NOT SMELL GAS. BUT IF I STOP AT A STOP SIGN OR LIGHT IT FILLS UP THE CAR. I HAVE TO ROLL DOWN MY WINDOWS TO GET FRESH AIR

NHTSA complaint #10817338 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

IN 10 DEGREE WEATHER, MY 2002 SUBARU OUTBACK WAGON DEVELOPED A FUEL LEAK WHILE BEING DRIVEN BY MY 17-YEAR-OLD CHILD. THIS IS MY SECOND SUBARU WAGON AND THE SECOND TO HAVE COLD WEATHER FUEL LEAKS. I TIGHTENED THE CLAMP ON THE OFFENDING FUEL LINE AND I HOPE THAT IS AN ADEQUATE FIX. BUT IT IS SIMPLY UNACCEPTABLE THAT SUCH A DANGEROUS PROBLEM HAS NOT HAD A RECALL, AND THAT IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR 20 YEARS. (MY FIRST SUBARU WITH THIS PROBLEM WAS A 1991 LEGACY WAGON.) HOW MANY CAR FIRES HAVE RESULTED FROM THIS PROBLEM? HOW MANY INJURIES OR EVEN FATALITIES? PLEASE MAKE SUBARU TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR A POORLY DESIGNED FUEL LINE.

NHTSA complaint #10672333 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

UPPER FRONT FUEL LINE AND CONNECTION TO THROTTLE BODY? IS LEAKING RAW GAS AND FUEL IS POOLING ON TOP OF ENGINE JUST OUTWARD OF UPPER EXHAUST MANIFOLD AREA.

NHTSA complaint #10563982 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

OVER LAST FEW WINTERS, WHEN TEMPERATURES DROP TO FREEZING THERE HAS BEEN A BAD FUEL SMELL IN CABIN. ESPECIALLY WITH HEATER BLOWING, THOUGH IT STILL SMELLS INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE CAR EVEN WITH THE HEAT OFF. ONCE THE WEATHER WARMS UP THERE IS NO NOTICEABLE SMELL. I HAVE TRIED TIGHTENING 5 CLAMPS AS SUGGESTED IN AN ONLINE HELP PAGE. NOT SURE IF THIS HELPED OR PROBLEM JUST WENT AWAY WITH THE COLD WEATHER. LOCAL SHOP COULDN'T SEE LEAK ON CURSORY CHECK WHILE THE ODOR AS AT IT'S WORSE. MAYBE ONLY VISIBLE IF IT'S FREEZING AND UP ON A LIFT. SUBARU DEALER SUGGESTED FUEL LINES NEED TO REPLACED AS NORMAL PROCESS AS CAR AGES. SUBARU SHOULD FIND SOLUTION TO THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM THAT'S OBVIOUSLY COMMON TO THESE VEHICLES AND PUT OUT CLEAR INSTRUCTION ON DIAGNOSING AND FIXING THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA complaint #10561539 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

SINCE THE RECENT TEMPERATURE DROP WHERE WE LIVE (MARYLAND, DC METRO REGION), WE'VE NOTICED A STRONG GASOLINE SMELL INSIDE THE CAR'S CABIN. THE SMELL IS STRONG ENOUGH THAT WE ARE UNCOMFORTABLE DRIVING LONG DISTANCES, FOR OUR OWN HEALTH AND THAT OF OUR CHILDREN. THE SMELL ONLY APPEARS WHEN THE CAR IS RUNNING (THOUGH IT DOESN'T SEEM TO DEPEND ON SPEED). WE'VE OWNED THE CAR SINCE MARCH 2010, AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME WE'VE NOTICED THE ISSUE; IT'S ALSO THE COLDEST WEATHER WE'VE ENCOUNTERED SINCE PURCHASE. APPARENTLY THERE'S A FUEL-LINE-RELATED RECALL FOR IMPREZAS OF THIS VINTAGE, BUT NOT YET FOR OUTBACKS.

NHTSA complaint #10561377 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

SINCE THE RECENT TEMPERATURE DROP WHERE WE LIVE (MARYLAND, DC METRO REGION), WE'VE NOTICED A STRONG GASOLINE SMELL INSIDE THE CAR'S CABIN. THE SMELL IS STRONG ENOUGH THAT WE ARE UNCOMFORTABLE DRIVING LONG DISTANCES, FOR OUR OWN HEALTH AND THAT OF OUR CHILDREN. THE SMELL ONLY APPEARS WHEN THE CAR IS RUNNING (THOUGH IT DOESN'T SEEM TO DEPEND ON SPEED). WE'VE OWNED THE CAR SINCE MARCH 2010, AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME WE'VE NOTICED THE ISSUE; IT'S ALSO THE COLDEST WEATHER WE'VE ENCOUNTERED SINCE PURCHASE. APPARENTLY THERE'S A FUEL-LINE-RELATED RECALL FOR IMPREZAS OF THIS VINTAGE, BUT NOT YET FOR OUTBACKS.

NHTSA complaint #10561377 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

THE SMELL OF RAW GAS PERMEATES THE PASSENGER CABIN WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED IN TEMPERATURES UNDER 10 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT.

NHTSA complaint #10561270 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

MY WIFE DROVE HER CAR, A 2002 SUBARU OUTBACK, ABOUT 5 MILES HOME FROM WORK, AND TOLD ME IN THE EVENING HER CAR REEKED OF GASOLINE WHEN SHE ARRIVED AT HOME. WHEN I CHECKED HER CAR THE GAS ODOR HAD DISSIPATED, BUT WHEN I STARTED IT AND BACKED IT OUT OF THE GARAGE THE GAS ODOR WAS VERY STRONG. I MOVED IT BACK INTO THE GARAGE AND SHUT IT OFF. I DISCOVERED ONLINE THAT THE ODOR WAS LIKELY DUE TO A FUEL HOSE LEAK ASSOCIATED WITH A COLD WEATHER START. THE TEMPERATURES HERE ARE COLD FOR MISSOURI, WITH HIGHS IN THE LOW 20'S. IT STILL IS COLD, ALBEIT AS A MINNESOTA BOY IT STILL SEEMS LIKE SPRING. AT ANY RATE, I FOUND A WEBSITE WITH USEFUL DIAGRAMS AND I LOCATED THE HOSE UNDER A BRACKET (OF COURSE), AND MANAGED TO UNCOVER THE HOSE AND TIGHTEN THE CLAMPS, WHICH WERE VERY LOOSE. AFTER RE-ASSEMBLY I DROVE THE CAR TO BURN OFF THE GAS REMAINING ON THE ENGINE AND I TESTED THE REPAIR WITH ANOTHER COLD WEATHER START LATER. I HAVE ORDERED A REPLACEMENT HOSE FROM THE SUBARU DEALERSHIP FOR 12 BUCKS. I UNDERSTAND THAT RECALLS AND SERVICE ADVISORIES HAVE OCCURRED AND ARE IN PLACE FOR OTHER SUBARU MODELS INCLUDING THE CLOSELY RELATED 2001 LEGACY. I WOULD LIKE TO ADD THE 2002 OUTBACK AND EVERY OTHER SUBARU THAT USES THE HOSE PART # 807707130. THE DISCUSSIONS ONLINE ABOUT THIS ISSUE REVEAL SOME PEOPLE ARE DRIVING WITH THEIR WINDOWS OPEN OR WITH CABIN AIR SET TO RECIRCULATE, OR WAITING UNTIL THE ENGINE WARMS UP ENOUGH FOR THERMAL EXPANSION TO SEAL THE LEAK. AS AN INDUSTRY CHEMIST I FIND THIS IGNORANCE ABOUT THE HAZARDS OF GASOLINE FIRES APPALLING. HOWEVER I THINK SUBARU'S PIECE-MEAL APPROACH TO ADDRESSING THEIR DEFECTIVE ENGINEERING IS FRIGHTENING. DON'T THEY CARE ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THEIR CUSTOMERS? MY WIFE TEACHES CHEMISTRY, A TYPICAL CUSTOMER, ACCORDING TO SUBARU ADS. SHE LOVES HER SUBARU. SUBARU DOES NOT LOVE HER.

NHTSA complaint #10555399 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

THE CAR ALWAYS HAS A STRONG GAS SMELL INSIDE DURING WINTER. THE SMELL IS SO BAD THAT I GET HEADACHES.

NHTSA complaint #10494612 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER THE HEAT WAS ACTIVATED, THE CONTACT WOULD NOTICE A GASOLINE ODOR COMING THROUGH THE VENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON FOUR OCCASIONS WHERE THE HEAD GASKETS WERE REPLACED EACH TIME. HOWEVER, ONE YEAR AFTER THE REPAIR THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN RECENTLY DIAGNOSED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 84,000.

NHTSA complaint #10450552 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

WHEN WEATHER TURNS COLD, THE SMELL OF RAW GAS COMES INTO THE CAR, AS WELL AS IN THE GARAGE AFTER PARKING. SO FAR THE DEALER HAS JUST TIGHTENED A CLAMP, BUT WHAT HAPPENS IF I'M ON A HI-WAY AND THAT HAPPENS? I CAN'T DRIVE THE CAR WITH A GAS LEAK IN THE ENGINE AND TO FAR AWAY FROM A FIRE STATION SO DO I CALL A TOWE TRUCK OR MY LAWYER. BECAUSE THE CAR BURNT UP? CAN'T BELIEVE THE SUBARU DEALERSHIP IS BEING SO UNRESPONSIVE ABOUT THIS. GET THIS RECALL TO ALL THE SUBARU HAVING A ISSUE I THOUGHT YOU HAD GREAT CARS NOT SO MUCH NOW.

NHTSA complaint #10443860 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

IN COLD WEATHER, MY 2002 SUBARU OUTBACK CABIN GETS FILLED WITH VERY STRONG RAW FUEL SMELL AS THE CAR WARMS UP WITH THE HEATER ON. IT HAS GOTTEN SO BAD, THAT MY DAUGHTER NEARLY THROWS UP EVERY MORNING ON OUR WAY TO SCHOOL IN COLD WEATHER. THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT MY LOCAL DEALER EXPLAINED AWAY HAS A TYPICAL SUBARU THING IN COLD WEATHER. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. THIS IS A HEALTH HAZARD AND SUBARU IS GETTING AWAY WITH IT. I HAVE BEEN USING THIS PARTICULAR CAR FOR THE LAST 10 YEARS, AND EVERY WINTER THE SMELL GETS WORSE AND WORSE. SUBARU NEEDS TO STEP UP, ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM AND FIX IT, OR FACE THE VERY REAL PROBLEM OF A MASSIVE LAWSUIT SOON.

NHTSA complaint #10442771 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

PROMINENT GAS SMELL INSIDE CABIN WHEN TEMPERATURE IS BELOW 32 DEGREES F. IT IS A KNOWN SAFETY ISSUE ON SUBARU'S BUT NOTHING IS BEING DONE BY SUBARU TO RECTIFY THIS POOR ENGINEERING SAFETY ISSUE ON THEIR BEHALF. I HAVE TALKED TO SUBARU OF AMERICA VIA EMAIL AND ON PHONE AND THEY SAY THAT THERE IS NO ISSUE WITH THIS CAR EVEN THOUGH THERE IS THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE THAT ARE EXPERIENCING THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA complaint #10436793 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

THERE IS A DOCUMENTED PROBLEM WITH OLDER MODEL SUBARU OUTBACKS (EARLY 2000S) LEAKING GAS INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT IN COLD WEATHER. DEALERS AND REPAIR SERVICES CANNOT FULLY RESOLVE THE ISSUE BECAUSE IT APPEARS TO BE A DESIGN FLAW WITH THE FUEL LINES AND CLAMPS. INTERNET FORUMS PROVIDE COUNTLESS CASES (HERE IS JUST ONE HTTP://ACTION.PUBLICBROADCASTING.NET/CARTALK/POSTS/LIST/1794410.PAGE).

NHTSA complaint #10379400 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

2002 SUBARU OUTBACK SMELLS OF GAS EVERY TIME IT GETS COLD. A SHOP THAT WORKS ON JUST SUBARUS KNOWS THE PROBLEM WELL AND TRIED A FEW THINGS TO FIX IT. AFTER $175, IT DID NOT WORK. LAST YEAR, I HAD TO DRIVE WITH MY WINDOWS DOWN ON COLD NIGHTS THE SMELL WAS SO STRONG. ONE NIGHT IT WAS -20 DEGREES! THIS YEAR THE SMELL HAS COME BACK AT JUST 39 DEGREES AND STRONGER. MY GARAGE SMELLS AND I AM AFRAID THE CALL WILL BLOW UP OR I WILL GET SICK DRIVING IT. ON-LINE AND ON THE NHTSA I SEE MANY OTHER SUBARU OWNERS HAVING TO PUT IT WITH THE SAME THING. CAN YOU FOLKS HELP?

NHTSA complaint #10363643 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLE SHE STATED THAT THERE WAS A STRONG FUEL SMELL IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO CLEANED THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER LOCAL MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A LOOSE LATCH IN THE HATCH BACK. THE MECHANIC REPAIRED THE LOOSE LATCH. THE FAILURE CONTINUED AFTER THE LATCH WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE MECHANIC AND HE WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED THE FAILURE TO OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED USED IN 2007 WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED FOR TWO TO THREE YEARS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE ONLY HAPPENED DURING COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 108,000.

NHTSA complaint #10362512 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

IDLING AT STOP WITH FOOT FIRMLY ON BRAKE PEDAL. SUDDEN SURGE WITH AUDIBLE AND TACHOMETER INCREASE IN RPM. CAR JUMPED FORWARD SLIGHTLY. A FEW PRIOR MINOR RPM SURGES WITH FOOT ON BRAKE. THANKS TO THE RECENT NEWS RE TOYOTA. I KNEW TO SHOVE THE TRANSMISSION INTO PARK AND TURNED OFF THE IGNITION.

NHTSA complaint #10323992 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

FUEL SMELL INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF CABIN WHEN WEATHER IS COLD (20' OR BELOW). SHOP HAS EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND CANNOT DETERMINE CAUSE. SEEN REFERENCES TO SIMILAR ISSUE WITH THE WRX MODEL AND FUEL LINES/CLAMP.

NHTSA complaint #10312712 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

FUEL SMELL INSIDE CAR WHEN COLD OUTSIDE (APPROX. 25 DEG F) OCCURS EVERY WINTER AT THESE TEMPERATURES FOR LAST 3 YRS (AT LEAST) DEALERS NEVER FOUND ANYTHING.

NHTSA complaint #10296415 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

BOTH MY 2001 AND 2002 SUBARU OUTBACKS HAD A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE IN THE CABIN WHEN STARTING THE CARS. A CHECK UNDER THE HOOD SHOWED GASOLINE DRIPPING FROM SEVERAL OF THE RUBBER FUEL LINES WHERE THEY JOINED METAL FUEL LINES. THE FUEL WAS DRIPPING ONTO THE ENGINE AND RUNNING DOWN TO THE GROUND. UPON TIGHTENING THE FUEL LINE CLAMPS THE PROBLEM STOPPED. WHEN I USED GOOGLE TO CHECK ON THE PROBLEM THERE WAS SEVERAL 100,000 HITS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. IT SEEMS TO BE RELATED TO LOW TEMPERATURE <+10F.

NHTSA complaint #10256179 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

MY 2002 SUBARU LEGACY OUTBACK WAGON, 2.5 LITER ENGINE, LEAKED FUEL FROM THE FUEL LINE. THIS WAS MOST PRONOUNCED ON A COLD DAY. THERE ARE MANY REPORTS OF THE SAME PROBLEMS. MY SUBARU DEALER TOLD ME THAT THIS PROBLEM IS COMMON. THOUGH WE SMELLED THE STRONG FUEL ODOR, FORTUNATELY, THERE WASN'T A FIRE. THE CAR IS NOW BEING REPAIRED AND WILL BE READY 01/21/09. THE ESTIMATED COST OF THE REPAIR IS $485. SUBARU KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND REDESIGNED THE PART. THEY REFUSE TO COVER IT BECAUSE THEY SAY THE SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER 09-36-03, ISSUED 04/01/03 ONLY APPLIES TO THE WRX, EVEN THOUGH THE OUTBACK HAS A SIMILAR SETUP.

NHTSA complaint #10255759 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

2002 SUBARU OUTBACK- DEC. 08'- EXPERIENCING VERY STRONG FUEL SMELL IN CABIN OF VEHICLE DURING COLD WEATHER. SAME SCENARIO UNFOLDED LAST YR. 07' WHEN IT GOT COLD. LAST YEAR DEALER CHARGED FOR INSPECT AND TIGHTENING OF CLAMPS ALONG FUEL LINES. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE SUBARU OUTBACKS..WHY NO RECALL?..WITH FUEL LINE LEAKS AS COMMON AS THEY ARE WITH THIS MODEL I AM SURPRISED THERE IS NO RECALL. IS THERE ANYTHING SUBARU IS OFFERING TO HELP OWNERS RECOVER MONIES BEING SPENT ON THIS FIX?

NHTSA complaint #10252692 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS BELOW 30 DEGREES, THERE IS A STRONG FUEL SMELL IN THE CAB WHEN THE HEATER IS RUNNING. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR THE LAST 3 YEARS IN MY 2002 SUBARU OUTBACK. I TRIED CORRECTING THE PROBLEM BY TIGHTENING THE BRACKETS IN THE FUEL LINE AND THIS HAS NOT HELPED. MY INTERNET RESEARCH INDICATES THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR SUBARUS (DIFFERENT MODELS AND YEARS). I AM SURPRISED THIS HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED. IN SOME CASES, IT IS DUE TO LOOSE BRACKETS AND IN OTHERS LEAKY GASKETS IN THE FUEL INJECTOR. THIS IS CLEARLY A HEALTH ISSUE. I CANNOT DRIVE MY CAR WITH MY TWO SMALL CHILDREN WITH THE HEATER RUNNING (EVEN WITHOUT THE HEATER THERE IS A RESIDUAL FUEL SMELL).

NHTSA complaint #10252221 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

REPEAT FUEL LINE LEAKS IN 2002 SUBARU OUTBACK WGN. THERE ARE A TOTAL OF SEVEN FLEXIBLE RUBBER HOSES THAT CONNECT THE FUEL LINE AS IT PASSES THROUGH THE CHASSIS. WHEN WEATHER IS COLD, HOSE CLAMPS/RUBBER HOSES LEAK. MY LOCAL DEALER SEEMED TO BE WELL AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, WHICH HAS NOT BE ADDRESSED, AND SAID THAT SUBARU HAS NO PLANES TO FIX THE PROBLEM. OUTSIDE OF CAR, PASSAGE CABIN REEK OF RAW FUEL.

NHTSA complaint #10244369 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

OVERWHELMING ODOR OF GASOLINE IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.

NHTSA complaint #10218459 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

FOR THE PAST 2 WINTERS, I HAVE EXPERIENCED A STRONG FUEL SMELL IN THE PASSENGER CABIN FOR THE FIRST 20 MINUTES OR SO OF RUNNING THE CAR IN TEMPERATURES BELOW 25 DEGREES, INCLUDING IDLING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. IT SEEMS TO BE GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. I BROUGHT IT TO MY PRIVATE MECHANIC LAST WEEK, AND HE WAS UNABLE TO PINPOINT THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM. IF YOU DO A GOOGLE SEARCH ON "SUBARU GAS SMELL" YOU WILL FIND 25,800 HITS OF PEOPLE REPORTING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR SUBARU'S, FOR A VARIETY OF MODELS/YEARS. BASED ON THOSE VOLUME OF COMPLAINTS, I'M VERY SURPRISED THAT THEIR HASN'T BEEN A RECALL?

NHTSA complaint #10216053 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

I OWN A 2002 SUBARU LEGACY OUTBACK WAGON. LAST WINTER (2006-07) I STARTED TO DETECT AN INTENSE SMELL OF GASOLINE IN THE CABIN OF THE CAR WHEN THE TEMPERATURE DROPPED BELOW 30 DEGREES F. TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL REPAIR SHOP (NOT A DEALER) BUT THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. THE SAME THING IS HAPPENING THIS WINTER (2007-08). I SCHEDULED TO BRING IT IN TO A LOCAL SUBARU DEALER BUT THEN THE TEMP ROSE ABOVE 30 DEGREES, SO THERE WAS NO POINT IN BRINGING IT IN SINCE THEY WOULD NOT EXPERIENCE THE PROBLEM. I AM NOW WAITING FOR THE WEATHER TO GET COLD AGAIN SO I CAN BRING IT IN FOR THEM TO CHECK. IN THE MEANTIME, I GOT ONLINE AND FOUND A NUMBER OF OTHER SUBARU OWNERS WHO ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. SOME OF THEM HAVE HAD THE PROBLEM CORRECTED, AND IT APPEARS TO BE A FUEL LINE LEAKAGE (O RINGS OR CLAMPS OR SOMETHING). THEY SEEM TO HAVE DETERMINED THAT GAS IS LEAKING INTO THE AREA UNDER THE HOOD. ONE OWNER DESCRIBED SEEING SPARKS. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND WONDERING 1) UNDER WHAT CIRCUMSTANCES A RECALL IS ISSUED, AND 2) UNDER WHAT CIRCUMSTANCES SUBARU WOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR COVERING THE COST FOR REPAIRS. ALSO WONDERING WHAT I SHOULD DO ABOUT TRANSPORTATION UNTIL THE PROBLEM IS CORRECTED, AS I USE THE CAR TO TRANSPORT MY CHILDREN AS WELL AS MYSELF AND DON'T WANT TO PUT US AT RISK OF INJURY.

NHTSA complaint #10214337 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.