Fuel smell in cold weather. This seems to happen in cold weather only. When I start the car, I get a smell of fuel in the cabin. The car is parked. When I have the air recirculation button pressed, the smell does not enter the cabin.
Saab 9-2X fuel smell problems
28 of the 121 owner complaints about the Saab 9-2X describe gas smell in the cabin.
- owner complaints
- 28
- typical mileage
- 105,000
By model year
- 200528
Often reported together
What owners say
When temperature is below freezing, there is a strong smell of fuel in the cabin until the engine reaches operating temperature. It is noted that the fuel lines are leaking near the clamps under the intake manifold on the passenger side. Approx. 1 drip every 2 seconds until the engine is warm and the rubber seals again. It appears this is a known issue with many subaru models, however there has only been a partial tsb and the 2005my has not been included at the time of this posting. The smell is very strong when stopped, and goes away once in motion. Once the car warms up, there is no sign of any smell. Fuel leak location is also very near the turbocharger, which gets to very high temperature.
Beside the takata recall, the car is leaking gas when the temperature drops below 20 degrees. The interior is filled with the smell of fuel when it is cold. Obviously the same problem is happening to more cars and all you have to do is a search on google for gas smell wrx when it's cold. Or similar. Apparently the fuel lines shrink when it's cold and the clamps do not hold and leak gas on a hot engine right by the manifold. It most certainly can cause a fir and should be recalled. Especially when so many people have had the exact same problem.
This vehicle, being made by saab and subaru of america, is exibiting the same exact issue as described by the 2002-2003 subaru wrx fuel leak recall initiated by the federal safety agency in 2003 (I believe). This issue is starting to appear, even in mild climates like mine in california, on vehicles well beyond the 02-03my. My vehicle is equivalent to the 2005 subaru wrx wagon. It uses the same engine/fuel system. It doesn't get very cold here, but on a 50 degree f day this morning, I had a strong smell of fuel for the second time in a row. I anticipate this will happen every morning, from now on. This is an obvious fire and safety hazard, proven by the fact the federal safety agency already had soa issue a recall previously for the same issue. The "fix" is not working long term, since my vehicle fell into manufacture years after the fact. Manufacturing changes did not remedy the issue, the issue remains, even up to the 2005 my. I urge the federal safety agency to seriously investigate this fuel leaking issue for all 2002-up subaru boxer engines. It's still a major issue. Raw fuel evaporating into the atmosphere, and noxious vapors entering the vehicle cabin while being driven, not a good situation.
Every time vehicle is started in below freezing temperatures there is strong cabin smell raw gasoline fumes. It only goes away after several minutes of driving. Possible fire hazard. Please help.
I notice a strong smell of gas if the temperature drops below 20 degrees. This seems to be a fire hazard and also a health hazard. The same problem existed on the subaru wrx which is the same car and it was recalled. The same needs to be done for the saab which was built by subaru.
Every time vehicle is started in below freezing temperatures gasoline sprays out of fuel lines under intake manifold and leaks all over engine, interior cabin smells of strong gasoline fumes during this time and also while driving, possible fire condition may occur.
In cold temperatures my car begins to smell of fuel and based on a mechanics diagnosis, it has to do with the fuel line clamps needing to be tightened. It seems like many of saab 9-2x aero models have this issue. This is unacceptable and should be recalled by the company. If this many people are having issues, there is clearly a problem.
When the temperature is below freezing or close to 45 degrees f, this car will leak gasoline from the fuel lines under the intake in the engine bay. This fuel pools onto the hot engine block and causes a fire hazard. It also creates a smell of gasoline inside the vehicle cabin that is so strong that the windows need to be lowered to breathe properly and for the health of the passengers. The maker of this car, fuji heavy industries (subaru) and the seller (general motors), knows about this problem and have done nothing to prevent a fire that is waiting to happen or make any safety recalls for this car.
When the outside temperature is approximately 35 degrees f or less, there is a strong raw fuel smell in the vehicle from cold startup. The problem dissipates after the vehicle comes up to operating temperature. Mechanic diagnosed it as a leaking fuel line under the intake manifold. The cost of this repair is approximately $700. This issue appears to be common in both the saab 9-2x and its subaru equivalent, the impreza wrx. Both models were built by subaru. There was a recall for the 2002 and 2003 subaru wrx, but nothing has been issued regarding this vehicle.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the Saab 9-2X fuel smell
Which Saab 9-2X years have gas smell in the cabin problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2005 (28 complaints).
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