Subaru forester smells of gas inside cab when weather is cold. Gas leak visible first time it occurred in 2013. I tightened a clamp and leak stopped. This winter I cannot see the leak, but the fuel smell overtakes my car about 5 minutes into warming up. Eventually it dissipates but I do believe that there is a leak somewhere in the vehicle. This seems to be epidemic in subarus.
2001 Subaru Forester: gas smell in the cabin
7 of the 139 complaints about the 2001 Subaru Forester describe gas smell in the cabin.
- owner complaints
- 7
- of this car's complaints
- 5%
- typical mileage
- 80,000
- recalls
- 0
Is there a fix? No recall or service bulletin covers this area of the car yet.
Gas smell in the cabin by model year
What owners say
In cold weather we get a strong fuel smell. The smell enters the car and gives everyone a headache. Other subaru owners we know have the same problem. Subaru knows of this problem but will not make a recall. Estimates for a fix run about $300.
When it is below 25 degrees fahrenheit, fuel lines and related components (including retaining clips and fittings) leak gasoline, causing gas fumes to enter the passenger compartment. This problem is sometimes referred to as a fuel line seep. Fumes then enter the passenger compartment via the heating ventilation system or through general ambient entry. Even when the heat in the passenger compartment is off, fumes enter the compartment. This exposes passengers to harmful carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons as well as posing a fire risk. This happens at all speeds from stand-still to 75 MPH. In moderate cold (25-15 degrees fahrenheit), the leaking stops after the engine has warmed. In colder temperatures, the leaking continues no matter how long I drive the car. The problem can be temporarily solved by tightening the hose clamps on the fuel lines, but when the temperature drops again, the hose clamps must again be tightened. Some of the clamps are underneath engine components that are difficult to remove, so the process is very time intensive and does not always stop the fumes. This is a commonly discussed topic in automotive discussion boards online. Therefore, I believe it is widespread. Here are several examples: http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f88/gasoline-odor-inside-cabin-45495/ http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f87/smell-gas-cold-starts-41319/ http://community.cartalk.com/discussion/1986611/cold-weather-gas-smell-2003-subaru-forester.
When it is below 25 degrees fahrenheit, fuel lines and related components (including retaining clips and fittings) leak gasoline, causing gas fumes to enter the passenger compartment. This problem is sometimes referred to as a fuel line seep. Fumes then enter the passenger compartment via the heating ventilation system or through general ambient entry. Even when the heat in the passenger compartment is off, fumes enter the compartment. This exposes passengers to harmful carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons as well as posing a fire risk. Both my husband and I have experienced headaches and nausea from the fumes since winter 2012 when our forester first started leaking. This happens at all speeds from stand-still to 75 MPH. In moderate cold (25-15 degrees fahrenheit), the leaking stops after the engine has warmed. In colder temperatures, the leaking continues no matter how long I drive the car. The problem can be temporarily solved by tightening the hose clamps on the fuel lines, but when the temperature drops again, the hose clamps must again be tightened. Some of the clamps are underneath engine components that are difficult to remove, so the process is very time intensive and does not always stop the fumes. This is a commonly discussed topic in automotive discussion boards online. Therefore, I believe it is widespread. Here are several examples: http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f88/gasoline-odor-inside-cabin-45495/ http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f87/smell-gas-cold-starts-41319/ http://community.cartalk.com/discussion/1986611/cold-weather-gas-smell-2003-subaru-forester.
The issue is in regard to my 2001 subaru forester, when the weather cools off to bellow 0, a strong smell of gasoline develops inside the passenger cabin. I have small kids and aside from a possibility of and engine fire am also worried about impact of breathing the strong gasoline fumes in the cabin. From other subaru owners feedback (see bellow from subaru blog), this appears to be widespread on the forester models up to 2003 and even in other subaru models, the subaru dealer and other mechanics have indicated the possibility of fuel hose shrinkage during cold weather as the cause for some fuel leaks in the engine compartment and replacement can be expensive without guaranteeing it will correct the condition. Whatever the reason may be, this is not an isolated case which I think warrants a full investigation to determine the defect and find a correction to be paid by subaru. I count on you for some help on this. Thank you.
There are two organic tubes that carry fuel, above the engine. In cold weather, they leak where clamped to metal tubes and fittings. The fuel leaks onto the engine. The indication is a smell of gasoline in the passenger compartment.
Exhaust fumes some co poisoning symptoms 2001 subaru forester posted by dave on february 08, 03 at 06:52:29: I fueled my forester with 91 octane premium fuel and took off on a 5 hr drive to denver. There were extreme driving conditions 40 MPH winds and ground blizzards. Set the cruise control at 75 MPH and it was all the car could do to maintain 70 MPH in high gear and on some hills it would downshift to a lower gear to satisfy the computer setting of 75. After 2+ hours of driving I noticed a strong smell of exhaust fumes. I developed a headache. I opened the brrrrr windows and wrote a note to the effect that if I succomed to co fumes and died for my survivors to sue subaru. In the state capitol, I stopped at the d.o.t. And went into the testing lab and borrowed a co tester then went back onto the interstate (the car was idling while in the lab). I was woozie and disoriented classic co symptoms. Scarie! Anyhow back onto the road for a 15 min attempt to reproduce the scenario. The fumes were gone the co detector stayed at zero/ppm, I suppose the convertor had cooled off. On the return trip the wind had died and the engine did not hafto work quite as hard there were still some times of slight smell of the fumes but not as intense as on the initial 2 hour experience. I also refueled at the 2 hr mark with 87 octane fuel. I believe that the purchase of a small co detector may be a good idea for safety. And I believe that the manufacturer should investigate this as a possible serious hazard but have no idea how to go about initiating such a thing. This post is to further that cause. Cc: subaru mfg.com
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the 2001 Subaru Forester fuel smell
Is gas smell in the cabin a common problem on the 2001 Subaru Forester?
7 of 139 owner complaints about the 2001 Subaru Forester (5%) mention gas smell in the cabin. The model year with the most reports is 2004.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2001 Subaru Forester?
There is no recall or service bulletin for this area of the car on record.
Other symptoms on the 2001 Subaru Forester
Sudden acceleration 12No deployment 9Shudder 7Stalling 6Adaptive cruise 5Brake failure 5Fuel leak 5Headlights 5Hesitation 5Loss of power 5
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