2003 Subaru Forester fuel system problems

Filed May 17, 2021 · Fuel system, Steering · WA · 1 injury

I bought the 2003 Forrester off Craig's list While driving the car the steering is very loose and sways on the road . I noticed a small it was funny I could not identify it. I woke latter that night with a headache at the base of my skull and was extremely dizzy and nausea. I felt that way. Through out. The day. I drove it a short. distance the next day with the windows down. I begin hearing a grinding. Thumping noise in the rear . tites or brakes .bur it sounded like it was going to fall apart. The inside of the car had a oily dust all over it. And the funny smell. I looked. At exhaust. Pipe to see. How it looked and I put my finger in what was coming. Our. And it was dark oil. I have not driven the car since. I found out the name on the tittle is not who sold me the car. He lied to me about every thing. He said buyers remorse. I believe the car unsafe to drive I could have bern killed.

Filed Feb 8, 2021 · Engine, Fuel system · 133,000 miles · MN

When ambient air temperature is cold (below about 20-30 f), the vehicle gives off a strong gasoline smell. This is caused by the fuel rail contracting to the point that some fuel is sprayed onto the engine compartment. Obviously, this is a fire risk.

Filed Jan 5, 2018 · Fuel system · NY

Fuel leaks from the fuel lines around the engine when it's cold.

Filed Jan 4, 2018 · Fuel system · 135,600 miles · PA

Fuel line leaking under 20 degree temps, smells strongly of gas inside and outside of the vehicle while idoling as well as driving

Filed Dec 29, 2017 · Fuel system · 114,000 miles · KY

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 subaru forester. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle during cold weather, an odor of fuel was present inside the vehicle. The failure would only occur in temperatures below 25 degrees. The vehicle was taken to neil huffman subaru dealer located at 4916 dixie hwy, louisville, ky 40216 who tighten and re-clamped the fuel lines but the failures continued to occurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 114,000. *tt

Filed Jan 7, 2017 · Fuel system · 90,000 miles · CT

When the weather turns cold there the smell of gasoline in the cabin it happens when the car is in idle mode when driving the smell dissipates but you can still smell it faintly I noticed it last year I went to the dealership in september 2016 and they noticed a pooling of gasoline but they notice anything because the weather was warm so they tightened they tightened the engine to the chassis

Filed Jan 6, 2017 · Fuel system · 60,000 miles · CO

Three years ago, we started to notice a fuel smell when driving our 2003 subaru forester on very cold days (below 20 degrees). We took it to the local subaru dealer for service. They couldn't find a specific leak, but they tightened the clamps around the fuel lines. We continued to notice the smell and took the car to other service centers to see if another mechanic could find the source of the odor. We recently took the dark back to the subaru dealer and were informed that the fuel lines need to be replaced at a cost of $700. We did some research online and found many subaru owners complaining of similar issues on forester and other subaru models manufactured in the early 2000s. Other owners reported that this is a manufacturing defect with the car. Given the safety risk of leaking fuel, we urge the federal safety agency to investigate.

Filed Jan 30, 2016 · Fuel system · 156,000 miles · PA

Last winter on cold days I noticed strong fuel smell coming into interior cabin of car, attributed it to dirty air filter, changed it and weather got nice so smell was gone. Now it's january again and cold temps have arrived, noticed the smell again worse than ever. While taking car for oil change the technician told me I have a fuel leak and that is why the car smells like gas. Now I won't drive more than 10 miles fearful that I may wind up in a rolling fireball. Since there a multitudes of complaints online regarding this, I think subaru of america needs to do 1 thing..recall and replace at no charge to owners. It smells when it is started, smells during initial drive and for quite some time -- driving with windows down at 30 degrees and below is difficult, I did it during our blizzard too. Area around engine reeks of fuel as well. I already had to replace head gaskets only to find out that there was a recall on those for the prior few years which my model wasn't covered under. Installed new muffler so that's not it either.

Filed Jan 10, 2016 · Fuel system · 218,000 miles · MO

Everyone the temperature gets below freezing there is a terrible gasoline smell that fills the cabin of the car. It is almost to the point where you cannot drive the car and it causes headaches. This happens when starting the car and while driving it.

Filed Mar 3, 2015 · Fuel system · 92,100 miles · NY

First event was in december 2014, long island, ny: after driving for about 3 miles, stopped with car shut off for about 30 minutes, when restarting, there was a very strong fresh/raw gas odor in the car. Sickening odor. This happens sporadically. The local subaru dealer did a smoke test, said they fixed it by tightening clamps on fuel rail on 2/11/15. The odor continues sporadically. Now, march 3, 2015, they want to replace hoses on fuel rails. Mileage is just over 92,200.