On winter days, where temperatures are not unusually low for a northern state, the fuel lines on the forester will shrink and contract. The result is that fuel will leak out of the line resulting in two things, fuel vapors in the cabin and fuel puddling on the engine. Fuel puddling on the engine represents on obvious safety hazard in the event of a fire. The heavy fuel vapors and odor in the cabin caused me to become nauseous and light headed. In order to drive home safely, the windows had to be opened almost completely. Luckily they were not frozen up, which is also common in winter months. There have also been several days where wind chill alone could result in frost bite in only a few minutes. I could not have rolled down my windows safely on those days or in similar temps because of the added vehicle speed. Soa is aware that this is a problem, but refuses to correct the issue or admit that it applies to most of its models. The problem even continues on later models. This is a well known issue, see this thread that spans several years (continuing today): http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f87/smell-gas-cold-starts-41319/ the lines and problem are almost identical to the impreza issue, which resulted in subaru service bulletin number 09-36-03.
2003 Subaru Forester fuel system complaints
Page 2 of 3: complaints 11 to 40 of 57, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Very strong gas smell in vehicle cabin during cold weather.
Bad raw fuel odor in cabin in cold weather, has been happening for weeks. Went online, found tons of similar complaints, subaru of america has not issued a recall for the 2003 forester, even though this is a very common and dangerous safety problem.
In very cold temperatures the interior of my vehicle is overcome with fuel fumes. It happens at idle and low speeds, does go away once we are driving for a few minutes over 30 MPH. It is so bad we had to drive with windows open in 5 degree weather. Definitely coming in through the heat vents, however, shutting the heat off did not eliminate the problem. This is my first winter with the car and didn't have this happen until the last few days, when the temps have been consistently below 30 degrees f. I've read numerous other complaints of this, not sure why there is no recall/service bulletin but would like to know the solution to the issue. It can't be safe to breathe these fumes! Would like to know the solution to this problem, as we otherwise love this vehicle!
When temperature drops to low double digits (teens or below) the cab of the car begins to smell of gasoline. I have had it inspected by a mechanic and they cannot find a leak anywhere in the fuel line. It goes away when the temperature moves back to warmer temperatures.
A rubber hose connecting two metal gas lines has started to leak. This is due to the cold weather. Subaru issued a recall for this on the wrx models of the same year. This engine is the same engine as in the wrx. It is the 2.5 n/a. Why are our motors not being fixed as well? This is a major fire hazard. It is near the ignition system and above the exhaust pipe.
Very strong fuel smell when cold weather.
In freezing weather a very strong smell of gasoline fills the car. I have young children that ride in this vehicle and it's a health and safety hazard.
When temperature is less than 32, the inside of the car smells like gas. It gets worse when the heat is turned on. Fumes are overwhelming.
Cold weather fuel line leak.
2003 forester 2.5xs in alberta, canada (owned since dec 2004). Same issue at 221,000 kilometers: we have been noticing very strong fuel smell for several months now (when it's cold outside). The car is currently at the dealership for repairs. As a lot of owners noted here and on other numerous web sites, the problem is widespread now. Otherwise, it's been the best car we've had and we still love it. Hopefully subaru will notice these numerous complaints and will stay behind its reputation.
Recently noticed a strong smell of pure gasoline when it is cold outside. The smell isn't so bad until you turn on the heating system. Not long after, you have to drive with the windows down in order to breath fresh air.
Noticed the same problem last year also at about 134000 miles. When the outside temperature drops below 20 degrees would be my best guess, the whole cab of the car fills with gasoline fumes. Pretty powerful smell. I notice online in many, many places that subaru is having this issue. They are only fixing wrx models under a recall. That is my understanding. Unfortunately, I do not have a wrx. I will pay to have this fixed, though subaru should step up to all models with this very detrimental issue. The dealer is acting a little suspicious denying they know about the problem. Seems like they should know about all issues that are so prominent on the internet. Most articles point to fuel lines at intake manifold are failing. Failing would demand tsb.
During cold weather, (latest incident occurred at 15 degrees f), there is a strong fuel odor inside the vehicle while the vehicle is running coming from the air vents inside the vehicle. After stopping the vehicle inside our garage the strong fuel odor continues until gradually lessening. A visual inspection does not reveal an obvious fuel leak. Other subaru models were recalled for a similar problem and an online search suggests this is not an isolated event to my particular vehicle.
Very strong odor of gasoline in the cabin right after startup and throughout short trips, especially with heater on. Seems to happen most often when outside temperatures are near or below the freezing mark. Did not experience before this winter, now occurs daily. Please investigate this problem before someone gets hurt or killed! If subaru knows that there is a safety problem with the fuel system, owners should not have to pay for repairs.
When the outside temp drops below 15 degrees fahrenheit there is a strong smell of gasoline in the passenger compartment until the engine warms up. Turns out its from leaking fuel lines under the hood. This is a known common problem by subaru with several of there cars.
Strong smell of gasoline under hood when starting car cold. Auto repair center found leaking fuel line. Tightened clamps. Then the following winter, 1.24.14 again smelled raw fuel smell when started engine cold. Auto repair did a pressure test of fuel system and traced leaks to fuel rail on top of engine/ left cylinder head injector rail. Auto center owner said he had 7 subaru owners with the same issue in the last few days with the extreme cold temperatures.
This past week, with the temperatures here in new jersey dipping into the teens, I smelled the distinct odor of gasoline in my 2003 subaru forester in my driveway before I hit the road. The smell was so strong, I had to turn back home as my children were not feeling well from the smell. This had happened before, but never to this degree. I went to the subaru service department and was told that they had received many calls about this same issue. He indicated that the cold weather caused the lines to contract and allowed gasoline to leak onto the engine. He said that the as the weather warmed up, the lines would expand again, thus minimizing the problem. However, he said that the only way to correct the problem was to have the lines changed. When I asked if it was a hazard to continue driving the vehicle until I could have the lines replaced, he suggested that I limit my driving since gasoline dripping onto a hot engine was dangerous. I asked if there was a recall for the lines, and he stated no. Since this is a dangerous situation and not evident in later models of subaru, I think that other owners should be made aware.
When I start my 2003 subaru forester in very cold weather there is a strong fuel smell in the cabin of the car coming through the vents. I know that the federal safety agency issued a tsb on 2002-2004 subaru wxt models but did not include the forester, outback, and legacy of those years, why? It is the same fuel propulsion layout and the rubber hose connection at the steel line is where the leak happens in cold weather. I have had this problem serviced 4 of the 5 past years and had injectors replaced when now I know it is actually the rubber hose shrinks back in cold weather thus the gas drips and pools on the manifold. The whole fuel line system needs to be replaced. I strongly believe that you should have a tsb for all 2002 - 2004 subaru models that use the same fuel propulsion layout as the 2002 - 2004 wxt did. If you google '2003 subaru forester gas smell' you will see hundreds of complaints and questions about this issue, I and all the other owners of these 2002 ' 2004 model subaru's should not have to pay continuously for repairs that will keep on happening every winter until the lines are replaced. When will the recall happen? Are you going to wait until a child / family dies from a car explosion of an unknowing family driving down the road when the car catches fire or explodes because of this problem? If you lived in a house with a gas leak you would get it fixed right away, wouldn't this be the same about your car? This needs to be done a.s.a.p.
While driving vehicle in extremely cold weather notice strong fuel smell coming in car.
Purchased 2003 subaru forester from dealer in march of 2011. Dealer refused to provide service records. Strong raw fuel odors coming into cabin when outside temperature is below 40 degrees. Remnants of odor last several days after warmer temperatures return. Received estimate from dealer of several hundred dollars to tear car apart to find obvious fuel line leak plus cost to fix leak (labor and parts.) this year I have no other car to drive and must get to my two jobs. Result of 20 to 30 miles a day in the cold to get to work is extreme fatigue, persistent cough, nausea and severe headache. Physician has ordered lung ct as xray shows unidentifiable abnormality.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 subaru forester. The contact stated that there was a strong gasoline odor inside of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection where they stated that they could not determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 170,000.
At cold temperatures, fuel leaking somewhere from vehicle, causing strong odor inside and out of cabin. Concerned that this amount of fuel could be hazardous to breathe and/or cause risk for fire. Need more proactive response from subaru on this matter, at this point 26 of 115 complaints for this make/model/year are for this issue.
There's a noxious smell of gasoline entering the cabin during cold weather. It dissipates when driving, but comes right back when idle. This went away during the summer, but has returned for the winter of 2013/14.
2003 forester has extremely strong aromas of fuel when starting & driving in cold weather. Fuel vapors are very dangerous, here are side effects of inhalation: inhaling gasoline fumes brings concentrated hydrocarbons into your lungs and bloodstream. Some of the ingredients in gasoline are extremely toxic and are mutagens. Liver damage and permanent brain damage are possibilities. The side effects caused by the inhalation of gasoline can range from central nervous system (cns) depression, which can include: eye and throat irritation, mild or pronounced dizziness, headache, lack of appetite, drowsiness and in-coordination. In more serious circumstances, it can cause unconsciousness, pulmonary edema, and death. Subaru should issue a recall and address the issue, because they installed a defective product!
My 2003 forester has recently been experiencing extremely strong smells of fuel when driving in the cold weather. Inhaling fuel vapors are very dangerous, here are side effects associated with inhalation of fumes: inhaling gasoline fumes brings concentrated hydrocarbons into your lungs and bloodstream. Some of the ingredients in gasoline are extremely toxic and are mutagens. Liver damage and permanent brain damage are possibilities. The side effects caused by the inhalation of gasoline can range from central nervous system (cns) depression, which can include: eye and throat irritation, mild or pronounced dizziness, headache, lack of appetite, drowsiness and in-coordination. In more serious circumstances, it can cause unconsciousness, pulmonary edema, and death. Subaru should issue a recall and address the issue!!
When starting my car in very cold temperature there is a very strong raw gasoline smell in the cabin. After driving the car to a doctor's appointment my husband checked under the hood and saw smoke. It is currently parked. This has happened for three days in our current cold weather.
In below freezing cold weather my 2003 subaru forester smells like gasoline inside the cabin.
When the temperature goes below freezing, there is the odor of fuel in the cabin of the car.
When the weather is below 20 degree the fuel lines leak causing the cab to full with gasoline fumes. This smell causes headaches a nausea for the driver and passengers. The smell begins to subside after the fuel lines have warmed up and expanded.
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