I started the car after it had sat in 10-15 degree weather and there was a strong smell of unused gasoline in the cabin. It has started happening on start-up frequently since then.
2004 Subaru Forester fuel system complaints
Page 4 of 5: complaints 71 to 100 of 124, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Fuel smell at start up in temps below 35 degrees, decreases after car warms up. If very cold does not go away.
Fuel leak in 2004 subaru forester xt similar to other safety complaints entered, the federal safety agency campaign 09v468000 and subaru recall wvk-21 for 2003 wrx. Evening of 7jan2014 driving home (in uncommonly cool weather) the vehicle began to smell strongly of gasoline in the passenger compartment. Upon arriving home, inspected under the hood to observe dripping fuel (approximately 1 drip per second) above the engine at a metal to rubber fuel line connection. Leaked fuel was pooled on the top of the engine. A puddle of warm fuel vaporizing near electrical equipment (battery, alternator, radiator fans) is a serious fire hazard. The car has been parked since the event. I investigated on the internet and have found numerous other accounts of cold weather fuel leaks in many subaru models nearly identical to mine. My local subaru dealer appeared to be aware of the issue when I called, but stated there is no active recall on my model. They offered that their fix is to tighten the hose clamps but I would need to cover the cost of the work. If subaru has accepted responsibility for this issue in the 2002-2003 impreza and wrx, why would they not address the problem in other models that show the same symptoms?
During the recent cold snap here in tennessee I got a report from a friend that his 2004 forester xt was leaking fuel into his engine bay. I went out to start my car the next day and mine is doing the same thing. The fuel is slowly leaking onto the engine block. This is an extremely dangerous situation. I did some researching and it seems that almost all forester models from 2002-2006 have this exact same issue! Some have been recalled, but the forester xt hasn't. The engines are the same...I don't understand why this dangerous problem hasn't been resolved by subaru.
2004 subaru forester xs when temperatures drop the fuel line shrinks around the fitting and raw gas leaks at a rate of 1 drop per 3-5 seconds directly onto the exhaust manifold. We first noticed the pool of gas on the exhaust manifold on a 20 f day. The raw gas fumes that filled the cabin were so strong we got severe headaches and had to turn off the heater and drive home with the windows down. I am pregnant & became extremely nauseated. Upon exit the smell of fuel was extremely strong on the passenger side near the front wheel well. When the car is running & the hood is open you can see the gas dripping where the fuel line is clamped to a fitting and collecting on the manifold. I called the dealership first thing in the morning. They told me it was a common problem and when the weather warms up the line will expand and it will be fine. The problem is, it's an abnormally cold winter with temps in the single digits & we can't wait until spring to drive our car with out fears of blowing up. We can't even park it in the garage when not driven due to the strong fumes. When asked if there was a recall I was also told that there is only one for the wrx for this issue, which happens to use the exact same parts. How have other models with the same fuel line, clamps and fittings, & posing the exact same risk not been recalled? This is not lack of maintenance, age, or neglect. This is a design flaw that poses serious risk. It just so happens this is the first winter cold enough to unmask the problem. Please google search 2004 forester gas leak and you will see, this is unfortunately common. It occurs in multiple models, over multiple years, all using the same shrinking fuel line. Please don't wait until this fire risk takes a life before it is investigated.
Strong smell of fuel when operating the vehicle in cold weather (around 35 degrees or colder). The fumes are sometimes so intense that they cause a headache and certainly pose a significant fire risk.
I've owned my 2004 subaru for 5 years without incident, but as of december 2013, I've experienced a strong fuel smell both inside and outside of the car. The smell is overpowering while car is parked, but lessens while moving. It began after the first big drop in temperature (40 degrees to 10 degrees), and has persisted for over a week now.
I first noticed a strong gas smell in the vehicle on the coldest day of the year, when the temperature was below 20 degrees. The gas smell enters the vehicle through the vents when the heater is turned on and the car is idling. While the vehicle is traveling at a speed of 10+ MPH, the gas smell is not noticeable. When the heater is turned off, the gas smell does not enter the vehicle. When I exit the vehicle, I can smell gas outside of the vehicle also. The smell is so overwhelming that I cannot run the heater in the extreme cold temperatures while the vehicle is idling. I ran the vehicle throughout the summer months and there is no problem with the gas smell whatsoever. I do not take my child in the vehicle with me during the winter months due to the strong gas fumes. I fear that I may become stranded in my vehicle and I will not be able to idle my car for heat.
During the cold weather there is an very strong gas smell in the car. I started the car and looked under the hood and can see where gas is leaking from the fuel system. I believe it leaks in the same spot that many other people have reported.
Start vehicle in the morning and can smell gas fumes outside and inside even when driving. This causes burning of nose and throat.
It was summer when I first notice the smell of fuel through my vents and I was driving pass an gas station (shell) so I didn't think much not till the next morning as I warmed up the car I smelled pure gasoline next to the passenger fender I then pop the hood and traced it and I was lead to the turbo side of the engine seems to be coming from the fuel rail area unsure as the engine warmed up the smell faded away but now it's winter and it's bad I can see a big lost in fuel consumption full tank doesn't last a week it's driven to and from work around 4 to 12 miles a day need help!
For a period of approximately three weeks in early january 2013 my wife, daughter and I could smell what can only be described as raw gasoline when we drove our 2004 subaru forester xt. It would typically take less than 5 minutes after we started the engine for the smell of gas to become very strong, even overwhelming. Although it could still be sickening, the problem would improve somewhat after we drove the car for a few minutes. After we carefully refueled the car on two or three occasions we concluded that the issue definitely had nothing to do with spilled fuel or the fuel cap. We were very concerned that whether or not the situation LED to a fire, we were all being made very sick by the problem. We contacted the subaru dealer where we have our forester serviced and dropped off the car for them to troubleshoot. We were quickly contacted and told that the issue was with the fuel system and that because the fuel lines ran under the turbocharger the repair would be very expensive (and it was). After researching the issue it quickly became apparent that this is a common problem with not only foresters, but for other subaru models as well. Being that this is (by any standard) a common problem arising from the design of the vehicle, that there is no option but to repair these vehicles on threat of fire or illness, that the problem does not occur due to any kind of misuse or neglect, there should be a recall made for all subarus that experience leaking fuel systems (not just the wrx). Because the repair is so expensive, and so many of the affected vehicles lack any warranty coverage to pay for the repair, I am concerned there are many owners who will attempt the repair themselves or have the work done by technicians who are not familiar with the problem. It is my sincere hope that a safety recall is made and owners are notified before anyone is harmed.
Noticed a strong smell of gas while driving my 2004 forester xs, causing headaches to myself and passengers. I brought it to my mechanic who said that there was raw gas pooling on the manifold. He said that he has seen this many times before - leaking fuel lines due to the cold (it was 12 degrees when I first noticed it). He noted that this was the worst leak he has seen. Looking at a $700 bill. I have since read many other complaints on this issue. Wondering why there has not been a recall for this obvious safety issue.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 subaru forester. The contact stated that there was an overpowering gasoline fuel smell inside and outside of the vehicle. The odor would become stronger when the contact was operating the vehicle at various speeds. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 116,000.
This is in a 2004 subaru forester xt (turbo). Strong smell of unburned fuel coming from engine compartment and filling passenger compartment upon startup.
There was a very strong gasoline smell inside the car (2004 subaru forester xs) that happened in cold weather during january 2012. It happened again just recently in january 2013. It was so strong it made the driver and passenger have a headache and become nauseous. Many other owners have reported the very same thing and have not been successful in getting subaru to at least investigate. Subaru has issued a recall for the wrx model, but not for the forester. This is a health and safety risk that should be taken care of by subaru.
In cold temperatures, there is a strong smell of gasoline in the cabin and in the engine compartment. Fuel leaks in cold temperatures is a recurrent problem with this make/model/year as evidence by: similar complaints in subaru forums. Similar problems in related models.
After coming home and parking my car in the garage my wife came in from the garage and said it smelled like gas. I found the source to be my 2004 subaru. I drove it the dealer the next morning and they said that the fuel lines due to the cold, as it was below 20 degree's, pulled away from the fuel rail so raw gas was pooling on the manifold. They kept it for a week saying it was not safe to drive, and replaced all the fuel lines and clamps for $850. They said it was one of the worst leaks they have seen. I have now read numerous complaints on this issue and noticed the 2003 wrx, same engine, was recalled for this safety issue. I guess I am lucky as it could have caught me, my house or who knows what on fire if it has sparked.
In cold temperatures, there is a strong smell of gasoline in the cabin and in the engine compartment. Fuel is leaking but the dealer was unable to locate it when brought in on a warmer day. Fuel leaks in cold temperatures is a recurrent problem with this make/model/year as evidence by: similar complaints in subaru forums. Similar problems in related models (subaru wrx) this is a danger to health and safety and a recall should be issued.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 subaru forester. The contact stated that when the temperature was below 30 degrees, there was a strong gasoline smell inside the vehicle. The contact had not noticed a fuel leak. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 101,000 and the current mileage was 125,000
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 subaru forester. The contact stated that he could smell gasoline inside the cabin of the vehicle when driving at various speeds. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for inspection and was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 107,000.
Strong fuel odor inside cabin developed when operating on cold mornings; fuel odor typically went away within 15 minutes of starting the car. Inspection of fuel lines, filter, etc. Revealed no obvious leaks above the intake manifold. Dealer quoted approximately $800 to remove intake manifold and inspect. I have had two independent shops attempt to fix this issue over the past 3 years with varying degrees of success; the most recent (2011) removed the intake manifold and replaced all rubber fuel lines under the manifold, but the problem has recurred this fall and winter and at increasingly warm temperatures. Now, there is a visible and obvious leak from a fuel line just as it goes under the manifold--inaccessible without removing the manifold. Clearly, the problem is with the design of the metal fuel rail to rubber line interface, since this is a common problem in forester xts across several model years. Subaru of america issued a recall for this problem on the wrx, but so far has not acknowledged the problem for the forester or forester xt. This is a costly repair and a huge safety issue: the leaking fuel drips directly onto the engine cylinder heads and in some cases (on passenger-side fuel line leaks) is in close proximity to the turbocharger--representing a significant risk of engine fire. The fuel fumes in the cabin are also a health and safety risk which should be dealt with by subaru.
My 2004 forester xt (turbo) developed a slow gasoline leak, with gas seeping from hoses/clamps located underneath manifold. Gas fumes were entering the cab of vehicle, especailly when out-side temperatures below 40 degrees f. This is a safety and health hazard for drivers and passengers. This appears to be the same problem as outlined in recall of subaru impreza wrx turbo (recall #wvk-21), but to date there are no recall for this issue for foresters. I reently had this fixed at a cost > $500, cost was primarily to take manifold off in order to get to hoses & clamps which had to be replaced.
Strong gas/fuel smell inside cabin and engine compartment during vehicle warm up in driveway when temp was in low 20's. Unable to locate leaking fuel but smell is noticeably stronger on passenger side of engine bay. Vehicle will be towed to dealer in the morning as vehicle is unsafe to drive. Gas vapors are extremely flammable/explosive. I have found many similar complaints posted on this website and others. This suggests there may be an inherent design flaw since these vehicles are marketed to owners in cold weather locales. I have contacted subaru of america via e-mail about this incident. Today is sunday and nothing is open.
Strong raw fuel smell in cabin of car during cold start/cold weather. It appears that the fuel lines shrink in cold weather and pull away from the metal fuel lines causing vapor leak as well as fuel leaks. The problem is that the fuel lines are located under the intake manifold and are impossible to tighten unless the manifold is removed. This is a huge safety hazard.
On the first genuine cold day of the year (below 40 degrees f) I noticed a strong fuel smell coming from my air vents while driving. As it's now mid november and averages below 40 degrees f I get a strong fuel smell at every cold start until the car warms up to top operating temperature. After researching this symptom, I discovered that it's very common for the fuel clamps underneath the intake manifold on the passenger side to leak when cold on 2004 subaru forester xts. Upon further investigation I discovered that this is happening with my car, and is pooling fuel on the engine until warm. Average estimate from dealer is $500.
Gas lines leak on 2004 subaru forester xt when ambient temperatures fall below 30 degrees fahrenheit. Significant amounts of fuel leak into the engine area, and strong fumes enter the passenger area. The federal safety agency has already issued a tsb on the subaru wxt regarding the same problem. Concerned about fire hazard and inhalation of gasoline vapors. Very strong odor. Could not continue to drive.
Fuel odor noted in passenger compartment starting 4/9/11, (137218 mi) 55 degree ambient temperature, vehicle running for 10+ minutes and up to temperature. At stop light when odor began. Children in the vehicle became nauseated and began retching. Windows down to vent passenger compartment. Odor identified in passenger compartment and engine bay only, no raw fuel odor in exhaust or surrounding the vehicle. 4/11/11, 52 degrees, 137463 mi 4/13/11, tightened accessible fuel line clamps in engine bay 4/27/11, 40 degrees, 138113 mi 4/28/11, 53 degrees, 138215 mi 4/30/11, isolated leak to area immediately below manifold, near air filter on left side (passenger side) of engine; able to visualize fuel leaking onto engine at rate of 5 drops/10 seconds. 5/1/11 45 degrees, 138511 mi concerns over safety of exposed fuel in engine bay (explosion hazard), as well as effect of fumes on adults/children (toxicity), and non-compliance with epa standards. To contact subaru of america to discuss options for repair/replacement of affected parts
In very cold temperatures (below freezing), the fuel line under the intake on the passenger side will occasionally leak at the connection between the rubber hose and steel line. It will drip fuel onto the engine block until it warms up. The smell of gasoline can be detected inside the vehicle and around the engine area. The fuel drips at a rate of about 1 drip per 1-3 seconds until the hose warms up and seals against the steel line. The dealer could not duplicate the problem, but they offered to tighten the fuel line fittings. The intake manifold had to be lifted and the cost was about $150, but they couldn't guarantee a fix. It will have to be rechecked in colder weather. This 2004 forester xt has 70,000 miles on it.
Gas lines leak on 2004 subaru forester xt when ambient temperatures fall below 20 degrees fahrenheit. Significant amounts of fuel leak into the engine area, and strong fumes enter the passenger area. The federal safety agency has already issued a tsb on the subaru wxt regarding the same problem. Concerned about fire hazard and inhalation of gasoline vapors.
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