2006 Subaru Forester: gas smell in the cabin

Filed Oct 27, 2019 · Fuel system · CO

When starting the vehicle in cold whether, the cabin fills up with the smell of gas. After doing some research and talking to a mechanic, it is clear that is a common problem with these cars. I also see that many more of these complaints have been made, but not openned as an investifgation. The gas lines (some say gaskets too) shrink in cold whether and fumes or gas leak. When the engine warms up, the rubber compounds expand and the smell this goes away. This can take 10-15 minutes. It seams like most people just live with this beacsue it goes away at warm up, but I have a pregenant wife and think it is ridiculous to have to put up with gas fumes in the cabin at all, not to mention there is no telling if some of those fumes are actually gas leaking near the cylinder. This could become very dangerous. Please open an investigation into this issue for the health and safety of drivers and passengers everywhere.

Filed Dec 19, 2016 · Engine, Fuel system · 80,000 miles · MI

Upon start up in cold weather there is a very strong smell of fuel inside the cabin of the car. It made myself and my daughter feel very ill. Had to exit my 2006 subaru forester xt. Inspected engine under the hood to find leaking fuel lines. Googled the problem to discover it is reacurrent with this make/model/year as evident by similar complaints in subaru forums, google search, and fb pages. This is a danger to health and safety and should be recalled. Vehicle is under 100,000 miles. Leaking fuel drips directly onto the engine cylinder and close proximity to the turbocharger on the passenger side. There is significant risk of engine fire! Health and safety risk also from the fuel fumes in the engine cabin. Subaru dealership quoted $1,300. To fix.

Filed May 8, 2016 · Engine, Fuel system · 40,000 miles · CA

Purchased in ak in 2006. Approximately 13,000 miles on engine. Paperwork listed entry-point: hawaii. Current 2016 mileage: less than 60,000. Well-maintained vehicle. --- in cold weather, despite being garaged, intermittent strong smell of fuel in garage and upon start-up. Sometimes the odor is present before startup. Other times odor not present until engine starts. Goes away when engine warms. Used to be in only very cold weather, then in 2015 it happened in cold but not as cold weather. Recently, in 2016, it happened in garage in warm weather state, so cold weather no longer necessary variable. Again, it is intermittent. This issue first became noticeable in winter of 2014.

Filed Mar 1, 2015 · Fuel system · 110,000 miles · MD

The passenger cabin smells like gas due a fuel leak. It only happens in very cold weather.

Filed Jan 20, 2015 · Fuel system · 90,000 miles · OH

In february 2013 my forester developed a very strong fuel smell. After investigation I discovered the rubber fuel lines under the intake manifold were cracked and leaking fuel onto the engine block, a significant amount of fuel. I paid $550 for repair. Now today I have once again started to develop a fuel odor and assuming when I investigate I will find another leak. Upon researching I see numerous posts in forums and other social media as well as some on your guys website indicating similar issues. Additionally a recall was issued for 2003 wrx for the exact same problem (09v46800). This isn't a car specific issue, this is an engine specific issue and the designs of all of these engines are very similar, so all engines with rubber lines located in this area should be investigated. This is a very serious safety concern and is going to cost someone their life and/or cause serious injuries when one of these cars bursts into flames. Subaru should be much more proactive with this issue and fix fuel line leaks like this at no cost and immediately, there is no reason a 7 year old car should have fuel line failure. I should have never paid for it the first time around and I won't pay for it this time.

Filed Feb 2, 2007 · Fuel system · 30,000 miles · IN

In late 2006 I noticed that when my vehicle is stopped and idling there is a strong raw fuel smell coming into the passenger cabin when the climate control system is "on" and the recirculation button is off. During a december 05, 2006 service (30,000 mi @ this time) visit at the manufacturer's dealership, the service dept. Stated that they could not find any problems with the vehicle regarding the fuel smell. My vehicle currently has about 33,000 mi and the problem continues. I feel that since this issue involve a flammable fluid this could result in a substantial safety issue.