Subaru Forester fuel smell problems

Filed Aug 13, 2026 · Fuel system · TX

Purchased new 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid Sport on 01 May 2025 (owned 19 months). Approximately 156 DAYS (a little over 5 months) after purchase we began having trouble with an unknown fuel system defect which prevents the vehicle from being refueled, disables our hybrid system, disables safety features such as the vehicles eyesight system, cruise control, and RAB. Vehicle leaking strong gas smell. Issue has been increasing in frequency, occurring more often, and now escalating to leaking fuel all over the side of my car. I took my vehicle to the Subaru service center at the dealership for repairs on: 06 OCTOBER 2025 (~14,700 miles), 22 OCTOBER 2025 (17,394 miles), 09 MARCH 2026 (27,470 miles), 02 JULY 2026 (35,782 miles), 23 JULY 2026 (35,782 miles) To date, Subaru has been unable to identify the direct cause of the problem and replacing the gas cap is a bandaid on the unknown issue.

Filed Jul 19, 2026 · Fuel system · VA

the gas cap O ring recall was repaired previously by Casey Subaru of Newport News, VA. (I live in [XXX], purchased the vehicle in [XXX] at Ourisman Subaru) I filled my gas tank the night before this leak occurred. I noticed the smell of gasoline in my car at approximately 08 AM on the way to work. It was mild No obvious exterior leak. I drove my 25 commute to Williamsburg, Va. Upon leaving work I noticed a strong smell of gasoline inside the vehicle. Inspection of the exterior revealed an obvious gas leak (the fuel door to the gas cap was not opened at this time). the paint was wet and the paint adjacent to the plastic guard on the bumper side had bubbled due to the leak. The outside temperature was nearing 100 with a heat index of 105. I drove the vehicle to the dealership in Newport News (not aware I should have had it towed due to the leak). It has not been driven since. The fuel door was opened and there was an obvious leak as the well in the gas cap space was wet and the odor of gasoline was very strong. I twisted the gas cap and it did not close any farther. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jul 7, 2026 · Fuel system · 2,700 miles · VA

The contact owns a 2025 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that a few days after the dealer had serviced the vehicle under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 26V106000(Fuel System, Gasoline), the contact refueled the vehicle at the gas station. The contact stated that upon entering the store and returning to the vehicle, the contact noticed both a strong fuel odor and fuel leaking from the fuel tank onto the ground. The contact used soap and water to clean up the area. The vehicle was driven and parked outside the residence's garage. The contact stated that if the fuel leak had gone unnoticed, the vehicle would have been parked inside the garage near a water heater's open flame, leading to a catastrophic fire that could have affected both the contact's family and nearby neighbors. The contact attempted to reach the dealer to report the failure, but had not yet received a return call. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and filed a case. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 2,700.

Filed Apr 17, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · VA · fire

While driving this car on April 4, 2026 at around 6PM, I experienced the distinct smell of gasoline. I had driven for about 5 minutes on our way to a local restaurant that is approximately an 8 minute drive from our residence. My wife said that she had just filled the gas tank that afternoon. After arriving at the restaurant, I checked the gas cap to ensure it was tightly sealed. I also checked to ensure no fuel was leaking from the car. After finishing dinner, we I drove the car back to my residence and once again, 5 minutes into the drive, I smelled gasoline. After we arrived home, I check the vehicle exterior for leaks and found no liquids under the car. The following day, April 5, 2026 at approximately 1115 AM, having once again found no liquids or gasoline under my car, I drove the car to my local repair shop; an 8 minute drive. About 5 minutes into the drive, I smelled gasoline again. I parked the car at the repair shop, but while adjusting the parking to fit better between the painted lines, I saw and heard a large puff of smoke from the hood area. I immediately put the car into Park, shut off the engine and ran from the car. After exiting, I saw that the car ignited with visible fire under the engine compartment. I called 911 to request fire department help. No damage to any structures or other cars occurred. Q1 Above: No the car is totaled and unavailable for inspection as far as I know. Q2 Above: I had to run from a burning car. Q3 Above: No. Q4 Above: Yes, the car was inspected by my insurance company, USAA. Q5 Above: No, there were no warning lights or any indictor that there was trouble. I would like to note that the car was brought in to my Subaru dealership service station (Hyman Brothers in Midlothian, VA) for a heater element safety recall several months ago.

Filed Mar 19, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · NM

Exhaust gas smell from the engine compartment when parked after driving. Garage smells like exhaust gases when left in enclosed garage - ongoing problem. Smell dissipates overnight. It has been inspected by Subaru dealers in Albuquerque and Santa Fe New Mexico. They report no error codes and so no problem. Have not had this issue on any other vehicle we've ever owned. There are no warning lamps or messages.

Filed Mar 13, 2026 · Fuel system · FL

I purchased a 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid VIN [XXX] on July 26, 2025 from Schumacher Subaru, 3031 Okeechobee Blvd. West Palm Beach, Florida 33409. On March 11, 2026 I filled the gas tank to 100% capacity. The ambient temperature was 72 degrees Fahrenheit. I parked the vehicle in our garage with the door closed. Two hours later my wife notified me that there was a strong smell of gasoline throughout our four bedroom home. I opened the door to the gas filler recess and verified that the gas cap was correctly closed. Gas was spilled into and over the recess area below the gas cap, down the right side of the right back quarter panel and in a large puddle on the garage floor. I backed the Subaru out of the garage and onto the front driveway. Using multiple sheets of paper towels we mopped up the spilled gasoline from the vehicle and garage floor. I placed all the soiled paper towels in a sealed double garage bag and put it in our garden away from the house. I called Schumacher Subaru and talked with Dylan Wagner who sold us the car. I was shocked to hear that he knew of the gas cap defect and also knew that we should not fill the tank more than 50%. I asked him why he didn't notify us and he said that Subaru was going to notify us at the end on March 2026. In my view this is clear cut negligence on the part of Schumacher Subaru of West Palm Beach, Florida. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Aug 20, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · NC · fire

My Subaru smelled like gas and caught on fire while I was driving to work less than 72 hours after it left the service department at the local Subaru dealership. Earlier that week I dropped the car off for service due to a check engine light and multiple other warning lights on the dashboard. The check engine light was determined to be due to a faulty thermo control valve (a known issue on several models of 2019-2021 Subarus). During that service appointment, the thermo control valve was replaced under warranty, the 60000 mile service, state inspection, and an oil change/tire rotation were completed. The morning of the incident, the car smelled like gas, but there were no warning lights on the dashboard and the temperature and gas gauges were all in range. While looking for a safe place to pull over on the side of the road, the gas smell worsened, I heard a pop, the check engine light and every single other light on the dashboard lit up, it smelled like burning jet fuel, and the front of the car was smoking and there were flames, and all mechanical and electrical control of the vehicle was compromised. The car coasted to the side of the right lane. I was unable to operate the gear shift to put the car in park. I opened the driver’s side door, removed my seatbelt, grabbed my backpack, lunch bag, and phone, and exited the vehicle while it was still rolling. I ran around the back of the car to get onto the side walk. Flaming, melting pieces of plastic were coming off the bottom of the car. Flames and smoke were visible on the front hood of the car. I called 911 while the car continued to roll across several lanes onto the other side of the road. The burning car rolled and hit a guardrail on the opposite side of the road and continued to burn until the local Fire Department arrived on scene. Local police and the fire inspector wrote reports. My insurance declared the car a total loss. I have informed the local dealership and worked to get them access to the vehicle.

Filed Feb 2, 2025 · UT

Hello. Please explain the difference between the Subaru Exhaust Pipe (Front) Warranty Extension, (WI22-013) and the Subaru Exhaust Pipe Front (EPF) Bellows Cracking (WUJ-95). Please explain why Exhaust Pipe Front (EPF) Bellows Cracking (WUJ-95) is a the federal safety agency recall but Exhaust Pipe (Front) Warranty Extension, (WI22-013) is only a warranty extension. Please explain why Subaru has chosen to void warranty extensions for Rebuilt/Restored titled cars? If a recall is a mandatory action taken by a manufacturer to address a safety concern, and a service bulletin is a non-critical notification about a performance or reliability issue, isn’t exhaust fumes coming from cracks at the bellows section of the front exhaust pipe which includes the catalytic converter a safety concern? Isn’t a leak occurring at the front exhaust pipe which may result in deterioration of emission performance resulting in the vehicle’s failure to meet emission levels certified by the EPA and/or California ARB a safety issue? Why isn’t Exhaust Pipe (Front) Warranty Extension, (WI22-013) a recall like Exhaust Pipe Front (EPF) Bellows Cracking (WUJ-95)?

Filed Jan 21, 2025 · Driver assistance · PA

On January 3, 2024, my Subaru forester suddenly lost emergency safety features such as the blind spot warning system. Many warning messages flashed on the screen as I drove north on rt 1 and the blind spot warning system was totally disabled. I believe that other safety features were likewise disabled, as well. I was upset as I had traded in my 2015 Forester because it lacked those safety features that in my new car had abruptly just stopped working! I drove my car to the Concordville Subaru dealership for diagnosis and repair. I was told that the tech found error code P0455. The tech also found that the gas cap was secured and he reset the code and test drove the car. The error code did not re-occur upon test driving the car. I was told that that error code meant that gas fumes had escaped from the tank and that, when that occurs, all safety features are disabled. As my gas cap was secured that explanation seemed very weak to me and I asked how that explanation could be correct. I was told that Subaru could do a "smoke test" to ensure no leaks of gas fumes. I was given a loaner car and the test was done and no issues were found. As my car was running fine, I took my car home. I am writing this complaint over a year past the incident because I have now had a second incident, different in detail, but I am fearing some major problem with the car. I will write a complaint regarding the second incident which occurred on January 5, 2025.

Filed Sep 17, 2024 · UT

Hello. Subaru has a recall: WUJ-95R for cracked exhaust bellows. It turns out, these bellows crack as a result of the materials used in manufacturing and have issued a Service Bulletin: 09-84-22R. My question is why is 09-84-22R a Service bulletin and not a recall like WUJ-95R? My cabin fills with exhaust fumes at low speeds when the fan is blowing and I'm not using recirculation. Subaru refuses to extend the warranty through the Service Bulletin on a branded title vehicle. It's still an unsafe condition, regardless of the branded title. It's the same issue that spans multiple models and production years. Subaru of America has refused repairing my vehicle and local dealerships won't service with a warranty.