2001 Subaru Legacy fuel system problems

Filed Sep 14, 2020 · Fuel system · 120,000 miles · MO

Always, when the circulation fresh air button is pressed to allow outside air to enter the cabin, there is the noxious odor of gasoline. I replaced the engine because of a timing belt related problem at 160,000 miles and the problem of gas odor stopped for a few months but it is back, bad as ever. When did this happen? Years and years

Filed Nov 11, 2014 · Engine, Fuel system · 113,000 miles · MN

Gas fuel lines in engine compartment leaking in cold weather. Gas pooling on engine creating fire hazard. Same issue as other subaru. Strong fuel smell inside cabin and out.

Filed Apr 10, 2014 · Fuel system · UT

When starting car in cold weather there is a very strong gas odor in cabin. Subsequent research has indicated that other 2001 legacy wagons have been recalled due to exact same problem. My car was not recalled, which is confusing given that the exact same risks are associated.

Filed Dec 24, 2013 · Fuel system · 48,000 miles · KY

Purchased vehicle in south carolina and drove it back to northern kentucky. It produced approximately 380 miles on one tank of fuel. Note: it was well into the 50-60 f range outside while driving during that time. Subsequent fill-ups in northern kentucky (with outside temperatures ranging from 10-30 f) produced 160-225 miles in-town. I experienced a very strong, raw fuel odor in the passenger cabin. It was taken to a mechanic and they found "nothing wrong." this of course, does not mean there is nothing wrong. The fuel lines were checked and tightened even though they were neither loose nor worn. After reading the numerous complaints about this problem from other owners, it seems that subaru owes me and many others a recall. Today is about 14 f outside and I drove the subaru 16 miles. The fumes were so unbearable I had to pull over and wait for them to subside. This seems like not only an emissions violation, but also a fire and health hazard.

Filed Mar 4, 2011 · Fuel system · 100,000 miles · WA

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 subaru legacy gt. The contact started the ignition and smelled a strong odor of fuel inside of the cabin. The failure occurred only in freezing weather temperatures. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis and remained there for seven days to further investigate the problem. There was a recall associated with the federal safety agency campaign id number 00v393000 (fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings). The contact experienced the identical failure as mentioned in the recall. The VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was 100,000. Updated 03/29/11*lj the consumer stated the dealer replaced the hoses under recall 00v393000, although his VIN was not included in the recall. The consumer stated she will have to wait until the winter to see if the problem has been rectified. Updated 08/19/11

Filed Feb 1, 2011 · Fuel system · 30,000 miles · CT

During the winter months, when the temperature is in the 20's or below, there is a strong smell of gasoline in the cabin when the car is idling and when I turn on the heater fan. The smell remains in my garage after I stop the car. My son, who is a mechanic tightened the fuel lines which seemed to help a bit but this problem has persisted every winter. There was a recall in 2001 but subaru maintains that the recall does not apply to my VIN number and says that I need to bring the car in and pay for the diagnosis. There are many complaints detailing exactly the symptoms of my problem on the website, arfe which leads me to think that the problem should be addressed by a broader recall by subaru.

Filed Jan 24, 2011 · Fuel system · 130,000 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 subaru legacy outback. The contact noticed a fuel smell and when she would turn the heating system on, the smell became unbearable, forcing the contact to roll the windows down. The failure began october 2010. Neither the dealer or manufacturer had not been notified nor was the vehicle diagnosed or repaired. The current and failure mileages were 130,000. Updated 09/28/11*lj the consumer stated the gas smell only occurred when the temperature was below 30 degrees. Updated 10/05/11

Filed Jan 16, 2011 · Fuel system · 7,000 miles · MA

Raw gas leak in cold weather has been a persistent problem, overwhelming odor in passenger compartment and after parking in basement garage. This was brought to dealers attention at first service when car was new and dealer could not identify any problem. I understand this is still a common problem with this year and model vehicle for which there has been no recall.

Filed Jan 7, 2011 · Fuel system · 128,000 miles · MD

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 subaru legacy. Upon entering the vehicle the contact could smell a strong odor of gasoline. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was told this was a known failure due to the fuel lines shrinking in cold weather. An unknown repair was performed on the vehicle. A few weeks later the failure recurred. The failure mileage was 128,000 and the current mileage was 130,000. The consumer stated the smell was most prominent during the day. Although the smell would sometimes occur when the heat was on and it intensified when the fan was turned on. The problem began at the end of november. The smell was most pronounced when the temperature dropped into the twenties. The consumer stated she looked for evidence of a gas leak, but was unable to find anything. The consumer believed there as design/defect in materials. The consumer was informed there was no recall on her vehicle and subaru denied any responsibility because of the age and mileage of the vehicle. Updated evoq 01/31/11. Updated 2/23/11 *cn updated 12/06/2011

Filed Jan 19, 2010 · Fuel system · 130,000 miles · NY

We started to experience gasoline fumes in the passenger compartment of the car. Our dealers service department determined that the fuel line was leaking and needed to be replaced. While no damage of which we are aware has occurred to the car, it would appear that a high risk of fire was present (or would become present) without replacement of this part (which typically would last the "lifetime" of the car). Cost of repair: $355.15.