While driving at low speed on a town street the check engine light came on, followed by the odor of gas fumes. Subsequent inspection by experienced subaru mechanics revealed a simultaneous failure of the A/C compressor, catalytic converter, a headlight bulb and finally, a damaged fuel line that was spraying a mist of gasoline over the entire engine compartment. The mechanics had never seen a situation like this before, and had no explanation for how these components could have failed at the same time. The fuel line and bulb were replaced.
2000 Subaru Outback: gas smell in the cabin
10 of the 207 complaints about the 2000 Subaru Outback describe gas smell in the cabin.
- owner complaints
- 10
- of this car's complaints
- 5%
- typical mileage
- 100,000
- recalls
- 0
Is there a fix? No recall or service bulletin covers this area of the car yet.
Gas smell in the cabin by model year
What owners say
In cold weather (usually 25 f and below) there is a strong fuel smell. Worse the colder it gets. I am worried for my baby's health and also worried I was inhaling this leaking fuel throughout my pregnancy. It is obviously not something that should be happening and is unhealthy. I reported this to a mechanic shop and they rebuilt the engine because of other issues. They said this rebuilding would fix the fuel leak/smell also. It lessened it, but it is still there every time it is cold out. It dissipates after driving it for a while. I have come to understand this is a widespread issue and there really should be a recall.
During cold weather when the climate control system is set to fresh air, a gasoline odor enters the cabin. There is apparent fuel line leak that only occurs during cold weather.
I smelled gas in car in sepy 2013. A fuel pump was gasket was replace.10/2013 fuel pump replaced.11/2013 above fuel pump removed & replaced. Gas smell still present,not as strong.I want to know if this is an issue with subaru's.if so or if not,what will correct the gas smell?
Fuel leak somewhere in engine compartment; gasoline odor went into passenger compartment. Worse in very cold or very hot weather. It's been like this for 3 or 4 years. My mechanic said it would cost $200 to try to find the leaks -- maybe some hose clamps near the fuel injectors are the culprit, but are hard to get to without taking apart some of the engine? I've seen many similar complaints on various online bulletin boards. I suppose the federal safety agency won't force subaru to issue a recall until some large number of drivers/passengers die from an engine fire that starts from this type of leaking. Most recent incident: late january, 2010.
A very bad fuel smell inside cabin when it's cold outside and the vehicle is warming up and the vent is running. Fuel leak up by fuel filter area. Checked all hoses and clamps no leaks. Dealer checked it out and couldn't find a leak or problem. Afraid this may start a engine fire sometime.
My 2000 subaru outback wagon, with 120,000 miles has an occasional strong gasoline smell that enters into the passenger compartment, when driving and when stopping and turning off the ignition after a trip. It occurs most often on cold winter days. It has been happening for the past 2 winters. I was told by my mechanic that it's a common problem with leaking gasoline at the clamps on the hoses that lead to the fuel injectors. These are hard to get to, and would cost me $200 in labor for him to fix. Might this start an engine fire? I have read many similar complaints on auto discussion boards on various websites, so I know this is a frequent problem. I think this is a design defect, and should require at least a technical bulletin, if not a full recall.
I also have noticed the smell of gasoline coming out from under the hood of my 2000 subaru outback wagon in the winter here in boston, when I get out of the car on a cold day. Sounds like a design defect to me in some gas line hose.
There is a fuel leak in the engine compartment of my subaru outback wagon on cold days and is a potential fire hazard. I have talked to several other people and they have the same problem. I would think there would be a recall since it is fuel related and a serious risk. The fuel leaks from a rubber hose on the left side of the engine that connects two hard gas lines. I tried tightening the clamps and it did not have much affect. The house has no holes or tears in it. Neither do the hard gas lines. So I don't know if it cant hold the pressure or what? I noticed it after driving for a few miles. I stopped for a minute and got a strong gas smell. There was gas in the engine compartment when I checked it when I got home. I drove a total of ten miles maybe.
Strong smell of gas in the cabin of the vehicle during cold weather - definitely smells of leaking gas - dealer advised and looked at car a number of times - could not resolve. I gave this car to my daughter and I fear an engine fire.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the 2000 Subaru Outback fuel smell
Is gas smell in the cabin a common problem on the 2000 Subaru Outback?
10 of 207 owner complaints about the 2000 Subaru Outback (5%) mention gas smell in the cabin. The model year with the most reports is 2002.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2000 Subaru Outback?
There is no recall or service bulletin for this area of the car on record.
Other symptoms on the 2000 Subaru Outback
Tire blowout 13Check engine light 8Overheating 8Fuel leak 6Fire or smoke 5Sudden acceleration 5Transmission failure 5
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