2001 Subaru Outback fuel system problems

Filed Jan 7, 2016 · Fuel system · 90,000 miles · MD

During cold weather, there is a very strong smell of gasoline inside the car. It's coming from a fuel leak near the passenger side of the engine. I first noticed it about 4 years (60,000 miles) ago. The car currently has 150,000 miles on it. It hasn't been fixed yet. It hasn't caught fire yet either.

Filed Dec 21, 2014 · Fuel system · 127,200 miles · OR

2001 subaru outback limited. When cold weather arrives, very strong smell of gasoline in the passenger compartment. Must open windows to let it vent. Continues through cold weather year after year.

Filed Nov 20, 2014 · Fuel system · 102,000 miles · MD

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 subaru outback. The contact stated that during cold temperatures, strong fuel fumes emitted in and around the vehicle. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 102,000.

Filed Nov 17, 2014 · Fuel system · 148,000 miles · WI

Since the cold weather started nov. 12, 2014 I have smelled a raw gas smell in my 2001 subaru outback when I start it. In time it fades away, like perhaps it evaporates once the engine warms up. I can only guess and some mornings when cold the smell is overwhelming, a raw gas order ~ not a faint smell of gas. Very concerned breathing these fumes which can't be healthy or safe. There are plenty of people having this problem and if anyone enters...subaru outback cold weather gas smell.. On your browser you will latterly see hundreds if not more people looking for help. Something must be done to rectify this problem.

Filed Oct 25, 2013 · Fuel system · 102,000 miles · NY

Car smells like fuel when idling on a cold day. Rubber fuel lines and fuel filter were loose and after tightening them fuel smell temporarily stopped. Smell has returned and after calling subaru dealership they acknowledged the issue was related to rubber fuel lines that needed replacing. This is a common problem with subaru's and needs to be addressed by subaru. Dealership is asking over $300 to replace four rubber fuel lines located under the manifold and this is at least every year it has to be done that's sounds like a recall issue to me I tigthen the screws a few time and somehow when it's cold weather it tend to get loose and vapor comes out very dangerous I check this issue online using google search and notice this is a known issues and goes back many years there should be a recall just like the 2002 it is the same hose same area. This makes no sense that subaru would not fix it for free with a better solution than replace the hoses and clamps every year.

Filed Jan 29, 2013 · Fuel system · 103,221 miles · VA

When the weather gets very cold (below freezing) the car begins to get a fuel smell. It is extremely strong inside the vehicle, although you can smell it outside the car as well. The first time I noticed it happening was in 2006. Took it to dealer who checked it and found no leaks. Odor went away after a few days sitting outside dealership so they did not do anything (weather may have warmed up). It happened again in 2008 and this time they said there was a fuel leak so they replaced the fuel hose and clamp. It worked until the following year when it got cold again. Looking at various posts on the internet found many others with the same problem. I tightened the clamps around some of the hoses around the filter and it mostly worked. When the weather is warmer there is no problem. This is a temporary fix and sometimes does not work so well, esp. When really cold out. There has to be another answer to this problem. What is subaru's response? Replacing hoses and clamps every year is not a solution!

Filed Mar 19, 2012 · Fuel system · ID

Car smells like fuel when idling on a cold day. Rubber fuel lines and fuel filter were loose and after tightening them fuel smell temporarily stopped. Smell has returned and after calling subaru dealership they acknowledged the issue was related to rubber fuel lines that needed replacing. This is a common problem with subaru's and needs to be addressed by subaru. Dealership is asking over $300 to replace four rubber fuel lines located under the manifold.

Filed Dec 29, 2011 · Fuel system · CT

I purchased a 2001 subaru outback when the temperature outside is below freezing around 28 degrees or lower, there is a strong odor of gasoline inside the passenger area. I made an appointment with a subaru dealer for january 5th, however I researched online and found this problem is common with no clear fix. I don't want to take it to the dealer if this problem isn't going to be fixed. What remedy has subaru offered for this problem?

Filed Feb 3, 2011 · Fuel system · 82,800 miles · CO

2001 subaru legacy outback. Fuel vapor smell in cabin when temperatures fall below freezing. This has been a persistent problem for the three winters we have owned the car. This fall I found several comments online which prompted me to tighten the hose clamps on fuel lines running to/from the engine compartment fuel filter. This seemed to help until the last 2-3 days when we experienced prolonged temperatures of 0 to -15f. Now the smell is back and the local subaru dealer suggests the problem often involves fuel hoses beneath the intake manifold, which they estimate $370 to repair. Based on numerous complaints and comments I have found online, some dating back to 2003, I am shocked that subaru has been aware of this problem for so long and failed to issue a recall. Gasoline vapor is a significant health hazard. Not only is it a carcinogen and known to cause brain damage, but short term exposure at the very least may contribute to dizziness and impaired driving ability, leading to possible injury or death... Not to mention the risk of fire, also with potentially dire consequences. This is our family's primary vehicle and I cannot in good conscience allow my wife and child to travel under such hazardous conditions. I wish subaru shared my opinion. We will not use the vehicle until repairs can be performed, albeit at my own cost rather than the manufacturer.

Filed Jan 30, 2011 · Fuel system · 83,200 miles · NC

I have a 2001 subaru outback station wagon. On very cold days, there is a strong smell of fuel that pervades the passenger cabin. We had to drive with windows open even when 20-degrees outside or expose my 3yr son to the gagging fumes. This problem is a known issue (there are literally 1000's of posts on subaru owners web boards) but my local mechanic was initially not able to find the problem. Subaru of america has not issued a technical service bulletin to make owners aware of this common failure in subaru fuel lines. Once we found explanatory material on the web, we had the local mechanic replace the fuel lines for about $300. Given how common the problem is and how potentially dangerous a fuel line leak in the engine compartment could be, the federal safety agency should force subaru to address this problem. In addition to the immediate danger, their lack of action also is leading to owners exposing themselves to fuel fumes in the passenger cabin as the problem is intermittent and thus hard for mechanics to diagnose and repair.