2002 Subaru Outback fuel system problems

Filed Dec 4, 2017 · Fuel system · WA

When the temperature outside gets below 35 degrees, my car smells very strongly of gas inside. I have to roll the windows down for ventilation. When the temperature warms up, the smell goes away. It is worse when I first started my car in the morning. Mechanics haven't been able to figure out the problem but I just read many complaints online about this issue. I will take their suggested fixes to my mechanic.

Filed Jan 11, 2016 · Fuel system · 129,000 miles · MN

Terrible gas smell. Fuel is leaking because it is cold outside.

Filed Jan 1, 2016 · Fuel system · 40,000 miles · WI

When temp. Outside go below 32 degrees, the inside of my car fills with raw gas smell, this happens every winter. I live in wi. When it is above freezing it is fine and all summer it is fine. I am so affraid to have my grand kids in the car. Not sure if the fumes will explode.when I am driving I do not smell gas. But if I stop at a stop sign or light it fills up the car. I have to roll down my windows to get fresh air

Filed Jan 13, 2015 · Engine, Fuel system · 75,000 miles · PA

In 10 degree weather, my 2002 subaru outback wagon developed a fuel leak while being driven by my 17-year-old child. This is my second subaru wagon and the second to have cold weather fuel leaks. I tightened the clamp on the offending fuel line and I hope that is an adequate fix. But it is simply unacceptable that such a dangerous problem has not had a recall, and that it has been happening for 20 years. (my first subaru with this problem was a 1991 legacy wagon.) how many car fires have resulted from this problem? How many injuries or even fatalities? Please make subaru take responsibility for a poorly designed fuel line.

Filed Nov 18, 2014 · Fuel system · 179,000 miles · MI · 1 injury

Rubber fuel linkages contract in low (below 30f) temperatures, allowing fuel to leak into the engine compartment. The leaking fuel creates a very strong, at times intolerable, fuel vapor smell in the cabin. Some leaks drip onto the exhaust manifold and engine block so engine fire is a possibility.

Filed Feb 12, 2014 · Acceleration, Fuel system · 83,033 miles · MI

Upper front fuel line and connection to throttle body? Is leaking raw gas and fuel is pooling on top of engine just outward of upper exhaust manifold area.

Filed Jan 26, 2014 · Fuel system · 70,000 miles · TX

Over last few winters, when temperatures drop to freezing there has been a bad fuel smell in cabin. Especially with heater blowing, though it still smells inside and outside the car even with the heat off. Once the weather warms up there is no noticeable smell. I have tried tightening 5 clamps as suggested in an online help page. Not sure if this helped or problem just went away with the cold weather. Local shop couldn't see leak on cursory check while the odor as at it's worse. Maybe only visible if it's freezing and up on a lift. Subaru dealer suggested fuel lines need to replaced as normal process as car ages. Subaru should find solution to this dangerous problem that's obviously common to these vehicles and put out clear instruction on diagnosing and fixing this issue.

Filed Jan 24, 2014 · Fuel system · MD

Since the recent temperature drop where we live (maryland, dc metro region), we've noticed a strong gasoline smell inside the car's cabin. The smell is strong enough that we are uncomfortable driving long distances, for our own health and that of our children. The smell only appears when the car is running (though it doesn't seem to depend on speed). We've owned the car since march 2010, and this is the first time we've noticed the issue; it's also the coldest weather we've encountered since purchase. Apparently there's a fuel-line-related recall for imprezas of this vintage, but not yet for outbacks.

Filed Jan 23, 2014 · Fuel system · 150,000 miles · NJ

The smell of raw gas permeates the passenger cabin when the car is started in temperatures under 10 degrees fahrenheit.

Filed Dec 9, 2013 · Fuel system · MO

My wife drove her car, a 2002 subaru outback, about 5 miles home from work, and told me in the evening her car reeked of gasoline when she arrived at home. When I checked her car the gas odor had dissipated, but when I started it and backed it out of the garage the gas odor was very strong. I moved it back into the garage and shut it off. I discovered online that the odor was likely due to a fuel hose leak associated with a cold weather start. The temperatures here are cold for missouri, with highs in the low 20's. It still is cold, albeit as a minnesota boy it still seems like spring. At any rate, I found a website with useful diagrams and I located the hose under a bracket (of course), and managed to uncover the hose and tighten the clamps, which were very loose. After re-assembly I drove the car to burn off the gas remaining on the engine and I tested the repair with another cold weather start later. I have ordered a replacement hose from the subaru dealership for 12 bucks. I understand that recalls and service advisories have occurred and are in place for other subaru models including the closely related 2001 legacy. I would like to add the 2002 outback and every other subaru that uses the hose part # 807707130. The discussions online about this issue reveal some people are driving with their windows open or with cabin air set to recirculate, or waiting until the engine warms up enough for thermal expansion to seal the leak. As an industry chemist I find this ignorance about the hazards of gasoline fires appalling. However I think subaru's piece-meal approach to addressing their defective engineering is frightening. Don't they care about the safety of their customers? My wife teaches chemistry, a typical customer, according to subaru ads. She loves her subaru. Subaru does not love her.