2002 Subaru Outback: fuel leak

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

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

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 Jan 15, 2012 · Engine, Fuel system · KS

When weather turns cold, the smell of raw gas comes into the car, as well as in the garage after parking. So far the dealer has just tightened a clamp, but what happens if I'm on a hi-way and that happens? I can't drive the car with a gas leak in the engine and to far away from a fire station so do I call a towe truck or my lawyer. Because the car burnt up? Can't believe the subaru dealership is being so unresponsive about this. Get this recall to all the subaru having a issue I thought you had great cars not so much now.

Filed Jan 28, 2011 · Fuel system · 80,000 miles · MA

There is a documented problem with older model subaru outbacks (early 2000s) leaking gas into the engine compartment in cold weather. Dealers and repair services cannot fully resolve the issue because it appears to be a design flaw with the fuel lines and clamps. Internet forums provide countless cases (here is just one http://action.publicbroadcasting.net/cartalk/posts/list/1794410.page).

Filed Jan 20, 2009 · Fuel system · 66,000 miles · VA

My 2002 subaru legacy outback wagon, 2.5 liter engine, leaked fuel from the fuel line. This was most pronounced on a cold day. There are many reports of the same problems. My subaru dealer told me that this problem is common. Though we smelled the strong fuel odor, fortunately, there wasn't a fire. The car is now being repaired and will be ready 01/21/09. The estimated cost of the repair is $485. Subaru knows about the problem and redesigned the part. They refuse to cover it because they say the service bulletin number 09-36-03, issued 04/01/03 only applies to the wrx, even though the outback has a similar setup.

Filed Jan 9, 2008 · Fuel system · CT

I own a 2002 subaru legacy outback wagon. Last winter (2006-07) I started to detect an intense smell of gasoline in the cabin of the car when the temperature dropped below 30 degrees f. Took it to my local repair shop (not a dealer) but they could not find a problem. The same thing is happening this winter (2007-08). I scheduled to bring it in to a local subaru dealer but then the temp rose above 30 degrees, so there was no point in bringing it in since they would not experience the problem. I am now waiting for the weather to get cold again so I can bring it in for them to check. In the meantime, I got online and found a number of other subaru owners who are complaining about the same problem. Some of them have had the problem corrected, and it appears to be a fuel line leakage (o rings or clamps or something). They seem to have determined that gas is leaking into the area under the hood. One owner described seeing sparks. I am concerned about the safety of driving the vehicle and wondering 1) under what circumstances a recall is issued, and 2) under what circumstances subaru would be held accountable for covering the cost for repairs. Also wondering what I should do about transportation until the problem is corrected, as I use the car to transport my children as well as myself and don't want to put us at risk of injury.

Filed Dec 28, 2007 · Fuel system · 56,000 miles · CA · 1 injury

I have a subaru 2002 outback. The following is what I provided to the dealer in the last visit. Earlier this year, before my warranty period had expired, I had issues with leaking fuel from the fuel lines at the top of the engine under the intake manifold. I tightened the clamps on the fuel line and the leak seemed to stop. There were additional smells of fuel in cold weather so I brought my care in to the dealership. The tightened the clamps and could not find any other leaks and spayed a white leak detector on the fuel lines. I brought the car in a few weeks later and no additional leaks were present. At that time, since the issue only seemed to happen cold weather, if the issue returned I was told to return to the dealer. The gas smell returned and I was not able to id the source. However, during he cold weather last week, I discovered in cold weather shortly after starting the car that the same fuel line connections under the intake manifold were leaking fuel again. After I tightened the clamps, the fuel leak stopped. Several clamps were loose on other parts of the fuel lines. This is the same scenario that took place in february '07. To eliminate any future leaks can I have the tsb 09-36-03 work completed on the fuel lines. The issue in my outback is the same as the issue noted in the tsb. How can I get the safety issue addressed and repaired by the dealer?