Subaru Outback fuel leak problems

Filed Apr 17, 2024 · Fuel system · VA

I experienced a fuel leak while driving my car. It was leaking from the fuel lines in the engine bay. My fuel gauge was showing low and I had just refueled several days before. I didn't know it had a leak in the line. When I tried to put more gas in, the fuel ran out under the car. I had my car taken to the dealer where I had bought it less than two years ago. They called me and said it was a bad fuel line caused by squirrels biting the line. They said the insulation around the line had soy in its making which attracted them.I I got it back after a week. This is most certainly a safety hazard. They also said other makes and models have used these same components since 2010.

Filed Jul 31, 2022 · Fuel system · CO

Summary: I have a 2019 Subaru Outback 3.6r with approximately 30k miles. It spent most of it's life in Texas, a low-corrosion state. When I was camping in Colorado, it started leaking fuel for extended periods from the tank area on the passenger side just in front of the rear wheel. The left a strong gas odor/fire danger as it leaked for many hours. I can supplies photos and video. The leak appeared rather suddenly, and is worse when the vehicle tank was just filled. It leaves large puddles of fuel on the ground. Failed system: fuel storage. It is available for inspection upon request. Safety: this issue resulted in a large fuel spill/gasoline vapor cloud, and the leak continues for hours. there is no crash damage/etc. to the vehicle. I have not taken the issue to a dealer yet. Should I get the car looked at by them? It is easy to reproduce by filling the tank normally at a gas station, the leak is worse when the tank is full. There are no warning lights/etc. The fuel gauge on the dashboard has also become intermittent after the leaking started. Sometimes it shows the fuel level, sometimes it shows empty (the tank is not empty). Note the image showing conflicting information on mileage to empty vs the needle fuel gauge level - the tank is appx 3/4 full in that image, neither fuel gauge is correct or agrees with each other.

Filed Jul 8, 2019 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 88,000 miles · NJ

When we were driving the 2011 subaru outback on the road on july 5,2019, the fuel gauge suddenly shifted from almost full to zero. The car stopped and we placed it in park. Subsequent attempts to start the car did not even ignite the engine, even when we added another gallon of gas and tried jump starting the car. There were no visible signs of a gas leak. Our insurance company towed our car to nearby coleman subaru nj, where the dealer has now assumed it was a computer issue and have asked to order another computer to fix it. This was an incredibly scary experience for us. There were five people in the car when we were driving and thankfully no one was hurt. If it happened on the high way, I don't know what would have happened. We are concerned this is a safety issue which can get people hurt.

Filed May 16, 2018 · Engine · 220,000 miles · SC

Tl* the contact owns a 2010 subaru outback. While driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle started to overheat and the coolant temperature warning indicator illuminated. The contact also stated that there was fuel leaking from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to vic bailey mazda subaru (400 e daniel morgan ave, spartanburg, sc 29302, (864) 568-3338) where it was diagnosed that the head gasket was leaking and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 220,000.

Filed Jul 24, 2017 · Fuel system · 127,000 miles · CO

There is smell of gas in the cabin , this is a 2.5 turbo model which increases danger of fire.I noticed other subarus from different years and models having same problem and even being recalled, so I suspect this is the same or similar fuel leak problem.hope they recognize this and fix it!

Filed Feb 28, 2016 · Fuel system · 80,000 miles · MN

When driving the car down the road a strong odor of raw gasoline was smelt in the cabin of the car, I pulled over and popped the hood open and found gas spraying out of the rubber fuel line on the passenger side of the engine coming from in between the rubber hose and the metal line feeding the fuel injectors as if the hose clamp was lose. It was -5 f outside when this occurred, the car was parked till it warmed up to work on it, 30 f here in minnesota and the fuel leak had disappeared. I checked the tightness of the hose clamp and in was tight. The rubber hose and metal tube also showed no sign of deterioration. The passenger side of the engine compartment was soaked in gasoline when the leak occurred. The has 80,000 mile on it.

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

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

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 Jan 22, 2015 · Engine, Fuel system · 120,000 miles · AK

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.

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.