This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
The fuel lines leak out raw gasoline onto the hot engine any time it is cold outside. I have replaced the fuel line but it still leaks when cold. This is a very great fire hazard.
The contact owns 2002 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there would be an odor of fuel entering into the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 13E065000 (fuel system, gasoline). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 180,000.
A strong fuel smell began entering the car through the heating vents on the car. This has only been noticeable since the temperature dropped below 25 degrees Fahrenheit. There was a also a noticeable trail of gasoline in the snow following the car.
Any time it is cold, around 32F or lower, whether the vehicle is running or not, there is a terrible fuel smell inside the cabin. I have actually witnessed fuel evaporating out my window. I can't imagine this is a safe condition and a short internet search revealed that this is a very common problem. I don't understand why Subaru doesn't have to pay to fix this glaring safety issue.
- Denver, CO, USA
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The contact owns a 2002 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated there was a strong gasoline odor coming from inside and outside of the vehicle. The contact also stated that when he turned on the heater or defroster, the fumes were extremely strong. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who was unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the problem. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 215,000.
In very cold weather (<20-25 degrees F) there is a raw fuel smell that fills the interior cabin. This occasionally improved when the engine warms up but returns when restating the car. This is very concerning for a defect that may lead to fire.
When starting the vehicle "cold" in cold outdoor temperatures (10 F or below) there is a very strong smell of raw gasoline in the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The odor is coming into the passenger compartment via the heating/cooling vents; if the heating/cooling fan is turned off the passenger compartment does not become filled with gasoline fumes. The odor is strong enough that I am concerned about the possibility of a fire. The odor is strong enough that after driving the vehicle after a cold weather start my clothing smells like gasoline. This has been a recurring problem whenever the vehicle is started in cold weather. The problem occurred tonight at a temperature of 0 F. the problem has been occurring since before the date above, but I did not realize I could file a complaint until now. Continental motors, authorized Subaru serviced reported on the problem after vehicle was serviced on 2012 Dec 14: "199 car designed to run rich when very cold. No problem found. No fuel leak noted." I am a former VW mechanic and I know that when a vehicle runs rich there should not be gasoline fumes in the passenger compartment - Subaru's explanation is illogical.
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- Woodland, CA, USA