2003 Subaru Forester Fuel System, Gasoline Problems
- 29
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
What owners report
- cold weather · 18 records
- fuel lines · 7 records
- strong fuel · 6 records
- fuel smell · 5 records
- during cold · 4 records
- below degrees · 4 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 100–150k mi | 13 |
| 60–100k mi | 12 |
| 30–60k mi | 4 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Fuel System, Gasoline
In very cold temperatures the interior of my vehicle is overcome with fuel fumes. It happens at idle and low speeds, does go away once we are driving for a few minutes over 30 mph. It is so bad we had to drive with windows open in 5 degree weather. Definitely coming in through the heat vents, however, shutting the heat off did not eliminate the problem. This is my first winter with the car and didn't have this…
ODI 10671351
Fuel System, Gasoline
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 subaru forester. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle during cold weather, an odor of fuel was present inside the vehicle. The failure would only occur in temperatures below 25 degrees. The vehicle was taken to neil huffman subaru dealer located at 4916 dixie hwy, louisville, ky 40216 who tighten and re-clamped the fuel lines but the failures continued to occurred. The…
ODI 11057291
Fuel System, Gasoline
Noticed the same problem last year also at about 134000 miles. When the outside temperature drops below 20 degrees would be my best guess, the whole cab of the car fills with gasoline fumes. Pretty powerful smell. I notice online in many, many places that subaru is having this issue. They are only fixing wrx models under a recall. That is my understanding. Unfortunately, i do not have a wrx. I will pay to have this…
ODI 10563471
Fuel System, Gasoline
When i start my 2003 subaru forester in very cold weather there is a strong fuel smell in the cabin of the car coming through the vents. I know that nhtsa issued a tsb on 2002-2004 subaru wxt models but did not include the forester, outback, and legacy of those years, why? It is the same fuel propulsion layout and the rubber hose connection at the steel line is where the leak happens in cold weather. I have had this…
ODI 10561792
Fuel System, Gasoline
This past week, with the temperatures here in new jersey dipping into the teens, i smelled the distinct odor of gasoline in my 2003 subaru forester in my driveway before i hit the road. The smell was so strong, i had to turn back home as my children were not feeling well from the smell. This had happened before, but never to this degree. I went to the subaru service department and was told that they had received…
ODI 10561917
Engine · Fuel System, Gasoline
While driving vehicle in extremely cold weather notice strong fuel smell coming in car. *tr
ODI 10561439
Engine And Engine Cooling · Fuel System, Gasoline
Very strong odor of gasoline in the cabin right after startup and throughout short trips, especially with heater on. Seems to happen most often when outside temperatures are near or below the freezing mark. Did not experience before this winter, now occurs daily. Please investigate this problem before someone gets hurt or killed! If subaru knows that there is a safety problem with the fuel system, owners should not…
ODI 10562186
Fuel System, Gasoline
When starting my car in very cold temperature there is a very strong raw gasoline smell in the cabin. After driving the car to a doctor's appointment my husband checked under the hood and saw smoke. It is currently parked. This has happened for three days in our current cold weather. *tr
ODI 10558867
Fuel System, Gasoline
When the outside temp drops below 15 degrees fahrenheit there is a strong smell of gasoline in the passenger compartment until the engine warms up. Turns out its from leaking fuel lines under the hood. This is a known common problem by subaru with several of there cars. *tr
ODI 10562159
Fuel System, Gasoline
In below freezing cold weather my 2003 subaru forester smells like gasoline inside the cabin. *tr
ODI 10558579
Fuel System, Gasoline
When the weather is below 20 degree the fuel lines leak causing the cab to full with gasoline fumes. This smell causes headaches a nausea for the driver and passengers. The smell begins to subside after the fuel lines have warmed up and expanded. *tr
ODI 10557095
Fuel System, Gasoline
2003 forester has heavy smells of fuel when starting in cold weather only. This was prevent last winter and has returned this winter. Fuel vapors are very dangerous. Subaru should issue a recall and address the issue. *tr
ODI 10556307
Fuel System, Gasoline
Gas is leaking in the engine as a result of cold weather. Strong gas smell. Why did subaru use fuel lines that contract in cold weather? This should be the subject of a recall by subaru. Online research clearly demonstrates that his is a widespread problem. *tr
ODI 10553602
Fuel System, Gasoline
Gas is leaking in the engine as a result of cold weather. Strong gas smell. Why did subaru use fuel lines that contract in cold weather? This should be the subject of a recall by subaru. *tr
ODI 10553887
Body · Fuel System, Gasoline
My 2003 forester has recently been experiencing extremely strong smells of fuel when driving in the cold weather. Inhaling fuel vapors are very dangerous, here are side effects associated with inhalation of fumes: inhaling gasoline fumes brings concentrated hydrocarbons into your lungs and bloodstream. Some of the ingredients in gasoline are extremely toxic and are mutagens. Liver damage and permanent brain damage…
ODI 10558933
Body · Engine · Fuel System, Gasoline
2003 forester has extremely strong aromas of fuel when starting & driving in cold weather. Fuel vapors are very dangerous, here are side effects of inhalation: inhaling gasoline fumes brings concentrated hydrocarbons into your lungs and bloodstream. Some of the ingredients in gasoline are extremely toxic and are mutagens. Liver damage and permanent brain damage are possibilities. The side effects caused by the…
ODI 10558941
Fuel System, Gasoline
Strong smell of gasoline under hood when starting car cold. Auto repair center found leaking fuel line. Tightened clamps. Then the following winter, 1.24.14 again smelled raw fuel smell when started engine cold. Auto repair did a pressure test of fuel system and traced leaks to fuel rail on top of engine/ left cylinder head injector rail. Auto center owner said he had 7 subaru owners with the same issue in the last…
ODI 10562074
Fuel System, Gasoline
There's a noxious smell of gasoline entering the cabin during cold weather. It dissipates when driving, but comes right back when idle. This went away during the summer, but has returned for the winter of 2013/14. *tr
ODI 10559069
Fuel System, Gasoline
During cold weather, (latest incident occurred at 15 degrees f), there is a strong fuel odor inside the vehicle while the vehicle is running coming from the air vents inside the vehicle. After stopping the vehicle inside our garage the strong fuel odor continues until gradually lessening. A visual inspection does not reveal an obvious fuel leak. Other subaru models were recalled for a similar problem and an online…
ODI 10563334
Fuel System, Gasoline
Purchased 2003 subaru forester from dealer in march of 2011. Dealer refused to provide service records. Strong raw fuel odors coming into cabin when outside temperature is below 40 degrees. Remnants of odor last several days after warmer temperatures return. Received estimate from dealer of several hundred dollars to tear car apart to find obvious fuel line leak plus cost to fix leak (labor and parts.) this year i…
ODI 10561034
Fuel System, Gasoline
The previous night was -17, i didn't drive the car all day. At 6:30 pm i drove the car for 1/2hour, all was well. 2 hours later (-3 degrees) i got in the car and drove 15 min at which time i came to a stop sign and turned right onto another road and the smell of gas inside the car began. I looked up the symptoms online and found i'm not the only one. No action has been taken. *tr
ODI 10378535
Fuel System, Gasoline
2003 subaru forester xs - fuel smell in cabin during cold weather. Similar to the many posts out there, there is an unbearable smell of gas in the cabin of my car. I have to roll windows down in the freezing weather to continue to drive. I've read it is due to contracting fuel lines that then leak. Fire hazards are obvious, but the noxious gas is enough to at least distract your driving if not knock you unconscious.…
ODI 10370352
Fuel System, Gasoline
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 subaru forester. The contact stated that when the fuel tank was full, the vehicle would emit an overpowering gasoline odor into the interior cabin. The vap valve was replaced by a service center but did not correct the problem. The contact verified that there was not a fuel leak present. The vehicle was not further repaired. The failure mileage was 90,000 and the current mileage was…
ODI 10487891
Fuel System, Gasoline
We're the owners of a 2003 subaru forester (about 90 000 miles). For at least 6 months after we fill the gas tank, we detect gas fumes near the rear wheels - exterior only. As the tanks level goes down, the smell will go away. We are not over-filling; in fact we will fill before the pump "clicks off". There is no dripping of gas and our mechanic has checked for leaks/overflows etc and has found nothing. Obviously…
ODI 10383098
Fuel System, Gasoline
My 2003 subaru forester has a fuel leak smell that enters the car interior.. It's not a rich fuel mixture exhaust smell, it's the smell of raw fuel inside the cabin. It comes and goes. I see online others are having this problem. Subaru should be held accountable and forced to have a recall to fix the problem once and for all. *tr
ODI 10303426