2003 Subaru Forester Fuel/Propulsion System Problems
- 24
- 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
- very strong · 5 records
- cold weather · 5 records
- fuel lines · 4 records
- fuel smell · 4 records
- strong smell · 4 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 150–400k mi | 9 |
| 60–100k mi | 6 |
| 100–150k mi | 4 |
| 1–30k mi | 1 |
| 30–60k mi | 1 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Fuel/Propulsion System
Fuel leaks from the fuel lines around the engine when it's cold.
ODI 11060857
Fuel/Propulsion System
Fuel line leaking under 20 degree temps, smells strongly of gas inside and outside of the vehicle while idoling as well as driving
ODI 11058454
Fuel/Propulsion System
Three years ago, we started to notice a fuel smell when driving our 2003 subaru forester on very cold days (below 20 degrees). We took it to the local subaru dealer for service. They couldn't find a specific leak, but they tightened the clamps around the fuel lines. We continued to notice the smell and took the car to other service centers to see if another mechanic could find the source of the odor. We recently…
ODI 10940238
Fuel/Propulsion System
Last winter on cold days i noticed strong fuel smell coming into interior cabin of car, attributed it to dirty air filter, changed it and weather got nice so smell was gone. Now it's january again and cold temps have arrived, noticed the smell again worse than ever. While taking car for oil change the technician told me i have a fuel leak and that is why the car smells like gas. Now i won't drive more than 10 miles…
ODI 10823244
Fuel/Propulsion System
Everyone the temperature gets below freezing there is a terrible gasoline smell that fills the cabin of the car. It is almost to the point where you cannot drive the car and it causes headaches. This happens when starting the car and while driving it.
ODI 10819216
Fuel/Propulsion System
Bad raw fuel odor in cabin in cold weather, has been happening for weeks. Went online, found tons of similar complaints, subaru of america has not issued a recall for the 2003 forester, even though this is a very common and dangerous safety problem. *js
ODI 10682025
Fuel/Propulsion System
When temperature drops to low double digits (teens or below) the cab of the car begins to smell of gasoline. I have had it inspected by a mechanic and they cannot find a leak anywhere in the fuel line. It goes away when the temperature moves back to warmer temperatures. *tr
ODI 10670993
Fuel/Propulsion System
When the weather turns cold there the smell of gasoline in the cabin it happens when the car is in idle mode when driving the smell dissipates but you can still smell it faintly i noticed it last year i went to the dealership in september 2016 and they noticed a pooling of gasoline but they notice anything because the weather was warm so they tightened they tightened the engine to the chassis
ODI 10940304
Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System
A rubber hose connecting two metal gas lines has started to leak. This is due to the cold weather. Subaru issued a recall for this on the wrx models of the same year. This engine is the same engine as in the wrx. It is the 2.5 n/a. Why are our motors not being fixed as well? This is a major fire hazard. It is near the ignition system and above the exhaust pipe. *js
ODI 10669202
Fuel/Propulsion System
First event was in december 2014, long island, ny: after driving for about 3 miles, stopped with car shut off for about 30 minutes, when restarting, there was a very strong fresh/raw gas odor in the car. Sickening odor. This happens sporadically. The local subaru dealer did a smoke test, said they fixed it by tightening clamps on fuel rail on 2/11/15. The odor continues sporadically. Now, march 3, 2015, they want to…
ODI 10691717
Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System
On winter days, where temperatures are not unusually low for a northern state, the fuel lines on the forester will shrink and contract. The result is that fuel will leak out of the line resulting in two things, fuel vapors in the cabin and fuel puddling on the engine. Fuel puddling on the engine represents on obvious safety hazard in the event of a fire. The heavy fuel vapors and odor in the cabin caused me to…
ODI 10689801
Fuel/Propulsion System
In freezing weather a very strong smell of gasoline fills the car. I have young children that ride in this vehicle and it's a health and safety hazard. *tr
ODI 10659175
Fuel/Propulsion System
COLD WEATHER FUEL LINE LEAK. *TR
ODI 10654595
Fuel/Propulsion System
When temperature is less than 32, the inside of the car smells like gas. It gets worse when the heat is turned on. Fumes are overwhelming. *tr
ODI 10655002
Fuel/Propulsion System
VERY STRONG FUEL SMELL WHEN COLD WEATHER. *JS
ODI 10661503
Fuel/Propulsion System
2003 forester 2.5xs in alberta, canada (owned since dec 2004). Same issue at 221,000 kilometers: we have been noticing very strong fuel smell for several months now (when it's cold outside). The car is currently at the dealership for repairs. As a lot of owners noted here and on other numerous web sites, the problem is widespread now. Otherwise, it's been the best car we've had and we still love it. Hopefully subaru…
ODI 10564526
Fuel/Propulsion System
Recently noticed a strong smell of pure gasoline when it is cold outside. The smell isn't so bad until you turn on the heating system. Not long after, you have to drive with the windows down in order to breath fresh air. *tr
ODI 10563722
Fuel/Propulsion System
Very strong gas smell in vehicle cabin during cold weather. *tr
ODI 10683580
Fuel/Propulsion System
When the temperature goes below freezing, there is the odor of fuel in the cabin of the car. *tr
ODI 10558415
Fuel/Propulsion System
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 subaru forester. The contact stated that there was a strong gasoline odor inside of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection where they stated that they could not determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 170,000.
ODI 10560752
Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System
At cold temperatures, fuel leaking somewhere from vehicle, causing strong odor inside and out of cabin. Concerned that this amount of fuel could be hazardous to breathe and/or cause risk for fire. Need more proactive response from subaru on this matter, at this point 26 of 115 complaints for this make/model/year are for this issue. *tr
ODI 10559281
Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System
Started and drove vehicle approx. 1 mile in 20 degree weather when i began to smell an extremely strong raw gasoline odor. The passenger compartment was inundated with the odor. I checked for leaks but did not see any(it was at night). I slowly drove home with my passenger-side windows open. Haven't driven the vehicle since.... *tr
ODI 10494578
Fuel/Propulsion System
When weather is cold, there is a strong smell of fuel inside the car. Happens on any morning when temperature is below freezing. *tr
ODI 10494764
Fuel/Propulsion System
I was driving my 2003 subaru forester and noticed a strong odor of gasoline coming from my vents, increasing when i tuned on my heat. At first i thought i was behind a car using diesel fuel. The temperature outside was 11 degrees f. I brought my car into the subaru dealer when on the second day it increased and i had to open the windows to for ventilation as this was making me feel light headed an ill. I was told by…
ODI 10494888