RoadVitals

2001 Subaru Outback Fuel system Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the fuel system system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Fuel system reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
32
Latest Jan 7, 2016
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
19%
of 171 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
3
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
4

What this page shows

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2001 Subaru Outback submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 32 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming fuel system

The 25 most recent of 32, in the owner's own words

Fuel system
Filed Jan 7, 2016

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.

NHTSA ID
10818691
Incident
Nov 15, 2011
Mileage
90,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Dec 21, 2014

2001 SUBARU OUTBACK LIMITED. WHEN COLD WEATHER ARRIVES, VERY STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. MUST OPEN WINDOWS TO LET IT VENT. CONTINUES THROUGH COLD WEATHER YEAR AFTER YEAR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10667515
Incident
Nov 21, 2008
Mileage
127,200 mi
Fuel system
Filed Nov 20, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DURING COLD TEMPERATURES, STRONG FUEL FUMES EMITTED IN AND AROUND THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000.

NHTSA ID
10659840
Incident
Feb 3, 2014
Mileage
102,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Nov 17, 2014

SINCE THE COLD WEATHER STARTED NOV. 12, 2014 I HAVE SMELLED A RAW GAS SMELL IN MY 2001 SUBARU OUTBACK WHEN I START IT. IN TIME IT FADES AWAY, LIKE PERHAPS IT EVAPORATES ONCE THE ENGINE WARMS UP. I CAN ONLY GUESS AND SOME MORNINGS WHEN COLD THE SMELL IS OVERWHELMING, A RAW GAS ORDER ~ NOT A FAINT SMELL OF GAS. VERY CONCERNED BREATHING THESE FUMES WHICH CAN'T BE HEALTHY OR SAFE. THERE ARE PLENTY OF PEOPLE HAVING THIS PROBLEM AND IF ANYONE ENTERS...SUBARU OUTBACK COLD WEATHER GAS SMELL.. ON YOUR BROWSER YOU WILL LATTERLY SEE HUNDREDS IF NOT MORE PEOPLE LOOKING FOR HELP. SOMETHING MUST BE DONE TO RECTIFY THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10658755
Incident
Nov 12, 2014
Mileage
148,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Oct 25, 2013

CAR SMELLS LIKE FUEL WHEN IDLING ON A COLD DAY. RUBBER FUEL LINES AND FUEL FILTER WERE LOOSE AND AFTER TIGHTENING THEM FUEL SMELL TEMPORARILY STOPPED. SMELL HAS RETURNED AND AFTER CALLING SUBARU DEALERSHIP THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THE ISSUE WAS RELATED TO RUBBER FUEL LINES THAT NEEDED REPLACING. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH SUBARU'S AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY SUBARU. DEALERSHIP IS ASKING OVER $300 TO REPLACE FOUR RUBBER FUEL LINES LOCATED UNDER THE MANIFOLD AND THIS IS AT LEAST EVERY YEAR IT HAS TO BE DONE THAT'S SOUNDS LIKE A RECALL ISSUE TO ME I TIGTHEN THE SCREWS A FEW TIME AND SOMEHOW WHEN IT'S COLD WEATHER IT TEND TO GET LOOSE AND VAPOR COMES OUT VERY DANGEROUS I CHECK THIS ISSUE ONLINE USING GOOGLE SEARCH AND NOTICE THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUES AND GOES BACK MANY YEARS THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL JUST LIKE THE 2002 IT IS THE SAME HOSE SAME AREA. THIS MAKES NO SENSE THAT SUBARU WOULD NOT FIX IT FOR FREE WITH A BETTER SOLUTION THAN REPLACE THE HOSES AND CLAMPS EVERY YEAR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10549530
Incident
Oct 10, 2013
Mileage
102,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jan 29, 2013

WHEN THE WEATHER GETS VERY COLD (BELOW FREEZING) THE CAR BEGINS TO GET A FUEL SMELL. IT IS EXTREMELY STRONG INSIDE THE VEHICLE, ALTHOUGH YOU CAN SMELL IT OUTSIDE THE CAR AS WELL. THE FIRST TIME I NOTICED IT HAPPENING WAS IN 2006. TOOK IT TO DEALER WHO CHECKED IT AND FOUND NO LEAKS. ODOR WENT AWAY AFTER A FEW DAYS SITTING OUTSIDE DEALERSHIP SO THEY DID NOT DO ANYTHING (WEATHER MAY HAVE WARMED UP). IT HAPPENED AGAIN IN 2008 AND THIS TIME THEY SAID THERE WAS A FUEL LEAK SO THEY REPLACED THE FUEL HOSE AND CLAMP. IT WORKED UNTIL THE FOLLOWING YEAR WHEN IT GOT COLD AGAIN. LOOKING AT VARIOUS POSTS ON THE INTERNET FOUND MANY OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I TIGHTENED THE CLAMPS AROUND SOME OF THE HOSES AROUND THE FILTER AND IT MOSTLY WORKED. WHEN THE WEATHER IS WARMER THERE IS NO PROBLEM. THIS IS A TEMPORARY FIX AND SOMETIMES DOES NOT WORK SO WELL, ESP. WHEN REALLY COLD OUT. THERE HAS TO BE ANOTHER ANSWER TO THIS PROBLEM. WHAT IS SUBARU'S RESPONSE? REPLACING HOSES AND CLAMPS EVERY YEAR IS NOT A SOLUTION! *TR

NHTSA ID
10495129
Incident
Jan 22, 2013
Mileage
103,221 mi
Fuel system
Filed Mar 19, 2012

CAR SMELLS LIKE FUEL WHEN IDLING ON A COLD DAY. RUBBER FUEL LINES AND FUEL FILTER WERE LOOSE AND AFTER TIGHTENING THEM FUEL SMELL TEMPORARILY STOPPED. SMELL HAS RETURNED AND AFTER CALLING SUBARU DEALERSHIP THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THE ISSUE WAS RELATED TO RUBBER FUEL LINES THAT NEEDED REPLACING. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH SUBARU'S AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY SUBARU. DEALERSHIP IS ASKING OVER $300 TO REPLACE FOUR RUBBER FUEL LINES LOCATED UNDER THE MANIFOLD. *JS

NHTSA ID
10452188
Incident
Mar 1, 2011
Fuel system
Filed Dec 29, 2011

I PURCHASED A 2001 SUBARU OUTBACK WHEN THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE IS BELOW FREEZING AROUND 28 DEGREES OR LOWER, THERE IS A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE INSIDE THE PASSENGER AREA. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH A SUBARU DEALER FOR JANUARY 5TH, HOWEVER I RESEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND THIS PROBLEM IS COMMON WITH NO CLEAR FIX. I DON'T WANT TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER IF THIS PROBLEM ISN'T GOING TO BE FIXED. WHAT REMEDY HAS SUBARU OFFERED FOR THIS PROBLEM? *KB

NHTSA ID
10441603
Incident
Oct 13, 2011
Fuel system
Filed Feb 3, 2011

2001 SUBARU LEGACY OUTBACK. FUEL VAPOR SMELL IN CABIN WHEN TEMPERATURES FALL BELOW FREEZING. THIS HAS BEEN A PERSISTENT PROBLEM FOR THE THREE WINTERS WE HAVE OWNED THE CAR. THIS FALL I FOUND SEVERAL COMMENTS ONLINE WHICH PROMPTED ME TO TIGHTEN THE HOSE CLAMPS ON FUEL LINES RUNNING TO/FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FUEL FILTER. THIS SEEMED TO HELP UNTIL THE LAST 2-3 DAYS WHEN WE EXPERIENCED PROLONGED TEMPERATURES OF 0 TO -15F. NOW THE SMELL IS BACK AND THE LOCAL SUBARU DEALER SUGGESTS THE PROBLEM OFTEN INVOLVES FUEL HOSES BENEATH THE INTAKE MANIFOLD, WHICH THEY ESTIMATE $370 TO REPAIR. BASED ON NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS AND COMMENTS I HAVE FOUND ONLINE, SOME DATING BACK TO 2003, I AM SHOCKED THAT SUBARU HAS BEEN AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM FOR SO LONG AND FAILED TO ISSUE A RECALL. GASOLINE VAPOR IS A SIGNIFICANT HEALTH HAZARD. NOT ONLY IS IT A CARCINOGEN AND KNOWN TO CAUSE BRAIN DAMAGE, BUT SHORT TERM EXPOSURE AT THE VERY LEAST MAY CONTRIBUTE TO DIZZINESS AND IMPAIRED DRIVING ABILITY, LEADING TO POSSIBLE INJURY OR DEATH... NOT TO MENTION THE RISK OF FIRE, ALSO WITH POTENTIALLY DIRE CONSEQUENCES. THIS IS OUR FAMILY'S PRIMARY VEHICLE AND I CANNOT IN GOOD CONSCIENCE ALLOW MY WIFE AND CHILD TO TRAVEL UNDER SUCH HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS. I WISH SUBARU SHARED MY OPINION. WE WILL NOT USE THE VEHICLE UNTIL REPAIRS CAN BE PERFORMED, ALBEIT AT MY OWN COST RATHER THAN THE MANUFACTURER. *TR

NHTSA ID
10380087
Incident
Feb 2, 2011
Mileage
82,800 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jan 30, 2011

I HAVE A 2001 SUBARU OUTBACK STATION WAGON. ON VERY COLD DAYS, THERE IS A STRONG SMELL OF FUEL THAT PERVADES THE PASSENGER CABIN. WE HAD TO DRIVE WITH WINDOWS OPEN EVEN WHEN 20-DEGREES OUTSIDE OR EXPOSE MY 3YR SON TO THE GAGGING FUMES. THIS PROBLEM IS A KNOWN ISSUE (THERE ARE LITERALLY 1000'S OF POSTS ON SUBARU OWNERS WEB BOARDS) BUT MY LOCAL MECHANIC WAS INITIALLY NOT ABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM. SUBARU OF AMERICA HAS NOT ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN TO MAKE OWNERS AWARE OF THIS COMMON FAILURE IN SUBARU FUEL LINES. ONCE WE FOUND EXPLANATORY MATERIAL ON THE WEB, WE HAD THE LOCAL MECHANIC REPLACE THE FUEL LINES FOR ABOUT $300. GIVEN HOW COMMON THE PROBLEM IS AND HOW POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS A FUEL LINE LEAK IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COULD BE, THE NHTSA SHOULD FORCE SUBARU TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM. IN ADDITION TO THE IMMEDIATE DANGER, THEIR LACK OF ACTION ALSO IS LEADING TO OWNERS EXPOSING THEMSELVES TO FUEL FUMES IN THE PASSENGER CABIN AS THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT AND THUS HARD FOR MECHANICS TO DIAGNOSE AND REPAIR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10379604
Incident
Dec 1, 2010
Mileage
83,200 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jan 26, 2011

UNDERHOOD FUEL HOSES ARE ALLOWING LEAKAGE AT LOW TEMPERATURES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10378806
Incident
Jan 1, 2009
Mileage
170,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jan 14, 2011

2001 SUBARU OUTBACK, 4 CYL. STRONG GAS SMELL WHEN OUTSIDE AIR/HEATER IS ON AND TEMPERATURE IS AROUND FREEZING OR BELOW. IT HAS HAPPENED LAST 3 YRS AND FUMES CAN BE AVOIDED BY CHANGING TO RECIRCULATING AIR. DEALER AND OTHER MECHANIC COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10376744
Incident
Dec 15, 2010
Mileage
100,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Dec 17, 2010

I OWN A 2001 SUBARU OUTBACK, THAT WHEN THE WEATHER GETS COLD, SOMEWHERE AT AND BELOW 30 DEGREES, I GET A GAS ODOR IN AND OUTSIDE THE CAR. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT THIS IS AN *EXTREMELY* COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE CAR'S GAS LINES AND THAT SUBARU IS ONLY ACKNOWLEDGING THE ISSUE ON 2002 AND NEWER MODELS. HAVE YOU RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE BEFORE AND CAN YOU TELL ME WHY NO RECALL ON 2001S WAS EVER DONE? THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ID
10371033
Incident
Dec 10, 2010
Mileage
60,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Dec 9, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILED DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED AN ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE. ALL THE PASSENGERS COMPLAINED OF A HEADACHE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO REPAIRED A LEAKING FUSE HOSE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN AND WAS NO LONGER DRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AGAIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 113,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000.

NHTSA ID
10369735
Incident
Dec 28, 2009
Mileage
113,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jul 7, 2010

2001 SUBARU OUTBACK HAS STRONG GASOLINE SMELL INSIDE CABIN UPON STARTING ENGINE. OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE IS ABOVE 80- DEGREES...NOT COLD. SMELL DISSIPATES AS CAR RUNS AFTER ABOUT 3 MINUTES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10341732
Incident
May 23, 2010
Mileage
84,900 mi
Fuel system
Filed Feb 1, 2010
Crash reported

I WAS TRAVELING A MCDONALD'S DRIVE-IN WITH VEHICLES CLOSE TO BUMPER TO BUMPER WITH MY FOOT SECURELY ON THE BRAKE. MY 2001 SUBARU OUTBACK SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WILDLY AND, BEFORE I COULD SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL AND PRESS HARDER ON THE BRAKES, CAREENED INTO THE CAR DIRECTLY AHEAD. MY AUTO ACTUALLY PUSHED THE AUTO AHEAD SOME 5-6 FT. BEFORE I COULD GET IT UNDER CONTROL.I REPORTED THE ACCIDENT TO THE POLICE AND INSURANCE CO.IT COST ME A $500 DEDUCTIBLETO HAVE MY VEHICLE REPAIRED. I BROUGHT MY AUTO TO A SUBARU DEALER FOR REVIEW. THEY CLAIM TO HAVE FOUND NOTHING AWRY. I HAVE EXPERIENCED SIMILAR INSTANCES OF UNINTENDED ACCELERATION ON 4-5 OCCASIONS. DRIVING THIS AUTO IS NOW QUITE FRIGHTENING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10303598
Incident
Oct 26, 2009
Mileage
78,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jan 18, 2010
2 injuries reported

CAR IS A SUBARU OUTBACK 2001. COMPLAINT IS STRONG FUEL SMELL AND VAPORS IN THE CAR CABIN WHEN OUTSIDE AIR TEMPERATURE FALLS BELOW 30 DEGREES OR SO. SMELL PERMEATES OUR CLOTHING TO THE EXTENT THAT WHEN WE LEAVE THE CAR AND ENCOUNTER PEOPLE, THEY COMMENT THAT WE SMELL LIKE GASOLINE. FUEL LINES HAVE BEEN CHECKED AS HAVE CLAMPS AND HOSES. NO RESOLUTION. WE MUST DRIVE BREATHING STRONG FUMES. OPENING WINDOWS DISSIPATES FUMES SOMEWHAT, BUT NOT COMPLETELY. PROBLEM IS WORSE WITH HEATER RUNNING, SO WE TURN IT OFF. ADDITIONAL CONCERN IS THAT WHEN DRIVING WITHOUT HEAT, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD DEFROSTER IS NOT OPERATIONAL, RESULTING IN THE WINDSHIELD BEING ICED OVER AND/OR COVERED WITH CONDENSATION. THIS CAUSES VISUAL IMPAIRMENT AND IS A DRIVING HAZARD. *TR

NHTSA ID
10300199
Incident
Dec 1, 2006
Mileage
55,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jan 4, 2010

I OWN A 2001 SUBARU OUTBACK THAT WHEN THE WEATHER GETS COLD, SOMEWHERE AT AND BELOW 30 DEGREES, I GET A GAS SMELL IN AND OUTSIDE THE CAR. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ON THE INTERNET AND FIND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE CAR'S GAS LINES AND THAT SUBARU IS ONLY ACKNOWLEDGING THE ISSUE ON 2002 AND NEWER MODELS. HAVE YOU RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE BEFORE AND CAN YOU TELL ME WHY NO RECALL ON 2001S WAS EVER DONE? THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ID
10298045
Incident
Dec 28, 2009
Mileage
130,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Dec 16, 2009

WE STRONGLY AGREE WITH THE COMPLAINT FILED 12/9/09 LISTED BELOW. WE ALSO HAVE A 2001 SUBARU OUTBACK AND HAVE HAD THE SUBARU DEALERSHIP CHECK OUT THIS PROBLEM SEVERAL TIMES. WE HAVE HAD FUEL HOSES REPLACED AND CLAMPS TIGHTENED AND REPLACED MANY TIMES AND THE PROBLEM REMAINS. OBVIOUSLY THE PROBLEM IS ELSEWHERE IN THE FUEL SYSTEM. WHILE EVERY WINTER FOR AT LEAST THE LAST 5-6 WINTER SEASONS OUR FAMILY SMELLS AND BREATHES IN GASOLINE FUMES AND HAVE TO OPEN WINDOWS TO AIR OUT THE CABIN FROM THE STRONG GASOLINE SMELL. WE ALSO REFRAIN FROM USING THE HEATING SYSTEM AT TIMES BECAUSE THE SMELL IS MUCH MORE NOTICEABLE WHEN WE RUN THE HEATER. WE HAVE ALSO FOUND COUNTLESS COMPLAINTS ONLINE REGARDING THIS SUBARU ISSUE. DOES A FIRE, DAMAGE, CRASH, INJURY OR DEATH HAVE TO OCCUR BEFORE SUBARU OR THE NHTSA WILL ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM? COMPONENT: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE DETAILS: IN COLD WEATHER, MY 2001 SUBARU OUTBACK HAS AN EXTREMELY STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE. A QUICK SEARCH WILL REVEAL HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ON THE SAME ISSUE. THERE HAS BEEN A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUED BY SUBARU ON THIS ISSUE--NHTSA ITEM # 616334, SERVICE BULLETIN # 010101. THE TSB RECOMMENDS AN "INSPECTION PROCEDURE FOR POSSIBLE REPLACEMENT OF 3 FUEL HOSES". HOWEVER, THE SUBARU DEALER INDICATES THE ISSUE CALLS FOR A REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE FUEL RAIL--COSTING MORE THAN $400. I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT NEITHER THE NHTSA NOR SUBARU HAVE NOT CATEGORIZED A SYSTEMIC PROBLEM WITH LEAKING GASOLINE AS A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR OCCURRENCES: 1 INJURIES: 0 FAIL DATE: 12/07/2005 DEATHS: 0 DATE ADDED TO DATBASE: 12/9/2009

NHTSA ID
10296069
Incident
Dec 1, 2004
Fuel system
Filed Dec 9, 2009

IN COLD WEATHER, MY 2001 SUBARU OUTBACK HAS AN EXTREMELY STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE. A QUICK SEARCH WILL REVEAL HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ON THE SAME ISSUE. THERE HAS BEEN A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUED BY SUBARU ON THIS ISSUE--NHTSA ITEM # 616334, SERVICE BULLETIN # 010101. THE TSB RECOMMENDS AN "INSPECTION PROCEDURE FOR POSSIBLE REPLACEMENT OF 3 FUEL HOSES". HOWEVER, THE SUBARU DEALER INDICATES THE ISSUE CALLS FOR A REPLACEMENT OF THE ENTIRE FUEL RAIL--COSTING MORE THAN $400. I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT NEITHER THE NHTSA NOR SUBARU HAVE NOT CATEGORIZED A SYSTEMIC PROBLEM WITH LEAKING GASOLINE AS A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10295091
Incident
Dec 7, 2005
Mileage
70,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Feb 16, 2009

IN COLD WEATHER VERY STRONG FUEL ODOR IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. SMELL IS STRONG ENOUGH TO MAKE PASSENGERS FEEL ILL. THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME WHEN OUTSIDE TEMP GOES BELOW FREEZING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10258764
Incident
Jan 1, 2009
Mileage
12,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Dec 10, 2008

THERE IS FREQUENTLY A STRONG SMELL OF FUEL WITHIN THE VEHICLE COMPARTMENT WHEN THE CAR IS RUNNING, EITHER STANDING STILL OR OTHERWISE BEING DRIVEN. THERE WAS A THIRD PARTY SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUED (WXZ-83-FUEL HOSE EXPLAINING THE PROBLEM WHICH IS THAT CERTAIN AFFECTED VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITH UP TO 3 IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED FUEL HOSES IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. OVER TIME AND IN COLD WEATHER THE HOSES COULD LEAK CREATING THE POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I FOUND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS ON THE INTERNET. SUBARU SAYS THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS BUT THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT ONE OF THE VEHICLES UNDER THE RECALL AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR ANY REPAIRS - THEY SAID IT COULD BE THE FUEL RAIL ASSEMBLY THAT IS THE PROBLEM. THIS DOES NOT SEEM FAIR OR RIGHT. IF ITS A DEFECT (WITH SERIOUS SAFETY IMPLICATIONS) AND MY CAR WAS AFFECTED BY THE PROBLEM DESCRIBED (AND WHO KNOWS HOW MANY OTHERS), THEN THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD FIX ALL CARS WITH THE PROBLEM AT THEIR EXPENSE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10251401
Incident
Dec 8, 2008
Mileage
76,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Nov 20, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE ODOR WAS ONLY NOTICED IN 25 DEGREE WEATHER AND BELOW. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION AND REPAIRS. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 151,000.

NHTSA ID
10249424
Incident
Jan 6, 2004
Mileage
50,000 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Jul 29, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WOULD CONSISTENTLY ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND A TECHNICIAN ERASED THE FUEL TEMPERATURE CODE. TWO WEEKS AFTER THE DIAGNOSTIC, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT HAD RESURFACED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND A TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE KNOCK SENSOR AT THE COST OF $317. SEVERAL DAYS AFTER THE REPAIR, THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AGAIN AND THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FUEL TEMPERATURE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $520. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,378 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 53,923. UPDATED 10/16/08. *LJ UPDATED THE DEALER REPLACED REPAIRED A LOOSE CONNECTION AT THE FUEL PUMP SENSOR. *JB

NHTSA ID
10236231
Incident
May 29, 2008
Mileage
53,378 mi
Fuel system
Filed Feb 18, 2008

MY 2001 SUBARU OUTBACK 4 CYLINDER ENGINE DEVELOPED A FUEL LEAK APPROXIMATELY 1 MONTH AGO. THE VEHICLE HAS APPROX. 51,000 MILES ON IT. WHEN I CONTACTED THE DEALER, THEY INDICATED THE FUEL INJECTOR HOSES LEAKING AT THE CLAMPS WAS NOT UNUSUAL DURING COLD WEATHER ON THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE. ESTIMATED COST TO DIAGNOSE THE LEAKS & REPAIR WAS APPROX $150- BUT THEY WOULD LET ME KNOW THE EXACT COST ONCE THEY HAVE EXAMINED THE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10218445
Incident
Jan 14, 2008
Mileage
51,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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