1. Subaru Outback
  2. Problems
  3. 2001
  4. Fuel System, Gasoline

2001 Subaru Outback Fuel System, Gasoline Problems

19
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.

Among these 19 stored complaint records:

  • 0 indicate a crash
  • 2 indicate injury
  • 0 indicate fire

What owners report

  • cold weather · 7 records
  • strong smell · 6 records
  • fuel lines · 6 records
  • passenger compartment · 5 records
  • service bulletin · 4 records
  • fuel hoses · 4 records

Mileage in stored records

BandRecords
60–100k mi8
100–150k mi4
30–60k mi2
150–400k mi1
1–30k mi1

Complaint records

Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.

  • October 10, 2013 · 102,000 miles

    Fuel System, Gasoline

    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…

    ODI 10549530

  • October 13, 2011

    Fuel System, Gasoline

    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…

    ODI 10441603

  • February 2, 2011 · 82,800 miles

    Fuel System, Gasoline

    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…

    ODI 10380087

  • December 15, 2010 · 100,000 miles

    Fuel System, Gasoline

    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

    ODI 10376744

  • December 10, 2010 · 60,000 miles

    Fuel System, Gasoline

    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…

    ODI 10371033

  • December 1, 2010 · 83,200 miles

    Fuel System, Gasoline

    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…

    ODI 10379604

  • May 23, 2010 · 84,900 miles

    Fuel System, Gasoline

    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

    ODI 10341732

  • December 28, 2009 · 113,000 miles

    Fuel System, Gasoline

    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…

    ODI 10369735

  • December 28, 2009 · 130,000 miles

    Fuel System, Gasoline

    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

    ODI 10298045

  • January 1, 2009 · 170,000 miles

    Fuel System, Gasoline

    Underhood fuel hoses are allowing leakage at low temperatures. *tr

    ODI 10378806

  • January 1, 2009 · 12,000 miles

    Fuel System, Gasoline

    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

    ODI 10258764

  • December 8, 2008 · 76,000 miles

    Fuel System, Gasoline

    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…

    ODI 10251401

  • November 21, 2008 · 127,200 miles

    Fuel System, Gasoline

    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

    ODI 10667515

  • January 17, 2008

    Fuel System, Gasoline

    In cold weather our car began emitting a very strong fuel smell in the passenger compartment. Our subaru dealer denies there is anything wrong that would warrant a safety recall or bulletin. They will not accept it is a design defect when clearly the fuel lines begin to leak in cold (sub-freezing) temperatures. As gasoline is a serious carcinogen and exposure to its fumes causes brain damage, this should be regarded…

    1 injury

    ODI 10215986

  • January 11, 2007 · 74,999 miles

    Fuel System, Gasoline

    1) upon colder weather starting and during the first 30-40 minutes of operation our 2001 subaru outback gets fuel vapors in the passenger compartment. 2) fuel smells cause use to roll windows down to keep breathable air available. Fuel vapor is a carcinogen, of course. Occupants complained of nausea and headaches. 3) took car to paul bros. Subaru and they told us this was a common complaint but nothing to worry…

    ODI 10182844

  • December 1, 2006 · 55,000 miles

    Fuel System, Gasoline

    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…

    2 injuries

    ODI 10300199

  • December 7, 2005 · 70,000 miles

    Fuel System, Gasoline

    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…

    ODI 10295091

  • January 24, 2005 · 70,000 miles

    Fuel System, Gasoline

    Strong smell of fuel in passenger compartment during extremely cold weather. *nm

    ODI 10107791

  • December 1, 2004

    Fuel System, Gasoline

    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…

    ODI 10296069