general problems of the 2004 Subaru Forester

I started the car after it had sat in 10-15 degree weather and there was a strong smell of unused gasoline in the cabin. It has started happening on start-up frequently since then.

A strong fuel smell when I started my car.

Smell of raw gas inside of vehicle while driving. It doesn't happen all the time only on extremely cold days.

During the recent cold snap here in tennessee I got a report from a friend that his 2004 Forester xt was leaking fuel into his engine bay. I went out to start my car the next day and mine is doing the same thing. The fuel is slowly leaking onto the engine block. This is an extremely dangerous situation. I did some researching and it seems that almost all Forester models from 2002-2006 have this exact same issue! some have been recalled, but the Forester xt hasn't. The engines are the same. . . I don't understand why this dangerous problem hasn't been resolved by Subaru.

Very strong fuel smell in the car with heater on so strong have to roll window down. Happens 2 to 3 times a week on cold days. Strongest when its a cold start.

Strong smell of fuel when operating the vehicle in cold weather (around 35 degrees or colder). The fumes are sometimes so intense that they cause a headache and certainly pose a significant fire risk.

Start vehicle in the morning and can smell gas fumes outside and inside even when driving. This causes burning of nose and throat.

Fuel smell at start up in temps below 35 degrees, decreases after car warms up. If very cold does not go away.

I first noticed a strong gas smell in the vehicle on the coldest day of the year, when the temperature was below 20 degrees. The gas smell enters the vehicle through the vents when the heater is turned on and the car is idling. While the vehicle is traveling at a speed of 10+ mph, the gas smell is not noticeable. When the heater is turned off, the gas smell does not enter the vehicle. When I exit the vehicle, I can smell gas outside of the vehicle also. The smell is so overwhelming that I cannot run the heater in the extreme cold temperatures while the vehicle is idling. I ran the vehicle throughout the summer months and there is no problem with the gas smell whatsoever. I do not take my child in the vehicle with me during the winter months due to the strong gas fumes. I fear that I may become stranded in my vehicle and I will not be able to idle my car for heat.

Strong gas/fuel smell inside cabin and engine compartment during vehicle warm up in driveway when temp was in low 20's. Unable to locate leaking fuel but smell is noticeably stronger on passenger side of engine bay. Vehicle will be towed to dealer in the morning as vehicle is unsafe to drive. Gas vapors are extremely flammable/explosive. I have found many similar complaints posted on this website and others. This suggests there may be an inherent design flaw since these vehicles are marketed to owners in cold weather locales. I have contacted Subaru of America via e-mail about this incident. Today is Sunday and nothing is open.

My 2004 Forester xt (turbo) developed a slow gasoline leak, with gas seeping from hoses/clamps located underneath manifold. Gas fumes were entering the cab of vehicle, especailly when out-side temperatures below 40 degrees f. This is a safety and health hazard for drivers and passengers. This appears to be the same problem as outlined in recall of Subaru impreza wrx turbo (recall #wvk-21), but to date there are no recall for this issue for Foresters. I reently had this fixed at a cost > $500, cost was primarily to take manifold off in order to get to hoses & clamps which had to be replaced.

On the first genuine cold day of the year (below 40 degrees f) I noticed a strong fuel smell coming from my air vents while driving. As it's now mid November and averages below 40 degrees f I get a strong fuel smell at every cold start until the car warms up to top opperating temperature. After researching this symptom, I discovered that it's very common for the fuel clamps underneith the intake manifold on the passenger side to leak when cold on 2004 Subaru Forester xts. Upon further investigation I discovered that this is happening with my car, and is pooling fuel on the engine until warm. Average estimate from dealer is $500.

1st issue with 2004 fxt 4at . Cold start emmitting raw fuel smell both in and outside of car. Local shop diagnosed as weak connections on fuel filter. Filter needed replacement in 5,000 miles, so opted to swap out to a new oem filter. Next day smell still present. Temps below freezing for past 6 weeks (michigan), but problem only started 1 week ago. Since problem persists, doing more research, and will contact soa and local sub dealer for assistance and plan. No other fuel complaints (knock, stall, rough idle, economy issues). Current mileage 109,000.

Strong smell of gas inside the car in cold weather. Replaced and tightened fuel clamps, to no avail. A recall was issued for the same system on the wrx, why not the Forester?.

Strong odor of raw gasoline in cabin during cold weather when vehicle is stopped. Seems to be the fuel leak in the engine compartment that many other Subaru Forester xt owners are experiencing.

2004 Subaru Forester leaks fuel directly onto manifold in conditions of cold ambient temperature. Research reveals the problem is endemic to virtually all Subarus model years 2002 - 2004. In 2009, Subaru issued a recall for 2002 impreza wrx models sold in certain states, but the engine is the same design for the other models. Strong odor of fuel in passenger compartment is symptomatic. Strong risk of fire. Odor abates when engine and/or ambient temperatures rise.

We owned a 2004 Subaru Forester for 6 years. 2 years ago I experienced an incident where startuing out the accelerator stuck at an advanced rtate of speed. I was able to quicklygain control and brake the vehicle and thought it was an aberration. Recently on starting out from a ferry boat the accelerator again stuck at an advanced rate of speed. I avoided peoplke and many cars but did collide with a wall and 1 car, finally stopping the Subaru by driving up a hill, over a curb and into a fence. I had mechanics check the accelerator system. They said they coulkd find no defect in the system but that other factors could contribute to "sticking" such as faulty floor mats or placement od brake and/or accelerator pedals. I am not an expert but my examination indicates (1) there is approximately 2 inch gap between the front of the accelerator pedal and the floor (2)that t he brake and accelerator pedals are quite close together; and that a foot could become "hung up" or lodged because of either or both of these things. This possibility could be increased by larger feet, although I do not consider my size 11 width ee shoe size to be overly large. My non-expert opinion is that theser pedals should be re-engineered so that (1) there is no gap of the accelerator to the floor (2)there is a clear separation of the brake and accelerator pedals.

The contact owns a 2004 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that there was a fuel leak in the engine compartment. He could smell gasoline in the cabin as it was being leaked on the motor. He stated that the failure seemed to happen in above freezing weather. He called the dealer and was told that it was a common problem. The vehicle had not been inspected by the dealer and the manufacturer was not notified. The vehicle had not been repaired at the time of the complaint. The current and failure mileages were approximately 95,000.

2004 Subaru Forester fuel system leak in cold weather.

The contact owns a 2004 Subaru foreseter. When the contact started the ignition there was a strong odor of fuel inside and outside of the vehicle. The failure occur consistently. The engine exhibited an excessive amount of fuel leakage. The vehicle had not been repaired for the malfunctions. The failure mileage was 55,000.

Every time the temperature drops below freezing a strong fuel smell fills the interior. Sometimes the smell goes away when the engine warms up, sometimes it doesn't. Nothing has been done to fix the problem.

Extremely strong fuel odor in the interior of an 04 Subaru Forester.

Strong gas odor when car is started in cold temperatures.

Smelled fuel in passenger compartment. Stopped vehicle and strong odor of fuel under hood. The evening temperatures were below zero and even though vehicle is garaged, temperatures were below freezing. No signs of fuel on floor of garage and could not find leak by observation of running engine. I did research and many Subaru vehicles are having problems with fuel leaks at low temperatures. This is a safety hazard. Dealer says it may take repairs in excess of $500. 00 to resolve faulty clamps and hoses. I am trying to get Subaru of America to work with me. Why has this not been a recall? are we waiting for fires or asphyxiation?.

Vehicle compartment has a strong smell of gasoline. I first noticed this a year ago (vehicle mileage was around 40,000) and the temperature was 20 degrees and lower when this would occur. The smell of gas continued again this winter. I had my mechanic look at it and contacted the Subaru dealership. They could not diagnose the problem, but did state that they have had other customers complain of this extremely strong gas smell as well. It has been so bad that I have had to keep a window open.

Model is a 2004 Subaru Forester xt. Upon startup in cold weather, there is an extreme smell of raw fuel (gasoline) both inside the vehicle and outside as well. I am afraid to drive this car in cold weather.

This problem happened when temperature dropped below about 15 degrees f. There was a very strong gas smell inside car with heater on. There was also a strong gas smell under hood. I drove car the next day at 35 deg f and no smell.