general problems of the 2002 Subaru Outback

Since the recent temperature drop where we live (maryland, DC metro region), we've noticed a strong gasoline smell inside the car's cabin. The smell is strong enough that we are uncomfortable driving long distances, for our own health and that of our children. The smell only appears when the car is running (though it doesn't seem to depend on speed). We've owned the car since March 2010, and this is the first time we've noticed the issue; it's also the coldest weather we've encountered since purchase. Apparently there's a fuel-line-related recall for imprezas of this vintage, but not yet for Outbacks.

The smell of raw gas permeates the passenger cabin when the car is started in temperatures under 10 degrees fahrenheit.

When weather turns cold, the smell of raw gas comes into the car, as well as in the garage after parking. So far the dealer has just tightened a clamp, but what happens if I'm on a hi-way and that happens? I can't drive the car with a gas leak in the engine and to far away from a fire station so do I call a towe truck or my lawyer. Because the car burnt up? can't believe the Subaru dealership is being so unresponsive about this. Get this recall to all the Subaru having a issue I thought you had great cars not so much now.

In cold weather, my 2002 Subaru Outback cabin gets filled with very strong raw fuel smell as the car warms up with the heater on. It has gotten so bad, that my daughter nearly throws up every morning on our way to school in cold weather. This is an issue that my local dealer explained away has a typical Subaru thing in cold weather. This is unacceptable. This is a health hazard and Subaru is getting away with it. I have been using this particular car for the last 10 years, and every winter the smell gets worse and worse. Subaru needs to step up, acknowledge the problem and fix it, or face the very real problem of a massive lawsuit soon.

The contact owns a 2002 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that whenever the heat was activated, the contact would notice a gasoline odor coming through the vents. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on four occasions where the head gaskets were replaced each time. However, one year after the repair the contact noticed that the failure recurred. The vehicle had not been recently diagnosed. The current and failure mileages were 84,000.

Prominent gas smell inside cabin when temperature is below 32 degrees f. It is a known safety issue on Subaru's but nothing is being done by Subaru to rectify this poor engineering safety issue on their behalf. I have talked to Subaru of America via email and on phone and they say that there is no issue with this car even though there is thousands of people that are experiencing this issue.

The contact owns a 2002 Subaru Outback. While the vehicle was idle she stated that there was a strong fuel smell in the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who cleaned the exhaust system. The contact stated that the failure continued to occur. The vehicle was taken to another local mechanic who stated that the failure was caused by a loose latch in the hatch back. The mechanic repaired the loose latch. The failure continued after the latch was repaired. The vehicle was taken back to the mechanic and he was unable to determine what caused the failure to occur. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was purchased used in 2007 who stated that the failure had occurred for two to three years. The contact stated that the failure only happened during cold weather conditions. The failure mileage was 92,000. The current mileage was 108,000.

Overwhelming odor of gasoline in passenger compartment.

The contact owns a 2002 Subaru Outback. The contact smelled a strong odor of gasoline in the passenger compartment. The dealer stated that the head gasket needed to be replaced. The vehicle has not been repaired. The contact filed a formal complaint with the manufacturer. The failure mileage was 96,000 and current mileage was 103,000.

Fuel smell inside car when cold outside (approx. 25 deg f) occurs every winter at these temperatures for last 3 yrs (at least) dealers never found anything.

Dangerous hesitation in first and second gears especially. At stop light, upon attempting to accelerate, car bogged down, rpms dipped and nearly stalled before car finally accelerated with a violent jerk forward and back. Has happened on numerous occasions. Very dangerous-nearly been in three accidents already. So far the dealer has bled the clutch, adjusted the clutch, replaced the clutch, replaced knock sensor, replaced coolant temp sensor and replaced front oxygen sensor and problem still as bad as ever if not worse.

2002 Subaru Outback smells of gas every time it gets cold. A shop that works on just Subarus knows the problem well and tried a few things to fix it. After $175, it did not work. Last year, I had to drive with my windows down on cold nights the smell was so strong. One night it was -20 degrees! this year the smell has come back at just 39 degrees and stronger. My garage smells and I am afraid the call will blow up or I will get sick driving it. On-line and on the NHTSA I see many other Subaru owners having to put it with the same thing. Can you folks help?.