Consumer Complaint Detail

SUBARU / OUTBACK / 2001

Recalls
0 Injured
Investigations
0 Death
Complaints
No Fire
Components - Details
NHTSA Complaint Number: 007095632 Incident Date: Jan, 10 2007
Consumer's City: HERNDON Consumer's State: VA
Vehicle Transmission Type: AUTO Manufacturers Name: Subaru of America, Inc.
Model Name: OUTBACK Model Year: 2001
Vehicle Involved in a Crash: No Component's Description: Fuel system, gasoline
Vehicle Involved in a Fire: No Persons Injured: 0
Vehicle's VIN#: 4S3BH686X17 Date added to File: May, 23 2021
Date Complaint Received: Feb, 16 2007 Complaint Type: IVOQ
Incident Reported To Police: No Purchase Date: Oct, 12 2000
Was Original Owner: No Anti-lock Brakes: Yes
Number of Cylinders: 4 Date of Manufacturer: -
Was Vehicle Towed: - Description of the Complaints: 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 about. 4) subsequently, learned of hundreds of like complaints and a subaru service bulletin regarding leaky hoses due to loose fuel clamps and pooling fuel on crevices on the engine block. considered not a "engine/drivetrain issue in warranty and cost to replace hoses has been charged to owners at more than $600. persons "injured" is hard to determine due to chronic exposure of fumes is an unclear connection to a singular injury. this situation should be addressed by a recall and replacement of hoses at subaru's expense. the hoses performance in cold weather was known to subaru before i purchased the car (in canada this is a far larger issue btw). i should expect hoses to perform over the published operating temperature of the vehicle or in what ever region subarus are sold. *jb