2004 SUBARU FORESTER Fuel System, Gasoline Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU FORESTER. WHETHER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OR BEING DRIVEN, A FUEL ODOR WAS DETECTED IN AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE FUEL ODOR WAS MOST NOTICEABLE WHILE OPERATING THE HEATER. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MID-HUDSON SUBARU (1715 U.S. 9, WAPPINGERS FALLS, NY 12590 (866) 678-2048) SEVERAL TIMES, BUT NO LEAKS OR FAILURES WERE DETECTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER FINALLY DETECTED A FUEL ODOR AND DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS A MALFUNCTION WITH TUBING OR PIPING WITHIN THE ENGINE. THE PARTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE COST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD CONTACT THE LOCAL DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000. *TT *TR

Mileage: 120,000

BASICALLY I AM EXPERIENCING THE SAME RAW FUEL SMELL MANY OTHERS HAVE DESCRIBED. THE HOSE UNDER THE INTERCOOLER AND SEVERAL OTHER HOSES AND PARTS VISIBLY LEAKS AND SMELLS WHEN TEMPERATURES ARE COLD OUTSIDE. I LIVE IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST...IT'S COLD A LOT HERE. I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING WITH MY DAUGHTER IN THE CAR, FOR HER HEALTH REASONS, AND REALLY DON'T LIKE WASTING MY HARD EARNED FUEL WAITING FOR THE CAR TO WARM UP WITH THE RECIRCULATING VENT FEATURE TURNED ON AND THE FACT THAT IT DRIPS THE FUEL OUT AND ONTO THE ENGINE... SINCE SOA HAS RECALLED THE WRX'S WITH THE EXACT SAME ISSUE, WHY DO THOSE OF US THAT OWN LEGACYS, OUTBACKS, FORESTERS AND I WOULD ALSO ASSUME BAJAS NOT BE TREATED THE SAME WAY? SOA NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS MATTER IMMEDIATELY AND KEEP ITS LOYAL CUSTOMERS EXACTLY THAT....LOYAL. *TR

Mileage: 165,000

I HAVE NOTICED IN THE PAST FEW WEEKS THAT WHEN I COLD START (UNDER APPROXIMATELY 20 DEGREES) MY 04 SUBARU FORESTER, THERE IS A VERY POTENT RAW GAS SMELL COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. IT TYPICALLY DIMINISHES AS THE CAR HEATS UP BUT IF YOU TURN ON THE HEAT/VENTILATION SYSTEM THE SMELL BECOMES UNBEARABLE. IN DOING RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND THAT MANY SUBARU OWNERS (OF VARIOUS MODELS AND YEARS) ARE EXPERIENCING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITH THIS SMELL NOR TRANSPORTING ANY PASSENGERS WITH THE CAR IN THIS CONDITION. *TR

Mileage: 130,000

VERY STRONG SMELL OF GAS IN CABIN. I HAVE 2 KIDS THAT I TAKE TO SCHOOL, AND IN THE MORNING I HAVE TO START MY CAR 20 MIN BEFORE WE LEAVE AND OPEN THE WINDOWS TO AIR IT OUT. THE GAS SMELL IS TOXIC, AND DANGEROUS. THIS IS THE A DESIGN FLAW THAT POSES SERIOUS RISK, AS IT IS BOTH A HEALTH AND A FIRE HAZARD. IT SEEMS JUST ABOUT EVERY FORESTER OWNER HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS WELL. SUBARU NEEDS TO EXPAND THE EXISTING IMPREZA / WRX RECALLS TO THE FORESTER, AS THE RELEVANT PARTS ARE THE SAME AND THE ISSUE IS VIRTUALLY IDENTICAL. PLEASE FIX THIS. *TR

Mileage: 171,000

EXTREMELY STRONG SMELL OF GAS IN CABIN IN COLD WEATHER. I DRIVE MY SMALL DAUGHTER TO DAYCARE EVERY DAY IN THAT CAR. THE GAS SMELL IS HORRIFIC, TOXIC, AND DANGEROUS. ALSO, THE CAUSE OF THAT GAS SMELL IS THE GAS LEAKAGE FROM THE RUBBER HOSE OF THE FUEL LINE ONTO HOT COMPONENST IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW THAT POSES SERIOUS RISK, AS IT IS BOTH A HEALTH AND A FIRE HAZARD. SUBARU NEEDS TO EXPAND THE EXISTING IMPREZA / WRX RECALLS TO FORESTER, AS THE RELEVANT PARTS ARE THE SAME AND THE ISSUE IS VIRTUALLY IDENTICAL. *TR

WHEN WEATHER GOT COLDER THIS FALL AND WINTER SUDDENLY INTENSE SMELL OF FUEL IN CABIN. LOOKED UNDER HOOD, TIGHTENED WHATEVER FUEL CLAMPS I COULD REACH BUT MADE NO DIFFERENCE. EVERY DAY BELOW 40DEGREES POWERFUL SMELL OF RAW FUEL THROUGHOUT VEHICLE. THEN HAD TO TAKE TRIP INTO NEIGHBORING CITY, IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC EVEN WITH WINDOWS FULL OPEN IN 15 DEGREE WEATHER FUMES GOT SO OVERWHELMING I HAD TO PULL OVER IN A PARKING LOT, ESCAPE THE CAR AND VOMIT. BACK HOME CALLED DEALER, THEY SAID THEY KNEW EXACTLY WHAT IT WAS. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS LEAKY FUEL HOSES AND CLAMPS UNDER INTAKE MANIFOLD AND QUOTED OVER $800 TO FIX AS THEY TOLD ME OTHER MODELS WERE COVERED BY RECALL BUT FORESTERS HAD "DODGED THE RECALL PROCESS" SO FAR. *TR

Mileage: 92,000

LEAKING FUEL WHEN COLD OUTSIDE, I CAN SEE FUEL DRIPPING FROM A FUEL LINE UNDER INTAKE MANIFOLD EVERY TIME I START MY CAR IN THE MORNING WHEN THE CAR IS COLD IN THE COLD WEATHER IN WINTER. *TR

Mileage: 156,000

I AM EXPERIENCING AN EXTREMELY STRONG SMELL OF GAS. THIS BEGAN WINTER OF 2013, WHICH I HAD REPAIRED AT MY EXPENSE OF $700+, THOUGH MY MECHANIC INFORMED ME SUBARU WAS RECALLING THIS AND REPAIRING FOR FREE ON OTHER MODELS. I AM ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTED THAT THIS PROBLEM IS RECURRING NOW WINTER OF 2014, IN A VEHICLE WHICH I DRIVE MY SMALL CHILDREN IN. THE GAS SMELL IS HORRIFIC, TOXIC, AND DANGEROUS. *TR

I'VE OWNED MY 2004 FORESTER FOR 4 YEARS NOW AND NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THIS WINTER SEEMINGLY HAVING LONGER COLD SPELLS SEEMED TO INDUCE THE PROBLEM. THERE IS A STRONG FUEL SMELL IN THE VEHICLE, ESPECIALLY WHEN I TURN ON THE HEAT, WHICH IS A MAJOR ISSUE IN THE WINTER. I'VE READ A LITTLE ABOUT IT AND IT SEEMS MANY OTHER SUBARU OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. *TR

Mileage: 162,006

FUEL LINES CRACK IN COLD WEATHER (APPROX UNDER 25 AND UNDER). STRONG FUEL SMELL IN CABIN WAS ENOUGH TO MAKE PASSENGERS ILL, CAR WAS NOT DRIVABLE. FUEL WAS POOLING IN THE ENGINE BAY NEAR THE HOT TURBO AND EXHAUST SYSTEM. CONTACTED DEALERSHIP, SERVICE WRITER KNEW WHAT THE ISSUE WAS AS SOON AS I TOLD HIM MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR - SAID IT'S VERY COMMON. FOUND PAGES OF COMPLAINTS ON NHTSA SITE AND HUNDREDS IN FORUMS. SUBARU ISSUED A RECALL FOR THE SAME ISSUE ON THE 2003 GENERATION WRX VEHICLES, BUT NOT THE FORESTERS. THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEMS. SUBARU'S ARE PURCHASED AS IDEAL SNOW VEHICLE, AND REPAIRS COST UPWARD OF $600. THIS IS A DIRECT SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

Mileage: 126,000

UPON STARTING CAR IN COLD WEATHER (APPROX. 25 DEGREES F OR COLDER), THERE IS A STRONG FUEL SMELL. CANNOT TURN HEAT ON AS FUEL SMELL FILLS CABIN AND MAKES PASSENGERS NAUSEOUS. HEADACHES HAVE ALSO OCCURRED. WHEN VEHICLE IS PARKED IN GARAGE AFTER DRIVING IN COLD WEATHER, FUMES ACCUMULATE IN GARBAGE AND LEAK INTO HOUSE AS WELL. APPARENTLY FUEL LINES SHRINK IN COLD AND LEAK FUEL DIRECTLY ONTO ENGINE. THIS IS BOTH HEALTH AND FIRE HAZARD. *TR

Mileage: 56,402

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. *TR

Mileage: 120,000

IN COLD WEATHER (BELOW 20 DEGREES OR SO) THE FUEL LINES IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COME LOOSE AND LEAK RAW GASOLINE ONTO THE HOT ENGINE. OBVIOUSLY THERE IS A GOOD CHANCE OF AN ENGINE FIRE WITH POSSIBLE LOSS OF LIFE. THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED IN SEVERAL FORUMS, THERE IS A TSB OUT ON THIS FOR THE WRX (SAME ENGINE, SAME PART NUMBERS), AND MOST DEALERS (IN COLD STATES) KNOW OF THIS PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 130,000

ON VERY COLD DAYS WHILE CAR IS WARMING UP, A STRONG SMELL OF FUEL IS COMING FROM UNDER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. A CLOSER INSPECTION REVEALS A SMALL FUEL LEAK FROM THE FUEL SUPPLY LINES NEAR THE TURBO. A SUBARU IMPREZA ENTHUSIAST FORUM HAS A "RAW FUEL SMELL" LOG OF MORE THAN 131 PAGES AND 3,000 POSTS (HTTP://FORUMS.NASIOC.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=131755). SUBARU ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB) FOR CERTAIN SUBARU IMPREZAS, BUT THEY HAVE NOT INITIATED ANY TSBS FOR ANY OTHER CARS ALL USING THE SAME OR SIMILAR ENGINES. SEE TSB 01-170-09. AS LEAKING FUEL ONTO YOUR ENGINE IS A SAFETY HAZARD, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE SUBARU INITIATE SOME KIND OF TSB OR RECALL FOR ALL ENGINES EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM. I UNDERSTAND MANY SUBARU OWNERS HAVE COMPLAINED TO SUBARU AND NHTSA WITH NO RESULTS. *TR

Mileage: 87,000

A STRONG FUEL SMELL WHEN I STARTED MY CAR. *TR

Mileage: 122,765

FUEL AND EXHAUST LINE LEAKS IN COLD WEATHER. OVER THE INITIAL THREE DAY PERIOD - DAY ONE CHILDREN COMPLAINED OF HEADACHES, DAY TWO DRIVER EXPERIENCED SEVERE HEADACHE AND NAUSEA BUT DID NOT REALIZE IT WAS DUE TO FUEL LEAK. DAY THREE CABIN FILLED WITH OVERPOWERING FUMES COMING FROM HEATING VENT. HAD TO DRIVE WITH HEAT OFF AND ALL WINDOWS OPEN IN ORDER TO BRING CAR IN FOR SERVICE. HAVE HAD TO BRING CAR IN TWICE THIS MONTH TO REPAIR ALL OF THE LEAKS AND RENT A CAR IN ORDER TO GET TO WORK APPOINTMENTS. CERTIFIED SUBARU SPECIALIST REPORTED THAT HE HAS SEEN QUITE A FEW INCIDENCES OF SAME ISSUE RECENTLY DUE TO EXTREME COLD WEATHER. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SAFETY ISSUE AND IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. 2002-2003 IMPREZA RECALLED DEC 2009 FOR SAME ISSUE. *TR

Mileage: 156,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE TEMPERATURE DROPPED, FUEL FUMES WERE EMITTED IN AND AROUND THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 117,000. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 03/12/14 UPDATED 3/12/14*CN THE FUEL LINES, CLAMPS AND UPPER INTAKE GASKETS WERE REPLACED. THE FUEL LINES WERE CRACKED. UPDATED 04/01/14

Mileage: 117,000

THIS 2004 SUBARU FORESTER 2.5 XT AWD 4-SPD AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WITH MULTI-PURPOSE FUEL INJECTION TURBO (FEEDBACK FUEL SYSTEM) HAS BEEN PRODUCING A STRONG FUEL SMELL THAT FILLS THE ENTIRE VEHICLE CABIN. I'VE BEEN TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THIS IS TO BE EXPECTED FROM THIS TYPE OF ENGINE AND THAT THERE IS NOTHING MUCH THAT THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT AND TO LEARN TO LIVE WITH IT. THE DEALER ALSO INDICATES THAT THIS PROBLEM IS BASICALLY CAUSED BY EXTREME COLD WEATHER AND/OR TEMPERATURE CHANGE. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS A SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH THE SUBARU IMPREZA AND THAT SUBARU ISSUED A RECALL. NO VEHICLE, SUBARU OR OTHERWISE, SHOULD PRODUCE A PROBLEM LIKE THIS ONE THAT IS "UNFIXABLE." THE CONSUMER SHOULD BE PROTECTED FROM THIS POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS SITUATION. THIS CONSUMER IS PUTTING SUBARU ON NOTICE. *TR

Mileage: 65,000

SMELL OF RAW GAS INSIDE OF VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. IT DOESN'T HAPPEN ALL THE TIME ONLY ON EXTREMELY COLD DAYS. *TR

Mileage: 72,000

IMMEDIATELY UPON STARTING THE ENGINE A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE FILLED THE ENTIRE PASSENGER CABIN. COLD WEATHER TEMPERATURE WAS WELL BELOW FREEZING. HAS HAPPENED PREVIOUSLY, AND IS CORRECTED BY TIGHTENING THE FUEL LINE CONNECTIONS. *TR

Mileage: 133,000

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. *TR

Mileage: 122,000

FUEL SMELL AT START UP IN TEMPS BELOW 35 DEGREES, DECREASES AFTER CAR WARMS UP. IF VERY COLD DOES NOT GO AWAY. *TR

Mileage: 100,000

FUEL LEAK IN 2004 SUBARU FORESTER XT SIMILAR TO OTHER SAFETY COMPLAINTS ENTERED, NHTSA CAMPAIGN 09V468000 AND SUBARU RECALL WVK-21 FOR 2003 WRX. EVENING OF 7JAN2014 DRIVING HOME (IN UNCOMMONLY COOL WEATHER) THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMELL STRONGLY OF GASOLINE IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. UPON ARRIVING HOME, INSPECTED UNDER THE HOOD TO OBSERVE DRIPPING FUEL (APPROXIMATELY 1 DRIP PER SECOND) ABOVE THE ENGINE AT A METAL TO RUBBER FUEL LINE CONNECTION. LEAKED FUEL WAS POOLED ON THE TOP OF THE ENGINE. A PUDDLE OF WARM FUEL VAPORIZING NEAR ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT (BATTERY, ALTERNATOR, RADIATOR FANS) IS A SERIOUS FIRE HAZARD. THE CAR HAS BEEN PARKED SINCE THE EVENT. I INVESTIGATED ON THE INTERNET AND HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS OTHER ACCOUNTS OF COLD WEATHER FUEL LEAKS IN MANY SUBARU MODELS NEARLY IDENTICAL TO MINE. MY LOCAL SUBARU DEALER APPEARED TO BE AWARE OF THE ISSUE WHEN I CALLED, BUT STATED THERE IS NO ACTIVE RECALL ON MY MODEL. THEY OFFERED THAT THEIR FIX IS TO TIGHTEN THE HOSE CLAMPS BUT I WOULD NEED TO COVER THE COST OF THE WORK. IF SUBARU HAS ACCEPTED RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS ISSUE IN THE 2002-2003 IMPREZA AND WRX, WHY WOULD THEY NOT ADDRESS THE PROBLEM IN OTHER MODELS THAT SHOW THE SAME SYMPTOMS? *TR

Mileage: 101,312

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. *TR

Mileage: 87,000

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

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. *TR

Mileage: 129,000

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. *TR

Mileage: 70,000

START VEHICLE IN THE MORNING AND CAN SMELL GAS FUMES OUTSIDE AND INSIDE EVEN WHEN DRIVING. THIS CAUSES BURNING OF NOSE AND THROAT. *TR

Mileage: 16,200

AFTER COMING HOME AND PARKING MY CAR IN THE GARAGE MY WIFE CAME IN FROM THE GARAGE AND SAID IT SMELLED LIKE GAS. I FOUND THE SOURCE TO BE MY 2004 SUBARU. I DROVE IT THE DEALER THE NEXT MORNING AND THEY SAID THAT THE FUEL LINES DUE TO THE COLD, AS IT WAS BELOW 20 DEGREE'S, PULLED AWAY FROM THE FUEL RAIL SO RAW GAS WAS POOLING ON THE MANIFOLD. THEY KEPT IT FOR A WEEK SAYING IT WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE, AND REPLACED ALL THE FUEL LINES AND CLAMPS FOR $850. THEY SAID IT WAS ONE OF THE WORST LEAKS THEY HAVE SEEN. I HAVE NOW READ NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE AND NOTICED THE 2003 WRX, SAME ENGINE, WAS RECALLED FOR THIS SAFETY ISSUE. I GUESS I AM LUCKY AS IT COULD HAVE CAUGHT ME, MY HOUSE OR WHO KNOWS WHAT ON FIRE IF IT HAS SPARKED.

Mileage: 159,400

AFTER COMING HOME AND PARKING MY CAR IN THE GARAGE MY WIFE CAME IN FROM THE GARAGE AND SAID IT SMELLED LIKE GAS. I FOUND THE SOURCE TO BE MY 2004 SUBARU. I DROVE IT THE DEALER THE NEXT MORNING AND THEY SAID THAT THE FUEL LINES DUE TO THE COLD, AS IT WAS BELOW 20 DEGREE'S, PULLED AWAY FROM THE FUEL RAIL SO RAW GAS WAS POOLING ON THE MANIFOLD. THEY KEPT IT FOR A WEEK SAYING IT WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE, AND REPLACED ALL THE FUEL LINES AND CLAMPS FOR $850. THEY SAID IT WAS ONE OF THE WORST LEAKS THEY HAVE SEEN. I HAVE NOW READ NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE AND NOTICED THE 2003 WRX, SAME ENGINE, WAS RECALLED FOR THIS SAFETY ISSUE. I GUESS I AM LUCKY AS IT COULD HAVE CAUGHT ME, MY HOUSE OR WHO KNOWS WHAT ON FIRE IF IT HAS SPARKED.

Mileage: 159,400

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. *TR

Mileage: 85,000

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. *TR

Mileage: 94,800

STRONG RAW FUEL SMELL IN CABIN OF CAR DURING COLD START/COLD WEATHER. IT APPEARS THAT THE FUEL LINES SHRINK IN COLD WEATHER AND PULL AWAY FROM THE METAL FUEL LINES CAUSING VAPOR LEAK AS WELL AS FUEL LEAKS. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE FUEL LINES ARE LOCATED UNDER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND ARE IMPOSSIBLE TO TIGHTEN UNLESS THE MANIFOLD IS REMOVED. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

Mileage: 55,100

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 OPERATING TEMPERATURE. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS SYMPTOM, I DISCOVERED THAT IT'S VERY COMMON FOR THE FUEL CLAMPS UNDERNEATH 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. *TR

Mileage: 101,000

GAS LINES LEAK ON 2004 SUBARU FORESTER XT WHEN AMBIENT TEMPERATURES FALL BELOW 30 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF FUEL LEAK INTO THE ENGINE AREA, AND STRONG FUMES ENTER THE PASSENGER AREA. NHTSA HAS ALREADY ISSUED A TSB ON THE SUBARU WXT REGARDING THE SAME PROBLEM. CONCERNED ABOUT FIRE HAZARD AND INHALATION OF GASOLINE VAPORS. VERY STRONG ODOR. COULD NOT CONTINUE TO DRIVE. *TT

Mileage: 50,000

FUEL ODOR NOTED IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT STARTING 4/9/11, (137218 MI) 55 DEGREE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE, VEHICLE RUNNING FOR 10+ MINUTES AND UP TO TEMPERATURE. AT STOP LIGHT WHEN ODOR BEGAN. CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE BECAME NAUSEATED AND BEGAN RETCHING. WINDOWS DOWN TO VENT PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. ODOR IDENTIFIED IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AND ENGINE BAY ONLY, NO RAW FUEL ODOR IN EXHAUST OR SURROUNDING THE VEHICLE. 4/11/11, 52 DEGREES, 137463 MI 4/13/11, TIGHTENED ACCESSIBLE FUEL LINE CLAMPS IN ENGINE BAY 4/27/11, 40 DEGREES, 138113 MI 4/28/11, 53 DEGREES, 138215 MI 4/30/11, ISOLATED LEAK TO AREA IMMEDIATELY BELOW MANIFOLD, NEAR AIR FILTER ON LEFT SIDE (PASSENGER SIDE) OF ENGINE; ABLE TO VISUALIZE FUEL LEAKING ONTO ENGINE AT RATE OF 5 DROPS/10 SECONDS. 5/1/11 45 DEGREES, 138511 MI CONCERNS OVER SAFETY OF EXPOSED FUEL IN ENGINE BAY (EXPLOSION HAZARD), AS WELL AS EFFECT OF FUMES ON ADULTS/CHILDREN (TOXICITY), AND NON-COMPLIANCE WITH EPA STANDARDS. TO CONTACT SUBARU OF AMERICA TO DISCUSS OPTIONS FOR REPAIR/REPLACEMENT OF AFFECTED PARTS

Mileage: 137,218

IN VERY COLD TEMPERATURES (BELOW FREEZING), THE FUEL LINE UNDER THE INTAKE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WILL OCCASIONALLY LEAK AT THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE RUBBER HOSE AND STEEL LINE. IT WILL DRIP FUEL ONTO THE ENGINE BLOCK UNTIL IT WARMS UP. THE SMELL OF GASOLINE CAN BE DETECTED INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND AROUND THE ENGINE AREA. THE FUEL DRIPS AT A RATE OF ABOUT 1 DRIP PER 1-3 SECONDS UNTIL THE HOSE WARMS UP AND SEALS AGAINST THE STEEL LINE. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, BUT THEY OFFERED TO TIGHTEN THE FUEL LINE FITTINGS. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD TO BE LIFTED AND THE COST WAS ABOUT $150, BUT THEY COULDN'T GUARANTEE A FIX. IT WILL HAVE TO BE RECHECKED IN COLDER WEATHER. THIS 2004 FORESTER XT HAS 70,000 MILES ON IT. *TR

Mileage: 70,000

GAS LINES LEAK ON 2004 SUBARU FORESTER XT WHEN AMBIENT TEMPERATURES FALL BELOW 20 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF FUEL LEAK INTO THE ENGINE AREA, AND STRONG FUMES ENTER THE PASSENGER AREA. NHTSA HAS ALREADY ISSUED A TSB ON THE SUBARU WXT REGARDING THE SAME PROBLEM. CONCERNED ABOUT FIRE HAZARD AND INHALATION OF GASOLINE VAPORS. *TR

Mileage: 70,000

1ST ISSUE WITH 2004 FXT 4AT . COLD START EMITTING 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. *TR

Mileage: 109,000

WE OWNED A 2004 SUBARU FORESTER FOR 6 YEARS. 2 YEARS AGO I EXPERIENCED AN INCIDENT WHERE STARTING OUT THE ACCELERATOR STUCK AT AN ADVANCED RATE OF SPEED. I WAS ABLE TO QUICKLY GAIN 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 PEOPLE 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 COULD 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 THESE 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. *TR

Mileage: 48,500

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? *LN

Mileage: 114,000

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. *LN

Mileage: 55,038

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. *TR

Mileage: 58,113

1. NOTICED STRONG GAS ODOR AFTER DRIVING CAR. UPON INSPECTION, NOTICED GAS POOLED ON ENGINE TOP, PASSENGER SIDE, UNDER INTAKE MANIFOLD. 2. APPEARS THAT FUEL LINE IS LEAKING. UNABLE TO ASCERTAIN EXACTLY WHERE, BECAUSE LEAK IS BEHIND INTAKE MANIFOLD. OCCURS DURING VERY COLD WEATHER. 3. REPAIRS FORTHCOMING. *TR

Mileage: 100,000

STRONG GAS ODOR WHEN CAR IS STARTED IN COLD TEMPERATURES. *TR

Mileage: 41,129

RAW FUEL SMELL IN CABIN DURING COLD START. TOOK TO MECHANIC AND HE SEES FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL LINE UNDER PASSENGER INTAKE MANIFOLD. TO RESOLVE ISSUE HE WILL HAVE TO PULL THE INTAKE, REPLACE FUEL LINES AND USE BETTER CLAMPS. THE CLAMPS AND HOSE USED BY SUBARU IS FAULTY AS I SEE A TON OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE. THEY EVEN DID A RECALL ON THE WRX WHICH HAS THE SAME MOTOR AS THE FORESTER.

Mileage: 85,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AS THE TEMPERATURE STARTED TO DROP HE NOTICED FLUID LEAKING FROM THE ENGINE. HE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND REALIZED THAT THE HARD FUEL LINE WAS LOOSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 104,000.

Mileage: 104,000

I OWN AND DAILY DRIVE A 2004 FORESTER XT. IT HAS RECENTLY DEVELOPED WHAT I CONSIDER TO BE A SEVERE SAFETY RELATED ISSUE. LAST NIGHT, AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES, THERE WAS AN OVERWHELMING SMELL OF RAW FUEL IN THE CABIN. THIS SITUATION HAPPENED AGAIN THIS MORNING WHILE SITTING IN TRAFFIC, AT A RED LIGHT. THE SMELL OF GASOLINE WAS SO STRONG, I FELT LIGHT HEADED AND HAD TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOWS WHEN THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE WAS 24 FAHRENHEIT. I FOUND THAT SUBARU OF AMERICA (SOA) ISSUED A RECALL FOR THE SAME PROBLEM ON WRX MODELS WHICH PRODUCED THIS SYMPTOM. UPON INSPECTION OF MY ENGINE, I CAN BOTH SEE AND SMELL RAW FUEL SEEPING FROM ONE OR MORE OF THE FUEL LINES. I CONTINUED MY RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THERE ARE MANY REPORTS OF THIS ISSUE COVERING MANY YEAR MODELS OF THE FORESTER AND THE LEGACY MODELS. DUE TO THE VOLATILITY OF GASOLINE AND THE INHERENT DANGERS TO HUMANS IN VAPOR FORM, I FEEL THIS IS A CRITICAL SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE READ MANY REPORTS AND NOTICED THE APPARENT LARGE POPULATION OF AFFECTED VEHICLES. THIS IS VERY DISCONCERTING. I AM CONTACTING SOA TO REPORT THIS PROBLEM AND TO REQUEST THEY COVER THE FAILURE UNDER GOODWILL. *TR

Mileage: 110,325

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUBARU FORESTER XT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DURING COLD WEATHER HE WOULD SMELL GASOLINE FUMES INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO INFORMED STATED THAT HE HAD A LEAK IN HIS FUEL LINE FROM THE HOSE ON THE FUEL RAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 108,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 02/02/11 *CN

Mileage: 108,000

DURING THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR, A VERY STRONG FUEL SMELL FILLED THE CABIN OF THE CAR. IT WOULD SOMETIMES GO AWAY AFTER A HALF HOUR OF DRIVING. IT SEEMED TO COINCIDE WITH THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE BEING BELOW FREEZING. BROUGHT CAR IN FOR SERVICE. THEY TIGHTENED FUEL CLAMPS AND REPLACED A SMALL FUEL LINE. A FEW WEEKS LATER THE SMELL RETURNED EVEN MORE INTENSE. IT WAS SCARY TO DRIVE, ESPECIALLY WITH MY TODDLER IN THE CAR! TOOK CAR IN FOR SERVICE AGAIN. THEY REPLACED ALL FUEL INJECTORS/ORINGS/SEALS AND INTAKE AND EXHAUST GASKETS. REPAIRS TOTALED OVER $1,000. PROBLEM FIRST OCCURRED AT 105,000 MILES. (ONE MONTH EARLIER THE TURBO HAD TO BE REPLACED...A REPAIR TOTAL OF $3,300. FOR OVER A YEAR THERE'S ALSO BEEN A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR CONSTANTLY NEEDING OIL, BUT THERE'S NO LEAK.) I'VE READ COMPLAINT AFTER COMPLAINT FOR THE FUEL SMELL PROBLEM ON MANY SUBARU FORUMS. WHY HASN'T THERE BEEN A RECALL FOR THIS SAFETY HAZARD?? *TR

Mileage: 105,000

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. *TR

Mileage: 40,000

TL* 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.

Mileage: 55,000

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. *TR

Mileage: 40,000

TL*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.

Mileage: 95,000

2004 SUBARU FORESTER FUEL SYSTEM LEAK IN COLD WEATHER. *TR

Mileage: 65,120

IN COLD WEATHER (BELOW 0F) VEHICLE LEAKS FUEL IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. VEHICLE WAS PARKED OUTSIDE STARTING AT 6:30 AM, WITH AN OUTDOOR AIR TEMPERATURE OF APPROXIMATELY -11F AFTER A 6 MILE DRIVE. WHEN VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AT 11:30AM, WITH AN OUTDOOR AIR TEMPERATURE OF APPROXIMATELY 3F, FUEL SMELL WAS NOTICED WITHIN ONE MILE. FUEL LEAK IS FROM HIGH PRESSURE HOSE ON PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE, JUST FORWARD AND BELOW THE MANIFOLD. CAR WAS TOWED TO SHOP AND SHOP REPLACED HIGH PRESSURE FUEL HOSE AND CLAMPS. PHOTOS OF EXACT LOCATION OF LEAK, COMPONENTS REPLACED, REPAIR BILL AND NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TEMPERATURE DATA AVAILABLE IN PDF FORMAT. *TR

Mileage: 43,802

EXTREMELY STRONG FUEL ODOR IN THE INTERIOR OF AN 04 SUBARU FORESTER. *TR

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? *TR

Mileage: 43,930

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. *TR

Mileage: 61,500

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. *TR

Mileage: 66,363

DURING GAS FILL-UPS, UNABLE TO FILL TANK WITHOUT CONTINUOUS START/STOPS (~20 TIMES FOR FULL TANK). HAVE TRIED DIFFERENT PUMPS AND DIFFERENT STATIONS (APPROXIMATELY 13 FILL-UPS NOW). *TR

Mileage: 39,000

FUEL DOOR RELEASE BUTTON DOES NOT WORK. AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. *BF 5 DAYS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE FUEL DOOR RELEASE BUTTON FELL OFF. OPENING OF THE FUEL DOOR WAS AND CONTINUED TO BE DIFFICULT. THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE A FULL REFUND FOR THE VEHICLE. *TC *JB