Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Subaru Outback owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
In 10 degree weather, my 2002 Subaru Outback wagon developed a fuel leak while being driven by my 17-year-old child. This is my second Subaru wagon and the second to have cold weather fuel leaks. I tightened the clamp on the offending fuel line and I hope that is an adequate fix. But it is simply unacceptable that such a dangerous problem has not had a recall, and that it has been happening for 20 years. (my first Subaru with this problem was a 1991 legacy wagon.) how many car fires have resulted from this problem? How many injuries or even fatalities? Please make Subaru take responsibility for a poorly designed fuel line.
When temp. Outside go below 32 degrees, the inside of my car fills with raw gas smell, this happens every winter. I live in wi. When it is above freezing it is fine and all summer it is fine. I am so affraid to have my grand kids in the car. Not sure if the fumes will explode.when I am driving I do not smell gas. But if I stop at a stop sign or light it fills up the car. I have to roll down my windows to get fresh air
I have a Subaru 2002 Outback. The following is what I provided to the dealer in the last visit. Earlier this year, before my warranty period had expired, I had issues with leaking fuel from the fuel lines at the top of the engine under the intake manifold. I tightened the clamps on the fuel line and the leak seemed to stop. There were additional smells of fuel in cold weather so I brought my care in to the dealership. The tightened the clamps and could not find any other leaks and spayed a white leak detector on the fuel lines. I brought the car in a few weeks later and no additional leaks were present. At that time, since the issue only seemed to happen cold weather, if the issue returned I was told to return to the dealer. The gas smell returned and I was not able to id the source. …
Tl 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.
Over last few winters, when temperatures drop to freezing there has been a bad fuel smell in cabin. Especially with heater blowing, though it still smells inside and outside the car even with the heat off. Once the weather warms up there is no noticeable smell. I have tried tightening 5 clamps as suggested in an online help page. Not sure if this helped or problem just went away with the cold weather. Local shop couldn't see leak on cursory check while the odor as at it's worse. Maybe only visible if it's freezing and up on a lift. Subaru dealer suggested fuel lines need to replaced as normal process as car ages. Subaru should find solution to this dangerous problem that's obviously common to these vehicles and put out clear instruction on diagnosing and fixing this issue.
When the temperature is below 30 degrees, there is a strong fuel smell in the cab when the heater is running. This has been a problem for the last 3 years in my 2002 Subaru Outback. I tried correcting the problem by tightening the brackets in the fuel line and this has not helped. My internet research indicates this is a common problem for subarus (different models and years). I am surprised this has not been recalled. In some cases, it is due to loose brackets and in others leaky gaskets in the fuel injector. This is clearly a health issue. I cannot drive my car with my two small children with the heater running (even without the heater there is a residual fuel smell).
My 2002 Subaru legacy Outback wagon, 2.5 liter engine, leaked fuel from the fuel line. This was most pronounced on a cold day. There are many reports of the same problems. My Subaru dealer told me that this problem is common. Though we smelled the strong fuel odor, fortunately, there wasn't a fire. The car is now being repaired and will be ready 01/21/09. The estimated cost of the repair is $485. Subaru knows about the problem and redesigned the part. They refuse to cover it because they say the service bulletin number 09-36-03, issued 04/01/03 only applies to the wrx, even though the Outback has a similar setup.
For the past 2 winters, I have experienced a strong fuel smell in the passenger cabin for the first 20 minutes or so of running the car in temperatures below 25 degrees, including idling at a traffic light. It seems to be getting progressively worse. I brought it to my private mechanic last week, and he was unable to pinpoint the source of the problem. If you do a google search on "Subaru gas smell" you will find 25,800 hits of people reporting the same problem with their Subaru's, for a variety of models/years. Based on those volume of complaints, I'm very surprised that their hasn't been a recall?
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?
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.
Fuel System complaints in other Outback years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2002 Subaru Outback?
NHTSA has 32 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2002 Subaru Outback, 22% of the model year's 143 complaints. The component named most often is delivery › hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Subaru Outback fuel system problems?
No. NHTSA lists no fuel & propulsion system recall for the 2002 Subaru Outback, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2002 Subaru Outback fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 87,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to fuel & propulsion system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.