NHTSA Complaint #10251401 — 2001 SUBARU OUTBACK

THERE IS FREQUENTLY A STRONG SMELL OF FUEL WITHIN THE VEHICLE COMPARTMENT WHEN THE CAR IS RUNNING, EITHER STANDING STILL OR OTHERWISE BEING DRIVEN. THERE WAS A THIRD PARTY SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUED (WXZ-83-FUEL HOSE EXPLAINING THE PROBLEM WHICH IS THAT CERTAIN AFFECTED VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITH UP TO 3 IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED FUEL HOSES IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. OVER TIME AND IN COLD WEATHER THE HOSES COULD LEAK CREATING THE POTENTIAL FOR A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I FOUND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS ON THE INTERNET. SUBARU SAYS THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS BUT THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT ONE OF THE VEHICLES UNDER THE RECALL AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR ANY REPAIRS - THEY SAID IT COULD BE THE FUEL RAIL ASSEMBLY THAT IS THE PROBLEM. THIS DOES NOT SEEM FAIR OR RIGHT. IF ITS A DEFECT (WITH SERIOUS SAFETY IMPLICATIONS) AND MY CAR WAS AFFECTED BY THE PROBLEM DESCRIBED (AND WHO KNOWS HOW MANY OTHERS), THEN THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD FIX ALL CARS WITH THE PROBLEM AT THEIR EXPENSE. *TR