NHTSA Complaint #10362512 — 2002 SUBARU OUTBACK

TL*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.