NHTSA Complaint #10393980 — 2004 SUBARU FORESTER

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