CAR HAS RAW FUEL/GAS SMELL ON COLD STARTS WHEN IDLING. FUMES CAN BE NOTICED BOTH OUTSIDE AND INSIDE THE VEHICLE. OCCURS ONLY WHEN THE OUTSIDE AIR TEMPERATURE IS BELOW 30 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. FUMES DISAPPEAR ONCE THE ENGINE REACHES NORMAL OPERATING TEMPERATURE. FUEL LINE LEAK(S) ARE OCCURRING UNDER THE MANIFOLD WHERE THE SCREWS TO TIGHTEN CAN NOT BE REACHED. SUBARU DEALER HAS INFORMED ME THAT THE CO…
2005 Subaru Forester fuel system problems
moderate 8 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,200
Complaints
8
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$1,200
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THERE IS A STRONG FUEL SMELL WHEN THE HEAT IS TURNED ON IN HER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THEY WILL REPLACE THE FUEL RAIL ASSEMBLY AT THE CONTACT EXPENSE. THERE ARE NO RECALLS OR WARRANTIES ON THIS PROBLEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,029. UPDATED 02/17/10. *LJ UPDATED 02/18/10
Common questions
How serious is the fuel system problem on the 2005 Subaru Forester?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 8 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $1,200 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the fuel system typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,200 for fuel system repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to fuel system?
No active recalls currently cover fuel system issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
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