Gas tank lid cover not releasing
 

Anyone else have this issue?

My gas tank release lever doesnt release the gas tank lid without pulling it a few times. Im concerned about being stuck with it breaking permanately and the lid being perma-closed.

I would take it to the dealer, but my experience in the past has been that dealerships can never get this particular part to function correctly.... ever. And there have been many chances given to many dealerships while the cars are under warranty.

Could anyone familiar with this part provide some guidance toward inspecting it/tightening something if its loose etc? It would be much appreciated.

Sounds like you've had the same issue with multiple other vehicles. What are the odds of that happening? If true, then I would consider looking at where I park my vehicles. Maybe that clear tree sap we get in spring from some trees is gumming up the edges around your fuel doors?

Multiple cars and multiple stuck and un-fixable fuel doors? Do I hoist the flag?

The first car was the result of a side swiping. That car required a new rear quarter panel, they botched it, and had problems ever since with the tank lid.

Second car was a recall, they attempted to replace the lid and latch assembly but ended up having more problems with it not more than a day later. They never could fix that one.

So yeah, theres no common factor in why it stopped working so lets abandon that avenue, and focus on the assembly and where it could be going wrong on the fr-s. There is no sap, or anything sticky or blatantly obvious like that, i think its gotta be something in the mechanism. It will open on the 3rd or 4th pull of the lever. Hoping someone with some actual experience solving this kind of problem can chime in.

mine does that once in a while. actually just happened earlier today. i pulled all the way up on the lever and it didn't open. second try it opened just fine. This happened all the time on my 2011 tc as well. i just kinda got used to it after a while

Yeah, on the race cars we have no lid to worry about, and this was one of my fears for this car, i prefer having a manual tank lid you can flip open with a finger, no levers, no latches, nothing to go wrong. Ill throw it to the dealer next week if we as a community cant figure it out.

Mine started doing this recently. Pulled the tab, stepped out and got ready to pump...then turned around to go back to the cockpit and pull the tab AGAIN because it didn't open the first time.

what's weird is the first time i pulled the lever when it didn't open, it felt as if it did. Maybe the latch needs to be greased up or something.

I'd try a little white lube on the latch and catch first.

Hm, I'll keep an eye out for this and let you know. I haven't noticed anything wrong because I usually pull the release tab multiple times out of habit, like I'm expecting it not to work on the first time.

i have some white lithium grease at home. i'm gonna spray some on the latch later tonight. That stuff does wonders.

I had a similar issue on a CPO 2010 Legacy I had and it seems to be an issue on the GR Imprezas, too. The spring is either loose or weaker than it should be. You should be able to remove the spring from the lid and make an adjustment with a pair of pliers to give it a little better contact with the body of the car.

did this work for you by anychance?

hasn't gotten stuck yet but then again mine usually doesn't. i've only had it happen a couple times so far. Worth giving a try though... it's only $4 for a spray can of it at home depot and you can use it on any metal parts. I've been spraying it around some spots in the trunk to try to pinpoint my slight clicking noise that i have back there and tried it in the dead pedal as well which worked temporarily (would've been better if the damn clips would stay secure and not rub the grease off so quick). Definitely worth having around for all sorts of sticking/metallic noise issues for that price

I haven't examined my BRZ for this, but in the past I've been able to bend the "catch" that latches it closed, and make it easier to release, yet still be secure when closed.

Check to see if that's possible.

Secondly, even when the latch functions perfectly, on occasion here in the snow belt, the lid can be frozen closed.

We now carry a rubber kitchen spatula in the trunk to safely pry the gas lid open so we can fill the tank when we're out of fuel. It's a good security measure and it protects the paint. 'Cuz if the lid is frozen shut, and you cannot refuel ... you've got a cold walk home.

Thank my wife for the spatula solution. I was impressed with her. :)