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Subaru Dl Recalls & Complaints by Model Year

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 10 owner complaints across 10 model years of the Subaru Dl (1980–1989). The most-complained-about year is 1988.

5
safety recalls, all years
10
owner complaints, all years
1985
year with most recalls
1988
year with most complaints

Pick your Subaru Dl model year

Model yearRecallsComplaints
1989 Subaru Dl02
1988 Subaru Dl25
1987 Subaru Dl22
1986 Subaru Dl21
1985 Subaru Dl20
1984 Subaru Dl10
1983 Subaru Dl10
1982 Subaru Dl10
1981 Subaru Dl10
1980 Subaru Dl10

What Subaru Dl owners complain about

Across all model years, owners have filed 10 complaints with NHTSA. The 1988 model year has the most, with 5.

All Subaru Dl recalls (5)

Every NHTSA safety campaign that lists a Subaru Dl, most recent first, with the model years each one covers.

  1. Buckle assembly (seat belts)

    NHTSA 95V103006 Reported 100,825 vehicles potentially affected SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.

    The front safety belt buckle release buttons can break. These red plastic release buttons are marked "press." if a button breaks, pieces can fall into the buckle assembly causing the buckle to operate improperly.

    Remedy: Owners should promptly check the condition and operation of both front safety belt buckles and carefully inspect the red release button for any breaks or cracks. They should ensure that both buckles are operating…

    Model years: 1988

  2. Suspension: rear

    NHTSA 92V001000 Reported 147,000 vehicles potentially affected SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.

    The inner arms of the rear suspension are subject to corrosion in areas where road salt is used heavily in winter.

    Remedy: Rustproof or replace the inner control arms as necessary.

    Model years: 1985, 1986, 1987

  3. Suspension: rear

    NHTSA 90V086000 Reported 285,000 vehicles potentially affected SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.

    Continuous exposure to road salt could cause corrosion of rear suspension components, especially the inner arms.

    Remedy: Rust proof or replace rear suspension, as necessary.

    Model years: 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986

  4. Fuel system, gasoline

    NHTSA 89V103000 Reported 57,000 vehicles potentially affected SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.

    The composition of certain non-genuine replacement preheat tubes can cause combustion.

    Remedy: Install a modified design preheat tube.

    Model years: 1987

  5. Seat belts

    NHTSA 88V052000 Reported 60,000 vehicles potentially affected SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.

    Omission of information specified by FMVSS 210 from owner manual.

    Remedy: Adhesive backed inserts will be furnished with the correct information.

    Model years: 1988

Other Subaru models

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.