RecallMyCar

Subaru Gl Recalls & Complaints by Model Year

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 78 owner complaints across 11 model years of the Subaru Gl (1980–1993). The most-complained-about year is 1987.

5
safety recalls, all years
78
owner complaints, all years
1985
year with most recalls
1987
year with most complaints

Pick your Subaru Gl model year

Model yearRecallsComplaints
1993 Subaru Gl01
1989 Subaru Gl09
1988 Subaru Gl217
1987 Subaru Gl217
1986 Subaru Gl214
1985 Subaru Gl27
1984 Subaru Gl14
1983 Subaru Gl15
1982 Subaru Gl12
1981 Subaru Gl12
1980 Subaru Gl10

What Subaru Gl owners complain about

Across all model years, owners have filed 78 complaints with NHTSA. The 1987 model year has the most, with 17.

All Subaru Gl recalls (5)

Every NHTSA safety campaign that lists a Subaru Gl, 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.