1990 Subaru Loyale Recalls, Complaints & Specs

4 safety recalls list the 1990 Subaru Loyale, and owners have filed 13 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.

safety recalls

owner complaints to NHTSA

20–25

MPG combined (EPA)

1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994

4 safety recalls for the 1990 Subaru Loyale

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

Buckle assembly (seat belts)

NHTSA 95V103006 Reported May 24, 1995 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…
Manual transmission (power train)

NHTSA 94V052000 Reported March 23, 1994 31,295 vehicles potentially affected SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.

When the vehicle is driven continuously under extremely cold temperatures (-22 degrees f.) and high humidity weather conditions, the transmission breathing (air) vent can be blocked due to moisture freezing at the oil level gauge. If this occurs, pressure inside the transmission case will increase and push out the rear oil seal, causing…

Remedy: Dealers will modify the oil gauge pipe and modify the oil level gauge (dipstick) or replace it, depending on the type of dipstick in the vehicle.
Automatic transmission (power train)

NHTSA 91V091000 Reported June 11, 1991 19,763 vehicles potentially affected SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.

Transmission shift linkage may be incorrectly adjusted and would not be engaged in a full park position when placed in park.

Remedy: Repair the transmission park mechanism.
Automatic transmission (power train)

NHTSA 91V082000 Reported May 30, 1991 76,000 vehicles potentially affected SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.

Under certain load conditions, the park gear may not disengage immediately when the transmission lever is moved from park to reverse.

Remedy: Install a modified parking brake pawl to prevent delayed release into reverse gear.

13 owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 1990 Subaru Loyale have filed 13 complaints with NHTSA. Complaints peaked in 1995 with 7 filed that year.

Most-reported components

Engine and engine cooling: engine2
Engine and engine cooling: gasoline2
Seat belts2
Electrical system: horn1
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system1
Power train: automatic transmission1
Power train: cooling unit and lines1
Seat belts: anchorage1

What owners are reporting

“Out of the four new tires that were purchased two tires in the rear blewout while consumer was driving. Contacted dealer and they were not willing to do anything. Replacement tires, 50000 miles, p175/”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, August 20, 2002 · Tires

“Firestone tire (p185 70 r13) experienced tread separation. *slc”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, November 14, 2000 · Tires

Fuel economy and specs

EPA ratings for the 1990 Subaru Loyale (Loyale 4WD, Loyale 4WD Turbo, Loyale Wagon, Loyale Wagon 4WD, …). Ranges cover every tested configuration.

Combined	20–25 mpg
City / Highway	18–22 / 21–29
Fuel	Regular
EPA class	Compact Cars, Small Station Wagons, Special Purpose Vehicles
Engine	4 cyl, 1.8 L
Transmission	Automatic 3-spd; Automatic 4-spd; Manual 5-spd

Compare Subaru Loyale model years

Recall and complaint counts for every Subaru Loyale model year in NHTSA's database.

Model year	Recalls	Complaints
1989 Subaru Loyale	1	3
1990 Subaru Loyale	4	13
1991 Subaru Loyale	2	13
1992 Subaru Loyale	1	23
1993 Subaru Loyale	1	13
1994 Subaru Loyale	0	1

Checking a specific 1990 Subaru Loyale

How do I know if my 1990 Subaru Loyale has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 4 campaigns currently list the 1990 Subaru Loyale; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Subaru dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 91V082000).

What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?

A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.

Other Subaru models

Outback9,756 complaints
Forester6,498 complaints
Legacy3,185 complaints
Impreza2,651 complaints
Crosstrek1,186 complaints
Ascent1,033 complaints
WRX975 complaints
Svx291 complaints

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.