RecallMyCar

Subaru Subaru Recalls & Complaints by Model Year

NHTSA lists 10 safety recalls and 50 owner complaints across 24 model years of the Subaru Subaru (1977–2003). The most-complained-about year is 1996.

10
safety recalls, all years
50
owner complaints, all years
1980
year with most recalls
1996
year with most complaints

Pick your Subaru Subaru model year

Model yearRecallsComplaints
2003 Subaru Subaru02
2002 Subaru Subaru04
2001 Subaru Subaru03
1999 Subaru Subaru03
1998 Subaru Subaru02
1997 Subaru Subaru04
1996 Subaru Subaru06
1995 Subaru Subaru05
1993 Subaru Subaru02
1992 Subaru Subaru04
1991 Subaru Subaru01
1990 Subaru Subaru03
1989 Subaru Subaru01
1988 Subaru Subaru02
1987 Subaru Subaru04
1986 Subaru Subaru02
1984 Subaru Subaru10
1983 Subaru Subaru11
1982 Subaru Subaru31
1981 Subaru Subaru40
1980 Subaru Subaru40
1979 Subaru Subaru10
1978 Subaru Subaru20
1977 Subaru Subaru20

What Subaru Subaru owners complain about

Across all model years, owners have filed 50 complaints with NHTSA. The 1996 model year has the most, with 6.

All Subaru Subaru recalls (10)

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

  1. Linkages (vehicle speed control)

    NHTSA 84V106000 Reported 37,000 vehicles potentially affected SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.

    Positioning of the accelerator control cable in the engine compartment could result in abnormal wear to the cable. The cable could begin to fray and unwind.

    Remedy: Upon inspection, the accelerator cable will be repositioned, if necessary, and replaced if damaged.

    Model years: 1982, 1983, 1984

  2. Rack and pinion (steering)

    NHTSA 84V026000 Reported 75,284 vehicles potentially affected SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.

    A protective boot covering the steering rack and pinion shaft can come loose in extreme cold. When unprotected, the rack shaft may corrode, resulting in hard or stiff steering.

    Remedy: Securing clips will be installed on protective boot covers and affected steering rack shafts will be repaired or replaced, if necessary.

    Model years: 1980

  3. Fuses and circuit breakers (electrical system)

    NHTSA 83V026000 Reported 230,041 vehicles potentially affected SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.

    The defect involves the 25 amp headlight fuse holder. There may be excessive electrical resistance caused by the looseness of the rivet holding the fuse holder to the terminal plate. Excess resistance may cause the soldered end of the fuse to melt. An open circuit could occur and the headlights would not operate.

    Remedy: Dealer will replace the headlight fuse holder with an inline fuel harness kit.

    Model years: 1980, 1981

  4. Recliner (seats)

    NHTSA 83V006000 Reported 84,253 vehicles potentially affected SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.

    The internal seatback frame structure may break and separate from the seat.

    Remedy: The driver"s seatback frame will be replaced with a modified seatback frame at no charge. The upholstery material and any repairs to the other seats are not included.

    Model years: 1980

  5. Electrical system: front underhood

    NHTSA 82V130000 Reported 94,564 vehicles potentially affected SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.

    On certain vehicles, the front main wiring harness chafes against the threads of the rear battery hold down rod. Chafing of the wiring harness can lead to an electrical short caused by the exposed wires.

    Remedy: The dealer will provide protective covers to be installed on the wiring harness and rear battery hold down rod. These protective covers will be provided free of charge.

    Model years: 1981, 1982

  6. Steering wheel/handle bar (steering)

    NHTSA 82V036000 Reported 43,300 vehicles potentially affected SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.

    The steering wheel nut may have been tightened insufficiently during the assembly process and may loosen and develop play between the steering wheel and the steering shaft. The steering wheel could separate from the steering shaft.

    Remedy: Dealer will inspect and retighten the steering wheel nut to torque specifications at no cost to owner.

    Model years: 1981, 1982

  7. Vehicle speed control

    NHTSA 81V029000 Reported 32,000 vehicles potentially affected SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.

    Upon releasing the accelerator pedal, the foot idle control device throttle lever may bind on the actuator mounting bracket due to insufficient clearance. This will cause the carburetor throttle to fail to return to the idle position.

    Remedy: Defective throttle lever will be replaced with a newly designed lever at no charge.

    Model years: 1981

  8. Linkages (visibility)

    NHTSA 80V077000 Reported 71,683 vehicles potentially affected SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.

    When wiper blades are frozen to the windshield and the wiper motor is turned on, the right-hand wiper pivot may become bent. The plastic bearing, which is a snap-on device fitting over the ball joint on the drive motor, may pull off the ball, disengaging the wiper system, making both wipers inoperative.

    Remedy: Dealer will install a newly designed master link in the windshield wiper system without charge to owner.

    Model years: 1980

  9. Tank assembly (fuel system)

    NHTSA 79V032000 Reported 83,000 vehicles potentially affected SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.

    A tube in the fuel evaporative emission control system can become obstructed, causing excessive pressure build up in the fuel tank. This build up can occur under extremely high temperatures or extremely strong sunlight. As a result of this pressure build up, the fuel tank may bulge and, soon thereafter, develop a short hairline crack…

    Remedy: The dealer will install a newly designed tube and valve assembly in place of the existing tube. Also, all fuel tanks will be inspected and, if necessary, replaced at no cost to owner.

    Model years: 1977, 1978, 1979

  10. Carburetor system (fuel system)

    NHTSA 79V016000 Reported 170,000 vehicles potentially affected SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.

    Unsatisfactory engine operation and throttle valve sticking may occur under long hours of high speed driving in outside temperatures of approximately 20 degrees fahrenheit and below. This is caused by condensed water vapor drawn from the crankcase ventilating system which ices up the carburetor. This can lead to gradual loss of vehicle…

    Remedy: Dealer will equip all affected vehicles with a revised design crankcase ventilation and carburetor shield. An automatic temperature control, designed to shoot hot air into the carburetor to reduce icing, will also be…

    Model years: 1977, 1978

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.