IllustrationWHILE DRIVING REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. *AK THE FELT REAR WHEEL FELL OFF/REAR SUSPENSION TORSION BAR SPLIT. *SC
1987 Subaru Gl
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
Counts are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. A lower count does not establish that a car is problem-free.
About this comparison →17Owner complaints
Model-year median: 5
2Recall campaignsView recall details →
1InvestigationsView investigation details →
Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗ Model-level counts do not show whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.
Inspection summary
1987 Subaru Gl
NHTSA snapshot: September 18, 2026. 17 owner complaints · 2 recall campaigns · 1 investigations.
Counts are not failure probabilities and are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. One report may name several categories. Comparison method and limitations.
Top reported categories (up to 5)
- Engine And Engine Cooling: 4 reports
- Seat Belts: 4 reports
- Equipment: 2 reports
- Suspension: 2 reports
- Electrical System: 1 reports
Full reported-category list and vehicle report
Recall links
Check a VIN with NHTSA. Model-level history does not establish whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.
Print the top reported categories, recall links, snapshot date and comparison limits.
How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Gl years →Counts vary with age, sales, mileage exposure and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 1 of 17 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Seat Belts. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Equipment. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
2 crash reports1 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
17 reportsTHE REAR OUTBOARD SEATBELT ANCHORS HAVE RUSTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE FAILED TO RELEASE, CAUSING PADS/DISC TO OVERHEAT.
FRAME ROTTED TO THE EXTENT THAT JACK WOULD NOT SUPPORT CAR AT INDICATED POINT OR FLOOR. *AK
WHEEL FELL OFF, CAUSING ACCIDENT. (NEW JERSEY POLICE REPORT)
TORSION BAR SPLIT.
THE REAR SINGLE AXLE IS RUSTING OUT SAME RECALL FOR THE 1987 # 92V001000 . *AK *SLC
KEY CAN BE REMOVED FROM IGNITION WHILE IN DRIVE AT STOP. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.*AK
CONSTANT VELOCITY BOOT REPLACED DUE TO NOISE. *SD
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STALLED OUT, THE CONSUMER PARKED THE VEHICLE, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IT COUGHT FIRE, ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. *AK
Recall campaigns
292V001000 · Suspension:rear
Dec 2, 1992
THE INNER ARMS OF THE REAR SUSPENSION ARE SUBJECT TO CORROSION IN AREAS WHERE ROAD SALT IS USED HEAVILY IN WINTER.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: OPERATION AND CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE CAN BE ADVERSELYAFFECTED BY CORROSION OF THE INNER CONTROL ARMS.
Remedy: RUSTPROOF OR REPLACE THE INNER CONTROL ARMS AS NECESSARY.
89V103000 · Fuel System, Gasoline
Jun 23, 1989
THE COMPOSITION OF CERTAIN NON-GENUINE REPLACEMENT PREHEAT TUBES CAN CAUSE COMBUSTION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.
Remedy: INSTALL A MODIFIED DESIGN PREHEAT TUBE.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
Defect investigations
1PE89122 · Engine Compartment Fires
Opened May 18, 1989 · Closed Jun 29, 1989
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
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An investigation is not a finding of a defect, and closure does not prove a vehicle is problem-free.