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1987 Subaru Gl

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →
17Owner complaints

Model-year median: 5

2Recall campaigns

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1Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
4
19847
198514
198617
198717
19889
1989
Compare all Gl years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Engine And Engine Cooling
4Seat Belts
4Equipment
2Suspension
2Electrical System
1
All reported categories
Fuel System, Gasoline
1Parking Brake
1Power Train
1Structure
1Tires
1Wheels
1

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

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

4 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Apr 19, 1996
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

CONSTANT VELOCITY BOOT REPLACED DUE TO NOISE. *SD

NHTSA ODI #504003

Mileage unknown · Mar 12, 1996
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STALLED OUT, THE CONSUMER PARKED THE VEHICLE, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IT COUGHT FIRE, ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #980568

Mileage unknown · Apr 27, 1995
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE ALUMINUM HEADS CRACKED DUE TO EXCESSIVE HEAT. TT

NHTSA ODI #964458

Mileage unknown · Jan 11, 1995
Engine And Engine Cooling

ENGINE OVERHEATED/SEIZED DUE TO WATER PUMP FAILURE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #480948

Official recalls

2

92V001000 · 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 ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

PE89122 · 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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