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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

View recall details →

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

What owners actually said

17 reports
Mileage unknown · Nov 17, 1995
Seat BeltsCrashInjury

DRIVING VEHICLE AT SPEED OF 30MPH IMPACT 9:00 POSITION, DRIVERS SIDE LAP/SHOULDER BELT WILL NOT RETRACT CAUSING INJURIES. TT

NHTSA ODI #975109

Mileage unknown · Nov 8, 1995
Fuel System, Gasoline

METALLIC FUEL LINE INSIDE THE VEHICLE RUPTURED TWICE. TT

NHTSA ODI #974751

Mileage unknown · Apr 27, 1995
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE ALUMINUM HEADS CRACKED DUE TO EXCESSIVE HEAT. TT

NHTSA ODI #964458

Mileage unknown · Feb 27, 1995
EquipmentCrash

WHILE CHANGING TIRE, SUDDENLY THE JACK STAND COLLAPSED, DUE TO BROKEN WELD IN BASE OF STAND. TT

NHTSA ODI #960620

Mileage unknown · Jan 26, 1995
Seat Belts

REAR SEAT SHOULDER BELTS RIPPED WAS RIPPED OUT. TT

NHTSA ODI #959173

Mileage unknown · Jan 12, 1995
Seat Belts

REAR SEAT BELTS FAILED DUEV TO RUST. TT

NHTSA ODI #958595

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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