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: 0 of 9 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.
Seat Belts. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 1 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 reports0 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
9 reports
Mileage unknown · Nov 14, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
BRAKES WERE REPLACED AT ~100,000 MILES. BOTH FRONT ROTORS AND PADS AS WELL AS REAR DRUMS AND SHOES. ALL DONE BY SUBARU DEALER IN SPING OF 98. AS OF SPRING OF 01 AND LESS THAN 12,000 MILES LATER THE BRAKES HAVE SELF DESTRUCTED DO TO RUST. NEVER HAVE WE HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR BEFORE. ONLY SINCE RECENT YEAR SUBARU BRAKE ASS…
Read full complaint
BRAKES WERE REPLACED AT ~100,000 MILES. BOTH FRONT ROTORS AND PADS AS WELL AS REAR DRUMS AND SHOES. ALL DONE BY SUBARU DEALER IN SPING OF 98. AS OF SPRING OF 01 AND LESS THAN 12,000 MILES LATER THE BRAKES HAVE SELF DESTRUCTED DO TO RUST. NEVER HAVE WE HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR BEFORE. ONLY SINCE RECENT YEAR SUBARU BRAKE ASSEMBLIES HAVE BEEN INSTALLED. SUBARU IS NOT STANDING BEHIND THIS. WILL HAVE THIS JOB DONE AT AN INDEPENDENT SHOP THAT WILL STAND BEHIND THEIR BRAKES.*AK
NHTSA ODI #754518
Mileage unknown · Dec 1, 1998
Power Train
THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION LINKAGE LOCK OUT FAILED. (THAT IS THE COMPONENT THAT PREVENTS SHIFTING FROM NUETRAL TO REVERSE FAILD AND THE CAR WENT INTO REVERSE FROM NUETRAL.
NHTSA ODI #701042
Mileage unknown · Apr 10, 1996
Vehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury
FAILURE ON THE TRANSMISSION WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PUT IN REVERSE THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELEARATED CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #982565
Mileage unknown · Nov 22, 1995
Seat Belts
FRONT LAP/SHOULDER BELT WILL NOT RETRACT ON PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE. TT *JB
NHTSA ODI #975316
Mileage unknown · Nov 17, 1995
Seat Belts
THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE WHEN LATCHED THE BUCKLE CAME LOOSE . TT
NHTSA ODI #975061
Mileage unknown · Apr 21, 1995
Seat Belts
FRONT PASSENGER AUTOMATIC SEATBELTS INOPERATIVE, BELTS STUCK ON TRACK AND WON'T MOVE UP OR DOWN. TT
NHTSA ODI #964176
Mileage unknown · Apr 21, 1995
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
STOPPED AT STOP SIGN ALL OF A SUDDEN CAR JUST ACCELERATED,CAUSED ACCIDENT. TT
NHTSA ODI #964143
Mileage unknown · Apr 12, 1995
Seat Belts
ASK FOR EXT 597. FRONT AND REAR PASSENGER SEAT BELT ENGAGES AND RELEASES INTERMITTENTLY. TT
NHTSA ODI #963598
Mileage unknown · Feb 27, 1995
Seat Belts
DRIVER SEAT BELT IS INOPERATIVE AND THE PASSENGER SIDE LATCHES SOMETIMES. TT
NHTSA ODI #960689
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
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
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
1989 Subaru Gl Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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