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: 4 of 78 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 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Latches/locks/linkages. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
3 crash reports0 fire reports3 injury reports
What owners actually said
78 reports
Mileage unknown · Mar 13, 2000
Latches/locks/linkages
PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE WITHOUT TWO HANDS, ONE TO HOLD THE LOCKING MECHANISM , AND THE OTHER TO PULL THE LATCH. ALSO, DOOR CANNOT BE ENTERD FROM THE OUTSIDE IF IT'S LOCKED OR UNLOCKED WITHOUT THE KEY. THERE IS A RECALL 90V184 FOR THIS PROBLEM THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT FALL UNDER THAT RECALL. THIS P…
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PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE WITHOUT TWO HANDS, ONE TO HOLD THE LOCKING MECHANISM , AND THE OTHER TO PULL THE LATCH. ALSO, DOOR CANNOT BE ENTERD FROM THE OUTSIDE IF IT'S LOCKED OR UNLOCKED WITHOUT THE KEY. THERE IS A RECALL 90V184 FOR THIS PROBLEM THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT FALL UNDER THAT RECALL. THIS PROBLEM WOULD PREVENT RAPID EXIT FROM THE VEHICLE IN THE CASE OF AN ACCIDENT, FIRE, OR OTHER EMERGENCY. *AK *ML
NHTSA ODI #858368
Mileage unknown · Feb 25, 2000
Air BagsSuspension
RIGHT FRONT WHEEL WOULD DROP DOWN LOWER THAT THE OTHER 3 WHEELS. DEALER SAID VEHICLE NEEDED AIR COMPRESSOR AND EVAPORATER. THAT DIDNOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. TOOK CAR BACK TO MECHANIC, AND HE INDICATED ALL 4 AIRBAGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #857568
Mileage unknown · Oct 30, 1999
Seat Belts
AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT HAS FAILED - COST TO REPAIR: $500-700, I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS HAPPENING IN MOST SUBARUS. IS THERE SOMETHING BEING DONE? I AM AFRAID THAT I WILL BE SERIOUSLY INJURED IF I WERE TO GET INTO AN ACCIDENT. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THERE IS ANYTHING YOU ARE DOING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THANKS.
NHTSA ODI #714116
Mileage unknown · Oct 21, 1999
Latches/locks/linkages
LOCKSMITH SAYS HE REPLACES AT LEAST 10 OF THESE LOCKS PER YEAR IN OUR SMALL TOWN.
NHTSA ODI #713660
Mileage unknown · Aug 12, 1999
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure
DRIVER'S AND PASSENGERS' REAR DOOR HANDLES MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING DOORS TO LOCK WHEN THEY SHOULD NOT LOCK. AS A RESULT, A CHILD COULD BE TRAPPED IN THE VEHICLE. ALSO, PASSENGER'S DOOR IS VERY DIFFCULT TO OPEN FROM THE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
NHTSA ODI #844949
Mileage unknown · Jul 7, 1999
Structure
PASSENGER DOOR SWUNG LOOSE AND OPENED WHILE TRAVELING AT 60MPH. FORTUNATELY THERE WERE NO PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF THIS INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE AS SINCE BEEN UNDRIVABLE DUE TO REASONS THAT PASSENGER OR OTHER DRIVER SAFETY ISSUES, WHICH LEAVES ME WITHOUT A CAR FOR COMMUTING TO SCHOOL EVERYDAY.
NHTSA ODI #708320
Mileage unknown · May 21, 1999
Power Train
ENGINE IS TOO HEAVY FOR THE TRANSMISSION, RESULTING IN TRANSMISSION FAILURE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS. DEALER REPLACED TRANSMISSION. MANUFACTURER AWARE OF PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #838313
Mileage unknown · May 17, 1999
Latches/locks/linkages
RECALL 90V184000. DOOR CLOSES/ LOCKS AUTOMATICALLY. INSIDE REQUIRES TWO HANDS, PUSHING AND PULLING LOCK UP AT SAME TIME. DOOR SHUT, AND OUTSIDE REQUIRES KEY TO UNLOCK FROM FRONT DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S DOORS. REAR DOORS REQUIRE OPENING FRONT DOOR ACCESS TO GET TO REAR. DEALER CONTACTED, AND CANNOT REMEDY PROBLEM. PROBLEM STIL…
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RECALL 90V184000. DOOR CLOSES/ LOCKS AUTOMATICALLY. INSIDE REQUIRES TWO HANDS, PUSHING AND PULLING LOCK UP AT SAME TIME. DOOR SHUT, AND OUTSIDE REQUIRES KEY TO UNLOCK FROM FRONT DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S DOORS. REAR DOORS REQUIRE OPENING FRONT DOOR ACCESS TO GET TO REAR. DEALER CONTACTED, AND CANNOT REMEDY PROBLEM. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #836577
Mileage unknown · Apr 26, 1999
Seat Belts
AUTOMATIC SEATBELT SYSTEM FAILED. KNOW OF MANY EXACT PROBLEMS WITH SYSTEM IN SUBARU FROM OTHER OWNERS. *AK
WHEN THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN CONTINUOUSLY UNDER EXTREMELY COLD TEMPERATURES (-22 DEGREES F.) AND HIGH HUMIDITY WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE TRANSMISSION BREATHING (AIR) VENT CAN BE BLOCKED DUE TO MOISTURE FREEZING AT THE OIL LEVEL GAUGE. IF THIS OCCURS, PRESSURE INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION CASE WILL INCREASE AND PUSH OUT THE REAR OIL SEAL, CAUSING TRANSMISSION OIL LEAKAGE. THE LACK OF LUBRICATION CAN BURN THE INTERNAL COMPONENTS OF THE TRANSMISSION, CAUSE THE TRANSMISSION TO SEIZE AND THE VEHICLE TO COME TO A SUDDEN STOP.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: SUDDEN STOPS WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING CAN CAUSE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS TO BE THROWN AROUND THE VEHICLE AND CAUSE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL WHICH CAN RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE OIL GAUGE PIPE AND MODIFY THE OIL LEVEL GAUGE (DIPSTICK) OR REPLACE IT, DEPENDING ON THE TYPE OF DIPSTICK IN THE VEHICLE.
UNDER CERTAIN LOAD CONDITIONS, THE PARK GEAR MAY NOT DISENGAGE IMMEDIATELY WHEN THE TRANSMISSION LEVER IS MOVED FROM PARK TO REVERSE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: DELAYED RELEASE OF TRANSMISSION FROM PARK CAUSES DELAYEDAND POSSIBLY ABRUPT VEHICLE MOVEMENT THAT COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLECONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: INSTALL A MODIFIED PARKING BRAKE PAWL TO PREVENT DELAYED RELEASE INTO REVERSE GEAR.
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