Known Recalls

Model year record

1988 Subaru DL

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 11 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 95V103006

Seat belts: front: buckle assembly

Component
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly
Manufacturer
SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
100,825
Reported to NHTSA
1995-05-24
Owners notified
1996-01-01

Defect description

THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.

Safety risk

THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUGGING ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THE LATCH IS SECURELY LOCKED, AND THEN PRESSING THE RELEASE BUTTON. THE LATCH PLATE SHOULD POP OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN THE BUTTON IS PRESSED. IF EITHER RELEASE BUTTON SHOWS A SIGN OF BREAKING OR CRACKING OR IF EITHER BUCKLE FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY, OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CONTACT THEIR AUTHORIZED DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE BUCKLE REPLACED OR REPAIRED, FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER IS DEVELOPING A REMEDY DESIGNED TO PREVENT FAILURE OF THE BUTTONS THAT ARE NOT CURRENTLY BROKEN.

Recall campaignNHTSA 88V052000

Seat belts

Component
Seat belts
Manufacturer
SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
60,000
Reported to NHTSA
1988-04-05
Owners notified
1988-06-10

Defect description

OMISSION OF INFORMATION SPECIFIED BY FMVSS 210 FROM OWNER MANUAL.

Safety risk

FAILS TO MEET REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 210 REGARDING CHILDRESTRAINT SYSTEMS.

Manufacturer remedy

ADHESIVE BACKED INSERTS WILL BE FURNISHED WITH THE CORRECT INFORMATION.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system1—
Engine and engine cooling: engine1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control1—
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system1—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system1—
Power train: axle assembly1—
Power train: clutch assembly1—
Power train: driveline: constant velocity joint1—
Seat belts1—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly1—
Vehicle speed control1—

The 1987 model has 6 times as many complaints as this one. The 1989 model has 4 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.