Model year record

1987 Subaru GL

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 26 owner complaints on file.

Subaru GL, 1985–1989 generation
Pictured: the 1985–1989 generation. Cutlass, CC0 · Wikimedia Commons

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 92V001000

Suspension: rear

Component
Suspension: rear
Manufacturer
SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
147,000
Reported to NHTSA
1992-12-02
Owners notified
1992-03-10

Defect description

THE INNER ARMS OF THE REAR SUSPENSION ARE SUBJECT TO CORROSION IN AREAS WHERE ROAD SALT IS USED HEAVILY IN WINTER.

Safety risk

OPERATION AND CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE CAN BE ADVERSELYAFFECTED BY CORROSION OF THE INNER CONTROL ARMS.

Manufacturer remedy

RUSTPROOF OR REPLACE THE INNER CONTROL ARMS AS NECESSARY.

Recall campaignNHTSA 89V103000

Fuel system, gasoline

Component
Fuel system, gasoline
Manufacturer
SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
57,000
Reported to NHTSA
1989-06-23
Owners notified
1989-08-31

Defect description

THE COMPOSITION OF CERTAIN NON-GENUINE REPLACEMENT PREHEAT TUBES CAN CAUSE COMBUSTION.

Safety risk

THIS COULD RESULT IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

INSTALL A MODIFIED DESIGN PREHEAT TUBE.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine and engine cooling: engine4—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline4—
Equipment: mechanical: accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift2—
Electrical system: ignition1—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system1—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys1—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1—
Parking brake: conventional1—
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter1—
Power train: driveline: constant velocity joint1—
Seat belts: front: anchorage1—
Seat belts: front: retractor1—
Seat belts: front: webbing1—
Seat belts: rear/other1—
Structure: frame and members1—
Suspension: front: springs: torsion bar1—
Suspension: rear1—
Tires: tread/belt1125,000 mi
Wheels1—

The 1986 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. The 1988 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Other Subaru GL model years

All Subaru GL recalls by year

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.