Known Recalls

Model year record

1989 Subaru Justy

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 89V028000

Power train: manual transmission

Component
Power train: manual transmission
Manufacturer
SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
15,000
Reported to NHTSA
1989-02-28
Owners notified
1989-03-31

Defect description

DUE TO THE DESIGN OF THE TRANSMISSION CASE DIPSTICK AND THE FLUID LEVEL CHECKING METHOD, THERE MAY BE INSUFFICIENT LUBRICATION OF THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE EXTENSION HOUSING BEARING.

Safety risk

THIS COULD CAUSE BEARING SEIZURE AND POSSIBLE REAR WHEELLOCKUP, WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.

Manufacturer remedy

INSTALL MODIFIED DIPSTICK AND INSERT INFORMATION IN OWNERS MANUAL ON THE CORRECT FLUID LEVEL CHECKING PROCEDURES.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Power train: automatic transmission4—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly3—
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner1—
Seat belts: front: retractor1—
Structure: body: hood1—
Suspension: front1—

The 1988 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 1990 model has about half 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.