Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Our database contains 2 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1981 Subaru Gl, most frequently naming the body & structure and suspension categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 10 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
When owners filed reports about this model year
Not enough dated records to plot a meaningful trend — 2 months of data.
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
1 campaign cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govSUSPENSION:REAR
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
THE LEFT REAR CONTROL ARM HAS BROKEN AWAY FROM THE MOUNTING, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO REAR END/TO PULL FROM SIDE TO SIDE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK
HATCHBACK HYDRAULIC STRUTS FAILED.
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
EQUIPMENT
This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT
This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic essential information during diagnosis and repair of the Infotainment concerns. (Applicable to all models with Harman or Denso CP1 Infotainment).
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT
This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; EQUIPMENT
This bulletin is to advise of SOAâs revised catalytic converter recycling program shipping procedure.
EQUIPMENT
To help reduce confusion and increase technician efficiency, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) has developed the following cross reference list to help locate the appropriate Special Service Tool.
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.