RoadVitals

1985 Subaru Gl

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
7
Latest Sep 29, 1999
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
3
Latest Oct 5, 2005
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
3
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 7 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1985 Subaru Gl, most frequently naming the suspension, brakes and driver assistance categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 3 NHTSA investigations name 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.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Suspension330.0%
  • Brakes110.0%
  • Driver assistance110.0%
  • Engine110.0%
  • Body & structure110.0%
  • Powertrain (other)110.0%
  • Seat belts110.0%
  • Other / unspecified110.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

3 campaigns 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.gov
05E065000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

Oct 5, 2005
42,962 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN SPX FILTRAN FUEL FILTERS WITH A 45-DEGREE ANGLE INLET TUBE, MODEL 800F350-S1, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT FILTERS FOR 1993-1997 FORD PROBE,1993-2001 MAZDA 626 AND MX-6, AND 1983-1994 LOYAL, 3-DOOR COUPE, HATCHBACK, SEDAN, WAGON, BRAT, DL, GL, GL-10, RX, XT, AND XT6 PASSENGER VEHICLES WITH EFI OR TURBO ENGINES. THESE FILTERS ARE PACKAGED AS WIX, NAPA, AND CARQUEST BRAND FUEL FILTERS. CERTAIN SPX FILTRAN FUEL FILTERS WITH A 90-DEGREE ANGLE INLET TUBE, MODEL 800F300-S2, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT FILTERS FOR 19983-1994 SUBARU VEHICLES WITH EFI OR TURBO ENGINES. THESE FILTERS ARE PACKAGED AS WIX, NAPA, AND CARQUEST BRAND FUEL FILTERS. FUEL MAY LEAK FROM THE FILTER DUE TO NON-CONFORMING BRAZING WELDS WHERE THE INLET TUBE IS CONNECTED TO THE FILTER CAN.
The risk: IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A VEHICLE FIRE CAN OCCUR.
The remedy: SPX WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND PROVIDE A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN SEPTEMBER 27, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MR. CHRIS GREESON AT 704-869-3733 OR CONTACT THE WIX INFORMATION HOTLINE AT 800-949-6698.
SPX FILTRANView on NHTSA.gov
92V001000

SUSPENSION:REAR

Dec 2, 1992
147,000 units potentially affected
The defect: THE INNER ARMS OF THE REAR SUSPENSION ARE SUBJECT TO CORROSION IN AREAS WHERE ROAD SALT IS USED HEAVILY IN WINTER.
The risk: OPERATION AND CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE CAN BE ADVERSELYAFFECTED BY CORROSION OF THE INNER CONTROL ARMS.
The remedy: RUSTPROOF OR REPLACE THE INNER CONTROL ARMS AS NECESSARY.
SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
90V086000

SUSPENSION:REAR

May 7, 1990
285,000 units potentially affected
The defect: CONTINUOUS EXPOSURE TO ROAD SALT COULD CAUSE CORROSION OF REAR SUSPENSION COMPONENTS, ESPECIALLY THE INNER ARMS.
The risk: THE CORROSION COULD AFFECT THE OPERATION AND CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.
The remedy: RUST PROOF OR REPLACE REAR SUSPENSION, AS NECESSARY.
SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE90055ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

TRAILING ARM CORROSION

Opened Mar 12, 1990
Closed May 14, 1990

There is no summary currently available

SUSPENSIONLed to recall 90V086000
EA88014ClosedEngineering Analysis

SEAT BELT RETRACTOR FAILS

Opened Jan 13, 1988
Closed Jun 29, 1990

SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM MANUFACTURER:SAFETY BELT RETRACTOR ISPECULIAR TO 1985 GL 4DOOR SEDAN AND STATIONWAGON.INSTALLED TO IMPROVESENSITIVITY AND LIMIT WEBBING MOVEMENT.REPLACED IN PRODUCTION BY NEW UNITTO PROVIDE 'COMMON USAGE WITH OTHER MANUFACTURERS'.PART SALES WERE NEARLYTWICE 1984 AND 1986 MODEL SALES (WHICH FIT OTHER VEHICLES).SOME 15 PARTNUMBERS WERE ISSUED FOR THIS SINGLE YEAR COMPONENT.ANALYSIS:THE 1985 MODEL APPEARS TO HAVE A SENSITIVITY PROBLEM.OF THE 8KNOWN ODI REPORTS ON ALL 1984-1986 SUBARU MODELS, 6 ARE THE 1985 GL STATIONWAGONS, 1 IS A 1984 MODEL GL STATION WAGON, AND THE OTHER IS ANOTHER 1984MODEL.THESE REPORTS ARE OF PARTICULAR INTEREST SINCE THE FILING OF A VOQREQUIRES THAT ONE EXPERIENCE AN ACCIDENT, SURVIVE (OR SOMEONE NOTES THEPOSSIBILE FAILURE), AND THEN NOTIFY THE ODI.STATUS:PREPARE DETAILED IR.===

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
PE87049ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

SEAT BELT RETRACTORS

Opened Aug 20, 1987
Closed Jan 7, 1988

SUMMARY OF MANUFACTURER INFORMATION:SUBARU CLAIMS IT HAS NO IDENTIFIABLEPROBLEMWITH THE SEAT BELT RETRACTORS.HOWEVER, THE 1985 RETRACTOR ISUSED ONLY ON THE 1985 MODEL 4 DOOR AND STATION WAGON.PART SALES FOR THERETRACTOR ARE NEARLY DOUBLE 1984 AND 1986 MODEL RETRACTOR SALES.SIMILARLY15 PART NUMBERS WERE ISSUED FOR THE 1985 RETRACTOR.THE PRIMARY REASONFOR SUBARU TO USE THE 1985 MODEL RETRACTOR OVER THE 1984 MODEL WAS TOIMPROVE SENSITIVITY.THE 1985 RETRACTOR ONLY FITS 1985 MODELS, WHILE BOTHTHE 1984 AND 1986 MODELS FIT NUMEROUS OTHER MODEL YEARS.THE GL STATIONWAGON AND 4 DOOR RETRACTOR IS USED ONLY IN THOSE VEHICLES.ANALYSIS:THE 1985 MODEL RETRACTOR APPEARS TO HAVE A SENSITIVITY PROBLEM.OF THE 8 ODI REPORTS, 6 ARE 1985 MODEL SUBARU STATION WAGONS.THE OTHERREPORTS ARE 1984 MODELS.THESE REPORTS ARE EXTAORDINARILY IMPORTANTBECAUSE A COMPLAINT REQUIRES AN ACCIDENT FIRST, AND THEN EITHER SURVIVAL OROUTSIDE CONCERN TO REPORT TO THE ODI.STATUS: RECOMMEND CLOSING THE PE AND FOCUSING FURTHER IN AN EA ENVIRONMENT.===

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Powertrain (other)Suspension
Filed Sep 29, 1999

WHILE DRIVING AT 25MPH OR MORE VEHICLE WOULD PULL TO THE RIGHT. ALSO, CV BOOTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE DEALER STILL CAN'T FIND A SOLUTION. *AK

NHTSA ID
849075
Suspension
Filed Jan 14, 1998

RIGHT REAR WHEEL ROTATED TO THE NEAR HORIZONTAL POSITION, MAKING THE VEHICLE INOPERATBLE.

NHTSA ID
528875
Incident
Jan 10, 1998
BrakesEngine
Filed Nov 18, 1996

DRIVING ON FREEWAY AT 65 MPH, VEHICLE STOPPED SUDDENLY IN THE FAST LANE, TIMING BELT BROKE. *AK ALSO FRONT PADS AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED.*JB

NHTSA ID
805251
Incident
Feb 13, 1990
Other / unspecifiedSuspension
Filed Jan 22, 1996

THE LOWER CONTROL ARM SNAPPED AT THE WELD WHILE THE CAR WAS MOVING AND THE WHOLE LEFT WHEEL CAME OFF. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT

NHTSA ID
977913
Incident
Dec 13, 1995
Seat belts
Filed Jul 20, 1995

PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE, UNABLE TO LATCH SEAT BELT. TT

NHTSA ID
969132
Incident
Jan 20, 1995
Driver assistance
Filed May 12, 1995

W/MANUAL TRANSMISSION, VEHICLE EXPERIENCES UNWANTED ACCELERATION. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT

NHTSA ID
965225
Body & structure
Filed Apr 19, 1995

CORROSION THROUGH OUT THE FRAME. TT

NHTSA ID
964043
Incident
Mar 19, 1995

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

01-167-08R

EQUIPMENT

This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models.

15-302-22

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT

This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure.

15-192-22R

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).

01-167-08R

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT

This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models

09-51-08R

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; EQUIPMENT

This bulletin is to advise of SOA’s revised catalytic converter recycling program shipping procedure.

14-22-16R

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.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Subaru Gl by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
1994000—
1993110—
1992000—
1991000—
1990000—
1989910—
1988173055.7
1987173158.9
1986143053.5
1985Viewing733—
1984422—
1983521—
1982211—
1981211—
1980011—

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.