RoadVitals

1986 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.
14
Latest Aug 29, 2006
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.
0
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.
2

Overview

Our database contains 14 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1986 Subaru Gl, most frequently naming the suspension, seat belts and engine categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 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

  • Suspension531.3%
  • Seat belts318.8%
  • Engine212.5%
  • Body & structure212.5%
  • Tires & wheels16.3%
  • Driver assistance16.3%
  • Interior & seats16.3%
  • Other / unspecified16.3%

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

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 14
Body & structure
Filed Aug 29, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, A SOUND OF RUST RIPPING WAS HEARD, RESULTING IN A SLIGHT LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTED THAT THE REAR SUBFRAME HAD CRACKED ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE. THE REAR WHEELS WERE ALSO BOWED IN AT THE TOP, CAUSING THEM TO TOUCH THE SPRINGS, RENDERING THE VEHICLE UNDRIVEABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE.

NHTSA ID
10166868
Incident
Aug 26, 2006
Mileage
160,000 mi
Suspension
Filed May 20, 1998

DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH DEFECTIVE CONTROL ARM FELL OFF, CAUSING THE RIGHT AND LEFT REAR WHEEL TO COME OFF WITHOUT WARNING. *AK

NHTSA ID
823523
Tires & wheels
Filed Dec 17, 1996

LEFT FRONT TIRE BROKE OFF, CAUSING DAMAGE TO UNDERCARRIAGE. (OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT)

NHTSA ID
513006
Incident
Nov 26, 1996
Engine
Filed Jun 25, 1996
Fire reported

THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *AK

NHTSA ID
986166
Incident
Mar 21, 1992
Engine
Filed Feb 14, 1996

HEAD GASKETS LEAK, CAUSING ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. *SD

NHTSA ID
501678
Incident
Feb 14, 1996
Body & structureOther / unspecifiedSuspension
Filed Nov 3, 1995

FRONT FRAME RAIL IS CORRODED, HAS TWO HOLES IN IT. TT CONSUMER FOUND THIS FAILURE WHEN HAVING FRONT END OF VEHICLE ALIGNED, THE COMPANY REFUSED TO PERFORM AN ALIGNMENT BECAUSE THE FAILURE PREVENTED THEM FROM PUTTING VEHICLE ON A LIFT, VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED WITH RECALLS 90V086 AND 92V001 AND FEELS THE SAME THING THAT HAPPENED IN THE RECALLS HAS HAPPENED WITH THE FRAME RAIL. WHILE DRIVING, THE BOLT THAT HOLDS THE CONTROL ARM BROKE. WHILE DRIVING, THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL BROKE. *SLC

NHTSA ID
974545
Incident
Nov 1, 1995
Seat belts
Filed Aug 15, 1995

REAR SEAT BUCKLES FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL. *SKD

NHTSA ID
484894
Incident
Aug 15, 1995
Driver assistance
Filed Jun 12, 1995
Crash reported

PUT VEHICLE IN DRIVE, IT ACCELERATED AND CRASHED. TT

NHTSA ID
966636
Incident
Jun 6, 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
1986Viewing143053.5
1985733—
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.