RoadVitals

1987 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.
17
Latest Sep 8, 2004
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.
1
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.
3
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 17 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1987 Subaru Gl, most frequently naming the seat belts, engine and other / unspecified categories. 3 safety recalls have 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.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Seat belts420.0%
  • Engine420.0%
  • Other / unspecified315.0%
  • Suspension210.0%
  • Powertrain (other)15.0%
  • Tires & wheels15.0%
  • Body & structure15.0%
  • Transmission15.0%

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
89V103000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

Jun 23, 1989
57,000 units potentially affected
The defect: THE COMPOSITION OF CERTAIN NON-GENUINE REPLACEMENT PREHEAT TUBES CAN CAUSE COMBUSTION.
The risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.
The remedy: INSTALL A MODIFIED DESIGN PREHEAT TUBE.
SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

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

PE89122ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

Opened May 18, 1989
Closed Jun 29, 1989

===

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGESLed to recall 89V103000

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 17
Tires & wheels
Filed Sep 8, 2004

WHILE DRIVING REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. *AK THE FELT REAR WHEEL FELL OFF/REAR SUSPENSION TORSION BAR SPLIT. *SC

NHTSA ID
10055979
Incident
Jan 23, 2004
Mileage
125,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed Apr 30, 1998

THE REAR OUTBOARD SEATBELT ANCHORS HAVE RUSTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ID
822403
Incident
Apr 10, 1998
Brakes
Filed Jul 8, 1997

EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE FAILED TO RELEASE, CAUSING PADS/DISC TO OVERHEAT.

NHTSA ID
519483
Incident
May 6, 1997
Body & structureOther / unspecified
Filed Apr 11, 1997

FRAME ROTTED TO THE EXTENT THAT JACK WOULD NOT SUPPORT CAR AT INDICATED POINT OR FLOOR. *AK

NHTSA ID
968907
Incident
Jun 25, 1995
Other / unspecified
Filed Dec 18, 1996

WHEEL FELL OFF, CAUSING ACCIDENT. (NEW JERSEY POLICE REPORT)

NHTSA ID
513045
Incident
Oct 22, 1996
Suspension
Filed Dec 4, 1996

TORSION BAR SPLIT.

NHTSA ID
512216
Incident
Nov 10, 1996
Suspension
Filed Nov 25, 1996

THE REAR SINGLE AXLE IS RUSTING OUT SAME RECALL FOR THE 1987 # 92V001000 . *AK *SLC

NHTSA ID
805536
Electrical
Filed Sep 17, 1996

KEY CAN BE REMOVED FROM IGNITION WHILE IN DRIVE AT STOP. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.*AK

NHTSA ID
802499

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
1987Viewing173158.9
1986143053.5
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.