RoadVitals

1988 Subaru Justy

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.
4
Latest Sep 5, 1997
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.
4
Latest May 24, 1995
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 4 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1988 Subaru Justy, most frequently naming the interior & seats, engine and fuel system categories. 4 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

  • Interior & seats228.6%
  • Engine114.3%
  • Fuel system114.3%
  • Seat belts114.3%
  • Suspension114.3%
  • Visibility114.3%

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

4 campaigns cover this model year

View all 4

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
95V103006

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

May 24, 1995
100,825 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The 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.
SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
89V028000

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

Feb 28, 1989
15,000 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: THIS COULD CAUSE BEARING SEIZURE AND POSSIBLE REAR WHEELLOCKUP, WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
The remedy: INSTALL MODIFIED DIPSTICK AND INSERT INFORMATION IN OWNERS MANUAL ON THE CORRECT FLUID LEVEL CHECKING PROCEDURES.
SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
88V052000

SEAT BELTS

Apr 5, 1988
60,000 units potentially affected
The defect: OMISSION OF INFORMATION SPECIFIED BY FMVSS 210 FROM OWNER MANUAL.
The risk: FAILS TO MEET REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 210 REGARDING CHILDRESTRAINT SYSTEMS.
The remedy: ADHESIVE BACKED INSERTS WILL BE FURNISHED WITH THE CORRECT INFORMATION.
SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

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

EA95008ClosedEngineering Analysis

TAKATA SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE

Opened Mar 10, 1995
Closed Aug 2, 1995

There is no summary currently available

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICESLed to recall 95V103006
PE94051ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

HOOD LATCH FAILURE

Opened Jun 29, 1994
Closed Oct 31, 1994

There is no summary currently available

STRUCTURE
DP90015ClosedDefect Petition

STALLING & TRANSMISSION

Opened Aug 8, 1990
Closed Nov 14, 1990

STALLING & TRANSMISSION

POWER TRAIN

Recent owner complaints

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

Seat belts
Filed Sep 5, 1997

RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE (#95V103006) IN JUNE. CALLED DEALERSHIP FOR APPOINTMENT. DROVE VEHICLE TO DEALER-75 MILES ONE WAY. AFTER ARRIVING WAS INFORMED DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS FOR REPAIRS. *AK

NHTSA ID
816333
Incident
Aug 13, 1997
EngineInterior & seatsSuspension+1 more
Filed Nov 26, 1996

EXHAUST SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED; ALSO, FRONT DRIVER'S SEATBACK SEPARATED FROM BOTTOM/WINDSHIELD WIPER ARM CRACKED/ LOCK MECHANISM INTERIOR SPRING BROKE/STRUTS LEAK PREMATURELY AND HOOD RUSTED AROUND LATCH. *AK

NHTSA ID
511701
Interior & seats
Filed Jul 7, 1996

HOOD LATCH FAILED WHILE EXITING FROM HIGHWAY AT 45 MPH, HOOD FLEW UP AND SMASHED INTO WINDSHILED, IMPAIRING VISIBILITY. *AK

NHTSA ID
505943
Incident
Jul 4, 1996
Fuel system
Filed Apr 12, 1996

GAS, CONSUMER SMELLED A VERY BAD ODOR/FUMES IN THE VEHICLE WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
982750
Incident
Jan 12, 1992

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 Justy by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
1995100—
1994100—
1993400—
1992300—
1991912—
1990161240.7
1989112254.0
1988Viewing443—
1987012—

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.