RoadVitals

1989 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.
11
Latest Sep 11, 2002
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.
2
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.
2
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.
1
0 injuries, 2 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 11 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1989 Subaru Justy, most frequently naming the seat belts, transmission and body & structure categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 2 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

  • Seat belts436.4%
  • Transmission436.4%
  • Body & structure19.1%
  • Heating & air conditioning19.1%
  • Suspension19.1%

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

2 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
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

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

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 11
Transmission
Filed Sep 11, 2002

I FEEL THE DIPSTICK PROBLEM CAUSE THIS CAR'S TRANSMISSION TO BECOME DEFECTIVE. *AK

NHTSA ID
767033
Incident
Oct 1, 1998
Transmission
Filed Apr 13, 2000

TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE TRAVELING, ALSO, FAILURE LOCKED GEAR INTO DRIVE, AND WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT OUT. DEALER/MANUACTURER CONTACTED, AND SAID TAHT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. *AK *ML

NHTSA ID
860316
Incident
Aug 21, 1998
Heating & air conditioning
Filed Mar 24, 1999

WHEN A/C BUTTON IS PRESSED, IT BLOWS OUT WARM AIR RATHER THAN COLD. DEALER CONTACTED APPROXIMATELY FIVE TIMES AND CANNOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

NHTSA ID
836075
Incident
Mar 24, 1997
Seat belts
Filed Apr 9, 1996

FAILURE ON THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR, BELT WILL NOT RETRACT. *AK

NHTSA ID
982508
Incident
Mar 9, 1996
Seat belts
Filed Oct 20, 1995

SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL (95V-103.006). *AK

NHTSA ID
487106
Incident
Oct 20, 1995
Transmission
Filed Aug 18, 1995

VEHICLE VIBRATES WHILE DRIVING, TRANSMISSION LIGHTS COMES ON IN THE DASHBOARD. TT

NHTSA ID
970718
Incident
Aug 18, 1995
Suspension
Filed Aug 4, 1995

FRONT SUSPENSION FAILURE, REAR BEARING FROZE THE U-JOINT CAUSING TIRE TO FAIL. TT

NHTSA ID
969851
Incident
Jul 7, 1995
Transmission
Filed Apr 20, 1995

ECIT TRANSMISSION. HEARD LOUD THUMP TRANSMISSION DIED. CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL. TT

NHTSA ID
964114
Incident
Nov 20, 1993

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
1989Viewing112254.0
1988443—
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.