RoadVitals

1991 Subaru Loyale

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.
13
Latest Jul 2, 2024
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 Mar 23, 1994
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
2 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 13 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1991 Subaru Loyale, most frequently naming the transmission, engine and seat belts categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 11 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

  • Transmission527.8%
  • Engine422.2%
  • Seat belts316.7%
  • Other / unspecified15.6%
  • Suspension15.6%
  • Driver assistance15.6%
  • Visibility15.6%
  • Electrical15.6%

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
94V052000

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

Mar 23, 1994
31,295 units potentially affected
The defect: WHEN THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN CONTINUOUSLY UNDER EXTREMELY COLD TEMPERATURES (-22 DEGREES F.) AND HIGH HUMIDITY WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE TRANSMISSION BREATHING (AIR) VENT CAN BE BLOCKED DUE TO MOISTURE FREEZING AT THE OIL LEVEL GAUGE. IF THIS OCCURS, PRESSURE INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION CASE WILL INCREASE AND PUSH OUT THE REAR OIL SEAL, CAUSING TRANSMISSION OIL LEAKAGE. THE LACK OF LUBRICATION CAN BURN THE INTERNAL COMPONENTS OF THE TRANSMISSION, CAUSE THE TRANSMISSION TO SEIZE AND THE VEHICLE TO COME TO A SUDDEN STOP.
The risk: SUDDEN STOPS WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING CAN CAUSE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS TO BE THROWN AROUND THE VEHICLE AND CAUSE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL WHICH CAN RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE OIL GAUGE PIPE AND MODIFY THE OIL LEVEL GAUGE (DIPSTICK) OR REPLACE IT, DEPENDING ON THE TYPE OF DIPSTICK IN THE VEHICLE.
SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
91V091000

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

Jun 11, 1991
19,763 units potentially affected
The defect: TRANSMISSION SHIFT LINKAGE MAY BE INCORRECTLY ADJUSTED AND WOULD NOT BE ENGAGED IN A FULL PARK POSITION WHEN PLACED IN PARK.
The risk: IF TRANSMISSION PARK MECHANISM IS NOT IN PARK WHILE THEVEHICLE IS RUNNING OR ON AN INCLINE, A RUNAWAY SITUATION WOULD OCCUR WHICHCOULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
The remedy: REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION PARK MECHANISM.
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 13
EngineSeat belts
Filed Jul 2, 2024

The contact owns a 1991 Subaru Loyale. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the automatic seat belt continuously opened and retracted independently, failing to secure the contact inside the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the automatic seat belt tightener system and observed an oil gasket leak. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 309,000.

NHTSA ID
11598348
Incident
Jul 2, 2024
Mileage
309,000 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed Dec 29, 2021

The contact owns a 1991 Subaru Loyale equipped with a replacement CV-axle from Master Pro, Part Number: SB8003. The contact indicated that while driving in reverse, the vehicle suddenly stopped moving and would not drive forward or backwards. The vehicle was towed to the residence and examined by an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the CV-axle had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact indicated that the failure had also occurred on a second vehicle using the same part. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID
11445477
Incident
Dec 1, 2021
Transmission
Filed Jan 5, 2007

TL* - ON A COLD DAY WHILE TRYING TO DRIVE IN REVERSE THE WOULD NOT ENGAGE IN THE REVERSE GEAR. THE CONTACT WAITED FOR THE VEHICLE TO WARM UP, AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE FOR SOMETIME, UNTIL THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY FAILED , CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SLOW DOWN AND EVENTUALLY COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE CONTACT HAS THE VEHICLE AT SPEEDY TRANSMISSION WHERE THEY WILL REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT FELTTHAT VEHICLE SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER NHTSA RECALLCAMPAIGN 94V052000.*AK

NHTSA ID
10177850
Incident
Dec 20, 2006
Mileage
135,000 mi
Interior & seats
Filed Oct 22, 2001

THE HOOD CAME UNLATCHED AND WAS FOLDED BACK AGAINST THE WINDSHIELD BY THE WIND WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT) *YH

NHTSA ID
563751
Incident
Aug 30, 2001
ElectricalSeat beltsTransmission+1 more
Filed Sep 5, 2000

2 FRONT AUTOMATIC SEATBELTS DON'T RETRACT/ AUTOMATIC WINDOWS ALL 4 WON'T COME DOWN/ REAR BACK UP LIGHTS DO NOT COME ON, AND 4 -WHEEL DRIVE DOES NOT WORK. *AK

NHTSA ID
869516
Engine
Filed Mar 28, 2000

EXHAUST FAILURE DETAILS: VERY SOON AFTER WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE, WE DISCOVERED THAT WHENEVER WE TOOK A CLOVERLEAF-TYPE OFFRAMP WHICH REQUIRED A QUICK DECCELERATION AND THEN A QUICK ACCELERATION, A THICK BLACK CLOUD OF SMOKE WOULD COME OUT OF THE EXHAUST PIPE. THE ONLY WAY I FOUND TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM WAS TO PUT THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL, IF DISTANCE ALLOWED, AND ALLOW THE CAR TO DECOMPRESS BEFORE ACCELERATING. A VERY LITTLE PERCENTAGE OF MY DRIVING INVOLVES THIS TYPE OF OFFRAMP, AND ESTIMATES I REQUESTED FOR THIS REPAIR RANGED CLOSE TO $1000.00. MY HUSBAND ONCE HEARD A MAN CALL INTO AN AUTO-REPAIR RADIO STATION INTERVIEW WITH THE IDENTICAL PROBLEM IN HIS SUBARU LOYALE WAGON. MY AXLE PROBLEM HAS BEEN A REAL NUISANCE. I NEVER DO ANY OFF-ROAD DRIVING, ONLY REGULAR CITY DRIVING, AND I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE AXLE THREE TIMES, AND HAVE NOW BEEN TOLD THAT THE AXLE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN, AND THE CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. I THINK THIS IS AN UNREASONABLE OCCURRENCE FOR REGULAR CITY DRIVING AFTER ONLY 140,000 MILES. *AK

NHTSA ID
720684
Incident
Jan 1, 1992
EngineSuspension
Filed Mar 12, 1999

WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE JERKS AND VIBRATES. ALSO, ENGINE HEAD GASKET HAD A LEAKAGE. CONSUMER PUT THE VEHICLE IN REPAIR SHOP FOR REPAIRS, BUT PROBLEM HAS RETURNED. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN REPAIR SHOP FOUR TIMES, AND DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
835776
Incident
Feb 2, 1999
Transmission
Filed Nov 5, 1998

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SLOW DOWN SUDDENLY, AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. DEALER PUT 4 REBUILT TRANSMISSIONS, AND PROBLEM IS STILL OCCURRING. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA ID
830198
Incident
Jul 1, 1998

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 Loyale by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
1994100—
1993131042.5
1992231043.0
1991Viewing132251.5
1990134349.6
1989313—
1988002—
1987002—
1986000—
1985000—
1984000—
1983000—

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.