FaultScore

Subaru GL problems

Owners have filed 99 complaints about the Subaru GL with NHTSA across model years 1981 to 1993. More of them are about the seat belts than anything else.

Every Subaru GL year, graded

The grade compares each year against the rest of this model's own run — never against another car. Click any bar or row to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded
Year Grade Complaints Crashes Fires Median miles Most reported
1993 1 0 0 Transmission & Drivetrain
1989 9 2 0 Seat Belts
1988 22 4 0 Seat Belts
1987 26 2 3 Engine & Cooling
1986 17 1 1 Suspension
1985 10 0 0 Suspension
1984 5 0 0 Electrical System
1983 5 0 1 Seat Belts
1982 2 0 0 Engine & Cooling
1981 2 0 0 Body & Structure

What breaks on a Subaru GL

Across every model year on file. Follow a row for that part's complaints and the year it was worst.

Seat Belts 27 27.3%

Worst in 1988

Engine & Cooling 18 18.2%

Worst in 1987

Suspension 15 15.2%

Worst in 1986

Transmission & Drivetrain 8 8.1%

Worst in 1987

Body & Structure 8 8.1%

Worst in 1986

Brakes 5 5.1%

Worst in 1988

Acceleration & Cruise Control 5 5.1%

Worst in 1989

Electrical System 4 4.0%

Worst in 1984

Wheels 3 3.0%

Worst in 1987

Tires 2 2.0%

Worst in 1987

Equipment & Accessories 2 2.0%

Worst in 1987

Fuel & Propulsion 1 1.0%

Worst in 1987

Seats 1 1.0%

Worst in 1986

Exactly what failed on a Subaru GL

The named sub-assemblies behind those complaints, across every model year.

Buckle Assembly 14 25.5%
Engine 7 12.7%
Gasoline 6 10.9%
Rear 6 10.9%
Retractor 5 9.1%
Constant Velocity Joint 4 7.3%
Frame AND Members 4 7.3%
Body 3 5.5%
Control ARM 3 5.5%
Disc 3 5.5%

Complaints filed over time

Every complaint about every Subaru GL, by the month it reached NHTSA.

Jan 1995 peak 11 Aug 2006

Compare the Subaru GL

Side by side on complaint history. Remember that raw totals track how many were sold as much as how good they were.