Owners have filed 19 complaints
about the 1991 Subaru Loyale with NHTSA between 1995 and 2024.
The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1991 Subaru Loyale
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Transmission & Drivetrain
526.3%
Median failure at 135,000 miles
Engine & Cooling
421.1%
Median failure at 309,000 miles
Seat Belts
315.8%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 309,000 mi
Doors, Latches & Locks
210.5%
Equipment & Accessories
15.3%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
15.3%
Acceleration & Cruise Control
15.3%
Suspension
15.3%
Electrical System
15.3%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Mar 1995peak 4Jul 2024
NHTSA investigations into the 1991 Subaru Loyale
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
EA95008Opened 10 Mar 1995Closed 2 Aug 1995FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES
TAKATA SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE
PE94051Opened 29 Jun 1994Closed 31 Oct 1994STRUCTURE
HOOD LATCH FAILURE
Recalls on the 1991 Subaru Loyale
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 19940675,504 units in Canada
Powertrain
NOTE: VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ALL-WHEEL DRIVE MANUAL TRANSMISSION. UNDER COLD AND HUMID CONDITIONS, FROST MAY FORM AT THE TRANSMISSION OIL LEVEL GAUGE (DIPSTICK) WHERE THE BREATHING MECHANISM IS INCORPORATED. THIS COULD CAUSE PRESSURE TO BUILD INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION CASE WHICH IN TURN COULD PUSH OUT THE OIL SEAL. SUBSEQUENT OIL LEAKAGE COULD RESULT IN BURNING OF TRANSMISSION COMPONENTS AND POSSIBLE LOSS OF CONTROL DUE TO WHEEL LOCK-UP. CORRECTION: ON VEHICLES WITH AN ALL METAL TYPE DIPSTICK, THE OIL LEVEL GAUGE TUBE WILL BE MODIFIED AND THE DIPSTICK WILL HAVE A SPACER ADDED. VEHICLES WITH A PLASTIC DIPSTICK WILL HAVE A MODIFIED TYPE DIPSTICK INSTALLED.
Recall 19910843,665 units in Canada
Powertrain
THE TRANSMISSION PARK MECHANISM MAY NOT STAY ENGAGED DUE TO AN INCORRECT ADJUSTMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT LINKAGE. THIS COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE ROLL-AWAY IF THE VEHICLE IS PARKED ON AN INCLINE WITHOUT THE PARKING BRAKE ENGAGED. CORRECTION: TRANSMISSION SHIFT LINKAGE WILL BE CORRECTLY ADJUSTED.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
LA Jolla, CACrash2 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
THE DRIVERS AND FRONT PASSENGER SHOULDER BELTS DID NOT RESTRAIN THE OCCUPANTS IN AN ACCIDENT CAUSING FURTHER INJURY. PLEASE DESCRIBE.
NHTSA complaint #982753 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 309,000 milesOmaha, NE
SEAT BELTS
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 complaint #11598348 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 309,000 milesOmaha, NE
ENGINE
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 complaint #11598348 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kennewick, WA
EQUIPMENT
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 complaint #11445477 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 135,000 milesNortross, GA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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.
NHTSA complaint #10177850 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Elyria, OH
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
THE HOOD CAME UNLATCHED AND WAS FOLDED BACK AGAINST THE WINDSHIELD BY THE WIND WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT)
NHTSA complaint #563751 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Elyria, OH
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
THE HOOD CAME UNLATCHED AND WAS FOLDED BACK AGAINST THE WINDSHIELD BY THE WIND WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT)
NHTSA complaint #563751 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Haskell, TX
SEAT BELTS
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.
NHTSA complaint #869516 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Haskell, TX
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
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.
NHTSA complaint #869516 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Haskell, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
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.
NHTSA complaint #869516 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Haskell, TX
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
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.
NHTSA complaint #869516 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Manassas, VA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
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.
NHTSA complaint #720684 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bronx, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #835776 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bronx, NY
SUSPENSION
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.
NHTSA complaint #835776 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Haverhill, MA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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 complaint #830198 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Merrick, NY
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION REPLACED 5 TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #509233 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chicago, IL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
OIL LEAK FROM THE SEAL AT THE TIMING BELT.
NHTSA complaint #513190 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Merrick, NY
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED FOUR TIMES, JUST STOPS COMPLETELY.
NHTSA complaint #802755 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LA Jolla, CACrash2 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
THE DRIVERS AND FRONT PASSENGER SHOULDER BELTS DID NOT RESTRAIN THE OCCUPANTS IN AN ACCIDENT CAUSING FURTHER INJURY. PLEASE DESCRIBE.
NHTSA complaint #982753 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Edgewater PA, NJ
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
UPON STARTING ENGINE RACES UP TO 3000 RPM'S FOR APPOX. 10 MINUTES BEFORE IT SETTLES DOWN, DEALER'S MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO CORRECT, WAS TOLD TO LIVE WITH IT.
NHTSA complaint #961380 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.