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1985 Subaru GLProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 7 owner complaints about the 1985 Subaru GL, most often about the suspension. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints70 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem3Suspension

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 29, 1999. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1985 Subaru GL has problems

7 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Suspension30
Power train10
Seat belts10
Service brakes, hydraulic10
Structure10
Vehicle speed control10
Engine and engine cooling10
Wheels10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

2 recalls

1985 Subaru GL recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Suspension: rear

Recall 92V-001 · Dec 2, 1992 · 147,000 vehicles

Risk. OPERATION AND CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE CAN BE ADVERSELYAFFECTED BY CORROSION OF THE INNER CONTROL ARMS.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Subaru.

Best & worst years

1985 vs. every other GL year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the GL median. How we score

'80'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'93
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
3 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1985 Subaru GL, and the recalls they led to.

  1. SEAT BELT RETRACTOR FAILSEA88014 · closed Jun 29, 1990
    No recall
  2. SEAT BELT RETRACTORSPE87049 · closed Jan 7, 1988
    No recall
  3. TRAILING ARM CORROSIONPE90055 · closed May 14, 1990
    Led to recall 90V-086
In owners' words

What GL owners report

Recent suspension complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

THE LOWER CONTROL ARM SNAPPED AT THE WELD WHILE THE CAR WAS MOVING AND THE WHOLE LEFT WHEEL CAME OFF. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
Complaint 977913 · Jan 22, 1996
WHILE DRIVING AT 25MPH OR MORE VEHICLE WOULD PULL TO THE RIGHT. ALSO, CV BOOTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE DEALER STILL CAN'T FIND A SOLUTION. *AK
Complaint 849075 · Sep 29, 1999

Own a 1985 GL?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.