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Subaru SubaruYears to avoid, problems & recalls

NHTSA has 50 owner complaints and 10 safety recalls on record for the Subaru Subaru.

Years to avoidNoneBased on weighted complaintsBest years—Fewest complaints for their ageOwner complaints50Top: Engine and engine coolingSafety recalls101977–2003 model years

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports. Updated daily. How we score years.

Best & worst years

Subaru Subaru years to avoid

Complaints by model year, colored by the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Subaru median. Tap a year for its full report.

'77'78'79'80'81'82'83'84'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'95'96'97'98'99'01'02'03
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2003Not rated–/1002 complaints · 0 recalls2002Not rated–/1004 complaints · 0 recalls2001Not rated–/1003 complaints · 0 recalls1999Not rated–/1003 complaints · 0 recalls1998Not rated–/1002 complaints · 0 recalls1997Not rated–/1004 complaints · 0 recalls1996Not rated–/1006 complaints · 0 recalls1995Not rated–/1005 complaints · 0 recalls1993Not rated–/1002 complaints · 0 recalls1992Not rated–/1004 complaints · 0 recalls1991Not rated–/1001 complaint · 0 recalls1990Not rated–/1003 complaints · 0 recalls1989Not rated–/1001 complaint · 0 recalls1988Not rated–/1002 complaints · 0 recalls1987Not rated–/1004 complaints · 0 recalls1986Not rated–/1002 complaints · 0 recalls1984Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall1983Not rated–/1001 complaint · 1 recall1982Not rated–/1001 complaint · 3 recalls1981Not rated–/1000 complaints · 4 recalls1980Not rated–/1000 complaints · 4 recalls1979Not rated–/1000 complaints · 1 recall1978Not rated–/1000 complaints · 2 recalls1977Not rated–/1000 complaints · 2 recalls
Complaints by system

Most common Subaru Subaru problems

All model years combined: 50 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
Engine and engine cooling101
Power train71
Air bags75
Tires61
Suspension50
Seat belts40
Service brakes, hydraulic31
Equipment31
Vehicle speed control30
8 other systems121
10 recalls

Subaru Subaru recalls

Newest first. The ring shows the share of affected vehicles repaired, from the manufacturer's latest report to NHTSA.

–Vehicle speed control: linkages84V-106 · 1982–1984 · Sep 11, 1984 · 37,000 vehicles–Steering: rack and pinion84V-026 · 1980 · Mar 8, 1984 · 75,284 vehicles–Wiring: fuses and circuit breakers83V-026 · 1980–1981 · Mar 3, 1983 · 230,041 vehicles–Front assembly: recliner83V-006 · 1980 · Jan 1, 1983 · 84,253 vehicles–Wiring: front underhood82V-130 · 1981–1982 · Dec 20, 1982 · 94,564 vehicles–Steering: steering wheel/handle bar82V-036 · 1981–1982 · Apr 19, 1982 · 43,300 vehicles–Vehicle speed control81V-029 · 1981 · Mar 5, 1981 · 32,000 vehicles–Windshield wiper/washer: linkages80V-077 · 1980 · Jun 19, 1980 · 71,683 vehicles–Storage: tank assembly79V-032 · 1977–1979 · Jan 19, 1979 · 83,000 vehicles–Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system79V-016 · 1977–1978 · Jan 11, 1979 · 170,000 vehicles
6 investigations

NHTSA investigations of the Subaru

  1. TAKATA SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILUREEA95008 · null · closed Aug 2, 1995
    Led to recall 95V-103
  2. TAKATA SEAT BLT BCKLS FAILPE94084 · 1986–1991 · closed Mar 10, 1995
    No recall
  3. FRONT SEAT FAILUREPE89030 · 1983–1986 · closed Jun 6, 1989
    No recall
  4. BROKEN CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINTSDP83011 · 1982 · closed Oct 21, 1983
    No recall
  5. ENGINE FIRESDP80017 · 1978 · closed Sep 26, 1980
    No recall
  6. FUEL GAUGE MALFUNCTIONSDP79050 · 1977 · closed Sep 17, 1979
    No recall