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1988 Subaru XT6Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 5 owner complaints about the 1988 Subaru XT6, most often about the steering. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints50 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage89kSteering, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through January 3, 2003. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1988 Subaru XT6 has problems

5 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
Steering50

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

1 recall

1988 Subaru XT6 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

Hydraulic power assist: pump

Recall 91V-193 · Nov 12, 1991 · 13,000 vehicles

Risk. THE INTERMITTENT NATURE OF THE POWER STEERING FAILURECAN LEAD TO LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND RESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

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

1988 vs. every other XT6 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 XT6 median. How we score

'88'89'90'91'92'93
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1988 Subaru XT6, and the recalls they led to.

  1. POWER STEERING FAILUREEA91037 · closed Nov 22, 1991
    Led to recall 91V-193
  2. POWER STEERING FAILUREPE91071 · closed Aug 29, 1991
    No recall
In owners' words

What XT6 owners report

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

CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE REMEDIED UNDER RECALL 91V193000 IN 02/92. POWER STEERING BEGAN TO FAIL WITHOUT WARNING INTERMITTENTLY AT 89K MILES. DEALER DIAGNOSED PROBLEM AS RELATED TO PREVIOUS RECALL. MANUFACTURER ADVISED ONLY A 1 YEAR WARRANTY ON RECALL REMEDY. TS
Complaint 10001914 · Jan 3, 2003 · 89,000 miles
WHEN TRAVELING THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT AND THEN IT COMES BACK ON. ELECTRONIC STEERING SYSTEM SIGNAL CONTROLLER HAS BEEN REPLACED UNDER SERVICE RECALL #WZM48 ON 3/30/92 AT 60,000 MILES. NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN AT 90,000 AND ON 7/89. *AK
Complaint 804645 · Nov 6, 1996
WHILE OPERATING VEHICLE AT ANY SPEED, THE POWER STEERING WILL CEASE OPERATING CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY INCLUDED IN RECALL 91V193000, WHICH THE REMEDY CORRECTED THE PROBLEM ONLY BRIEFLY.
Complaint 536617 · Jun 3, 1998

Own a 1988 XT6?

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