Subaru DL problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
9 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
161,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1980 to 1989 model years. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 9 complaints (22.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 11.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 11.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 2 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System | 1 |
| Power Train:Axle Assembly | 1 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2; Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 2; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System: 1; Power Train:Axle Assembly: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 1
150,000 and above miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 8 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 5 |
| 1996 | 1 |
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
1995: 5; 1996: 1; 2000: 1; 2002: 1; 2006: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 977914 · 1996-01-22 (January 22, 1996)
ENGINE COMPARMENT FIRE, UNDER THE HOOD, ELECTRICAL SHORT. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 977914 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10171505 · 2006-10-21 (October 21, 2006)
TIME IS A KEY FACTOR, AS WELL AS PLACES THAT RUST VEHICLES SOONER THAN OTHERS. THE FAILURE IS A FUEL DAMPER AND/OR FUEL LINES AND/OR FUEL PUMP. THE CONSEQUENCES ARE SMELL OF FUEL, LEAKS, ERRATIC ENGINE, AND LEAD ON ONE OCCASION TO A LEAN CONDITION THAT FAILED A TIMING BELT. THE FUEL PUMP ALSO FAILED. IF THIS LEAK HAPPENS ON THE SUCTION SIDE OF FUEL PUMP IT IS ELUSIVE AND DANGEROUS. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 161,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10171505 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1980 | 1 |
| 1981 | 1 |
| 1982 | 1 |
| 1983 | 1 |
| 1984 | 1 |
| 1985 | 2 |
| 1986 | 2 |
| 1987 | 2 |
| 1988 | 2 |
| 1989 | 0 |
1980: 1; 1981: 1; 1982: 1; 1983: 1; 1984: 1; 1985: 2; 1986: 2; 1987: 2; 1988: 2; 1989: 0