Subaru JUSTY problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
36 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
86,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1987 to 1995 model years. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 36 complaints (22.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 8 | 22.2% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 5.6% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 2.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 2.8% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 8 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 7 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 4 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 2 |
| Seat Belts | 2 |
| Seats | 2 |
| Suspension:Front | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 1 |
Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 8; Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 7; Seat Belts:Front:Retractor: 4; Fuel System, Gasoline: 2; Seat Belts: 2; Seats: 2; Suspension:Front: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 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 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 35 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 | 16 |
| 1996 | 10 |
| 2000 | 2 |
| 2001 | 6 |
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 1 |
1995: 16; 1996: 10; 2000: 2; 2001: 6; 2002: 1; 2003: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 8 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Engine operation 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 767033 · 2002-09-11 (September 11, 2002)
I FEEL THE DIPSTICK PROBLEM CAUSE THIS CAR'S TRANSMISSION TO BECOME DEFECTIVE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 767033 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 860316 · 2000-04-13 (April 13, 2000)
TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE TRAVELING, ALSO, FAILURE LOCKED GEAR INTO DRIVE, AND WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT OUT. DEALER/MANUACTURER CONTACTED, AND SAID TAHT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. *AK *ML
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 860316 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 985792 · 1996-06-18 (June 18, 1996)
DRIVNG AT VERY LOW SPEED,10MPH, APPLIED THE BRAKES, THEY FAILED, PUT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON, SAW SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 985792 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 963531 · 1995-04-07 (April 7, 1995)
WHILE DRIVING AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, BRAKES FAILED TWICE, ONCE RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT/INJURY. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 963531 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 964114 · 1995-04-20 (April 20, 1995)
ECIT TRANSMISSION. HEARD LOUD THUMP TRANSMISSION DIED. CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 964114 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10031201 · 2003-08-10 (August 10, 2003)
RUSTED FUEL TANK FUEL LEAKAGE ONTO TAIL PIPE. SUBARU WOULD NOT REPAIR, I DID. SECOND FAILURE RUSTED FUEL RETURN LINE AT TANK FUEL LEAKAGE ON TO TAIL PIPE 06-01-03. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 86,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10031201 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 |
|---|---|
| 1987 | 1 |
| 1988 | 4 |
| 1989 | 2 |
| 1990 | 1 |
| 1991 | 1 |
| 1992 | 0 |
| 1993 | 0 |
| 1994 | 0 |
| 1995 | 0 |
1987: 1; 1988: 4; 1989: 2; 1990: 1; 1991: 1; 1992: 0; 1993: 0; 1994: 0; 1995: 0