1992 Subaru SVX problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
109 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
115,290 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1992 model year. Data snapshot: . 19 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 91 of 109 complaints (83.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 68 | 62.4% |
| Braking behavior | 4 | 3.7% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 2.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 0.9% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 0.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 0.9% |
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 | 91 |
| Suspension:Front:Wheel Bearing | 7 |
| Power Train:Axle Assembly:Axle Shaft | 5 |
| Suspension:Multiple Axle | 3 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 |
| Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls | 2 |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 1 |
Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 91; Suspension:Front:Wheel Bearing: 7; Power Train:Axle Assembly:Axle Shaft: 5; Suspension:Multiple Axle: 3; Power Train: 2; Vehicle Speed Control: 2; Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls: 2; Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator: 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 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 8 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 8; 150,000 and above: 3
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (8). 90 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 | 3 |
| 2000 | 35 |
| 2001 | 32 |
| 2002 | 15 |
| 2003 | 9 |
| 2004 | 5 |
| 2005 | 4 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
1995: 3; 2000: 35; 2001: 32; 2002: 15; 2003: 9; 2004: 5; 2005: 4; 2006: 1; 2007: 1; 2008: 2; 2009: 1; 2013: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 68 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 3 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 10002059 · 2003-01-06 (January 6, 2003)
CONSUMER STATES WHILES DRIVING 30MPH THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL IN THE STREET. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. PH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10002059 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10007593 · 2003-02-16 (February 16, 2003)
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DESPITE REGULAR PROFESSIONAL CAR CARE AT EITHER A SUBARU DEALER IN 80 - 100 MILE RADIUS) OR LOCAL AUTOMOTIVE SHOPS, CAR EXPERIENCED A SECOND INSTANCE OF TRANSMISSION FAILURE. IN CONSULTING SEVERAL SUBARU SVX - RELATED SITES, I LEARNED PROBLEMS OF THIS NATURE HAVE BEEN PREVALENT.
Owner-reported narrative. 141,845 miles reported. Look up ODI 10007593 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10038609 · 2003-09-03 (September 3, 2003)
VEHICLE BEGAN TO REV WHILE THE BRAKE WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONSUMER THEN ACTIVATED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. *MR THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT DOWN GRADE. WHEN THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED THE CONSUMERS SON HAD TAKEN HIS FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR AND COASTED BEFORE APPLYING THE BRAKES. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED THE VEHICLE WAS BACKED UP, AND IDLED NORMALLY. THE SUBARU DEALER COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. ON THE SECOND INCIDENT THE MOTOR STARTED TO REV AND WAS VERY LOUD AND NOISY. THE CONSUMER CHECKED THE DASH AND THERE WERE NO INDICATIONS OF A PROBLE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10038609 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10136544 · 2005-09-14 (September 14, 2005)
I PURCHASES A SUBARU SVX 1992 MODEL. I TEST DROVE IT AND IT SEEMED FINE. TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC TO HAVE IT LOOKED OVER AND IT CAME BACK CLEAN EXCEPT FOR SOME SUGGESTIONS TO CHANGE BRAKE PADS , FLUIDS ETC. THIS WAS ALL DONE. HOWEVER A COUPLE MONTHS LATER A MAJOR PROBLEM OCCURRED. THE GEAR WOULD SOMETIMES NOT SHIFT, THE CAR WOULD MAKE A LOUD THUD SOUND IN REVERSE AND OVER REV ON HIGHWAY DRIVING. I FOUND OUT FROM VARIOUS FORUMS THAT THIS CAR HAS A FLAW , THE TRANSMISSION IS DUE TO FAILURE. EVERY CAR OWNER IN THIS FORUM HAS EXPERIENCED PREMATURE TRA…
Owner-reported narrative. 165,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10136544 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10248247 · 2008-11-10 (November 10, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 SUBARU SVX. WHILE DRIVING 23 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED A SHIFTING DELAY. THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT OFF WHEN DRIVING IN REVERSE AND HAD TO BE SHIFTED INTO PARK IN ORDER TO BE RESTARTED. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED INTO DRIVE, THE ENGINE WOULD REV WHILE DRIVING. THE FAILURES OCCURRED EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT A CRASH COULD OCCUR DUE TO THE VEHICLE SHUTTING OFF. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND NO ERROR CODES OR FAILURES; HOWEVER, THEY STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION COULD …
Owner-reported narrative. 120,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10248247 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 973268 · 1995-10-11 (October 11, 1995)
CONSUMER GOT IN THE CAR THE ALARM WAS OFF TRY TO START CAR THE ALARM CAME ON AND LOCK CONSUMER IN THE CAR, DEALER HAD AREADY REPLACED THE ALARM KILL THE BATTERY . CONSUMER STATES DEALER REPAIRED A LOOSE WIRE THAT WAS SHORTING OUT THE SYSTEM CAUSING ALL THE PROBLEMS, ONE LOOSE WIRE WAS DRAINING THE BATTERY WHICH MADE THE SECURITY SYSTEM MALFUNCTION. *SLC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 973268 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 890336 · 2001-06-13 (June 13, 2001)
VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE WHEN PULLING INTO AN INTERSECTION, HOWEVER IT DID NOT GO INTO GEAR AND CONSUMER HAD TO FORCE IT INTO SECOND, VEHICLE HAD VERY LITTLE POWER, SINCE DECEMBER IT HAS BEEN REPAIRED THREE TIMES FOR SHIFTING PROBLEMS AND A TRANSMISSION SHOP STATED THAT THESE CARS ARE NOTORIOUS FOR TRANSMISSIONS FAILING BETWEEN 55 AND 80 THOUSAND MILES. CONSUMER EXPERIENCED STEERING SYSTEM PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE. *SLC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 890336 at NHTSA ↗