1988 Subaru DL: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
4 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1988 model year. Data snapshot: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 4 complaints (25.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System | 1 |
| Power Train:Axle Assembly | 1 |
| Power Train:Clutch Assembly | 1 |
| Power Train:Driveline:Constant Velocity Joint | 1 |
| Seat Belts | 1 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Carburetor System: 1; Power Train:Axle Assembly: 1; Power Train:Clutch Assembly: 1; Power Train:Driveline:Constant Velocity Joint: 1; Seat Belts: 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 | 0 |
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: 0
No usable failure mileage is recorded. 4 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 | 2 |
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2002 | 1 |
1995: 2; 2000: 1; 2002: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System leads the component reports. 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 484403 · 1995-09-16 (September 16, 1995)
REPLACED 5 CV BOOTS.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 484403 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8017316 · 2002-08-27 (August 27, 2002)
WHILE TRAVELING AT 25 MPH ANOTHER VEHICLE RAN A STOP SIGN AND HIT CONSUMER'S VEHICLE ON THE RIGHT FRONT BUMBER. DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBELT DIDN'T HOLD, RESULTING IN DRIVER SUSTAININ SERIOUS INJURIES. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8017316 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 874633 · 2000-11-08 (November 8, 2000)
THE ENGINE REVED HIGH WHEN THE DRIVER PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR. THE VEHICLE WENT OUT OF CONTROL DUE TO THE ACCELERATOR STICKING AND THE DRIVER STRUCK A PEDESTRIAN AND OTHER VEHICLES. *YH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 874633 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 965714 · 1995-05-23 (May 23, 1995)
SEAT BELT BUCKLE APPEAR TO BE FASTEN, BUT MOST OF THE TIME IT COMES UNFASTENED. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 965714 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
88V052000 · Seat Belts
Reported: 1988-04-05 (April 5, 1988)
OMISSION OF INFORMATION SPECIFIED BY FMVSS 210 FROM OWNER MANUAL.
Consequence: FAILS TO MEET REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 210 REGARDING CHILDRESTRAINT SYSTEMS.
Remedy: ADHESIVE BACKED INSERTS WILL BE FURNISHED WITH THE CORRECT INFORMATION.
NHTSA campaign record ↗95V103006 · Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
Reported: 1995-05-24 (May 24, 1995)
THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.
Consequence: THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUGGING ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THE LATCH IS SECURELY LOCKED, AND THEN PRESSING THE RELEASE BUTTON. THE LATCH PLATE SHOULD POP OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN THE BUTTON IS PRESSED. IF EITHER RELEASE BUTTON SHOWS A SIGN OF BREAKING OR CRACKING OR IF EITHER BUCKLE FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY, OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CONTACT THEIR AUTHORIZED DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE BUCKLE REPLACED OR REPAIRED, FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER IS DEVELOPING A REMEDY DESIGNED TO PREVENT FAILURE OF THE BUTTONS THAT ARE NOT CURRENTLY BROKEN.
NHTSA campaign record ↗