1986 Subaru GL: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
12 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
160,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1986 model year. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 12 complaints (16.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 2 |
| Structure:Frame And Members | 2 |
| Suspension:Front:Control Arm | 2 |
| Suspension:Rear | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 1 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 1 |
| Seats | 1 |
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor: 2; Structure:Frame And Members: 2; Suspension:Front:Control Arm: 2; Suspension:Rear: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 1; Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 1; Seats: 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). 11 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 | 9 |
| 1996 | 2 |
| 2006 | 1 |
1995: 9; 1996: 2; 2006: 1
Pattern summary
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor 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 10166868 · 2006-08-29 (August 29, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, A SOUND OF RUST RIPPING WAS HEARD, RESULTING IN A SLIGHT LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTED THAT THE REAR SUBFRAME HAD CRACKED ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE. THE REAR WHEELS WERE ALSO BOWED IN AT THE TOP, CAUSING THEM TO TOUCH THE SPRINGS, RENDERING THE VEHICLE UNDRIVEABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE.
Owner-reported narrative. 160,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10166868 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 478312 · 1995-01-06 (January 6, 1995)
RUST HOLE ON INNER CONTROL ARM NEXT TO WHEEL BEARING/SHOCK SPRING MOUNT. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 478312 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 481915 · 1995-02-27 (February 27, 1995)
RIGHT/REAR TRAILING ARM CRACKED AFTER RECALL REPAIRS, CAUSING TIRE TO LEAN INWARD. *AW
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 481915 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 484894 · 1995-08-15 (August 15, 1995)
REAR SEAT BUCKLES FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 484894 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 501678 · 1996-02-14 (February 14, 1996)
HEAD GASKETS LEAK, CAUSING ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 501678 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 961871 · 1995-03-14 (March 14, 1995)
THE TWO WINDOW REAR SEAT BELT RETRACTOR WILL NOT LET THE BELT COME OUT. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 961871 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 962895 · 1995-03-31 (March 31, 1995)
LEFT REAR SEAT BELTS DON'T WORK, WON'T RETRACT. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 962895 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 963582 · 1995-04-11 (April 11, 1995)
REAR INNER ARMS CORRODED, INVOLVED IN INITIAL RECALL FOR CORRODED INNER ARMS. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 963582 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.
90V086000 · Suspension:Rear
Reported: 1990-05-07 (May 7, 1990)
CONTINUOUS EXPOSURE TO ROAD SALT COULD CAUSE CORROSION OF REAR SUSPENSION COMPONENTS, ESPECIALLY THE INNER ARMS.
Consequence: THE CORROSION COULD AFFECT THE OPERATION AND CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.
Remedy: RUST PROOF OR REPLACE REAR SUSPENSION, AS NECESSARY.
NHTSA campaign record ↗92V001000 · Suspension:Rear
Reported: 1992-12-02 (December 2, 1992)
THE INNER ARMS OF THE REAR SUSPENSION ARE SUBJECT TO CORROSION IN AREAS WHERE ROAD SALT IS USED HEAVILY IN WINTER.
Consequence: OPERATION AND CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE CAN BE ADVERSELYAFFECTED BY CORROSION OF THE INNER CONTROL ARMS.
Remedy: RUSTPROOF OR REPLACE THE INNER CONTROL ARMS AS NECESSARY.
NHTSA campaign record ↗