1987 Subaru GL: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
11 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
125,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1987 model year. Data snapshot: . 1 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 11 complaints (18.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 1 | 9.1% |
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 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 2 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys | 1 |
| Equipment:Mechanical:Accessory Scissor/Screw/Bottle Jack/Lift | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 1 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Torque Converter | 1 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 2; Electrical System:Ignition: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Belts And Associated Pulleys: 1; Equipment:Mechanical:Accessory Scissor/Screw/Bottle Jack/Lift: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings: 1; Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Torque Converter: 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 | 1 |
| 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: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 10 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 | 7 |
| 1996 | 3 |
| 2004 | 1 |
1995: 7; 1996: 3; 2004: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine leads the component reports. 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10055979 · 2004-09-08 (September 8, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. *AK THE FELT REAR WHEEL FELL OFF/REAR SUSPENSION TORSION BAR SPLIT. *SC
Owner-reported narrative. 125,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10055979 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 480948 · 1995-01-11 (January 11, 1995)
ENGINE OVERHEATED/SEIZED DUE TO WATER PUMP FAILURE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 480948 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 504003 · 1996-04-19 (April 19, 1996)
HEAD GASKETS REPLACED DUE TO LEAK. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 504003 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 802499 · 1996-09-17 (September 17, 1996)
KEY CAN BE REMOVED FROM IGNITION WHILE IN DRIVE AT STOP. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 802499 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 958595 · 1995-01-12 (January 12, 1995)
REAR SEAT BELTS FAILED DUEV TO RUST. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 958595 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 959173 · 1995-01-26 (January 26, 1995)
REAR SEAT SHOULDER BELTS RIPPED WAS RIPPED OUT. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 959173 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 960620 · 1995-02-27 (February 27, 1995)
WHILE CHANGING TIRE, SUDDENLY THE JACK STAND COLLAPSED, DUE TO BROKEN WELD IN BASE OF STAND. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 960620 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 964458 · 1995-04-27 (April 27, 1995)
THE ALUMINUM HEADS CRACKED DUE TO EXCESSIVE HEAT. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 964458 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.
89V103000 · Fuel System, Gasoline
Reported: 1989-06-23 (June 23, 1989)
THE COMPOSITION OF CERTAIN NON-GENUINE REPLACEMENT PREHEAT TUBES CAN CAUSE COMBUSTION.
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.
Remedy: INSTALL A MODIFIED DESIGN PREHEAT TUBE.
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 ↗