1988 Subaru GL: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
13 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
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly is the most frequently named component, appearing in 7 of 13 complaints (53.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 1 | 7.7% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 7 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 1 |
| Seat Belts | 1 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage | 1 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 1 |
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 7; Electrical System:Ignition: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System: 1; Seat Belts: 1; Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage: 1; Seat Belts:Front:Retractor: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor: 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. 13 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 | 10 |
| 1996 | 3 |
1995: 10; 1996: 3
Pattern summary
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly leads the component reports. Braking behavior 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 484482 · 1995-07-15 (July 15, 1995)
SUDDEN ACCELERATION, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL/ONE ACCIDENT. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 484482 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 502595 · 1996-03-25 (March 25, 1996)
SEAT BELT FAILED TO HOLD DRIVER IN POSITION DURING VEHICLE ROLLOVER, CONTRIBUTING TO INJURY.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 502595 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 961544 · 1995-03-07 (March 7, 1995)
PASSENGER BUCKLE FAILS TO ENGAGE, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 961544 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 961717 · 1995-03-10 (March 10, 1995)
DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT FAILURE, UNABLE TO UNLATCH SEAT BELT. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 961717 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 962044 · 1995-03-16 (March 16, 1995)
THE FRONT PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLES SOMETIMES APPEAR TO BE LOCKED, BUT IT COME LOOSE. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 962044 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 962531 · 1995-03-24 (March 24, 1995)
DRIVER SIDE LAP/SHOULDER WILL NOT RETRACT. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 962531 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 962648 · 1995-03-28 (March 28, 1995)
DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE,IT BECAME UNLATCHED. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 962648 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 964994 · 1995-05-08 (May 8, 1995)
DRIVERS SEAT BELT MAY STICK NOT RETRACTING OR EXTENDING PROPERLY. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 964994 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 ↗