1989 Subaru JUSTY: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
10 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1989 model year. Data snapshot: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 10 complaints (40.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 40.0% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 10.0% |
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 | 4 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 3 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 1 |
| Structure:Body:Hood | 1 |
| Suspension:Front | 1 |
Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 4; Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 3; Seat Belts:Front:Retractor: 1; Structure:Body:Hood: 1; Suspension:Front: 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. 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 | 1 |
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2002 | 1 |
1995: 7; 1996: 1; 2000: 1; 2002: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 4 complaint narratives. 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 481733 · 1995-02-21 (February 21, 1995)
SEAT BELT BUCKLES/LATCH FAILED TO HOLD SECURE DURING ACCIDENT, CAUSING DRIVER TO BE THROWN FROM VEHICLE, RESULTING IN TWO DEATHS. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 481733 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 487106 · 1995-10-20 (October 20, 1995)
SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL (95V-103.006). *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 487106 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 767033 · 2002-09-11 (September 11, 2002)
I FEEL THE DIPSTICK PROBLEM CAUSE THIS CAR'S TRANSMISSION TO BECOME DEFECTIVE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 767033 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 860316 · 2000-04-13 (April 13, 2000)
TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE TRAVELING, ALSO, FAILURE LOCKED GEAR INTO DRIVE, AND WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT OUT. DEALER/MANUACTURER CONTACTED, AND SAID TAHT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. *AK *ML
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 860316 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 959439 · 1995-02-01 (February 1, 1995)
HOOD FLEW UP WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS THE SECOND INCIDENT. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 959439 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 960593 · 1995-02-23 (February 23, 1995)
DRIVERS SIDE SEATBELT WILL NOT LATCH DUE TO LATCH THAT THE BUCKLE FITS INTO BTROKE AND PIECES OF OPLASTIC FELL INTO THE LATCH. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 960593 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 964114 · 1995-04-20 (April 20, 1995)
ECIT TRANSMISSION. HEARD LOUD THUMP TRANSMISSION DIED. CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 964114 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 969851 · 1995-08-04 (August 4, 1995)
FRONT SUSPENSION FAILURE, REAR BEARING FROZE THE U-JOINT CAUSING TIRE TO FAIL. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 969851 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.
89V028000 · Power Train:Manual Transmission
Reported: 1989-02-28 (February 28, 1989)
DUE TO THE DESIGN OF THE TRANSMISSION CASE DIPSTICK AND THE FLUID LEVEL CHECKING METHOD, THERE MAY BE INSUFFICIENT LUBRICATION OF THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE EXTENSION HOUSING BEARING.
Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE BEARING SEIZURE AND POSSIBLE REAR WHEELLOCKUP, WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: INSTALL MODIFIED DIPSTICK AND INSERT INFORMATION IN OWNERS MANUAL ON THE CORRECT FLUID LEVEL CHECKING PROCEDURES.
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 ↗