1992 Subaru SVX: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
109 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
115,290 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1992 model year. Data snapshot: . 19 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 91 of 109 complaints (83.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 68 | 62.4% |
| Braking behavior | 4 | 3.7% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 2.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 0.9% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 0.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 0.9% |
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 | 91 |
| Suspension:Front:Wheel Bearing | 7 |
| Power Train:Axle Assembly:Axle Shaft | 5 |
| Suspension:Multiple Axle | 3 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 |
| Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls | 2 |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 1 |
Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 91; Suspension:Front:Wheel Bearing: 7; Power Train:Axle Assembly:Axle Shaft: 5; Suspension:Multiple Axle: 3; Power Train: 2; Vehicle Speed Control: 2; Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls: 2; Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator: 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 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 8 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 8; 150,000 and above: 3
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (8). 90 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 | 3 |
| 2000 | 35 |
| 2001 | 32 |
| 2002 | 15 |
| 2003 | 9 |
| 2004 | 5 |
| 2005 | 4 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
1995: 3; 2000: 35; 2001: 32; 2002: 15; 2003: 9; 2004: 5; 2005: 4; 2006: 1; 2007: 1; 2008: 2; 2009: 1; 2013: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 68 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 3 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 10002059 · 2003-01-06 (January 6, 2003)
CONSUMER STATES WHILES DRIVING 30MPH THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL IN THE STREET. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. PH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10002059 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10007593 · 2003-02-16 (February 16, 2003)
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DESPITE REGULAR PROFESSIONAL CAR CARE AT EITHER A SUBARU DEALER IN 80 - 100 MILE RADIUS) OR LOCAL AUTOMOTIVE SHOPS, CAR EXPERIENCED A SECOND INSTANCE OF TRANSMISSION FAILURE. IN CONSULTING SEVERAL SUBARU SVX - RELATED SITES, I LEARNED PROBLEMS OF THIS NATURE HAVE BEEN PREVALENT.
Owner-reported narrative. 141,845 miles reported. Look up ODI 10007593 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10008562 · 2002-11-15 (November 15, 2002)
I PURCHASED THIS AS A USED VEHICLE, BUT PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY DUE TO THE POTENTIAL (EXPENSIVE) PROBLEMS. I WAS ASSURED BY THE DEALER THAT THIS VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE A RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSION AND THAT THE CAR WAS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. I STARTED EXPERIENCING SLIPPAGE AND "CLANKING" WITHIN 6 MONTHS. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES COMPLAINING ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION. I WAS ASSURED THAT NO PROBLEM COULD BE FOUND. LESS THAN 6 MONTHS AFTER LAST THE INSPECTION, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED COMPLETELY. AFTER SOME ADDITIONAL RESEARCH I FOUN…
Owner-reported narrative. 93,495 miles reported. Look up ODI 10008562 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10014153 · 2003-04-08 (April 8, 2003)
TRANSMISSION HESITATED ON HIGHWAY AND IN REVERSE. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 89,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10014153 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10017126 · 2003-05-06 (May 6, 2003)
UPON PURCHASE OF CAR 1-2 WEEKS PRIOR, IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO 4TH GEAR, AND WAS SLIPPING AT INITIAL ACCELERATION FROM A STOP UNTIL AROUND 1500 RPM, CAUSING WHEELSPIN UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS. ON THIS DATE, TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY FAILED TO BE ABLE TO SHIFT INTO 3RD GEAR, LIMITING TOP SPEED TO LEVELS BELOW SAFE LIMITS ON MOST HIGHWAYS. THIS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY, AND WAS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS. TOWED TO DEALER, DEALER RECOMMENDS REMANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION, ASKING APPROXIMATELY $4000 FOR PARTS AND …
Owner-reported narrative. 110,020 miles reported. Look up ODI 10017126 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10025507 · 2003-07-07 (July 7, 2003)
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE: CONTACTED SUBARU ABOUT 1 YEAR PRIOR ABOUT PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD THE SLIPAGE WAS NORMAL. NOW THE TRANSMISSION IS PERMANENTLY SLIPPING AND DOES NOT DRIVE IN ANY DIRECTION. IS 36000 MILES NORMAL FOR A REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION?......ALONG WITH THE REST OF THE SVX OWNERS.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 35,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10025507 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10027304 · 2003-07-15 (July 15, 2003)
CONSUMER HAS PROBLEM WITH THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10027304 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10029576 · 2003-07-17 (July 17, 2003)
VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A LOT, WHEN CONSUMER STARTED THE IGNITION, INSTANTLY THE RPMS "REVVED" UP TO THE MAXIMUM. CONSUMER TURNED VEHICLE OFF, WAITED A FEW MINUTES, AND THEN RESTARTED. WHEN GEAR WAS PLACED IN REVERSE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED BACKWARD ALMOST HITTING PEDESTRIANS.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10029576 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.