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Vehicle safety record

1983 Subaru GL Problems, complaints & recalls

Owners have filed 5 complaints about the 1983 Subaru GL with NHTSA, most often about the seats & seat belts (2) and the suspension (1). Those complaints describe 1 fire and 2 injuries. It is covered by 2 recalls, the latest in October 2005 for the fuel system, gasoline. For comparison, the 1982 has 2 and the 1984 has 5.

NHTSA data checked

CAbout as many problems as a typical GL year, for its age

#10 most complained-about 1983 vehicle

Complaints
5
Recalls
2
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
2
Deaths
0

Most common 1983 Subaru GL problems

Share of all 5 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.

1983 Subaru GL recalls 2

Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do

Fuel system

05E06500042,962 vehicles affected

The problem
Certain spx filtran fuel filters with a 45-degree angle inlet tube, model 800f350-s1, sold as replacement filters for 1993-1997 ford probe,1993-2001 mazda 626 and mx-6, and 1983-1994 loyal, 3-door coupe, hatchback, sedan, wagon, brat, dl, gl, gl-10, rx, xt, and xt6 passenger vehicles with efi or turbo engines. These filters are packaged as wix, napa, and carquest brand fuel filters. Certain spx filtran fuel filters with a 90-degree angle inlet tube, model 800f300-s2, sold as replacement filters for 19983-1994 subaru vehicles with efi or turbo engines. These filters are packaged as wix, napa, and carquest brand fuel filters. Fuel may leak from the filter due to non-conforming brazing welds where the inlet tube is connected to the filter can.
The risk
In the presence of an ignition source, a vehicle fire can occur.
The fix
Spx will notify its customers and provide a full refund. The recall began september 27, 2005. Owners may contact mr. Chris greeson at 704-869-3733 or contact the wix information hotline at 800-949-6698.

Suspension: rear

90V086000285,000 vehicles affected

The problem
Continuous exposure to road salt could cause corrosion of rear suspension components, especially the inner arms.
The risk
The corrosion could affect the operation and control of the vehicle.
The fix
Rust proof or replace rear suspension, as necessary.

What owners say

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5 complaints about the 1983 Subaru GL

Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.

Engine & coolingFire

ENGINE FIRE, CAUSING DEATH.

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 531432
Seats & seat belts2 injuries

Front seat belt ex tenders have a gap where children can put there fingers in and get cut when seat belt returns to its rest position

Filed Seat beltsNHTSA 531130
Suspension

The rear inner arm assembly failed on both sides causing loss of control . Tt vehicle is inoperable currently in conumer's garage, consumer states the passenger side arm broke on a gradual left turn, as consumer turned the wheel to correct the skid the driver side arm broke causing the vehicle to spin 360 degree to the right with both rear wheels collapsed under the vehicle.*Jb

Filed SuspensionNHTSA 973415
Seats & seat belts

Seat belt buckle failed due to sun deterioration. *Ak

Filed Incident Seat beltsNHTSA 483129
Body, doors & structure

Sunvisor continuously comes down without assistance, causing driver to hit visor when getting in vehicle. (0Ther vehicle on 486858) *skd

Filed Incident StructureNHTSA 479694

Subaru GL: every year compared

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
198717321Seats & seat beltsF
198614311SuspensionD
19857300SuspensionC
19845200Body, doors & structureB
19835201Seats & seat beltsC
19822100Engine & coolingA
19812100Body, doors & structureA
19800100-A
All GL years

1983 Subaru GL vs rivals

VehicleComplaintsRecallsCrashesGrade
1983 Subaru GL520C
1983 Subaru Subaru110CCompare

More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.

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Questions about the 1983 Subaru GL

Does the 1983 Subaru GL have any recalls?

Yes - NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 1983 Subaru GL: fuel system, gasoline (October 2005); rear (May 1990). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.

What are the most common problems with the 1983 Subaru GL?

By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the seats & seat belts (2), suspension (1), body, doors & structure (1).

How many complaints has the 1983 Subaru GL had?

5 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on June 1, 1995 and the latest on February 26, 1998. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 1 a fire, and together they report 2 injuries and 0 deaths.

Is the 1983 Subaru GL a reliable vehicle?

Its Safety Index is 48 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as a typical Subaru GL year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.

Which Subaru GL years have the most complaints?
What should I do if my 1983 Subaru GL has a problem?

If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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