Check a vehicle VIN check Latest recalls Latest complaints Common problems Rankings Compare vehicles Recall roundups All makes Guides Share your experience
Theme

Vehicle safety record

1986 Subaru GL Problems, complaints & recalls

Owners have filed 14 complaints about the 1986 Subaru GL with NHTSA, most often about the suspension (5) and the seats & seat belts (4). Those complaints describe 1 crash and 1 fire. It is covered by 3 recalls, the latest in October 2005 for the fuel system, gasoline. For comparison, the 1985 has 7 and the 1987 has 17.

NHTSA data checked

DMore problems than a typical GL year, for its age

#35 most complained-about 1986 vehicle

Complaints
14
Recalls
3
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths
0

Most common 1986 Subaru GL problems

Share of all 14 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.

1986 Subaru GL recalls 3

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

92V001000147,000 vehicles affected

The problem
The inner arms of the rear suspension are subject to corrosion in areas where road salt is used heavily in winter.
The risk
Operation and control of the vehicle can be adverselyaffected by corrosion of the inner control arms.
The fix
Rustproof or replace the inner control arms as necessary.

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

Be the first GL owner to share.

Problems or none - your experience is exactly what the next buyer is looking for. Write it now

14 complaints about the 1986 Subaru GL

Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.

Body, doors & structure

Dt*: the contact stated while driving 5 mph, a sound of rust ripping was heard, resulting in a slight loss of vehicle control. Upon inspection of the vehicle, the contact noted that the rear subframe had cracked on both sides of the vehicle. The rear wheels were also bowed in at the top, causing them to touch the springs, rendering the vehicle undriveable. The vehicle was not taken in for service.

Filed Incident StructureNHTSA 10166868
Suspension

Driving at approximately 30 mph defective control arm fell off, causing the right and left rear wheel to come off without warning. *Ak

Filed SuspensionNHTSA 823523
Wheels & tires

Left front tire broke off, causing damage to undercarriage. (Ohio state police report)

Filed Incident TiresNHTSA 513006
Engine & coolingFire

The vehicle was in motion and the vehicle caught fire in the engine compartment. *Ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 986166
Engine & cooling

HEAD GASKETS LEAK, CAUSING ENGINE TO OVERHEAT. *SD

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 501678
SuspensionBody, doors & structureWheels & tires

Front frame rail is corroded, has two holes in it. Tt consumer found this failure when having front end of vehicle aligned, the company refused to perform an alignment because the failure prevented them from putting vehicle on a lift, vehicle was involved with recalls 90v086 and 92v001 and feels the same thing that happened in the recalls has happened with the frame rail. While driving, the bolt that holds the control arm broke. While driving, the right rear wheel broke. *Slc

Filed Incident Suspension · Structure · WheelsNHTSA 974545
Seats & seat belts

REAR SEAT BUCKLES FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL. *SKD

Filed Incident Seat beltsNHTSA 484894
Acceleration & cruise controlCrash

Put vehicle in drive, it accelerated and crashed. Tt

Filed Incident Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 966636
Seats & seat belts

The bolt that holds the driver side seat has cracked from the anchor. Tt

Filed Incident SeatsNHTSA 965975
Suspension

Rear inner arms corroded, involved in initial recall for corroded inner arms. Tt

Filed Incident SuspensionNHTSA 963582
Seats & seat belts

LEFT REAR SEAT BELTS DON'T WORK, WON'T RETRACT. TT

Filed Incident Seat beltsNHTSA 962895
Seats & seat belts

The two window rear seat belt retractor will not let the belt come out. Tt

Filed Incident Seat beltsNHTSA 961871
Suspension

Right/rear trailing arm cracked after recall repairs, causing tire to lean inward. *Aw

Filed Incident SuspensionNHTSA 481915
Suspension

Rust hole on inner control arm next to wheel bearing/shock spring mount. *Skd

Filed Incident SuspensionNHTSA 478312

Subaru GL: every year compared

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
19899120Seats & seat beltsC
198817330Seats & seat beltsF
198717321Seats & seat beltsF
198614311SuspensionD
19857300SuspensionC
19845200Body, doors & structureB
19835201Seats & seat beltsC
19822100Engine & coolingA
All GL years

1986 Subaru GL vs rivals

VehicleComplaintsRecallsCrashesGrade
1986 Subaru GL1431D
1986 Subaru XT320CCompare
1986 Subaru Subaru200BCompare
1986 Subaru DL130DCompare

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.

Own a 1986 Subaru GL? Share your experience.

Your experience goes live straight away and helps every owner and buyer who checks this vehicle. Anonymous, free, no account.

Overall, how would you rate it? *

0/4000 · Please leave out names, phone numbers and your full VIN.

By posting you confirm it's your own, honest experience and agree to the rules. Safety defect? Also report it to NHTSA - that's how recalls start.

Questions about the 1986 Subaru GL

Does the 1986 Subaru GL have any recalls?

Yes - NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 1986 Subaru GL: fuel system, gasoline (October 2005); rear (December 1992); 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 1986 Subaru GL?

By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the suspension (5), seats & seat belts (4), body, doors & structure (2).

How many complaints has the 1986 Subaru GL had?

14 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on January 6, 1995 and the latest on August 29, 2006. Of these, 1 describe a crash and 1 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.

Is the 1986 Subaru GL a reliable vehicle?

Its Safety Index is 31 out of 100 (grade D: more problems than 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 1986 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

Owners helping owners

Know before you drive.

Every experience you share - good or bad - shows on that vehicle's page and helps the next owner and buyer. Two minutes, anonymous.

Share your experience