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

1987 Subaru GL Problems, complaints & recalls

Owners have filed 17 complaints about the 1987 Subaru GL with NHTSA, most often about the seats & seat belts (4) and the engine & cooling (3). Those complaints describe 2 crashes, 1 fire and 1 injury. It is covered by 3 recalls, the latest in October 2005 for the fuel system, gasoline. For comparison, the 1986 has 14 and the 1988 has 17.

NHTSA data checked

FFar more problems than a typical GL year, for its age

#43 most complained-about 1987 vehicle

Complaints
17
Recalls
3
Crashes
2
Fires
1
Injuries
1
Deaths
0

Most common 1987 Subaru GL problems

Share of all 17 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.

1987 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.

Fuel system

89V10300057,000 vehicles affected

The problem
The composition of certain non-genuine replacement preheat tubes can cause combustion.
The risk
THIS COULD RESULT IN AN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.
The fix
INSTALL A MODIFIED DESIGN PREHEAT TUBE.

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

17 complaints about the 1987 Subaru GL

Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.

Wheels & tires

While driving rear driver's side tire separated from the vehicle without warning. *Ak the felt rear wheel fell off/rear suspension torsion bar split. *Sc

Filed Incident TiresNHTSA 10055979
Seats & seat belts

The rear outboard seatbelt anchors have rusted. The manufacturer has been notified. *Ak

Filed Incident Seat beltsNHTSA 822403
Brakes

Emergency parking brake failed to release, causing pads/disc to overheat.

Filed Incident Parking brakeNHTSA 519483
Body, doors & structureEquipment & accessories

Frame rotted to the extent that jack would not support car at indicated point or floor. *Ak

Filed Incident Structure · EquipmentNHTSA 968907
Wheels & tires

Wheel fell off, causing accident. (New jersey police report)

Filed Incident WheelsNHTSA 513045
Suspension

TORSION BAR SPLIT.

Filed Incident SuspensionNHTSA 512216
Suspension

The rear single axle is rusting out same recall for the 1987 # 92v001000 . *Ak *slc

Filed SuspensionNHTSA 805536
Electrical system

Key can be removed from ignition while in drive at stop. Please describe details.*Ak

Filed Electrical systemNHTSA 802499
Transmission & drivetrain

CONSTANT VELOCITY BOOT REPLACED DUE TO NOISE. *SD

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 504003
Engine & coolingFire

While driving the vehicle stalled out, the consumer parked the vehicle, while the vehicle was parked it cought fire, engine compartment fire. *Ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 980568
Seats & seat beltsCrash1 injury

Driving vehicle at speed of 30mph impact 9:00 position, drivers side lap/shoulder belt will not retract causing injuries. Tt

Filed Incident Seat beltsNHTSA 975109
Fuel system

Metallic fuel line inside the vehicle ruptured twice. Tt

Filed Incident Fuel system, gasolineNHTSA 974751
Engine & cooling

The aluminum heads cracked due to excessive heat. Tt

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 964458
Equipment & accessoriesCrash

While changing tire, suddenly the jack stand collapsed, due to broken weld in base of stand. Tt

Filed EquipmentNHTSA 960620
Seats & seat belts

Rear seat shoulder belts ripped was ripped out. Tt

Filed Incident Seat beltsNHTSA 959173
Seats & seat belts

REAR SEAT BELTS FAILED DUEV TO RUST. TT

Filed Incident Seat beltsNHTSA 958595
Engine & cooling

Engine overheated/seized due to water pump failure. *Ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 480948

Subaru GL: every year compared

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

1987 Subaru GL vs rivals

VehicleComplaintsRecallsCrashesGrade
1987 Subaru GL1732F
1987 Subaru Subaru400FCompare
1987 Subaru DL230DCompare
1987 Subaru Legacy100ACompare
1987 Subaru XT120CCompare

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 1987 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 1987 Subaru GL

Does the 1987 Subaru GL have any recalls?

Yes - NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 1987 Subaru GL: fuel system, gasoline (October 2005); rear (December 1992); fuel system, gasoline (June 1989). 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 1987 Subaru GL?

By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the seats & seat belts (4), engine & cooling (3), suspension (2).

How many complaints has the 1987 Subaru GL had?

17 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on January 11, 1995 and the latest on September 8, 2004. Of these, 2 describe a crash and 1 a fire, and together they report 1 injury and 0 deaths.

Is the 1987 Subaru GL a reliable vehicle?

Its Safety Index is 24 out of 100 (grade F: far 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 1987 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