Positioning of the accelerator control cable in the engine compartment could result in abnormal wear to the cable. The cable could begin to fray and unwind.
1980-1989 · 9 model years
Subaru Subaru Problems by year
Owners have filed 12 complaints about the Subaru Subaru across 9 model years, and it has 8 recalls. The 1987 has the most complaints once its age is allowed for (4), while 1989 has far fewer than a typical year. The most reported problem area is the wheels & tires, followed by the suspension.
- Complaints
- 12
- Recalls
- 8
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 1
- Deaths
- 2
Subaru complaints by model year
Highlighted: the year with the most complaints for its age. Older vehicles have had more time to collect complaints - the Safety Index grade allows for that.
Most common Subaru problems
Subaru Subaru recalls 8
A protective boot covering the steering rack and pinion shaft can come loose in extreme cold. When unprotected, the rack shaft may corrode, resulting in hard or stiff steering.
Covers1980 Subaru Subaru
The defect involves the 25 amp headlight fuse holder. There may be excessive electrical resistance caused by the looseness of the rivet holding the fuse holder to the terminal plate. Excess resistance may cause the soldered end of the fuse to melt. An open...
The internal seatback frame structure may break and separate from the seat.
Covers1980 Subaru Subaru
On certain vehicles, the front main wiring harness chafes against the threads of the rear battery hold down rod. Chafing of the wiring harness can lead to an electrical short caused by the exposed wires.
The steering wheel nut may have been tightened insufficiently during the assembly process and may loosen and develop play between the steering wheel and the steering shaft. The steering wheel could separate from the steering shaft.
Upon releasing the accelerator pedal, the foot idle control device throttle lever may bind on the actuator mounting bracket due to insufficient clearance. This will cause the carburetor throttle to fail to return to the idle position.
Covers1981 Subaru Subaru
When wiper blades are frozen to the windshield and the wiper motor is turned on, the right-hand wiper pivot may become bent. The plastic bearing, which is a snap-on device fitting over the ball joint on the drive motor, may pull off the ball, disengaging the...
Covers1980 Subaru Subaru
Latest Subaru complaints
While driving 30 mph front passenger tire sidewall separated. Consumer managed to pull over and had the vehicle towed. *Ak
Michelin roadhandler sport left rear tire, isze p185/70r13, dot hhfmwkp07, had tread separation and a bubble, tire only had 18000 miles on it. *Slc
Timing belt failed while driving on a turnpike. *Slc
REAR WHEEL FELL OFF CAUSING ACCIDENT. MJS
4Wd stationwagen gl , after accelerating to driving speeds, loud clicking occurs, immediately followed by rapid intermittent locking of front wheels, followed by full lockup of all wheels, forcing vehicle to sudden and complete stop. Engine does not die, and when accelerator is depressed, transmission returns to normal function. Defect - even at lower speeds of 15-20 mph, caused sudden lockup in traffic, nearly causing 3 rear-end collisions with following vehicle and 1 frontal collision with bridge wall during 1...
Read the full complaint
mile trip to get vehicle off the road. Problem seems to appear after acceleration to drive speed is done. Once speed stabilizes, lockup occurs, and can be minimized if engine is sped up with accelerator, but once started, results again in full lockup once acceleration is let up. This is a highly dangerous condition that appears to have absolutely no warning until it happens. I suspect it is possibly a control computer problem, a vacuum-related system problem and / or an internal transmission problem. Vehicle was in 2-wheel drive mode at all times. No driving was attempted in 4-wheel mode. I'm not sure if vehicle has abs brakes, but this was a remote consideration also. Lockup felt like it started in the transmission/transfer system, then reliably progressed to a bucking motion of entire vehicle, and after 3-4 forward-backward oscillations, always progressed to a full lockup of all wheels to a screeching halt. As soon as vehicle stopped, it could be driven once again as if nothing had happened.
Spare tire mounted in engine compartment caught fire causing fatality.
Questions about the Subaru Subaru
Which Subaru Subaru years have the most problems?
Which Subaru Subaru years have the fewest complaints?
What are the most common Subaru Subaru problems?
Across every model year, owners report problems with the wheels & tires (4), suspension (3), fuel system (2) most often.
How many recalls does the Subaru Subaru have?
NHTSA lists 8 recalls across all Subaru Subaru model years. Each year's page lists the recalls for that year; check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether the repair has been done.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data