- The problem
- When the vehicle is driven continuously under extremely cold temperatures (-22 degrees f.) And high humidity weather conditions, the transmission breathing (air) vent can be blocked due to moisture freezing at the oil level gauge. If this occurs, pressure inside the transmission case will increase and push out the rear oil seal, causing transmission oil leakage. The lack of lubrication can burn the internal components of the transmission, cause the transmission to seize and the vehicle to come to a sudden stop.
- The risk
- Sudden stops without prior warning can cause vehicle occupants to be thrown around the vehicle and cause loss of vehicle control which can result in an accident.
- The fix
- Dealers will modify the oil gauge pipe and modify the oil level gauge (dipstick) or replace it, depending on the type of dipstick in the vehicle.
Vehicle safety record
1990 Subaru XT-6 Problems, complaints & recalls
No owner complaints about the 1990 Subaru XT-6 have been filed with NHTSA. It is covered by 1 recall, the latest in March 1994 for the manual transmission.
NHTSA data checked
BFewer problems than a typical XT-6 year, for its age
- Complaints
- 0
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
1990 Subaru XT-6 recalls 1
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
What owners say
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No complaints about the 1990 Subaru XT-6 yet
No owner has filed a complaint about this vehicle with NHTSA. If yours has a problem, share it here and report it to NHTSA.
Subaru XT-6: every year compared
All XT-6 years1990 Subaru XT-6 vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 Subaru XT-6 | 0 | 1 | B | |
| 1990 Subaru Legacy | 84 | 4 | C | Compare |
| 1990 Subaru Justy | 16 | 1 | F | Compare |
| 1990 Subaru Loyale | 14 | 4 | C | Compare |
| 1990 Subaru SVX | 3 | 0 | B | Compare |
| 1990 Subaru Impreza | 1 | 0 | A | Compare |
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.
Questions about the 1990 Subaru XT-6
Does the 1990 Subaru XT-6 have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 1990 Subaru XT-6: manual transmission (March 1994). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
How many complaints has the 1990 Subaru XT-6 had?
None have been filed with NHTSA so far.
Is the 1990 Subaru XT-6 a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 65 out of 100 (grade B: fewer problems than a typical Subaru XT-6 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.
What should I do if my 1990 Subaru XT-6 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