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Vehicle safety record

1988 Subaru XT Problems, complaints & recalls

Owners have filed 2 complaints about the 1988 Subaru XT with NHTSA, most often about the seats & seat belts (1) and the steering (1). Those complaints describe 1 crash. It is covered by 2 recalls, the latest in October 2005 for the fuel system, gasoline. For comparison, the 1987 has 1 and the 1989 has 2.

NHTSA data checked

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

#161 most complained-about 1988 vehicle

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

Most common 1988 Subaru XT problems

Share of all 2 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.

1988 Subaru XT 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.

Seat belts

88V05200060,000 vehicles affected

The problem
Omission of information specified by fmvss 210 from owner manual.
The risk
Fails to meet requirements of fmvss 210 regarding childrestraint systems.
The fix
Adhesive backed inserts will be furnished with the correct information.

What owners say

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2 complaints about the 1988 Subaru XT

Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.

Seats & seat belts

Driver's motor belt inoperative/also loss of tension in lap belt..

Filed Incident Seat beltsNHTSA 508200
SteeringCrash

Power steering failed, causing loss of steering control/accident. *Skd

Filed Incident SteeringNHTSA 478375

Subaru XT: every year compared

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
19911200Seats & seat beltsC
19900200-B
19892200Engine & coolingC
19882210Seats & seat beltsC
19871200Seats & seat beltsC
19863200LightsC
19850300-C
All XT years

1988 Subaru XT vs rivals

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 1988 Subaru XT

Does the 1988 Subaru XT have any recalls?

Yes - NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 1988 Subaru XT: fuel system, gasoline (October 2005); seat belts (April 1988). 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 1988 Subaru XT?

By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the seats & seat belts (1), steering (1).

How many complaints has the 1988 Subaru XT had?

2 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on December 27, 1994 and the latest on September 4, 1996. Of these, 1 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.

Is the 1988 Subaru XT a reliable vehicle?

Its Safety Index is 42 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as a typical Subaru XT 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 XT years have the most complaints?
What should I do if my 1988 Subaru XT 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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