Recalls (2)
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1985 Subaru GL. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗SUSPENSION:SINGLE AXLE:REAR
- Summary
- THE INNER ARMS OF THE REAR SUSPENSION ARE SUBJECT TO CORROSION IN AREAS WHERE ROAD SALT IS USED HEAVILY IN WINTER.
- Consequence
- OPERATION AND CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE CAN BE ADVERSELYAFFECTED BY CORROSION OF THE INNER CONTROL ARMS.
- Remedy
- RUSTPROOF OR REPLACE THE INNER CONTROL ARMS AS NECESSARY.
SUSPENSION:SINGLE AXLE:REAR
- Summary
- CONTINUOUS EXPOSURE TO ROAD SALT COULD CAUSE CORROSION OF REAR SUSPENSION COMPONENTS, ESPECIALLY THE INNER ARMS.
- Consequence
- THE CORROSION COULD AFFECT THE OPERATION AND CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.
- Remedy
- RUST PROOF OR REPLACE REAR SUSPENSION, AS NECESSARY.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (7)
7 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The suspension is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 7 |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 3 | 42.9% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 1 | 14.3% |
| Power train | 1 | 14.3% |
| Seat belts | 1 | 14.3% |
| Service brakes | 1 | 14.3% |
| Structure | 1 | 14.3% |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 14.3% |
| Wheels | 1 | 14.3% |
How 1985 compares with other GL years
Best and worst GL years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 1981 | 2 | 1 |
| 1982 | 2 | 1 |
| 1983 | 5 | 1 |
| 1984 | 4 | 1 |
| 1985 | 7 | 2 |
| 1986 | 14 | 2 |
| 1987 | 17 | 2 |
| 1988 | 17 | 2 |
| 1989 | 9 | 0 |
| 1993 | 1 | 0 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Looking at a 1985 GL for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
1985 Subaru GL FAQ
How many recalls does the 1985 Subaru GL have?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns: 92V001000 (suspension), 90V086000 (suspension). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 1985 Subaru GL problems?
Owners filed 7 complaints with NHTSA. Suspension (3), Engine and engine cooling (1), Power train (1) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
How does the 1985 GL compare with other years?
Among the 1981–1993 Subaru GL model years at least five years old, the 1993 drew the fewest complaints (1) and the 1988 the most (17). The 1985 drew 7. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.