Subaru GL Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Subaru GL model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 1993 drew the fewest (1) and the 1988 the most (17).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 Among the fewest complaints |
1 | 0 | Power train | — | — |
| 1981 Among the fewest complaints |
2 | 1 | Structure | — | — |
| 1982 Among the fewest complaints |
2 | 1 | Engine and engine cooling | — | — |
| 1984 | 4 | 1 | Electrical system | — | — |
| 1983 | 5 | 1 | Seat belts | — | — |
| 1985 | 7 | 2 | Suspension | — | — |
| 1989 | 9 | 0 | Seat belts | — | — |
| 1986 Among the most complaints |
14 | 2 | Suspension | — | — |
| 1987 Among the most complaints |
17 | 2 | Engine and engine cooling | — | — |
| 1988 Among the most complaints |
17 | 2 | Seat belts | — | — |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Subaru GL years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
1988 Subaru GL: 17 complaints
Most-reported: Seat belts 11 (65%); Engine and engine cooling 3 (18%); Service brakes 2 (12%).
Reports mention 3 crashes, 1 injury. 2 recall campaigns listed.
1987 Subaru GL: 17 complaints
Most-reported: Engine and engine cooling 4 (24%); Seat belts 4 (24%); Equipment 2 (12%).
Reports mention 2 crashes, 1 fire, 1 injury. 2 recall campaigns listed.
1986 Subaru GL: 14 complaints
Most-reported: Suspension 5 (36%); Seat belts 3 (21%); Engine and engine cooling 2 (14%).
Reports mention 1 crash, 1 fire. 2 recall campaigns listed.
The Subaru GL years with the fewest complaints
1981 Subaru GL: 2 complaints
Most-reported: Structure 1 (50%); Suspension 1 (50%).
1 recall campaign listed.
1982 Subaru GL: 2 complaints
Most-reported: Engine and engine cooling 1 (50%); Power train 1 (50%).
1 recall campaign listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Subaru GL owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1989 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1988 | 17 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1987 | 17 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1986 | 14 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1985 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1984 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1983 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 1982 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1981 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Subaru GL recalls
- SUSPENSION:SINGLE AXLE:REAR (1981–1986 model years; 285,000 vehicles across all models; filed May 1990; 90V086000)
- SUSPENSION:SINGLE AXLE:REAR (1985–1987 model years; 147,000 vehicles across all models; filed Dec 1992; 92V001000)
- INTERIOR SYSTEMS:ACTIVE RESTRAINTS:BELT BUCKLES (1988 model year; 100,825 vehicles across all models; filed May 1995; 95V103006)
- INTERIOR SYSTEMS:SEAT BELT INSTRUCTIONS (1988 model year; 60,000 vehicles across all models; filed Apr 1988; 88V052000)
- FUEL:FUEL SYSTEMS (1987 model year; 57,000 vehicles across all models; filed Jun 1989; 89V103000)
All 5 Subaru GL recall campaigns · Subaru GL problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Subaru GL years FAQ
Which Subaru GL year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 1993 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (1). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Subaru GL years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 1988, 1987 and 1986 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the seat belts. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Subaru GL problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the seat belts (26 of 78 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Subaru GL have?
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns covering the Subaru GL. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Subaru GL recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
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.