Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

1991 Subaru Loyale: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1991 Subaru Loyale, most recently filed March 1994. Owners have filed 13 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the power train.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Caution Fewer than 50 complaints filed. With this few reports, patterns may not be meaningful.
Compare

Recalls (2)

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1991 Subaru Loyale. 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 ↗
Listed for 1991 Subaru Loyale. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 94V052000 Filed Mar 23, 1994

POWER TRAIN:TRANSMISSION:5 SPEED AND UP

Power train · manual transmission
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Consequence
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.
Remedy
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.
Repair progress not yet reported31,295 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 94V052000
Listed for 1991 Subaru Loyale. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 91V091000 Filed Jun 11, 1991

POWER TRAIN:TRANSMISSION:AUTOMATIC

Power train · automatic transmission
Official NHTSA text
Summary
TRANSMISSION SHIFT LINKAGE MAY BE INCORRECTLY ADJUSTED AND WOULD NOT BE ENGAGED IN A FULL PARK POSITION WHEN PLACED IN PARK.
Consequence
IF TRANSMISSION PARK MECHANISM IS NOT IN PARK WHILE THEVEHICLE IS RUNNING OR ON AN INCLINE, A RUNAWAY SITUATION WOULD OCCUR WHICHCOULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Remedy
REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION PARK MECHANISM.
Repair progress not yet reported19,763 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 91V091000

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 (13)

13 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The power train is mentioned most often.

1involved a crash
0involved a fire
2injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1991 Subaru Loyale, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 13.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 1991 compares with other Loyale years

Best and worst Loyale years →
3 13 13 23 13 1
198919901991199219931994
This year (1991)Other yearsStill collecting reports

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.

Fuel economy: up to 25 mpg combined

25
mpg combined
22
city
29
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$2,700
CO₂ tailpipe
356 g/mi
EPA class
Compact Cars

What it costs you to run

$2,612per year
$218per month
600gallons a year

Miles ÷ 25 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

1991 Subaru Loyale configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
1.8 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive22 / 29 / 25$2,700356
1.8 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive22 / 28 / 24$2,800370
1.8 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive21 / 26 / 23$2,900386
1.8 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive21 / 26 / 23$2,900386
1.8 L 4-cyl · 3-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive21 / 24 / 22$3,050404
1.8 L 4-cyl · 3-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive21 / 24 / 22$3,050404
1.8 L 4-cyl · 3-speed automatic4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive19 / 20 / 20$3,350444
1.8 L 4-cyl · 3-speed automatic4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive19 / 22 / 20$3,350444

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 1991 Loyale 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.

All Loyale years

Where to next

1991 Subaru Loyale FAQ

How many recalls does the 1991 Subaru Loyale have?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns: 94V052000 (power train), 91V091000 (power train). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 1991 Subaru Loyale problems?

Owners filed 13 complaints with NHTSA. Power train (5), Engine and engine cooling (3), Seat belts (3) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 1991 Subaru Loyale get?

EPA rates the 1.8 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual version at 22 city, 29 highway and 25 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

How does the 1991 Loyale compare with other years?

Among the 1989–1994 Subaru Loyale model years at least five years old, the 1994 drew the fewest complaints (1) and the 1992 the most (23). The 1991 drew 13. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

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.
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