The Subaru GL has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns on record covering 1981–1989. On average a defect was admitted 10.47 years after the car was built, the slowest took 22 years. The most recalled system is Fuel System, Gasoline (2 campaigns). Owners also filed 50 complaints on this model — see what breaks.
What was recalled on the Subaru GL
Grouped by system. Open any row for the campaigns themselves — what failed, what it risks and how the dealer fixes it, straight from the NHTSA filing.
Fuel System, Gasoline 2 Read
What's wrong. 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…
Risk. In the presence of an ignition source, a vehicle fire can occur
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
What's wrong. 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…
Risk. In the presence of an ignition source, a vehicle fire can occur
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
What's wrong. 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…
Risk. In the presence of an ignition source, a vehicle fire can occur
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 2 Read
What's wrong. The front safety belt buckle release buttons can break. These red plastic release buttons are marked "press." if a button breaks, pieces can fall into the buckle assembly causing the buckle to operate improperly
Risk. The safety belts would not provide adequate protection to an occupant in a vehicle crash
Fix. Owners should promptly check the condition and operation of both front safety belt buckles and carefully inspect the red release button for any breaks or cracks. They should ensure that both buckles are operating properly by inserting each latch plate into its buckle, tugging on the belt to make sure the latch is…
What's wrong. Omission of information specified by fmvss 210 from owner manual
Risk. Fails to meet requirements of fmvss 210 regarding childrestraint systems
Fix. Adhesive backed inserts will be furnished with the correct information
Suspension 2 Read
What's wrong. The inner arms of the rear suspension are subject to corrosion in areas where road salt is used heavily in winter
Risk. Operation and control of the vehicle can be adverselyaffected by corrosion of the inner control arms
Fix. Rustproof or replace the inner control arms as necessary
What's wrong. Continuous exposure to road salt could cause corrosion of rear suspension components, especially the inner arms
Risk. The corrosion could affect the operation and control of the vehicle
Fix. Rust proof or replace rear suspension, as necessary
What's wrong. The inner arms of the rear suspension are subject to corrosion in areas where road salt is used heavily in winter
Risk. Operation and control of the vehicle can be adverselyaffected by corrosion of the inner control arms
Fix. Rustproof or replace the inner control arms as necessary
How long a defect stays unadmitted
Campaign numbers encode the year of the announcement, so each recall on this model can be dated against the car it applies to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Average gap before admission | 10.47 years |
| Slowest campaign | 22 years |
| Admitted 5+ years later | 84.2% |
| Campaigns on record | 6 |
Which GL years were recalled most
Campaigns per model year. A year with more campaigns is not automatically worse — it may simply have sold in far greater numbers.
| Model year | Campaigns | Most recalled system |
|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Fuel System, Gasoline | |
| 1988 | Fuel System, Gasoline | |
| 1987 | Fuel System, Gasoline | |
| 1986 | Fuel System, Gasoline | |
| 1985 | Fuel System, Gasoline | |
| 1984 | Fuel System, Gasoline | |
| 1983 | Fuel System, Gasoline | |
| 1982 | Suspension | |
| 1981 | Suspension |
Check your own car
A campaign applies to a range of production, not to every car of the model. The only way to know whether yours is affected — and whether the repair was already done — is by VIN.
| Step | What you get |
|---|---|
| Enter the VIN above | Open campaigns for that exact vehicle, straight from NHTSA |
| Check the repair status | Whether the free fix has already been carried out on this car |
| Book at any franchised dealer | Recall work is free regardless of age, mileage or owner |
Go deeper
A campaign covers a production range. Yours is one car.
- Check whether this exact VIN is affected — and whether the fix was done
- Alerts if a new campaign lands on a car in your garage
- Full research report as a PDF you can hand to a mechanic
- Decode a whole list of VINs at once
- No ads, on every page
- No ads, no tracking — and much more
Frequently asked questions
How many recalls does the Subaru GL have?
6 NHTSA campaigns on record, covering 1981–1989. Not every campaign applies to every car — coverage is by production range, so check your VIN.
Is recall work free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer regardless of the car's age, mileage or how many owners it has had. That is a federal requirement, not a courtesy.
How do I know if my GL still has an open recall?
Enter its VIN above. We show campaigns that apply to that exact vehicle and whether the repair has already been recorded as done.
Why did a defect take years to be recalled?
On this model the average gap between the car being built and the defect being admitted is 10.47 years, and the slowest campaign came 22 years later. Defects usually surface as they accumulate in the field: complaints pile up, an investigation opens, and only then is a campaign issued.