The most-reported DL run is JF2AN55B0GD (1986 builds) with 1 complaints, 1× the typical run. Seat belts problems make up 25% of reports; NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for DL model years 1981–1989.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Subaru DL has 7 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 71% of every DL complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JF2AN55B0GD•••••• | 1986 | — | 1 | |
| JF2AC75B4HF•••••• | 1987 | — | — | |
| JF2AN53B2HE•••••• | 1987 | — | — | |
| JF1AN43B5JB•••••• | 1988 | — | — | |
| JF1AC42B8JC•••••• | 1988 | 1 | — | |
| JF1AX4227JB•••••• | 1988 | 1 | — | |
| JF1AN42B8KB•••••• | 1989 | — | — |
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
Heaviest year here is 1988 at 1 complaints per run; lightest is 1988 at 1.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 25% of everything Subaru DL owners report: Seat Belts, 2 of 7 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seat Belts | 1 | — | |
| Electrical System | — | 1 | |
| Suspension | — | — | |
| Fuel System | — | — | |
| Gasoline | — | — | |
| Power Train | — | — | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | — |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 6 recall campaigns on the Subaru DL; the 6 below cover build years 1981 to 1989. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 05E065000 | Fuel System, Gasoline | 1983–1989 |
| 90V086000 | Suspension:rear | 1981–1986 |
| 92V001000 | Suspension:rear | 1985–1987 |
| 95V103006 | Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly | 1988 |
| 88V052000 | Seat Belts | 1988 |
| 89V103000 | Fuel System, Gasoline | 1987 |
How serious were they
Of the 7 reports on the Subaru DL, 28.6% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, above the norm.
| Outcome | Subaru DL | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 7 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 2 (28.6%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 1 (14.3%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 2 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 2,728 |
Crash-related reports run 393% above the all-vehicle rate.
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Subaru DL share of that is 7 complaints over 7 runs, 0% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Subaru DL VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 7 NHTSA complaints from 7 DL runs and 6 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which DL production run has the most complaints?
JF2AN55B0GD, a 1986 build, with 1 complaints. The typical DL run has 1.
How many DL complaints involve a crash?
28.6% of 7 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 1 involved a fire.
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