The most-reported GL run is JF2AN53B4HE (1987 builds) with 3 complaints, 2.7× the typical run. Seat belts problems make up 31% of reports; 1987 is the worst model year at 1.2 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for GL 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 GL has 47 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 16% of every GL complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JF2AN53B4HE•••••• | 1987 | — | — | |
| JF2AN53B0GE•••••• | 1986 | — | — | |
| JF2AM53B8BE•••••• | 1981 | — | — | |
| JF2AR53B5BE•••••• | 1981 | — | — | |
| JF1AB43B5CB•••••• | 1982 | — | — | |
| JF1AW43B2DC•••••• | 1983 | — | — | |
| WDBEAGGE3SC•••••• | 1983 | — | — | |
| JF1AF43B4DB•••••• | 1983 | — | 1 | |
| JF1AB43B1DB•••••• | 1983 | — | — | |
| JF2AW55B2EF•••••• | 1984 | — | — | |
| JF1AF43B3F1•••••• | 1985 | — | — | |
| JF2AF53B3KE•••••• | 1989 | — | — |
Each of the other 35 GL runs has 1 complaint or fewer.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Subaru GL the gap between build years is 1.2×: a 1987 car draws 1.2 complaints per run, a 1983 one 1.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | 6 | 6 | 1 | |
| 1988 | 6 | 6 | 1 | |
| 1987 | 14 | 12 | 1 | |
| 1986 | 12 | 11 | 1 | |
| 1985 | 4 | 4 | — | |
| 1983 | 4 | 4 | — |
Heaviest year here is 1987 at 1.2 complaints per run; lightest is 1983 at 1.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 31% of everything Subaru GL owners report: Seat Belts, 15 of 50 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seat Belts | 1 | — | |
| Suspension | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | — | 2 | |
| Structure | — | — | |
| Wheels | — | — | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 | — | |
| Service Brakes | — | — | |
| Hydraulic | — | — |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 6 recall campaigns on the Subaru GL; 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 |
The GL against its rivals
The GL draws 1.1 complaints per production run; the BMW M3 1.5. That is the lowest rate of the 2.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subaru GL | 50 | 47 | 8% | |
| BMW M3 | 286 | 192 | 5.6% |
How serious were they
Of the 50 reports on the Subaru GL, 8% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, above the norm.
| Outcome | Subaru GL | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 50 | 1,116,631 |
| Involved a crash | 4 (8%) | 64,221 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 2 (4%) | 26,977 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 3 | 58,047 |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 2,728 |
Crash-related reports run 38% above the all-vehicle rate.
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,116,631 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 299,142 production runs. The Subaru GL share of that is 50 complaints over 47 runs, 0% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Subaru GL VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 50 NHTSA complaints from 47 GL runs and 6 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which GL production run has the most complaints?
JF2AN53B4HE, a 1987 build, with 3 complaints. The typical GL run has 1.1.
Which GL years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 1987 is heaviest at 1.2 complaints per run and 1983 lightest at 1.
Does the GL get more complaints than the BMW M3?
No: 1.1 complaints per production run for the GL against 1.5 for the BMW M3.
How many GL complaints involve a crash?
8% of 50 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 2 involved a fire.
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