AI Damage1987 Subaru GL: common problems
Owners of the 1987 Subaru GL filed 17 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and cooling and seat belts. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 17
- involving a crash
- 2
What fails most often
- 1 Engine and cooling 24% of all complaints
- 2 Seat belts 24% of all complaints
- 3 Equipment 12% of all complaints
- 4 Suspension 12% of all complaints
- 5 Electrical system 6% of all complaints
- 6 Fuel system 6% of all complaints
- 7 Parking brake 6% of all complaints
- 8 Powertrain 6% of all complaints
- Engine and cooling: 4 complaints (24% of all).
- Seat belts: 4 complaints (24% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Equipment: 2 complaints (12% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Suspension: 2 complaints (12% of all).
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (6% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 17 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and cooling | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| Equipment | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Parking brake | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Driving vehicle at speed of 30mph impact 9:00 position, drivers side lap/shoulder belt will not retract causing injuries. Tt
While changing tire, suddenly the jack stand collapsed, due to broken weld in base of stand. Tt
While driving rear driver's side tire separated from the vehicle without warning. The felt rear wheel fell off/rear suspension torsion bar split.
The rear outboard seatbelt anchors have rusted. The manufacturer has been notified.
Emergency parking brake failed to release, causing pads/disc to overheat.
Frame rotted to the extent that jack would not support car at indicated point or floor.
Wheel fell off, causing accident. (new jersey police report)
The rear single axle is rusting out same recall for the 1987 # 92v001000 .
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 8,820 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 24% most complained about).
On average one model year of the GL has 7 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 17, above average.
What to check before buying
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Seat belts. Belt pretensioners after airbag deployment, SRS codes.
- Suspension. Wheel alignment, control arms, subframe, even tire wear.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1987 Subaru GL?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine and cooling, seat belts, equipment. Total complaints: 17. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: rust, corrosion (18%), overheating, coolant loss (12%), seat belts (12%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1987 Subaru GL?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1987 Subaru GL from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1987 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.