AI DamageSubaru Justy: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Subaru Justy across 8 model years: 49 owner complaints and 0 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Seat belts 41% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 22% of all complaints
- 3 Suspension 8% of all complaints
- 4 Engine and cooling 6% of all complaints
- 5 Fuel system 6% of all complaints
- 6 Seats 6% of all complaints
- 7 Latches, locks, linkages 4% of all complaints
- 8 Service brakes 4% of all complaints
- Seat belts: 20 complaints (41% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Powertrain: 11 complaints (22% of all).
- Suspension: 4 complaints (8% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 3 complaints (6% of all).
- Fuel system: 3 complaints (6% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 1.2 L · petrol · 3 cyl 1987–1994
- CVT 1989–1993
- manual, 5-speed 1987–1994
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 49 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seat belts | 20 | 2 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Structure | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 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.
While in rear-end accident seat broke, fell backwards, resulting in an injury.
Seat belt buckles/latch failed to hold secure during accident, causing driver to be thrown from vehicle, resulting in two deaths.
While driving and making a left turn, brakes failed twice, once resulting in an accident/injury.
Vehicle was at complete stop and impact at 6:00 position, front shoulder belt failed, causing injuries. Tt
Rusted fuel tank fuel leakage onto tail pipe. Subaru would not repair, I did. Second failure rusted fuel return line at tank fuel leakage on to tail pipe 06-01-03.
The front tires repeatly (every 3-4 months) loose air and go flat. We have had several tires of the same type do this. According to sears and subaru, this is the only tire type that fits a justy. We have also replaced one rim. Sears and subaru have looked at flats and say nothing is wrong.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Seat belts. Belt pretensioners after airbag deployment, SRS codes.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Suspension. Wheel alignment, control arms, subframe, even tire wear.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
Other models of this make
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.