AI Damage1990 Subaru Loyale: common problems
Owners of the 1990 Subaru Loyale filed 13 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and cooling and seat belts. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 13
What fails most often
- 1 Engine and cooling 38% of all complaints
- 2 Seat belts 38% of all complaints
- 3 Tires 23% of all complaints
- 4 Powertrain 15% of all complaints
- 5 Electrical system 8% of all complaints
- Engine and cooling: 5 complaints (38% of all).
- Seat belts: 5 complaints (38% of all).
- Tires: 3 complaints (23% of all).
- Powertrain: 2 complaints (15% of all).
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (8% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 1.8 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- 1.8 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl
- automatic, 3-speed
- automatic, 4-speed
- manual, 5-speed
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 13 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 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 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.
Out of the four new tires that were purchased two tires in thr rear blewout while consumer was driving. Contacted dealer and they were not willing to do anything. Replacement tires, 50000 miles, p175/70r13, mounted on a subaru, royal, 1990. Consumer state tire side wall blow out. Dot. # mkev5bhr 195.
Firestone tire (p185 70 r13) experienced tread separation.
Car leaks oil on tail pipe, causing oil to burn and smoke.
Transmission leaks fluid/ horn has no sound when it's hit and right front tire makes grinding noise, like metal to metal. Had taken to dealer at least 6 times. Nothing was found that could be corrected.
Engine heads cracked, causing vehicle to stall/oil leaks.
2 front automatic seat belts are not locking up in sudden stopping situation. Tt
The front driver's side seat belt buckle is some times very hard to lock . Tt
When turning to right, oil in engine swings over to left in oil pan; gets sucks up into tube that goes to fuel intake; starts smoking; cannot acccelerate. Tt
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 9,843 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 27% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Loyale has 11 complaints (6 years in the data). This year has 13, 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.
- Tires. Tire age by DOT code, bulges, wear pattern.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1990 Subaru Loyale?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine and cooling, seat belts, tires. Total complaints: 13. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: seat belts (38%), oil leak or consumption (15%), smoke, burning smell, fire (15%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1990 Subaru Loyale?
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 1990 Subaru Loyale 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 1990 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.