AI Damage1991 Subaru Loyale: common problems
Owners of the 1991 Subaru Loyale filed 13 complaints with NHTSA, most often about powertrain and engine and cooling. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 13
- involving a crash
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 38% of all complaints
- 2 Engine and cooling 23% of all complaints
- 3 Seat belts 23% of all complaints
- 4 Electrical system 8% of all complaints
- 5 Engine 8% of all complaints
- 6 Equipment 8% of all complaints
- 7 Latches, locks, linkages 8% of all complaints
- 8 Suspension 8% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 5 complaints (38% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 3 complaints (23% of all).
- Seat belts: 3 complaints (23% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (8% of all).
- Engine: 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
- automatic, 3-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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 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.
The drivers and front passenger shoulder belts did not restrain the occupants in an accident causing further injury. Please describe.
The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the automatic seat belt continuously opened and retracted independently, failing to secure the contact inside the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated.
The contact indicated that while driving in reverse, the vehicle suddenly stopped moving and would not drive forward or backwards. The vehicle was towed to the residence and examined by an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the CV-axle had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired.
Tl* - on a cold day while trying to drive in reverse the would not engage in the reverse gear. The contact waited for the vehicle to warm up, and was able to drive for sometime, until the transmission suddenly failed , causing the vehicle to slow down and eventually come to a complete stop.
The hood came unlatched and was folded back against the windshield by the wind while the consumer was driving. (ohio traffic crash report)
2 front automatic seatbelts don't retract/ automatic windows all 4 won't come down/ rear back up lights do not come on, and 4 -wheel drive does not work.
Exhaust failure details: very soon after we purchased this vehicle, we discovered that whenever we took a cloverleaf-type offramp which required a quick decceleration and then a quick acceleration, a thick black cloud of smoke would come out of the exhaust pipe.
When driving at any speed vehicle jerks and vibrates. Also, engine head gasket had a leakage. Consumer put the vehicle in repair shop for repairs, but problem has returned. Vehicle has been in repair shop four times, and dealer can't determine the cause of the problem.
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
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Seat belts. Belt pretensioners after airbag deployment, SRS codes.
- 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 1991 Subaru Loyale?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: powertrain, engine and cooling, seat belts. Total complaints: 13. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: seat belts (15%), jerking, harsh shifts (8%), oil leak or consumption (8%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1991 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 1991 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 1991 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.