AI DamageSubaru Wagon: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Subaru Wagon across 3 model years: 8 owner complaints and 0 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
| Year | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) | YouTube repair videos |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2002 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1991 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What fails most often
- 1 Fuel system 38% of all complaints
- 2 Air bags 13% of all complaints
- 3 Engine and cooling 13% of all complaints
- 4 Exterior lighting 13% of all complaints
- 5 Service brakes 13% of all complaints
- 6 Structure 13% of all complaints
- 7 Wheels 13% of all complaints
- Fuel system: 3 complaints (38% of all).
- Air bags: 1 complaints (13% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Engine and cooling: 1 complaints (13% of all).
- Exterior lighting: 1 complaints (13% of all).
- Service brakes: 1 complaints (13% 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 1984–1989
- 1.8 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl 1984–1989
- automatic, 3-speed 1984–1989
- automatic, 4-speed 1988–1989
- manual, 4-speed 1984
- manual, 5-speed 1984–1989
Drive: AWD, FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 8 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel system | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 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.
Consumer was driving on highway when another vehicle had veered into him. Consumer ran into a mountain,and driver's/passenger's airbags didn't deploy.
It is very strong and there seems to be a fuel leak in the engine compartment. I'm concerned that it could cause a fire (particularly in conjunction with an accident or exhaust problem) or a fume related blackout of somebody in the car.
Whenever the temperature drops significantly (e.g. Below 32deg), a strong gasoline smell is emitted from the car upon starting. It eventually seems to go away over 10-30min, but it can be extremely strong.
Car has less than 38000 miles and both fog lights went out and also one headlight went out...car is only 3 yrs. Old. Saw another car; same model; 1 yr. Newer with same headlight out.
While sitting in traffic, I had my foot slightly on the brake to prevent creep. The engine suddenly revved so high that I had to stand on the brake to keep from crashing into the car in front of me. I put the transmission into park and the engine returned to normal idle.
Upon near a standstill at a light or stop sign it will hestitate or stall completely. I have to keep my left foot on the brake and the right foot on the gas pedal to keep it going. This seems to happen more frequently in colder than hotter weather.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Exterior lighting. Headlamps, leveling, sensors and mounts after a frontal hit.
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.