AI Damage1988 Subaru XT6: common problems
Owners of the 1988 Subaru XT6 filed 5 complaints with NHTSA, most often about steering. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 5
What fails most often
- Steering: 5 complaints (100% of all).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 5 | 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.
Power steering began to fail without warning intermittently at 89k miles. Dealer diagnosed problem as related to previous recall. Manufacturer advised only a 1 year warranty on recall remedy. Ts
While operating vehicle at any speed, the power steering will cease operating causing loss of control. Vehicle was previously included in recall 91v193000, which the remedy corrected the problem only briefly.
When traveling the power steering goes out and then it comes back on. Electronic steering system signal controller has been replaced under service recall #wzm48 on 3/30/92 at 60,000 miles. Needs to be replaced again at 90,000 and on 7/89.
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 14,282 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 39% most complained about).
What to check before buying
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1988 Subaru XT6?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: steering. Total complaints: 5. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: steering or power steering problems (100%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1988 Subaru XT6?
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 1988 Subaru XT6 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 1988 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.