1988 Subaru Justy recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-19. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
4 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Seat belts
What's wrong, in plain English: Seat belts may not hold you in a crash. THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.
What could happen: THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The fix: OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUGGING ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THE LATCH IS SECU…
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1988 JUSTY.
- Book a repair at any authorized Subaru dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 95V103006.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
Summary: THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.
Consequence: THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUGGING ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THE LATCH IS SECURELY LOCKED, AND THEN PRESSING THE RELEASE BUTTON. THE LATCH PLATE SHOULD POP OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN THE BUTTON IS PRESSED. IF EITHER RELEASE BUTTON SHOWS A SIGN OF BREAKING OR CRACKING OR IF EITHER BUCKLE FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY, OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CONTACT THEIR AUTHORIZED DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE BUCKLE REPLACED OR REPAIRED, FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER IS DEVELOPING A REMEDY DESIGNED TO PREVENT FAILURE OF THE BUTTONS THAT ARE NOT CURRENTLY BROKEN.
Notes: SYSTEM: INTERIOR; SEAT BELTS; BELT BUCKLES. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SAFETY BELTS MADE BY TAKATA CORPORATION. DL, GL AND LOYALE MODELS INVOLVE ONLY 3-DOOR COUPES, OTHER MODELS IN THESE SERIES ARE NOT INVOLVED. NOTE: THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT SUPPLIED THE MODEL VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN. NOTE: IF YOUR VEHICLE IS PRESENTED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND THE REMEDY IS NOT PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME, PLEASE CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
2. Electrical system
What's wrong, in plain English: Wiring, modules, batteries. Short circuits can cause stalls or fires. INSUFFICIENT CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE RELOCATED ALTERNATOR WIRING AND THE SOLENOID HOSE ALTERNATOR WIRING STAY BRACKET CAN CAUSE WIRE CHAFFING AND AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.
What could happen: AN ELECTRICAL SHORT COULD RESULT IN SMOKE AND POSSIBLYAN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.
The fix: MODIFY BY REMOVING THE SOLENOID HOSE/ALTERNATOR STAY BRACKET.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1988 JUSTY.
- Book a repair at any authorized Subaru dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 88V029000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
Summary: INSUFFICIENT CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE RELOCATED ALTERNATOR WIRING AND THE SOLENOID HOSE ALTERNATOR WIRING STAY BRACKET CAN CAUSE WIRE CHAFFING AND AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.
Consequence: AN ELECTRICAL SHORT COULD RESULT IN SMOKE AND POSSIBLYAN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.
Remedy: MODIFY BY REMOVING THE SOLENOID HOSE/ALTERNATOR STAY BRACKET.
Notes: SYSTEM: ALTERNATORVEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 4 WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AN ACCESSORY SUBARUAIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM.
3. Transmission / drivetrain
What's wrong, in plain English: The parts that send engine power to the wheels. Failure can mean a sudden loss of power or the car rolling away. DUE TO THE DESIGN OF THE TRANSMISSION CASE DIPSTICK AND THE FLUID LEVEL CHECKING METHOD, THERE MAY BE INSUFFICIENT LUBRICATION OF THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE EXTENSION HOUSING BEARING.
What could happen: THIS COULD CAUSE BEARING SEIZURE AND POSSIBLE REAR WHEELLOCKUP, WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
The fix: INSTALL MODIFIED DIPSTICK AND INSERT INFORMATION IN OWNERS MANUAL ON THE CORRECT FLUID LEVEL CHECKING PROCEDURES.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1988 JUSTY.
- Book a repair at any authorized Subaru dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 89V028000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
Summary: DUE TO THE DESIGN OF THE TRANSMISSION CASE DIPSTICK AND THE FLUID LEVEL CHECKING METHOD, THERE MAY BE INSUFFICIENT LUBRICATION OF THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE EXTENSION HOUSING BEARING.
Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE BEARING SEIZURE AND POSSIBLE REAR WHEELLOCKUP, WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: INSTALL MODIFIED DIPSTICK AND INSERT INFORMATION IN OWNERS MANUAL ON THE CORRECT FLUID LEVEL CHECKING PROCEDURES.
Notes: SYSTEM: TRANSMISSION FLUID.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: FIVE SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION, FOUR WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES.
4. Seat belts
What's wrong, in plain English: Seat belts may not hold you in a crash. OMISSION OF INFORMATION SPECIFIED BY FMVSS 210 FROM OWNER MANUAL.
What could happen: FAILS TO MEET REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 210 REGARDING CHILDRESTRAINT SYSTEMS.
The fix: ADHESIVE BACKED INSERTS WILL BE FURNISHED WITH THE CORRECT INFORMATION.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1988 JUSTY.
- Book a repair at any authorized Subaru dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 88V052000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SEAT BELTS
Summary: OMISSION OF INFORMATION SPECIFIED BY FMVSS 210 FROM OWNER MANUAL.
Consequence: FAILS TO MEET REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 210 REGARDING CHILDRESTRAINT SYSTEMS.
Remedy: ADHESIVE BACKED INSERTS WILL BE FURNISHED WITH THE CORRECT INFORMATION.
Notes: SYSTEM: OWNER MANUAL/FMVSS 210.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- Portable jump starter
- 1988 Subaru Justy owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Latches / locks (2), Seat belts (1), Suspension (1), Engine (1), Visibility (wipers / glass) (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (4)
09/05/1997 · Seat belts
RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE (#95V103006) IN JUNE. CALLED DEALERSHIP FOR APPOINTMENT. DROVE VEHICLE TO DEALER-75 MILES ONE WAY. AFTER ARRIVING WAS INFORMED DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS FOR REPAIRS. *AK
11/26/1996 · Suspension
EXHAUST SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED; ALSO, FRONT DRIVER'S SEATBACK SEPARATED FROM BOTTOM/WINDSHIELD WIPER ARM CRACKED/ LOCK MECHANISM INTERIOR SPRING BROKE/STRUTS LEAK PREMATURELY AND HOOD RUSTED AROUND LATCH. *AK
07/07/1996 · Latches / locks
HOOD LATCH FAILED WHILE EXITING FROM HIGHWAY AT 45 MPH, HOOD FLEW UP AND SMASHED INTO WINDSHILED, IMPAIRING VISIBILITY. *AK
04/12/1996 · Fuel system
GAS, CONSUMER SMELLED A VERY BAD ODOR/FUMES IN THE VEHICLE WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE. *AK