1990 Subaru Justy recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-19. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, 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 1990 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.
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Seat belts (9), Transmission / drivetrain (5), Suspension (3), Engine (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
08/15/2001 · Suspension
INSTILLATION OF A RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING CONTINUES TO REMAIN UNCORRECTED AFTER FOUR SEPARATE FOLLOWUP VISITS TO BLACK'S TIRE. THE NOISE SOUNDS UNSSAFE AND OCCURS EXACTLY TWO DAYS AFTER THEY HAVE RE-CHECKED THE VEHICLE. I AM CONVINCED THAT THEY ARE UNAWARE ON HOW TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM SINCE ITS STILL EXISTS AND PRESENTS A PROBLEM OF SAFETY, YET I WAS CHAR…
02/09/2001 · Seat belts
DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATBELTS DO NOT RETRACT PROPERLY, CAUSING LOSS OF PROTECTION. DRIVER'S SIDE HAS ALREADY BEEN REPLACED ONCE, BUT DEFECT HAS REOCCURRED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER IN INFORMATION. *AK
02/02/2001 · Seat belts
DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SEATBELTS DO NOT RETRACT PROPERLY, CAUSING LOSS OF PROTECTION. DRIVER'S SIDE HAS ALREADY BEEN REPLACED ONCE, BUT DEFECT HAS REOCCURRED. *AK THE SEAT BELT AND RETRACTING ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED ONLY SEVEN MONTHS AFTER THE NEW VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE PROBLEM STILL CONTINOUES. *YH
04/06/1999 · Transmission / drivetrain
VEHICLE WILL OPERATE FINE FOR APPROXIMATELY 5 MILES, WHEN SLOWING TRANSMISSION WILL SHIFT INTO LOW AT APPROX 20 MPH, THEN SHIFTS INTO NEUTRAL. *AK
03/24/1998 · Seat belts
THE DRIVER'S SIDE SHOULDER BELT WILL NOT RETRACT,THE BELT IS FULLY EXTENDED OUT. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER HAS REPLACED PARTS. *AK
12/16/1997 · Seat belts
SEAT BELT RETRACTOR FAILED.
10/23/1996 · Transmission / drivetrain
TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN SLIPPING INTO A LOWER GEAR, ALSO VERY SLUGGISH, NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *AK
10/16/1996 · Seat belts
THE REAR LEFT AND RIGHT SEAT BELTS ARE NOT RETRACTING. THEY RETRACT INTO THE DOOR AND COME OUT FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE DOOR. *AK