1989 Subaru Loyale recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-20. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. 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. UNDER CERTAIN LOAD CONDITIONS, THE PARK GEAR MAY NOT DISENGAGE IMMEDIATELY WHEN THE TRANSMISSION LEVER IS MOVED FROM PARK TO REVERSE.
What could happen: DELAYED RELEASE OF TRANSMISSION FROM PARK CAUSES DELAYEDAND POSSIBLY ABRUPT VEHICLE MOVEMENT THAT COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLECONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.
The fix: INSTALL A MODIFIED PARKING BRAKE PAWL TO PREVENT DELAYED RELEASE INTO REVERSE GEAR.
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 1989 LOYALE.
- Book a repair at any authorized Subaru dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 91V082000.
- 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:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Summary: UNDER CERTAIN LOAD CONDITIONS, THE PARK GEAR MAY NOT DISENGAGE IMMEDIATELY WHEN THE TRANSMISSION LEVER IS MOVED FROM PARK TO REVERSE.
Consequence: DELAYED RELEASE OF TRANSMISSION FROM PARK CAUSES DELAYEDAND POSSIBLY ABRUPT VEHICLE MOVEMENT THAT COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLECONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: INSTALL A MODIFIED PARKING BRAKE PAWL TO PREVENT DELAYED RELEASE INTO REVERSE GEAR.
Notes: SYSTEM: TRANSMISSION PARK GEAR.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS WITH ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED AUTOMATICTRANSMISSIONS (4EAT).
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Vehicle Speed Control (2), Fuel system (1), Gasoline (1), Seat belts (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)
12/03/1998 · Fuel system
FUEL FILLER TUBE RUSTS PREMATURELY AND ALLOWS GASOLINE TO SPILL INTO THE WHEEL WELL OF THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL. DEALER CONTACTED AND CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK
02/24/1998 · Vehicle Speed Control · crash
AFTER PUTTING VEHICLE INTO DRIVE, THE THROTTLE STUCK, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO INCREASE SPEED, RESULTING IN A COLLISION/INJURIES. *AK
02/24/1998 · Vehicle Speed Control
SUDDEN ACCELERATION RESULTING IN A VEHICLE COLLISION.
06/05/1995 · Seat belts · crash
IN A VEHICLE COLLISION THE DRIVERS SEAT BELT DID NOT HOLD. TT