1992 Subaru Loyale 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. 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. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN CONTINUOUSLY UNDER EXTREMELY COLD TEMPERATURES (-22 DEGREES F.) AND HIGH HUMIDITY WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE TRANSMISSION BREATHING (AIR) VENT CAN BE BLOCKED DUE TO MOISTURE FREEZING AT THE OIL LEVEL GAUGE. IF THIS OCCURS, PRESSURE INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION CASE WILL INCREASE AND PUSH OUT THE REAR OIL SEAL, CAUSING TRANSMISSION OIL LEAKAGE. THE LACK OF LUBRICATION CAN BURN THE INTERNAL COMPONEN…
What could happen: SUDDEN STOPS WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING CAN CAUSE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS TO BE THROWN AROUND THE VEHICLE AND CAUSE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL WHICH CAN RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
The fix: DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE OIL GAUGE PIPE AND MODIFY THE OIL LEVEL GAUGE (DIPSTICK) OR REPLACE IT, DEPENDING ON THE TYPE OF DIPSTICK IN THE VEHICLE.
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 1992 LOYALE.
- Book a repair at any authorized Subaru dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 94V052000.
- 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: WHEN THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN CONTINUOUSLY UNDER EXTREMELY COLD TEMPERATURES (-22 DEGREES F.) AND HIGH HUMIDITY WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE TRANSMISSION BREATHING (AIR) VENT CAN BE BLOCKED DUE TO MOISTURE FREEZING AT THE OIL LEVEL GAUGE. IF THIS OCCURS, PRESSURE INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION CASE WILL INCREASE AND PUSH OUT THE REAR OIL SEAL, CAUSING TRANSMISSION OIL LEAKAGE. THE LACK OF LUBRICATION CAN BURN THE INTERNAL COMPONENTS OF THE TRANSMISSION, CAUSE THE TRANSMISSION TO SEIZE AND THE VEHICLE TO COME TO A SUDDEN STOP.
Consequence: SUDDEN STOPS WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING CAN CAUSE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS TO BE THROWN AROUND THE VEHICLE AND CAUSE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL WHICH CAN RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE OIL GAUGE PIPE AND MODIFY THE OIL LEVEL GAUGE (DIPSTICK) OR REPLACE IT, DEPENDING ON THE TYPE OF DIPSTICK IN THE VEHICLE.
Notes: SYSTEM: POWERTRAIN; TRANSMISSION; 5 SPEED. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: XT-6 AND LEGACY ALL-WHEEL DRIVE 5-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS AND LOYALE EQUIPPED WITH AN ON-DEMAND 4 WHEEL DRIVE 5-SPEED TRANSMISSIONS; REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: AK, CT, DE, IL, IN, IA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, VT, WI. NOTE: IF YOUR EQUIPMENT IS PRESENTED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND THE REMEDY IS NOT PROVIDED WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME AND FREE OF CHARGE OR THE REMEDY DOES NOT CORRECT THE DEFECT OR NONCOMPLIANCE, PLEASE CONTACT SUBARU SERVICE 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: Engine (21), Seat belts (5), Transmission / drivetrain (5), Equipment (4), Body / structure (3).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
10/29/2007 · Wheels / tires
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 SUBARU LOYALE. THE SPARE TIRE WAS A NOKIAN NORDMAN (NA), SIZE 165/80R1383Q (NA) MUD AND SNOW TIRE. THE SPARE TIRE WAS IN THE TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE AND IT HAD 21 BULGES, THREE INCHES IN HEIGHT IN THE SIDEWALL. THE TIRE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A MECHANIC AND HAD NOT BEEN REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 200,000.
02/03/2003 · Seat belts
THE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT MOTOR HAS STOP WORKING. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. PH
03/04/2002 · Transmission / drivetrain
WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON DASHBOARD. ALSO, TRANSMISSION WENT OUT.*AK
09/14/2000 · Wheels / tires
BEAD SEPARATED FROM SIDEWALL WHILE CAR WAS PARKED. *AK( DOT NUMBER: )
12/30/1999 · Seat belts · crash
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AT APPROXIMATELY 20-25 MPH. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONT SEAT BELTS FAILED TO LOCK INTO PLACE. BOTH DRIVER & PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELTS SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. *AK *YC
10/05/1999 · Engine
NO SUMMARY.
09/26/1999 · Engine
NO SUMMARY.
09/26/1999 · Transmission / drivetrain
NO SUMMARY.