1993 Subaru Loyale recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. 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 1993 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 (3), Fuel system (2), Gasoline (2), Electrical system (2), Vehicle Speed Control (2).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
01/10/2002 · Airbags · crash
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A 20-25 MPH FRONTAL COLLISION IN WHICH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY . PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. NLM
04/23/2000 · Engine
THIS CAR HAS DIED ON THREE OCCASIONS WITH NO WARNING, AND WITH ONE INCIDENT OCCURING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 60+ MPH. DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS. MY CONCERN IS SAFETY - THIS FORTUNATELY HAS SO FAR NOT RESULTED IN ANY INJURY. THE DEALER HAS NOT REPORTED THIS TO MANUFACTURER - SAID THAT IT WASN'T A WARRANY PROBLEM B…
10/11/1999 · Engine
THE NUT WORKED LOOSE OFF OF THE OIL PUMP GEAR. THE GEAR WALKED FOWARD,EATING THRUGH THE TIMING COVER,FINALLY WIPING OUT THE TIMING ASSEMBLY. FINAL RESULT - THE ENGINE LOST OIL PRESSURE AND THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN,CAUSING THE ENGINE TO SEIZE IN TRAFFIC.ENGINE WAS A LOSS. THIS ALL COULD OF BEEN AVOIDED IF A LOCK NUT WAS USED TO HOLD THE OIL PUMP GEAR IN…
08/06/1999 · Latches / locks
WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH THE HOOD FLEW OPEN, SAFETY LATCH WAS STUCK DUE TO CORROSION. DEALER NOT AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. PROBLEMS STILL OCCURS. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
08/30/1998 · Fuel system
FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM FAILED DURING COLD OR HUMID WEATHER, CAUSING VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER. ALSO ELETRICAL SYSTEM AND POWER WINDOWS FAILED.
10/21/1997 · Vehicle Speed Control
VEHICLE3 HESITATES WHILE ACCELERATING THEN SHUTS DOWN AND COMES TO A STOP. ALSO ENGINE CHECK LIGHT COMES ON/OFF. *AK
06/09/1997 · Engine
THE VEHICLE HAS AN OIL LEAKAGE THAT IS POSING AN IGNITION HAZARD. *AK
02/26/1996 · Wheels / tires
WHEEL BEARINGS CONTINUALLY FAIL, MAKING NOISE. *DH