Home / SUBARU / GL

Subaru Gl Problems

The Subaru GL was a compact sedan from the 1980s and early 1990s, representing early Subaru reliability. With only 198 complaints, it's remarkably problem-free by today's standards. These are now primarily collector vehicles with strong enthusiast appeal.

198
Total Complaints
0
Total Recalls
10
Model Years
0
Reported Deaths
!

Years to Avoid

These years have significantly more complaints than average.

1987
✓

Best Years

These years have the fewest reported problems.

1981 1982 1993

Common Problem Categories

Seat Belts 54
Engine And Engine Cooling 36
Suspension 30
Structure 16
Power Train 16

Complaints by Model Year

All Model Years

Year ↓ Complaints Recalls Crashes Fires Rating
1993 2 0 0 0 Good
1989 18 0 4 0 Average
1988 44 0 8 0 Below Average
1987 52 0 4 6 Avoid
1986 34 0 2 2 Below Average
1985 20 0 0 0 Average
1984 10 0 0 0 Average
1983 10 0 0 2 Average
1982 4 0 0 0 Good
1981 4 0 0 0 Good

Subaru Gl Years to Avoid

1987 was the worst year by far. 1981-1986 and 1991-1993 were better periods if selecting from this vintage model's production run.

Best Subaru Gl Years

1993 was the best year, followed by 1989-1990. 1987-1988 should be avoided. This is a vintage collector vehicle today.

What Owners Are Reporting

Seat belt defects

Engine and cooling issues

Suspension problems

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Subaru GL?

The GL was Subaru's compact sedan from the 1980s-early 1990s, representing early Subaru reliability and features. It predates many modern safety features. Now a collector vehicle for Subaru enthusiasts.

Are GL models reliable?

Remarkably so for their age. With only 198 complaints total, the GL was durable. However, these are now 30-40+ year old vehicles, so condition inspection is critical.

What should I look for in a used GL?

Rust condition is critical for this vintage model. Original maintenance history if available. Mechanical soundness of engine and transmission. Interior condition. These simple mechanical systems are generally repairable.

Why should I buy a GL?

Appreciation of vintage Subaru, mechanical simplicity, all-wheel drive standard, solid build quality. It's now purely a collector vehicle with growing appeal among enthusiasts.

What's the collector value of a GL?

Depends heavily on condition. Clean, well-preserved examples command premium prices. Rough examples are much cheaper. The rarity factor increases appeal. Investment potential depends on condition and preservation.