The 1986 Subaru Gl has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 432,000 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 17 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the suspension. Last updated July 5, 2026.
THE INNER ARMS OF THE REAR SUSPENSION ARE SUBJECT TO CORROSION IN AREAS WHERE ROAD SALT IS USED HEAVILY IN WINTER.
OPERATION AND CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE CAN BE ADVERSELYAFFECTED BY CORROSION OF THE INNER CONTROL ARMS.
RUSTPROOF OR REPLACE THE INNER CONTROL ARMS AS NECESSARY.
CONTINUOUS EXPOSURE TO ROAD SALT COULD CAUSE CORROSION OF REAR SUSPENSION COMPONENTS, ESPECIALLY THE INNER ARMS.
THE CORROSION COULD AFFECT THE OPERATION AND CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.
RUST PROOF OR REPLACE REAR SUSPENSION, AS NECESSARY.
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.
“Dt*: the contact stated while driving 5 mph, a sound of rust ripping was heard, resulting in a slight loss of vehicle control. Upon inspection of the vehicle, the contact noted that the rear subframe had cracked on both sides of the vehicle. The rear wheels were also bowed in at the top, causing…”
“Left front tire broke off, causing damage to undercarriage. (ohio state police report)”
“Head gaskets leak, causing engine to overheat. *sd”
“Front frame rail is corroded, has two holes in it. Tt consumer found this failure when having front end of vehicle aligned, the company refused to perform an alignment because the failure prevented them from putting vehicle on a lift, vehicle was involved with recalls 90v086 and 92v001 and feels…”
“Front frame rail is corroded, has two holes in it. Tt consumer found this failure when having front end of vehicle aligned, the company refused to perform an alignment because the failure prevented them from putting vehicle on a lift, vehicle was involved with recalls 90v086 and 92v001 and feels…”
“Front frame rail is corroded, has two holes in it. Tt consumer found this failure when having front end of vehicle aligned, the company refused to perform an alignment because the failure prevented them from putting vehicle on a lift, vehicle was involved with recalls 90v086 and 92v001 and feels…”
“Front frame rail is corroded, has two holes in it. Tt consumer found this failure when having front end of vehicle aligned, the company refused to perform an alignment because the failure prevented them from putting vehicle on a lift, vehicle was involved with recalls 90v086 and 92v001 and feels…”
“Rear seat buckles failed prior to recall. *skd”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1986 Subaru Gl as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.