The 1988 Subaru Justy has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 178,825 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 9 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the latches/locks/linkages. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
SEAT BELTS95V1030061995-05-24100,825 affected
Defect
THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.
Consequence
THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy
OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUGGING ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THE LATCH IS…
POWER TRAIN89V0280001989-02-2815,000 affected
Defect
DUE TO THE DESIGN OF THE TRANSMISSION CASE DIPSTICK AND THE FLUID LEVEL CHECKING METHOD, THERE MAY BE INSUFFICIENT LUBRICATION OF THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE EXTENSION HOUSING BEARING.
Consequence
THIS COULD CAUSE BEARING SEIZURE AND POSSIBLE REAR WHEELLOCKUP, WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy
INSTALL MODIFIED DIPSTICK AND INSERT INFORMATION IN OWNERS MANUAL ON THE CORRECT FLUID LEVEL CHECKING PROCEDURES.
SEAT BELTS88V0520001988-04-0560,000 affected
Defect
OMISSION OF INFORMATION SPECIFIED BY FMVSS 210 FROM OWNER MANUAL.
Consequence
FAILS TO MEET REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 210 REGARDING CHILDRESTRAINT SYSTEMS.
Remedy
ADHESIVE BACKED INSERTS WILL BE FURNISHED WITH THE CORRECT INFORMATION.
INSUFFICIENT CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE RELOCATED ALTERNATOR WIRING AND THE SOLENOID HOSE ALTERNATOR WIRING STAY BRACKET CAN CAUSE WIRE CHAFFING AND AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.
Consequence
AN ELECTRICAL SHORT COULD RESULT IN SMOKE AND POSSIBLYAN ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE.
Remedy
MODIFY BY REMOVING THE SOLENOID HOSE/ALTERNATOR STAY BRACKET.
Complaints by component
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
1
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
1
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
1
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
1
SUSPENSION
1
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
1
Total complaints9
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Received recall notice (#95v103006) in june. Called dealership for appointment. Drove vehicle to dealer-75 miles one way. After arriving was informed did not have the parts for repairs. *ak”
“Hood latch failed while exiting from highway at 45 mph, hood flew up and smashed into windshiled, impairing visibility. *ak”
“Gas, consumer smelled a very bad odor/fumes in the vehicle when driving the vehicle. *ak”
“Exhaust system malfunctioned; also, front driver's seatback separated from bottom/windshield wiper arm cracked/ lock mechanism interior spring broke/struts leak prematurely and hood rusted around latch. *ak”
“Exhaust system malfunctioned; also, front driver's seatback separated from bottom/windshield wiper arm cracked/ lock mechanism interior spring broke/struts leak prematurely and hood rusted around latch. *ak”
“Exhaust system malfunctioned; also, front driver's seatback separated from bottom/windshield wiper arm cracked/ lock mechanism interior spring broke/struts leak prematurely and hood rusted around latch. *ak”
“Exhaust system malfunctioned; also, front driver's seatback separated from bottom/windshield wiper arm cracked/ lock mechanism interior spring broke/struts leak prematurely and hood rusted around latch. *ak”
“Exhaust system malfunctioned; also, front driver's seatback separated from bottom/windshield wiper arm cracked/ lock mechanism interior spring broke/struts leak prematurely and hood rusted around latch. *ak”
Defect investigations
InvestigationDP90015 Opened 1990-08-08 · closed 1990-11-14
STALLING & TRANSMISSION
STALLING & TRANSMISSION
InvestigationEA95008 Opened 1995-03-10 · closed 1995-08-02
TAKATA SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE
There is no summary currently available
InvestigationPE94051 Opened 1994-06-29 · closed 1994-10-31
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1988 Subaru Justy as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.