1985 Subaru GL
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
Have the VIN?
These records cover every 1985 Subaru GL. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
3 recalls name the 1985 Subaru GL. Newest first.
Certain spx filtran fuel filters with a 45-degree angle inlet tube, model 800f350-s1, sold as replacement filters for 1993-1997 ford probe,1993-2001 mazda 626 and MX-6, and 1983-1994 loyal, 3-door coupe, hatchback, sedan, wagon, brat, dl, GL, GL-10, RX, xt, and XT6 passenger vehicles with efi or turbo engines. these filters are packaged as wix, napa, and…
Risk and remedy
Risk
In the presence of an ignition source, a vehicle fire can occur.
Remedy
Spx will notify its customers and provide a full refund. the recall began september 27, 2005. owners may contact mr. Chris greeson at 704-869-3733 or contact the wix information hotline at 800-949-6698.
The inner arms of the rear suspension are subject to corrosion in areas where road salt IS used heavily in winter.
Risk and remedy
Risk
Operation and control of the vehicle can be adverselyaffected by corrosion of the inner control arms.
Remedy
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk
The corrosion could affect the operation and control of the vehicle.
Remedy
Rust proof or replace rear suspension, as necessary.
Owner complaints
7 complaints
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Power train › Driveline › Constant velocity joint · Suspension › Front
While driving at 25mph or more vehicle would pull to the right. also, cv boots have been replaced twice dealer still can't find a solution. *ak
- Suspension › Rear
Right rear wheel rotated to the near horizontal position, making the vehicle inoperatble.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine · Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc
Driving on freeway at 65 mph, vehicle stopped suddenly in the fast lane, timing belt broke. *ak also front pads and rotors were replaced.*jb
- Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower arm · Wheels
The lower control arm snapped at the weld while the car was moving and the whole left wheel came off. Please describe. tt
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
Passenger's side seat belt buckle failure, unable to latch seat belt. tt
- Vehicle speed control
W/manual transmission, vehicle experiences unwanted acceleration. Please describe details. tt
- Structure › Frame and members
Corrosion through out the frame. tt
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Trailing arm corrosion
There is no summary currently available
- Seat belt retractor fails
Summary of information from manufacturer:safety belt retractor ispeculiar to 1985 GL 4door sedan and stationwagon.installed to improvesensitivity and limit webbing movement.replaced in production by new unitto provide 'common usage with other manufacturers'.part sales were nearlytwice 1984 and 1986 model sales (which…
Summary of information from manufacturer:safety belt retractor ispeculiar to 1985 GL 4door sedan and stationwagon.installed to improvesensitivity and limit webbing movement.replaced in production by new unitto provide 'common usage with other manufacturers'.part sales were nearlytwice 1984 and 1986 model sales (which fit other vehicles).some 15 partnumbers were issued for this single year component.analysis:the 1985 model appears to have a sensitivity problem.of the 8known odi reports on all 1984-1986 subaru models, 6 are the 1985 GL stationwagons, 1 IS a 1984 model GL station wagon, and the other IS another 1984model.these reports are of particular interest since the filing of a voqrequires that one experience an accident, survive (or someone notes thepossibile failure), and then notify the odi.status:prepare detailed ir.===
- Seat belt retractors
Summary of manufacturer information:subaru claims it has no identifiableproblemwith the seat belt retractors.however, the 1985 retractor isused only on the 1985 model 4 door and station wagon.part sales for theretractor are nearly double 1984 and 1986 model retractor sales.similarly15 part numbers were issued for the…
Summary of manufacturer information:subaru claims it has no identifiableproblemwith the seat belt retractors.however, the 1985 retractor isused only on the 1985 model 4 door and station wagon.part sales for theretractor are nearly double 1984 and 1986 model retractor sales.similarly15 part numbers were issued for the 1985 retractor.the primary reasonfor subaru to use the 1985 model retractor over the 1984 model was toimprove sensitivity.the 1985 retractor only fits 1985 models, while boththe 1984 and 1986 models fit numerous other model years.the GL stationwagon and 4 door retractor IS used only in those vehicles.analysis:the 1985 model retractor appears to have a sensitivity problem.of the 8 odi reports, 6 are 1985 model subaru station wagons.the otherreports are 1984 models.these reports are extaordinarily importantbecause a complaint requires an accident first, and then either survival oroutside concern to report to the odi.status: recommend closing the pe and focusing further in an ea environment.===
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10219492This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models.
- 10219491This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure.
- 10209915This bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic essential information during diagnosis and repair of the Infotainment concerns. (Applicable to all models with Harman or Denso CP1 Infotainment).
- 10198758This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models
- 10198749This bulletin is to advise of SOAs revised catalytic converter recycling program shipping procedure.
- 10187315To help reduce confusion and increase technician efficiency, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) has developed the following cross reference list to help locate the appropriate Special Service Tool.
- 10179378Special Service Tools Cross Reference List.
- 10174543All Models (Vehicle Cleaning- COVID-19Best Practices)
- 10161824Subaru Service and Technical Support Line Newletter.
- 10161813To help reduce confusion and increase technician efficiency, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) has developed the following cross reference list to help locate the appropriate Special Service Tool.
Every Subaru GL model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.