1994 Subaru Svx
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
Have the VIN?
Vehicles › Subaru › Svx › 1994
These records cover every 1994 Subaru Svx. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Owner complaints
28 complaints1 involved a crash
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Power train › Automatic transmission
My 94 subaru svx transmission will not move in any gear. Very costly to repair subaru should pay. Poor design in transmission *tr
- Power train › Automatic transmission
My subaru svx transmission recently started suffering a delay when shifting gears, high revs and slipping while shifting and just now I tried to drive it and a clunking sound happened when putting the car in reverse. Now it won't go in to reverse at all, also, 1ST gear doesn't work half the time…
My subaru svx transmission recently started suffering a delay when shifting gears, high revs and slipping while shifting and just now I tried to drive it and a clunking sound happened when putting the car in reverse. Now it won't go in to reverse at all, also, 1ST gear doesn't work half the time and the rest of the forward gears seem to slip severely most of the time too. The car has low mileage, and I have not had any trouble with it before. Trouble started maybe a few days ago.. The heat transmission installed in the subaru svx and legacy models suffer from a severe cooling problem. The radiator based transmission cooler can not cool the transmission fluid cool enough. The transmissions poor design does not allow the lubricant to flow through it to keep parts lubricated(thus more friction and heat damage). Unusual high overdrive places additional side loads on bearings generating heat. The all-wheel-drive system puts even more strain on the transmission causing even more heat. This problem IS of epidemic proportion so common among over 90% of these cars manufactured. Subaru IS aware of the manufacturing and engineering defects in the transmissions for all svx models. Almost all svx owners, every website, and even your own complaint files are aware of this major defect and specific problems with the transmissions. Subaru has done nothing if anything to correct this problem. This problem IS widespread and the manufacturer knows about it. At the very least I need subaru to replace my defective transmission with a new one upgraded with high clutch drum and thrust bearings, new reverse clutch steel plates, modified transmission case, oil pump gasket and transfer clutch driven plate, a transmission oil filter kit and an after transmission oil cooler and warranty it. This car IS too expensive to fix the damage from their defective design and unusually high cost compared to other transmissions. *Tr
- Power train › Automatic transmission
Started out as 3RD and 4TH slipping, and after babying it for a week of going to work and back home it will no longer hold 3RD or 4TH. after doing research it has been found that the 4EAT has about as much issues as the pinto (without the exploding). every owner of the svx and a 4EAT has suffered…
Started out as 3RD and 4TH slipping, and after babying it for a week of going to work and back home it will no longer hold 3RD or 4TH. after doing research it has been found that the 4EAT has about as much issues as the pinto (without the exploding). every owner of the svx and a 4EAT has suffered this in one form or another. the legacy's were recalled and repaired, but what about the svx? for a $30-$40k msrp from the dealer, you would assume they would treat these cars with a bit more class in this situation. Top it all off, I only have 58K miles on my 94. *nm
- Power train › Automatic transmission
I had transmission failure of the 3RD and 4TH gears that started out as gears slipping, then the transmission stopped shifting to 3RD and 4TH all together. I did not do anything to fix the problem because it IS too expensive. I had to buy another car just to get to and from work since it was cheape, and I have been letting the car sit in my driveway.*ak
- Power train › Automatic transmission
While driving 100 mph transmission failed. engine revved at a high rate. Then, vehicle lost power, and the consumer hit a wall. Vehicle was towed. The dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. *Ak
- Power train › Automatic transmission
After researching about my subaru svx, I found out that there IS a chronic problem with the transmission subaru put in these cars. There IS an extensive faq page at subaru svx.com as to the reason for the problems. My car will not transfer in to 4TH gear and the transmission runs hot. *jb
- Power train › Automatic transmission
Just another dead transimission in my svx. It seems like 116,000-124,000 miles IS the lifetime of these things (so many dead there haven't been any new transmissions available since 2001) . *ak
- Power train › Automatic transmission
1994 subaru svx, had a transmission failure. The failure IS well known to svx owner community. There are many sites and articles that address the issue of the 4EAT transmission failing. The repair or replacement IS very costly and subaru should help. *jb
- Suspension › Front › Wheel bearing
This IS our third svx and all three have had wheel bearing failure.*ak
- Power train › Automatic transmission
Consumer was traveling about 55mph on highway and heard a winding noise coming from underneath the hood. when she tried to shift vehicle, it would notl move. dealership was aware of problem. *Ak
- Vehicle speed control › Accelerator pedal
When you depress the accelerator in need of an emergency speed increase the car goes into neutral rather than going into a gear. an accident has not occurred yet, however I've had some rather dangerous situations that it would have been nice to not have the car fail to move in. *ak
- Power train › Automatic transmission
Transmission chatters on tight turns, and clatters on shifting. This IS second time that consumer has to get new transmission. *ak
- Power train › Automatic transmission
Transmission died. *ak
- Tires
All four tires have developed cracks between treadwear at 6000 miles. Called and written many times to firestone. *Ak( dot number: tire size: p225/50r16 )
- Power train › Automatic transmission
The following letter has been sent to subaru of america.... this letter IS sent on the behalf of the many owners that have experienced multiple failures of the 4EAT automatic transmission in the subaru svx. It IS evident that there IS a design flaw in the transmission that causes the premature…
The following letter has been sent to subaru of america.... this letter IS sent on the behalf of the many owners that have experienced multiple failures of the 4EAT automatic transmission in the subaru svx. It IS evident that there IS a design flaw in the transmission that causes the premature failures for all model years. These failures have occurred in cars with very low mileage and continued to occur thereafter. repair and/or replacment of the transmission IS very expensive, costing approximately and, as of this date, there has been no support from subaru. understandably, the owners of these vehicles have become quite angry at subaru's lack of response or acknowledgement that a problem even exists, and have consulted legal counsel regarding a class action lawsuit. To avoid an unpleasant and hostile situation, and in an effort to maintain good relations with the owners of your cars, the following solutions are demanded: 1. Subaru recalls and replaces the transmissions for all model years 2. Extends the transmission warranty to 100,000 miles for all model years unless a written response IS received within 30 days, litigation will be instituted. Thank you for your anticipated courtesy and cooperation. *Ak
- Power train › Automatic transmission
Transmission going to fail very soon -- I have constant and severe transmission binding when I make a turn from a 0 - 5 mph start. the transmission IS self-destructing. I've been told they have insufficient filtration and cooling by several subaru technicians. a design flaw if you ask me. why…
Transmission going to fail very soon -- I have constant and severe transmission binding when I make a turn from a 0 - 5 mph start. the transmission IS self-destructing. I've been told they have insufficient filtration and cooling by several subaru technicians. a design flaw if you ask me. why IS it that there was a recall for the lagacy already ( same 4EAT transmission) but not for the svx ?!?!?! $2,000 fixes do not exactly fit into my budget. not trying to be disrespectful -- just trying to figure out why us svx owners are being basically "ignored". *ak
- Power train › Automatic transmission
The following letter has been sent to subaru of america.... for more information on the extent of the subaru svx transmission problem please go to www.kineticconcepts.com. *ak
- Power train › Automatic transmission
The following letter has been sent to subaru of america.... for more information on the extent of the subaru svx tranmission problem please go to www.kineticconcepts.com
- Power train › Automatic transmission
The following letter has been sent to subaru of america.... for more information on the extent of the subaru svx tranmission problem please go to www.kineticconcepts.com
- Power train › Automatic transmission
The following letter has been sent to subaru of america.... for more information on the extent of the subaru svx tranmission problem please go to www.kineticconcepts.com
- Power train › Automatic transmission · Power train › Axle assembly › Axle shaft
Not a complete failure but intermittent transmission slippage and other problems. Bearing failure has loud associated hum. *Ak
- Power train › Automatic transmission
The subaru svx because of bad engineering of the transmission has an alarmingly high failure rate. Drivers of these cars are almost guaranteed a failure, and many times 3 or 4.these transmissions costing upwards of $2500 for parts and $1000 for labor would really hurt the buyers who had no idea of…
The subaru svx because of bad engineering of the transmission has an alarmingly high failure rate. Drivers of these cars are almost guaranteed a failure, and many times 3 or 4.these transmissions costing upwards of $2500 for parts and $1000 for labor would really hurt the buyers who had no idea of the troubles involved in owning one. I will be without transportation for 10 days as my dealer has told me in fear that if this happens again I will lose my job as well as have to shell out about 4,000 each time the transmission fails. I repeat that this IS due to a badly engineered transmission that was designed too weak in structure to support the power that the engine supplies. Subaru at this point has taken no action to remedy this situation that IS affecting its owners so deeply. I make payments on this car and cannot afford an additional 4000 on top of the monthly payments and tax and fear I will have to sell this car because it IS to expensive to maintain. *ak
- Power train › Axle assembly › Axle shaft
These wheel bearings don't seem to last very long. According to people I have discussed this with the new parts probably won't last very long. I'm in the air force and now live in italy. I cant afford the two days and 200 dollars to fix this problem repeatedly.
- Power train › Automatic transmission · Unknown or other
The leak from the engine separator plate IS because its plastic. (So told by the technican). Subaru changed it in late 95, but I am stuck with it. also, the transmission hesitates from shifting 2 to 3, with a serious loss of power. the cassette player stopped working. The moon roof does not work properly. the wheel bearing noise IS tremendous.
- Power train › Automatic transmission · Power train › Axle assembly › Axle shaft
Wheel bearings/transmission failed.
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.
- 46645Knock sensor.
Every Subaru Svx model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.