1990 Subaru JUSTY: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
16 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1990 model year. Data updated: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
Most common problems
Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 16 complaints (31.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 31.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 5 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 5 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 1 |
| Suspension:Front | 1 |
| Suspension:Multiple Axle | 1 |
| Suspension:Rear | 1 |
Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 5; Seat Belts:Front:Retractor: 5; Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 1; Suspension:Front: 1; Suspension:Multiple Axle: 1; Suspension:Rear: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
No usable failure mileage is recorded. 16 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 4 |
| 1996 | 6 |
| 1997 | 1 |
| 1998 | 1 |
| 1999 | 1 |
| 2001 | 3 |
1995: 4; 1996: 6; 1997: 1; 1998: 1; 1999: 1; 2001: 3
Pattern summary
Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 5 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 488939 · 1995-10-10 (October 10, 1995)
FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLES FAILED 3 TIMES. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 488939 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 510497 · 1996-10-23 (October 23, 1996)
TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN SLIPPING INTO A LOWER GEAR, ALSO VERY SLUGGISH, NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 510497 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 526968 · 1997-12-16 (December 16, 1997)
SEAT BELT RETRACTOR FAILED.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 526968 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 705341 · 1999-04-06 (April 6, 1999)
VEHICLE WILL OPERATE FINE FOR APPROXIMATELY 5 MILES, WHEN SLOWING TRANSMISSION WILL SHIFT INTO LOW AT APPROX 20 MPH, THEN SHIFTS INTO NEUTRAL. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 705341 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 750499 · 2001-08-15 (August 15, 2001)
INSTILLATION OF A RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING CONTINUES TO REMAIN UNCORRECTED AFTER FOUR SEPARATE FOLLOWUP VISITS TO BLACK'S TIRE. THE NOISE SOUNDS UNSSAFE AND OCCURS EXACTLY TWO DAYS AFTER THEY HAVE RE-CHECKED THE VEHICLE. I AM CONVINCED THAT THEY ARE UNAWARE ON HOW TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM SINCE ITS STILL EXISTS AND PRESENTS A PROBLEM OF SAFETY, YET I WAS CHARGED FOR PARTS AND LABOR. I NEED TO KNOW HOW TO PROCEED WITH THIS COMPLAINT TO EITHER HAVE MY MONEY REFUNDED OR HAVE THE PROBLEM CORRECTED SOMEWHERE ELSE AND THE BILL CHARGED TO BLACK'S TIRES.…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 750499 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 801467 · 1996-08-28 (August 28, 1996)
OWNER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE CONTACTED DEALER, AND WAS TOLD PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE (95V-103.006). PLEASE DESCRIBE.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 801467 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 803611 · 1996-10-16 (October 16, 1996)
THE REAR LEFT AND RIGHT SEAT BELTS ARE NOT RETRACTING. THEY RETRACT INTO THE DOOR AND COME OUT FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE DOOR. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 803611 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 821584 · 1998-03-24 (March 24, 1998)
THE DRIVER'S SIDE SHOULDER BELT WILL NOT RETRACT,THE BELT IS FULLY EXTENDED OUT. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER HAS REPLACED PARTS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 821584 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
95V103006 · Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
Reported: 1995-05-24 (May 24, 1995)
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 SECURELY LOCKED, AND THEN PRESSING THE RELEASE BUTTON. THE LATCH PLATE SHOULD POP OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN THE BUTTON IS PRESSED. IF EITHER RELEASE BUTTON SHOWS A SIGN OF BREAKING OR CRACKING OR IF EITHER BUCKLE FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY, OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CONTACT THEIR AUTHORIZED DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE BUCKLE REPLACED OR REPAIRED, FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER IS DEVELOPING A REMEDY DESIGNED TO PREVENT FAILURE OF THE BUTTONS THAT ARE NOT CURRENTLY BROKEN.
NHTSA campaign record ↗Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
16 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.
Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.
Problems by model year
Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.
| Component | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 436.4%ODI 767033I FEEL THE DIPSTICK PROBLEM CAUSE THIS CAR'S TRANSMISSION TO BECOME DEFECTIVE. *AK | 531.3%ODI 510497TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN SLIPPING INTO A LOWER GEAR, ALSO VERY SLUGGISH, NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *AK | 111.1%ODI 503024TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT DOWNSHIFT SMOOTHLY, IT JUMPED INTO LOWER GEAR, CAUSING A JOLT; THROWING PASSENGERS FORWARD. *DSH | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 125.0%ODI 816333RECEIVED 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 | 327.3%ODI 481733SEAT BELT BUCKLES/LATCH FAILED TO HOLD SECURE DURING ACCIDENT, CAUSING DRIVER TO BE THROWN FROM VEHICLE, RESULTING IN TWO DEATHS. *SKD | 425.0% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 133.3%ODI 515732SEAT BELTS FAILED TO RESTRAIN DRIVER DURING COLLISION, CAUSING INJURY. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 19.1%ODI 982508FAILURE ON THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR, BELT WILL NOT RETRACT. *AK | 531.3% | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 125.0%ODI 9003859DRIVER SEAT BELT DOES NOT RETRACT, FAILS TO LOCK, DOES NOT WORK. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Seat Belts | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 222.2%ODI 707857SEAT BELT DOES NOT RETRACT INTO DOOR, DOES NOT RESTRAIN DRIVER. DEALER QUOTES $500 TO REPAIR. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 125.0%ODI 890259SEATBELT ON DRIVER SIDE WILL NOT HOLD HIM IN THE SEAT SECURELY. IN AN ACCIDENT SEATBELTS WILL NOT RETRACT. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 16.3%ODI 959344REAR AND FRONT AXLES WENT OUT AND MOTOR BLEW UP. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETALS. TT | 111.1%ODI 813217OWNER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AT HIGHWAY SPEED THE PISTON ROD SNAPPED. THE CAUSE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED. OWNER IS VERY CONCERNED FOR SAFETY. *ML | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 133.3%ODI 968581WHILE DRIVING FLAMES WERE PRESENT UNDER THE CAR WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO BURST. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK | 125.0%ODI 10031201 · 86,000 miRUSTED FUEL TANK FUEL LEAKAGE ONTO TAIL PIPE. SUBARU WOULD NOT REPAIR, I DID. SECOND FAILURE RUSTED FUEL RETURN LINE AT TANK FUEL LEAKAGE ON TO TAIL PIPE 06-01-03. *NLM | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 250.0%ODI 505943HOOD LATCH FAILED WHILE EXITING FROM HIGHWAY AT 45 MPH, HOOD FLEW UP AND SMASHED INTO WINDSHILED, IMPAIRING VISIBILITY. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. |
| Seats | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 111.1%ODI 985095WHILE IN REAR-END ACCIDENT SEAT BROKE, FELL BACKWARDS, RESULTING IN AN INJURY. *AK | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 1100.0%ODI 866295DRIVER'S SEAT HINGE THAT CONTROLS BACK OF SEAT MOVEMENT HAS BROKEN UNEXPECTEDLY. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK |
Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.
Failure mileage by component
Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.
| Component | Mileage range (25th–75th percentile) | Median | Usable records | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No usable records for this analysis. | ||||
Complaint and recall timeline
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.
Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
| Month | Complaints | Campaigns announced | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-10 (partial) | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
Emerging complaint spikes
Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.
This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.
No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.
Equal-age model-year comparison
Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.
1994: 1 complaints · 1995: 0 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 1995 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1995 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.
Components reported together
Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.
| Component | Power Train:Automatic Transmission | Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | Suspension:Front | Suspension:Multiple Axle | Suspension:Rear |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 1ODI 959344REAR AND FRONT AXLES WENT OUT AND MOTOR BLEW UP. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETALS. TT | 0 | 1ODI 959344REAR AND FRONT AXLES WENT OUT AND MOTOR BLEW UP. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETALS. TT |
| Suspension:Front | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1ODI 959344REAR AND FRONT AXLES WENT OUT AND MOTOR BLEW UP. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETALS. TT | — | 0 | 1ODI 959344REAR AND FRONT AXLES WENT OUT AND MOTOR BLEW UP. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETALS. TT |
| Suspension:Multiple Axle | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 |
| Suspension:Rear | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1ODI 959344REAR AND FRONT AXLES WENT OUT AND MOTOR BLEW UP. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETALS. TT | 1ODI 959344REAR AND FRONT AXLES WENT OUT AND MOTOR BLEW UP. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETALS. TT | 0 | — |
Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.
Recurring narrative patterns
Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.
0 patterns with matching reports.
No narratives match the published patterns.