VehicleVerdict

1989 Subaru Justy problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 11 complaints on file for the 1989 Subaru Justy — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work. Reports tied to this model year include 2 deaths, per the complaint records themselves.

11

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

2

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

2

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1989 compare to other Justy years?

Justy NHTSA complaints by model year, 1989 highlighted18 complaints1987: 0 complaints1988: 9 complaints1989: 11 complaints1990: 18 complaints1991: 9 complaints1992: 3 complaints1993: 4 complaints1994: 1 complaints1995: 1 complaints
Justy NHTSA complaints by model year, 1989 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Justy years to avoid →

What are the most common 1989 Subaru Justy problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Seat Belts436%
Transmission436%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)19%
Body & Structure19%
Suspension19%

Does the 1989 Subaru Justy have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

95V103006Seat BeltsMay 24, 1995 · 100,825 units

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 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.

89V028000TransmissionFebruary 28, 1989 · 15,000 units

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“SEAT BELT BUCKLES/LATCH FAILED TO HOLD SECURE DURING ACCIDENT, CAUSING DRIVER TO BE THROWN FROM VEHICLE, RESULTING IN TWO DEATHS. *SKD”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · May 31, 1992 · crash

“TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE TRAVELING, ALSO, FAILURE LOCKED GEAR INTO DRIVE, AND WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT OUT. DEALER/MANUACTURER CONTACTED, AND SAID TAHT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. *AK *ML”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · August 21, 1998

“WHEN A/C BUTTON IS PRESSED, IT BLOWS OUT WARM AIR RATHER THAN COLD. DEALER CONTACTED APPROXIMATELY FIVE TIMES AND CANNOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Climate Control (A/C & Heat) · March 24, 1997

1989 Subaru Justy — common questions

Is the 1989 Subaru Justy reliable?

The record is thin — 11 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 1989 Justy problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (4 complaints), seat belts (4 complaints), climate control (a/c & heat) (1 complaints).

Does the 1989 Subaru Justy have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1989 Subaru Justy. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1989 Subaru Justy under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.