We buy whole non-running and junk cars. Sell the whole car as it sits.

Free pickup anywhere in the US

(877) 421-6008Get my offer
Model file · SubaruUpdated · 9 sources

Selling an old Subaru GL

Seat belts lead the GL's complaint list: 28 of the 78 owner complaints NHTSA had on record for it when we checked on October 10, 2026. On the 1988 it's 13 of 22, and that year's belts were recalled over front buckle release buttons that can break.

A silver 1988 Subaru GL wagon with a dark side stripe and gold-tone wheels, parked on a gravel driveway in the shade of a tree
Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Mikeshoup~commonswiki assumed (based on copyright claims) · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
Model years covered
1984-1989
Complaints to NHTSA
78
Complaints naming seat belts
28
Year with the most complaints
1988 (22)
Recall campaigns
5
Successor
Subaru Impreza

A GL that's rusted, stalled or parked for good can still go. We buy whole non-running and junk cars, and you sell the whole car as it sits.

Which GL you have

EPA data lists GL sedans, wagons, hatchbacks and 3-door models from 1984 to 1989, many with 4WD and some turbocharged. On Wikipedia those years straddle two generations. The third generation (1984-1994) had 1.8-liter EA82 engines, including a turbo, and a 3-speed automatic. The second-generation hatchback stayed in production through 1989 with EA81 engines. Wikipedia says the Legacy wagon took over in 1989 and the Impreza replaced the line in 1994.

Rust and buckles: the five recalls

The vehicle numbers are campaign totals, which may take in other Subaru models too.

  • Rear suspension corrosion (90V086 and 92V001). Road salt can corrode the rear suspension inner arms. The first covers 1984-1986 cars (285,000 vehicles), the second 1985-1987 (147,000). Suspension leads the complaints on 1984-1986 cars.
  • Seat belt buckle (95V103006). On 1988 cars, the red PRESS release buttons can break. 100,825 vehicles.
  • Owner's manual (88V052). Seat belt information required by FMVSS 210 was left out of 1988 manuals. 60,000 vehicles.
  • Preheat tube (89V103). Some non-genuine replacement preheat tubes on 1987 cars can catch fire. 57,000 vehicles.

GL complaints by model year

Model yearComplaintsNamed mostRecall campaigns
19844One each, three categories1
19857Suspension (3)2
198615Suspension (4)2
198719Seat belts (4)2
198822Seat belts (13)2
198911Seat belts (7)0

Restore it or sell it?

A GL is close to 40 years old. Rot in the rear suspension or floor usually decides the question; see rotted frame. If it has been parked for years, sitting for years covers what to check. A half-finished restoration is its own case: old project car.

Selling a GL whole

  1. Find the title and note whether it's a sedan, wagon or hatchback, and 4WD or not.
  2. Ask for an offer online or call (877) 421-6008.
  3. Tell us where your Subaru GL sits and whether the wheels turn. Free pickup anywhere in the US.
  4. Leave it complete. Tell us if anything is missing.

No title for a car this old? See selling with no title. Other older Subarus: the Loyale and XT, or every Subaru model.

Questions people ask

What was the 1988 Subaru GL seat belt recall?
Campaign 95V103006 deals with the red plastic front belt release buttons marked PRESS. They can snap, and the pieces can jam the buckle. Other Subaru models may be among its 100,825 vehicles. A separate 1988 campaign, 88V052, sent owner's manual inserts.
Why were GL rear suspensions recalled?
Road salt can corrode the rear suspension inner arms. Campaign 90V086 covers 1984-1986 cars and 92V001 covers 1985-1987. The fix was to rustproof or replace the parts as needed.
Will you buy a GL that has rusted out or sat for decades?
Yes. We buy whole non-running and junk cars, with free pickup anywhere in the US.

Sources

Every fact on this page comes from one of these. Checked October 11, 2026.

  1. NHTSA complaints flat file (FLAT_CMPL.zip), downloaded October 10, 2026 nhtsa.gov
  2. NHTSA: Check for recalls by VIN nhtsa.gov
  3. NHTSA recall 88V052: owner's manual seat belt information, 1988 nhtsa.gov
  4. NHTSA recall 89V103: non-genuine preheat tubes, 1987 nhtsa.gov
  5. NHTSA recall 90V086: rear suspension corrosion, 1984-1986 nhtsa.gov
  6. NHTSA recall 92V001: rear suspension inner arms, 1985-1987 nhtsa.gov
  7. NHTSA recall 95V103006: front seat belt buckle, 1988 nhtsa.gov
  8. EPA fuel economy data (model years and body styles) fueleconomy.gov
  9. Wikipedia: Subaru GL (generations, engines, successor) en.wikipedia.org