Selling an old or junk Subaru Loyale
Every one of the Loyale's four recalls is about the transmission or the seat belts. Owners' complaints point the same way: the engine leads, but seat belts (14) and the power train (11) come next. If your Loyale is parked for good, you can sell the whole car as it sits. We buy whole non-running and junk cars, and pickup is free anywhere in the US.
- Model years (EPA)
- 1990-1994
- Bodies (EPA)
- Sedan and wagon, 4WD, AWD and turbo
- Complaints to NHTSA
- 66
- Year with the most complaints
- 1992 (23)
- Recall campaigns
- 4: three transmission, one seat belt
- Built at (Wikipedia)
- Yajima Plant, Ōta, Gunma, Japan
- Replaced by
- Subaru Impreza, 1994
The end of a long line
Wikipedia gives the line's production as 1971 to 1994, built at the Yajima Plant in Ōta, Gunma. Its third generation ran from 1984 to 1994, with engines that include the 1.8 L EA82 four and the EA82T turbo, and a 3-speed automatic. Wikipedia says the line was ultimately replaced by the Impreza in 1994. The EPA lists Loyale sedans and wagons from 1990 to 1994, with 4WD, AWD and turbo versions.
Problems by model year group
1989-1991: the transmission recalls
NHTSA files 3 complaints under a 1989 Loyale, though EPA data starts at 1990. The 1990 and 1991 have 13 each. Seat belts lead on the 1990 (5), the power train on the 1991 (4).
Two recalls cover the automatic. In 91V082, on 1989-1990 cars, the park gear may not let go right away when the lever moves from Park to Reverse. The fix was a modified pawl. Its 76,000 vehicles include other Subarus, the XT among them. In 91V091, on 1990-1991 cars, the shift linkage may not reach full Park; 19,763 vehicles are in that campaign.
Recall 95V103 covers 1990 Loyales. Those red front buckle buttons marked PRESS can crack, and the bits can jam the buckle. The Justy is among its 100,825 vehicles, so not all of them are Loyales.
1992-1994: the engine years
The 1992 has the most complaints, 23, with the engine and engine cooling named in 7. Three report a crash. The 1993 has 13 and the 1994 just 1.
Recall 94V052 covers manual-transmission cars from 1990 to 1993. In steady driving at -22 degrees F with high humidity, the transmission vent can freeze shut. Dealers changed the oil gauge pipe and dipstick. That campaign's 31,295 vehicles also cover the XT.
Complaints and recalls by model year
Owner complaints counted from NHTSA's file on October 10, 2026. A newer year has had less time to collect them, though every Loyale is now over 30 years old.
| Year | Complaints | Crashes / injured | Named most | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | 3 | 2 / 2 | Seat belts, speed control, fuel (1 each) | 1 |
| 1990 | 13 | 0 / 0 | Seat belts (5) | 4 |
| 1991 | 13 | 1 / 2 | Power train (4) | 2 |
| 1992 | 23 | 3 / 3 | Engine and engine cooling (7) | 1 |
| 1993 | 13 | 2 / 1 | Engine and engine cooling (3) | 1 |
| 1994 | 1 | 1 / 1 | Visibility (1) | 0 |
Keep it running, or let it go?
A Loyale's value now depends on rust, completeness and whether anyone wants the car. Weigh the repair quote against that.
- Hasn't moved in years? Our sitting for years guide covers what a long-parked car needs.
- Meant to restore it? See old project car.
- Seat belt buckle sticks? That matches recall 95V103. Run the VIN at NHTSA's lookup before you decide.
Selling a Loyale whole
- Dig out the VIN and the title. Can't find the title? Start with selling with no title.
- Get an offer online, or call (877) 421-6008.
- Tell us where it sits: in a barn, behind a garage, on blocks. Mention if the Loyale's wheels turn and its tires hold air.
- Leave it complete, wagon racks and spare included.
Questions people ask
- Which Loyale year has the most NHTSA complaints?
- The 1992 Loyale, with 23 of 66 owner complaints in a count on October 10, 2026. Seven of them cite the engine and engine cooling. The 1990, 1991 and 1993 have 13 each.
- What were the Loyale recalls about?
- Three involve the transmission: a park gear slow to release into reverse (91V082), shift linkage that may not reach full Park (91V091), and a manual transmission vent that can freeze shut in extreme cold (94V052). The fourth, 95V103, covers front seat belt buckle buttons on 1990 cars that can break.
- Will you buy a Loyale that has not run in years?
- Yes. We buy whole non-running and junk cars, with free pickup anywhere in the US. Note where the Loyale is parked and if its wheels turn.
Sources
Every fact on this page comes from one of these. Checked October 11, 2026.
- EPA fuel economy data: Subaru Loyale model years and versions fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA complaints flat file (FLAT_CMPL.zip), downloaded October 10, 2026 nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA: Check for recalls by VIN nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA recall 91V082: automatic transmission park gear nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA recall 91V091: transmission shift linkage nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA recall 94V052: manual transmission breather vent nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA recall 95V103: front seat belt buckle buttons nhtsa.gov
- Wikipedia: Subaru Loyale (production, engines, Yajima Plant, Impreza) en.wikipedia.org