Selling an old Subaru XT
The XT's biggest recall was about rust. Campaign 92V001 says the inner rear suspension arms on 1985-1987 cars can corrode where roads are salted in winter. Owners have filed only 8 complaints with NHTSA, but the car has five recall campaigns. If yours is too far gone, you can sell the whole car as it sits, with free pickup anywhere in the US.
- Model years (EPA)
- 1985-1991
- Engines (Wikipedia)
- 1.8 L EA-82 four (XT), 2.7 L ER-27 six (XT6)
- Other names
- Alcyone in Japan, Vortex in Australia and New Zealand
- Complaints to NHTSA
- 8
- Recall campaigns
- 5
- Replaced by
- Subaru SVX
The wedge coupe
All XTs were built at Subaru's Yajima Plant in Ota, Japan, Wikipedia says. North America got the XT with the 1.8 L EA-82 four and the XT6 with the 2.7 L ER-27 six. Japan called it the Alcyone. The instrument panel moved with the tilt-telescope steering, and Wikipedia notes a pneumatic suspension with height control. Gearboxes were a 5-speed manual or an automatic. The SVX replaced it.
Known problems by year
1985-1987: rust and an early recall
Recall 92V001 covers the rear suspension arms. Dealers rustproofed the arms or replaced them. Its 147,000 vehicles are far more than one coupe, so other Subarus are likely in that count.
NHTSA's record for 85V132, on the 1985, is muddled. It is filed under emission control, its text describes a weak weld near the rear bumper bracket, and the listed fix is a protector kit on the air vent hose. Its campaign lists 11,000 vehicles.
The 1986 has 3 complaints, naming interior lighting, exterior lighting and other. The 1987 has 1.
1988-1991: seat belts and transmissions
- 88V052: the 1988 owner's manual left out required seat belt information. Its 60,000 vehicles include the Justy.
- 91V082: on 1989-1991 automatics, the park gear may not release right away into Reverse. Its 76,000 vehicles include the Loyale.
- 94V052: in manual cars driven steadily at -22 degrees F in very humid air, the transmission vent can ice over. It names 1990-1992, one year beyond the final XT, so its 31,295 vehicles include other models.
Seat belts are named in 4 of the 8 complaints, one each on the 1987, 1988, 1989 and 1991.
Complaints and recalls by model year
Totals are from NHTSA records pulled October 10, 2026. Later years spent fewer seasons with owners, so they show less. Recall counts include every campaign whose years cover that model year.
| Year | Owner complaints | Named | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | None on file | - | 2 |
| 1986 | 3 | Interior lighting, exterior lighting, other | 1 |
| 1987 | 1 | Seat belts | 1 |
| 1988 | 1 | Seat belts | 1 |
| 1989 | 2 | Seat belts, engine and engine cooling | 1 |
| 1990 | None on file | - | 2 |
| 1991 | 1 | Seat belts | 2 |
Fix it or sell it?
Look underneath first. Rotted suspension arms or floors usually decide it. See broken suspension and failed inspection or rust. If the car has sat for years, our old project car guide covers the choice between finishing it and letting it go.
Selling your XT whole
- Note the VIN, the engine (four or six), the gearbox and whether it's 4WD.
- Get an offer online, or call (877) 421-6008.
- Note where the XT is parked and if it can roll. If it has the air suspension and the car sits low, say so, because a coupe on its bump stops needs a different load.
- Keep it complete, trim pieces and spare wheel included.
Questions people ask
- How many XT complaints are on file at NHTSA?
- Eight, counted as of October 10, 2026. Half name the seat belts. The 1986 has the most, with 3. None reports a crash, fire or injury.
- What was the XT rear suspension recall?
- Campaign 92V001 covers 1985-1987 cars. The inner arms of the rear suspension can corrode where roads are heavily salted in winter. Dealers rustproofed or replaced the arms. Its 147,000 vehicles likely include other Subarus, so that is not a count of XTs.
- Will you buy an XT that doesn't run?
- Yes. We buy whole non-running and junk cars, with free pickup anywhere in the US. Say whether it's a four-cylinder XT or an XT6, and whether it rolls.
Sources
Every fact on this page comes from one of these. Checked October 11, 2026.
- EPA fuel economy data: Subaru XT 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 85V132: 1985 XT nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA recall 88V052: seat belt information in owner manual, 1988 nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA recall 91V082: automatic transmission park gear, 1989-1991 nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA recall 92V001: rear suspension inner arms, 1985-1987 nhtsa.gov
- NHTSA recall 94V052: manual transmission breather vent, 1990-1992 nhtsa.gov
- Wikipedia: Subaru XT (engines, names, instrument panel, suspension, SVX) en.wikipedia.org