Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 19 of 231 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Power Train. Review the 200 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Suspension. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
4 crash reports1 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
231 reports
Mileage unknown · Oct 17, 1999
Power Train
FIXES ARE KNOWN FOR THESE PROBLEMS, I FEEL SUBARU OF AMERICA SHOULD PICK-UP THE TAB! THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT PROBLEM WAS PRESENT IN THE RE-MANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION FROM DAY-1. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT SEVERAL PROBLEMS EXIST IN THE 92-93 TRANNYS ALL OF WHICH HAVE FIXES! AS FOR THE WHEEL BEARING ISSUE, THE ORIGINAL BEARINGS ST…
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FIXES ARE KNOWN FOR THESE PROBLEMS, I FEEL SUBARU OF AMERICA SHOULD PICK-UP THE TAB! THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT PROBLEM WAS PRESENT IN THE RE-MANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION FROM DAY-1. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT SEVERAL PROBLEMS EXIST IN THE 92-93 TRANNYS ALL OF WHICH HAVE FIXES! AS FOR THE WHEEL BEARING ISSUE, THE ORIGINAL BEARINGS STARTED FAILING AT ABOUT 60K THE REPLACEMENTS LAST ABOUT 1 YEAR AND THEN BECOME NOISY. FROM 60K I HAVE HAD 8 BEARINGS REPLACED. THIS PROCEDURE COST THE CUSTOMER ABOUT $330.00 PER BEARING REPLACEMENT. I HOPE SOMETHING CAN BE DONE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #713423
Mileage unknown · Oct 14, 1999
Power Train
THE FOLLOWING LETTER HAS BEEN SENT TO SUBARU OF AMERICA.... FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE EXTENT OF THE SUBARU SVX TRANMISSION PROBLEM PLEASE GO TO WWW.KINETICCONCEPTS.COM
NHTSA ODI #713318
Mileage unknown · Oct 13, 1999
Power Train
THE FOLLOWING LETTER HAS BEEN SENT TO SUBARU OF AMERICA.... FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE EXTENT OF THE SUBARU SVX TRANMISSION PROBLEM PLEASE GO TO WWW.KINETICCONCEPTS.COM
NHTSA ODI #713253
Mileage unknown · Oct 10, 1999
Wheels
LEFT REAR WHEEL BEARING FIRST FAILED AT 55000 MILES; REPLACEMENT FAILED 59000; NEW REPLACEMENTS FAILING @ 65000. (AT TIME OF 2ND REPLACEMENT, DEALER INSISTED I BUY A NEW WHEEL -- PROBABLY UNNECESSARY.) HOW MANY COMPLAINTS BEFORE RECALL MANDATED?
NHTSA ODI #713072
Mileage unknown · Oct 2, 1999
Suspension
NOISE &PULLY BEARING SEAL LEAKED
NHTSA ODI #712701
Mileage unknown · Oct 1, 1999
Power Train
SUBARU TRANNY'S FAILING LEFT AND RIGHT. JUST LOOK THROUGH YOUR DATABASE
NHTSA ODI #712633
Mileage unknown · Sep 28, 1999
Power Train
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION LEAKS DUE A BAD SEAL THAT IS ON THE TRANSMISSION. THE LEAK IS ON TOP AF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WHICH CAUSES FUMES AND VAPORS INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED AND UP GRADED THE SEAL, BUT IT IS STILL DEFECTIVE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #848901
Mileage unknown · Sep 18, 1999
Power Train
THE FOLLOWING LETTER HAS BEEN SENT TO SUBARU OF AMERICA.... THIS LETTER IS SENT ON THE BEHALF OF THE MANY OWNERS THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE FAILURES OF THE 4EAT AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IN THE SUBARU SVX. IT IS EVIDENT THAT THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW IN THE TRANSMISSION THAT CAUSES THE PREMATURE FAILURES FOR ALL MODEL YEARS. THES…
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THE FOLLOWING LETTER HAS BEEN SENT TO SUBARU OF AMERICA.... THIS LETTER IS SENT ON THE BEHALF OF THE MANY OWNERS THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE FAILURES OF THE 4EAT AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IN THE SUBARU SVX. IT IS EVIDENT THAT THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW IN THE TRANSMISSION THAT CAUSES THE PREMATURE FAILURES FOR ALL MODEL YEARS. THESE FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED IN CARS WITH VERY LOW MILEAGE AND CONTINUED TO OCCUR THEREAFTER. REPAIR AND/OR REPLACMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION IS VERY EXPENSIVE, COSTING APPROXIMATELY AND, AS OF THIS DATE, THERE HAS BEEN NO SUPPORT FROM SUBARU. UNDERSTANDABLY, THE OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE BECOME QUITE ANGRY AT SUBARU'S LACK OF RESPONSE OR ACKNOWLEDGEMENT THAT A PROBLEM EVEN EXISTS, AND HAVE CONSULTED LEGAL COUNSEL REGARDING A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. TO AVOID AN UNPLEASANT AND HOSTILE SITUATION, AND IN AN EFFORT TO MAINTAIN GOOD RELATIONS WITH THE OWNERS OF YOUR CARS, THE FOLLOWING SOLUTIONS ARE DEMANDED: 1. SUBARU RECALLS AND REPLACES THE TRANSMISSIONS FOR ALL MODEL YEARS 2. EXTENDS THE TRANSMISSION WARRANTY TO 100,000 MILES FOR ALL MODEL YEARS UNLESS A WRITTEN RESPONSE IS RECEIVED WITHIN 30 DAYS, LITIGATION WILL BE INSTITUTED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ANTICIPATED COURTESY AND COOPERATION.
NHTSA ODI #711530
Mileage unknown · Sep 15, 1999
Power Train
TRANSMISSION WOULD MAKE CLUNKING NOISES WHENEVER IT IS SHIFTING INTO OVERDRIVE. TAKING VEHICLE TO DEALER TO CHECK. *AK
NHTSA ODI #847777
Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 1999
Power Train
THE FOLLOWING LETTER HAS BEEN SENT TO SUBARU OF AMERICA.... THIS LETTER IS SENT ON THE BEHALF OF THE MANY OWNERS THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE FAILURES OF THE 4EAT AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IN THE SUBARU SVX. IT IS EVIDENT THAT THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW IN THE TRANSMISSION THAT CAUSES THE PREMATURE FAILURES FOR ALL MODEL YEARS. THES…
Read full complaint
THE FOLLOWING LETTER HAS BEEN SENT TO SUBARU OF AMERICA.... THIS LETTER IS SENT ON THE BEHALF OF THE MANY OWNERS THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE FAILURES OF THE 4EAT AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IN THE SUBARU SVX. IT IS EVIDENT THAT THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW IN THE TRANSMISSION THAT CAUSES THE PREMATURE FAILURES FOR ALL MODEL YEARS. THESE FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED IN CARS WITH VERY LOW MILEAGE AND CONTINUED TO OCCUR THEREAFTER. REPAIR AND/OR REPLACMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION IS VERY EXPENSIVE, COSTING APPROXIMATELY AND, AS OF THIS DATE, THERE HAS BEEN NO SUPPORT FROM SUBARU. UNDERSTANDABLY, THE OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE BECOME QUITE ANGRY AT SUBARU'S LACK OF RESPONSE OR ACKNOWLEDGEMENT THAT A PROBLEM EVEN EXISTS, AND HAVE CONSULTED LEGAL COUNSEL REGARDING A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. TO AVOID AN UNPLEASANT AND HOSTILE SITUATION, AND IN AN EFFORT TO MAINTAIN GOOD RELATIONS WITH THE OWNERS OF YOUR CARS, THE FOLLOWING SOLUTIONS ARE DEMANDED: 1. SUBARU RECALLS AND REPLACES THE TRANSMISSIONS FOR ALL MODEL YEARS 2. EXTENDS THE TRANSMISSION WARRANTY TO 100,000 MILES FOR ALL MODEL YEARS UNLESS A WRITTEN RESPONSE IS RECEIVED WITHIN 30 DAYS, LITIGATION WILL BE INSTITUTED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ANTICIPATED COURTESY AND COOPERATION.
NHTSA ODI #711066
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
1992 Subaru Svx Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year