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 · Nov 5, 1998
Power Train
THE BEARING FAILURES AND TRANSMISSION FAILURES HAVE BEEN INHERENT WITH THE SUBARU SVX. THIS I ONLY FOUND TO BE TRUE SINCE LOGGING ON THE INTERNET ON WEB SITES PERTAINING TO THE SVX. IT IS UNJUST THAT JUST BECAUSE THERE ARE RELATIVELY FEW SVX ON THE ROAD THAT THEY SHOULD, WE OWNERS, BE OVERLOOKED. DEFECTS SHOULD BE CORRECTED B…
Read full complaint
THE BEARING FAILURES AND TRANSMISSION FAILURES HAVE BEEN INHERENT WITH THE SUBARU SVX. THIS I ONLY FOUND TO BE TRUE SINCE LOGGING ON THE INTERNET ON WEB SITES PERTAINING TO THE SVX. IT IS UNJUST THAT JUST BECAUSE THERE ARE RELATIVELY FEW SVX ON THE ROAD THAT THEY SHOULD, WE OWNERS, BE OVERLOOKED. DEFECTS SHOULD BE CORRECTED BY THE MANUFACTURERS AND WE OWNERS SHOULD NOT BE HELD, OR BE EXPECTED TO BE FINANCIALLY ACCOUNTABLE SINCE IN MY CASE EVERY YEAR I HAD TO GO TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED. AND RECENTLY, A NEW TRANSMISSION REBUILT. I KNOW THAT ANY INVESTIGATION WILL PROVE THAT THIS DEFECT IS TRUE FOR ALL OF THE SVX PRODUCED AND I AM PRETTY SURE THAT THE OWNERS WILL HAVE A PILE OF REPAIR WORK THAT CAN JUSTIFY OUR CLAIMS. THANK YOU
NHTSA ODI #700347
Mileage unknown · Oct 29, 1998
Power Train
TRANSMISSION/AXLE WHEEL BEARING FAILURE.
NHTSA ODI #781422
Mileage unknown · Oct 26, 1998
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash
WHEN DRIVING IN TRAFFIC AND APPLYING BRAKES EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY. WHEN DRIVING AT SLOW SPEEDS THE PROBLEM DOES NOT OCCUR, DEALER IS NOT AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #829436
Mileage unknown · Oct 26, 1998
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
WHILE DRIVING AND TRYING TO STOP THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. CAR WENT INTO A TREE AND STOPPED. DEALER IS NOT AWARE OF THE INCIDENT OR THE PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #829433
Mileage unknown · Oct 25, 1998
Power Train
AXLE SHAFT BEARING FAILURE.
NHTSA ODI #781396
Mileage unknown · Oct 24, 1998
Power Train
LEFT REAR AXLE SHAFT BEARING FAILURE.
NHTSA ODI #781392
Mileage unknown · Oct 23, 1998
Power Train
TRANSMISSION FAILURE.
NHTSA ODI #781386
Mileage unknown · Oct 22, 1998
Power Train
TRANSMISSION FAILED.*ET
NHTSA ODI #781522
Mileage unknown · Oct 22, 1998
Power Train
REAR WHEEL BEARING/TRANSMISSION FAILED.
NHTSA ODI #781521
Mileage unknown · Oct 22, 1998
Power TrainSuspension
TRANSMISSION STALLS A BIT BETWEEN SHIFTING OF GEARS, SPECIFICALLY FROM 1 TO 2 GEAR. IT EFFECTS THE DRIVER BECAUSE IN THE MIDST OF DRIVING, THE VEHICLE LOSES CONTROL OVER ACCELERATION OVER THE PERIOD OF TIME BETWEEN SHIFTING. ALSO, THE WHOLE SUSPENSION SYSTEM RATTLES AND SEEMS LOOSE LIKE IT WILL FALL APART.
NHTSA ODI #781383
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
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