1990 Subaru Loyale problems

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1990 Subaru Loyale

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Common 1990 Subaru Loyale problems

The 1990 Subaru Loyale is known for several common problems that have been reported by owners of this car. Here are three of the most frequently mentioned issues:

  • Starting Problems: Another common issue reported by owners of the 1990 Subaru Loyale is related to starting. Some owners have reported that the car may have difficulty starting, especially in cold weather. This problem may be caused by a faulty ignition system, a weak battery, or a clogged fuel filter. In some cases, the problem may be resolved by replacing the spark plugs or the fuel filter.
  • Overheating Problems: Some owners of the 1990 Subaru Loyale have reported that the car may overheat, especially during long trips or in hot weather. This problem may be caused by a faulty cooling system, such as a leaking radiator or a damaged water pump. In some cases, the problem may be resolved by replacing the thermostat or the radiator cap. It is important to address this problem promptly, as overheating can cause serious damage to the engine.

These are just a few of the common problems reported by owners of the 1990 Subaru Loyale. If you are experiencing any of these issues, it is important to have the car inspected by a qualified mechanic as soon as possible. By addressing these problems promptly, you can help ensure the safety and reliability of your car.

1990 Subaru Loyale engine

What engine does a 1991 Subaru Loyale have?

1.8 L

Used 1991 Subaru Loyale Base - Specs & Features

Engine
Base engine size1.8 L
CylindersFlat 4
Base engine typeGas
Horsepower90 hp @ 5,200 rpm

What engine does a 1992 Subaru Loyale have?

1.8 L 4-cylinder1992 Subaru Loyale / Engine

How many miles per gallon does a 1992 Subaru Loyale get?

I find it to be fun and easy to drive. Not the fastest thing but has great gas millage 28-30 is what I tend to get. A perfect around town car. I love it most though because there is no blind spot.

How much oil does a 1991 Subaru Loyale take?

Oil Grade: SM

5W-30 (Below 0) - SAE 5W-30 is not recommended for sustained high-speed driving. Capacity: 4.2 quarts (with filter). After refill check oil level.

Are Subaru engines reliable?

While the brand does incur more expensive repairs based on the infamous head gasket problems the boxer engine experiences, Subarus can easily last well into the 200,000-mile mark or beyond. Used Subarus also make safe and reliable cars for new drivers.

What engine does a 1991 Subaru Loyale have?

1.8 L

Used 1991 Subaru Loyale Base - Specs & Features

Engine
Base engine size1.8 L
CylindersFlat 4
Base engine typeGas
Horsepower90 hp @ 5,200 rpm

Is Subaru a high maintenance car?

A Subaru's typical annual maintenance cost is about $617, slightly lower than the industry average for all vehicles but higher than other Japanese brands like Toyota and Honda.

Are Subaru a good car to buy?

Subarus have fared well in our reliability surveys, consistently ranking in top-10 of all manufacturers. If you're looking for a new car, these models might be worth the wait. These two- and three-row models have the most space to carry luggage, packages, or even a big-screen television.

1990 Subaru Loyale car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Subaru Loyale problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

  • Engine and engine cooling problems
  • Seat belts problems
  • Tires problems
  • Power train problems
  • Electrical system problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 1990 Subaru Loyale vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

1990 Subaru Loyale complaints

The NHTSA has received 15 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1990 Subaru Loyale.

2002-08-20

TIRES PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2000-01-12
  • VIN: JF2AC52B9LD
  • Components: TIRES
  • Summary: OUT OF THE FOUR NEW TIRES THAT WERE PURCHASED TWO TIRES IN THE REAR BLEWOUT WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING. CONTACTED DEALER AND THEY WERE NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING. REPLACEMENT TIRES, 50000 MILES, P175/70R13, MOUNTED ON A SUBARU, ROYAL, 1990. *AK CONSUMER STATE TIRE SIDE WALL BLEW OUT. DOT. # MKEV5BHR 195. *YH
2000-11-14

TIRES PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2000-09-05
  • VIN: JFZAN57B3LH
  • Components: TIRES
  • Summary: FIRESTONE TIRE (P185 70 R13) EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION. *SLC
2000-04-07

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1997-07-01
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
  • Summary: CAR LEAKS OIL ON TAIL PIPE, CAUSING OIL TO BURN AND SMOKE. *AK
1999-08-03

POWER TRAIN,TIRES,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1999-03-24
  • VIN: JF1AC4218LC
  • Components: POWER TRAIN,TIRES,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: TRANSMISSION LEAKS FLUID/ HORN HAS NO SOUND WHEN IT'S HIT AND RIGHT FRONT TIRE MAKES GRINDING NOISE, LIKE METAL TO METAL. HAD TAKEN TO DEALER AT LEAST 6 TIMES. NOTHING WAS FOUND THAT COULD BE CORRECTED.
1997-10-20

SEAT BELTS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1994-12-01
  • VIN: JF1AN4224LB
  • Components: SEAT BELTS
  • Summary: POWER SEAT BELT MOTOR FAILED.
1996-08-27

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1993-05-06
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
  • Summary: WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE THE WATER PUMP BROKE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.*AK
1995-07-17

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1995-05-24
  • VIN: JF1AC4222LC
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
  • Summary: ENGINE HEADS CRACKED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL/OIL LEAKS. *SKD
1995-05-08

SEAT BELTS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1995-03-01
  • VIN: JF2AN5286LD
  • Components: SEAT BELTS
  • Summary: 2 FRONT AUTOMATIC SEAT BELTS ARE NOT LOCKING UP IN SUDDEN STOPPING SITUATION. TT
1995-04-25

POWER TRAIN PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1993-08-01
  • Components: POWER TRAIN
  • Summary: TRANSMISSION PROBLEM GASKET LEAK. TT
1995-04-25

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1993-08-01
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
  • Summary: TRANSMISSION PROBLEM GASKET LEAK. TT
1995-03-27

SEAT BELTS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1994-01-01
  • VIN: JF2AN52B3LD
  • Components: SEAT BELTS
  • Summary: THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE IS SOME TIMES VERY HARD TO LOCK . TT
1995-03-08

SEAT BELTS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1991-06-04
  • VIN: JF2AN52B8LD
  • Components: SEAT BELTS
  • Summary: ALL FOUR SEAT BELT SYSTEMS DO NOT RETRACT PROPERLY. TT
1995-03-06

SEAT BELTS PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1995-02-23
  • Components: SEAT BELTS
  • Summary: HAD TO BREAK DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT TO EXIT FROM IT. TT
1995-03-01

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1990-10-01
  • VIN: JF2AN5283LD
  • Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
  • Summary: WHEN TURNING TO RIGHT, OIL IN ENGINE SWINGS OVER TO LEFT IN OIL PAN; GETS SUCKS UP INTO TUBE THAT GOES TO FUEL INTAKE; STARTS SMOKING; CANNOT ACCCELERATE. TT
1994-12-09

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1994-09-06
  • Crash: 1
  • VIN: UNK
  • Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
  • Summary: SUDDEN ACCELERATION, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. *AK

1990 Subaru Loyale recalls

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 4 recalls for different components of the 1990 Subaru Loyale.

1995-05-24
  • Manufacturer: SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  • Components: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
  • Summary: THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.
  • Consequence: THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
  • Remedy: OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUGGING ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THE LATCH IS SECURELY LOCKED, AND THEN PRESSING THE RELEASE BUTTON. THE LATCH PLATE SHOULD POP OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN THE BUTTON IS PRESSED. IF EITHER RELEASE BUTTON SHOWS A SIGN OF BREAKING OR CRACKING OR IF EITHER BUCKLE FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY, OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CONTACT THEIR AUTHORIZED DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE BUCKLE REPLACED OR REPAIRED, FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER IS DEVELOPING A REMEDY DESIGNED TO PREVENT FAILURE OF THE BUTTONS THAT ARE NOT CURRENTLY BROKEN.
1994-03-23
  • Manufacturer: SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  • Components: POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
  • Summary: WHEN THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN CONTINUOUSLY UNDER EXTREMELY COLD TEMPERATURES (-22 DEGREES F.) AND HIGH HUMIDITY WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE TRANSMISSION BREATHING (AIR) VENT CAN BE BLOCKED DUE TO MOISTURE FREEZING AT THE OIL LEVEL GAUGE. IF THIS OCCURS, PRESSURE INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION CASE WILL INCREASE AND PUSH OUT THE REAR OIL SEAL, CAUSING TRANSMISSION OIL LEAKAGE. THE LACK OF LUBRICATION CAN BURN THE INTERNAL COMPONENTS OF THE TRANSMISSION, CAUSE THE TRANSMISSION TO SEIZE AND THE VEHICLE TO COME TO A SUDDEN STOP.
  • Consequence: SUDDEN STOPS WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING CAN CAUSE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS TO BE THROWN AROUND THE VEHICLE AND CAUSE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL WHICH CAN RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
  • Remedy: DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE OIL GAUGE PIPE AND MODIFY THE OIL LEVEL GAUGE (DIPSTICK) OR REPLACE IT, DEPENDING ON THE TYPE OF DIPSTICK IN THE VEHICLE.
1991-06-11
  • Manufacturer: SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  • Components: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
  • Summary: TRANSMISSION SHIFT LINKAGE MAY BE INCORRECTLY ADJUSTED AND WOULD NOT BE ENGAGED IN A FULL PARK POSITION WHEN PLACED IN PARK.
  • Consequence: IF TRANSMISSION PARK MECHANISM IS NOT IN PARK WHILE THEVEHICLE IS RUNNING OR ON AN INCLINE, A RUNAWAY SITUATION WOULD OCCUR WHICHCOULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
  • Remedy: REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION PARK MECHANISM.
1991-05-30
  • Manufacturer: SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  • Components: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
  • Summary: UNDER CERTAIN LOAD CONDITIONS, THE PARK GEAR MAY NOT DISENGAGE IMMEDIATELY WHEN THE TRANSMISSION LEVER IS MOVED FROM PARK TO REVERSE.
  • Consequence: DELAYED RELEASE OF TRANSMISSION FROM PARK CAUSES DELAYEDAND POSSIBLY ABRUPT VEHICLE MOVEMENT THAT COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLECONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.
  • Remedy: INSTALL A MODIFIED PARKING BRAKE PAWL TO PREVENT DELAYED RELEASE INTO REVERSE GEAR.

Negative 1990 Subaru Loyale car reviews

  1. Lambert Hudson 2024-05-05

    This car is really dependable. It has never left me stranded, even during high snowfall winters. The gas mileage is great and the 4WD makes winter driving a breeze. However, it is important to note that this car seems to rust easily, which has caused most of my repairs. Additionally, there is a known issue with engine oil leaks, which can be frustrating to deal with. I had the engine rebuilt, but unfortunately, it started leaking again after just 2 years.

Positive 1990 Subaru Loyale car reviews

  1. William Ledner 2024-05-29

    I had never considered a Subaru Loyale before, but I bought it to save miles on my PT Cruiser. I am pleasantly surprised by the value-to-fun ratio. It's a 90 4WD 3-speed auto wagon that I purchased for $700 from a small dealer with 99,400 miles. It has no oil leaks, starts every time, and the 4WD works wonders on snow, mud, and even some curb and grade hopping. There is lots and lots of room, and while it's not fast, it gets the job done without any questions.

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Additional sources

More sources of information about 1990 Subaru Loyale problems:

90' Legacy wagon ?common problems? - 1990 to Present Legacy ...
90' Legacy wagon ?common problems? - 1990 to Present Legacy ...
https://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/topic/11367-90-legacy-wagon-common-problems/

Feb 27, 2004 ... no personal experience, but I hear auto tranny is the problem. I had the tranny go bad on 92 Loyale at about 160K miles. Not sure why, it ...

1992 Subaru Loyale Problems and Complaints - 3 Issues
1992 Subaru Loyale Problems and Complaints - 3 Issues
https://repairpal.com/1992-subaru-loyale/problems

Top 1992 Subaru Loyale Problems · Engine Oil Leaks. 9 people have reported this. 1 · Valve lifter noise. 7 people have reported this. 1 · Premature timing belt ...

Subaru Loyale - reliable? - Old Gen.: 80's GL/DL/XT/Loyales ...
Subaru Loyale - reliable? - Old Gen.: 80's GL/DL/XT/Loyales ...
https://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/topic/92383-subaru-loyale-reliable/

Jan 29, 2009 ... the biggest cause of concern is that over 20 years it's likely they've been overheated, run low on oil and things like that. if they haven't ...

1990 Subaru Loyale Repair: Service and Maintenance Cost
1990 Subaru Loyale Repair: Service and Maintenance Cost
https://repairpal.com/cars/subaru/loyale/1990

Get 1990 Subaru Loyale repair and maintenance costs, common problems, recalls, and more. Find certified Subaru mechanics near you.

Think of buying a 1992 Subaru Loyale Wagon - Old Gen.: 80's GL ...
Think of buying a 1992 Subaru Loyale Wagon - Old Gen.: 80's GL ...
https://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/topic/157261-think-of-buying-a-1992-subaru-loyale-wagon/

Jan 12, 2016 ... Headgaskets and broken timing belts are common problems. They can be pretty solid. Keep in mind though a challenge for you will be finding parts ...

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subaru loyale 1991 photo
Loyale 1991
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4

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subaru loyale 1992 photo
Loyale 1992
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47

1

8

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subaru loyale 1993 photo
Loyale 1993
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subaru loyale 1994 photo
Loyale 1994
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subaru loyale 1989 photo
Loyale 1989
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subaru loyale 1990 photo
Loyale 1990
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1990 Subaru Loyale photo