1993 Subaru Svx problems
The Subaru Alcyone SVX, marketed outside Japan as the Subaru SVX, is a two-door, front-engine, all- or front-wheel drive coupé manufactured and marketed by Subaru from 1991 to 1996 over a single generation.
Superseding the company's aviation-influenced XT range, the Alcyone SVX was Subaru's first entry into the luxury/performance market, and was noted for its aircraft-inspired 'window-within-a-window' side-glass configuration.
The nameplate "Alcyone" (pronounced "al-SIGH-uh-nee") refers to the brightest star in the Pleiades constellation, stylized in the Subaru company logo. The suffix "SVX" is an acronym for "Subaru Vehicle X".
Social links
Common 1993 Subaru Svx problems
The Subaru SVX, produced in 1993, is known for its unique design and engineering features, but it also has some common problems that owners have reported.
One of the most common problems with the 1993 Subaru SVX is a dead battery due to the ABS relay being stuck on. This issue can cause the battery to drain quickly, leaving the car without power. The cause of this problem is not explicitly stated, but it is likely due to a malfunction in the ABS system, which can lead to excessive current draw and battery drain.
Another common problem with the 1993 Subaru SVX is related to the engine's complexity. The SVX's engine is a 3.3-liter flat six with 24 valves, four overhead cams, and a single toothed cam belt driving both exhaust cams. This complex design can lead to various issues, including problems with the cam belt and the engine's variable intake system. These issues can result in decreased performance, increased fuel consumption, and even engine failure in severe cases.
The 1993 Subaru SVX also has reported problems with the electric sunroof, which can lapse into a coma and require significant repairs. Additionally, the air conditioning system is not the most robust, and it may not function correctly in some cases.
The Subaru SVX's four-wheel drive system, operated by an active torque split system and an electronically controlled intelligent four-speed automatic gearbox, can also cause problems. These issues can result in decreased performance, increased fuel consumption, and decreased reliability.
Furthermore, the SVX's electronic equipment, including the central locking system and the six-speaker stereo system, may also cause problems. These issues can result in decreased functionality and increased repair costs.
In summary, the 1993 Subaru SVX is known for its unique design and engineering features, but it also has some common problems that owners have reported. These problems include a dead battery due to the ABS relay being stuck on, issues with the complex engine design, problems with the electric sunroof and air conditioning system, and issues with the four-wheel drive system and electronic equipment. These issues can result in decreased performance, increased fuel consumption, and decreased reliability, and they may require significant repairs.
Why did the Subaru SVX fail?
Due to the SVX's introductory high price, and the fact that it had made its debut during an economic recession, sales in the United States were sluggish; just 5,280 cars were sold in 1992 and 3,859 cars in 1993. Subaru intended to sell 10,000 SVX's each year.
Are Subaru SVX parts hard to find?
Most parts are unavailable however If you call the Subaru dealership and ask them to look for parts for a 1994 svx (regardless of your year) you will find more parts or at least a part number for reference of discontinued parts. eBay for the used parts or buy a parts car from svx-nation.
Is Subaru SVX a rare car?
In its production lifetime between 1991 and 1996, the Subaru SVX is reckoned to have sold 24,379 units — that's slightly more than the 23,400 examples of Citroën C6, with which I am very familiar.
What is the top speed of the 1993 Subaru SVX?
- 0-60 mph: 7.3 seconds.
- 1/4 mile: 15.4 seconds at 92.5 mph (148.9 km/h)
- Top speed: 154 mph (248 km/h) (1992–93), 143 mph (230 km/h) (1994+ due to the addition of an electronic speed governor)
- 60-0 mph: 98 ft (30 m)
Why did the Subaru SVX fail?
It was the only available gearbox because Subaru didn't have a manual transmission that could effectively put up with the SVX without liquifying itself (via MotorTrend). A hefty price tag and somewhat weak transmission spelled sales disaster for Subaru. All told, the brand sold around 14,000 SVXs during its short life.
Why did Subaru stop making the SVX?
They simply weren't selling, so Subaru decided to scrap the name and car in favour of a better vehicle, the Subaru Ascent. In 2014, the last year the Tribeca was sold, only 732 models were sold. A lot lower of a number compared to the 18,614 sold in 2007.
What is the top speed of the 1993 Subaru SVX?
- 0-60 mph: 7.3 seconds.
- 1/4 mile: 15.4 seconds at 92.5 mph (148.9 km/h)
- Top speed: 154 mph (248 km/h) (1992–93), 143 mph (230 km/h) (1994+ due to the addition of an electronic speed governor)
- 60-0 mph: 98 ft (30 m)
Is Subaru SVX a rare car?
In its production lifetime between 1991 and 1996, the Subaru SVX is reckoned to have sold 24,379 units — that's slightly more than the 23,400 examples of Citroën C6, with which I am very familiar.
1993 Subaru Svx car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Subaru Svx problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Power train problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1993 Subaru Svx vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1993 Subaru Svx complaints
The NHTSA has received 4 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1993 Subaru Svx.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WITH A SEMI-MANUAL MODE ONLY WORKS IN SECOND AND THIRD GEARS. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. *AK
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: 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. *AK
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: 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
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: JF1CX3536PH
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: TRANSMISSION FAILURE.
Positive 1993 Subaru Svx car reviews
Additional sources
More sources of information about 1993 Subaru Svx problems:
Common problems with SVX's? [Archive] - The Subaru SVX World ...
1- The biggest problem with theese cars is the transmission. 90% of them have / are about to explode. · 2- Wheel bearings. Subaru made the rear ...
Is a subaru SVX reliable to use as a daily driver? : r/subaru
Oct 2, 2021 ... Problem is, they're notorious for having a lack of parts available. Exactly how hard are they to find? Are there any work arounds? I've heard of ...
Transmission Fuse - The Subaru SVX World Network
Nov 16, 2006 ... If you insert a 5A fuse, it will disable the AWD and if the problem goes away, you have a very common problem. I drove around with the fuse in ...
1994 Subaru SVX Problems | Kelley Blue Book
How reliable is the 1994 Subaru SVX? See the most common repairs performed and learn if your vehicle is at risk for major repairs in the next 12 months.
Subaru SVX Repair: Service and Maintenance Cost
Get Subaru SVX repair and maintenance costs, common problems, recalls, and more ... Subaru SVX vehicles have0known recent recalls. ... 1993 Subaru SVX · 1994 Subaru ...
Geovany Kovacek 2025-01-09
I hope you're doing well! I just wanted to let you know that I bought this car with 180k on it and it still runs perfectly. The interior is in great condition and the transmission was rebuilt. Additionally, the car's electronics work perfectly. I expect this car to last for at least another 100k. Let me know if you have any questions!
Reynold Will 2024-11-11
I've had this car for almost 5 years now. When I bought it, it had 80k miles on it. Unfortunately, I had to get the transmission fixed twice, but thankfully it was under warranty. I also had some issues with the front rotors warping, but I was able to improve the situation by getting some aftermarket 'low heat' pads and turning the rotors. I did have a couple of instances where the power steering hoses popped off, but overall I still enjoy driving this car.
D'angelo Konopelski 2024-10-14
What a great car! It's been a reliable ride for me, even after driving it for 15k miles since I bought it at 114k miles. The only thing I've had to replace is the water pump. The AWD makes for amazing cornering and it's incredibly comfortable - even more so than my Infiniti. Every time I drive it, people try to race me and I usually come out on top, but win or lose, I always get a thumbs up or some other sign of appreciation. It's a very sturdy car too. Before I bought it, it was hit by an H2 Hummer in a parking lot and repaired, and then less than two weeks after I bought it, it was hit again on the same corner (front right) by a big white work van. Despite bending the fender off the tire, the car drove perfectly straight. I even hit a rock big enough to break my rim on the same front right tire, but there was no real damage. Overall, I'm really happy with this car!
Trent Cruickshank 2024-07-25
I received this car from a family member who had taken great care of it, and it only had 86K miles on it. The transmission, which is the only weak point of the car, had been rebuilt at 73K miles. To ensure the car's longevity, I installed the largest external transmission cooler that could fit. The car is very comfortable and consistently gets 19-20 mpg in town and an impressive 30 mpg on the highway. I was lucky enough to find a local mechanic who loves working on these cars, so other than routine maintenance, it has never needed any repairs. Driving it through curving mountain roads is an absolute blast, and it's always a unique sight at stoplights since it's not as common as some other makes.
Noe Schuster 2024-07-24
I hope you're doing well! I wanted to share my experience with my SVX. I've had it for 3 years now and it's been quite the journey. When I first got it, I had to replace the transmission because the previous owner had towed it by the front tires, not realizing it was all-wheel drive. It was definitely an unexpected expense, but I managed to find a good deal and only paid $3200 for the car overall. Since then, I've had to replace a lot of other parts as well, including the ignition, fuel system, harmonic balancer, head gaskets, door locks, antenna motor, spark plugs and wires, and rack and pinion. It hasn't been cheap, but I really do love this car and it's been worth it to me. I even managed to find a replacement glass piece for one of the doors at a junk yard for only $75, although it did cost $80 to install. I'm currently on the lookout for a chip and supercharger to really take it to the next level. I'm excited to see what the future holds for my Superu!