1988 Subaru Xt6 problems
The Subaru XT is a two-door, front- or all-wheel drive, four passenger 2+2 coupé manufactured and marketed by Subaru for model years 1985-1991, with a facelift in 1987. At introduction, the XT was the most aerodynamic car marketed in the US market, heavily influenced by noted designer Alex Tremulis.
Marketed as the Alcyone in Japan; as the Vortex in Australia and New Zealand; and as the XT (with the EA-82 four-cylinder engine) or XT6 (with the ER-27 six-cylinder engine) in North America and Europe, all XT's were assembled at Subaru's Yajima Plant in Ota, Japan. Over its single generation, production reached just over 98,000.
The XT was conceived in the United States for the US market, and debuted globally in the US. After sales began in February 1985 in the US, the XT Turbo 4WD's debuted in Europe at the March 1985 Geneva Motor Show, followed by its Japanese debut in June 1985.
The XT was noted for its pronounced wedge shape, low coefficient of drag; aviation influences from the aircraft division of parent company Fuji Heavy Industry; and its host of features, either innovative or uncommon in the XT's class — including height-adjustable pneumatic suspension, digital dash, central locking system, op-art upholstery, fold down rear seat, pod- and center console-mounted HVAC controls, advanced trip computer, and instrument cluster that tilted with adjustment of the steering column. With available front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, depending on the model year, the XT offered three trim levels, DL, GL (non-turbo, front-drive only), and GL-10 Turbo.
The Alcyone nameplate derives from Alcyone, the brightest star in the Pleiades star cluster, stylized in the Subaru logo. The model was superseded by the Subaru Alcyone SVX in 1992.
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Common 1988 Subaru Xt6 problems
Based on the information provided in the sources, here are common problems with the 1988 Subaru XT6 as reported by owners:
- Maintenance Challenges:
- Parts availability for unique components of the XT6 is reported to be poor, making it difficult for owners to find replacement parts.
- The air ride suspensions in these cars are often non-functional, with only a few still operational, adding to the maintenance challenges faced by owners.
- Suspension and Wheel Problems:
- The XT6's suspension is not known for being sporty, and options for upgrades are limited, with coilovers being one of the few available choices.
- The wheels and axles of the XT6 are unique, with a 4x140 bolt pattern, making finding replacements or performing axle conversions a challenge due to the rarity of parts.
- Transmission and Drivetrain Concerns:
- The XT6 had variations in transmission options over the years, with early models offering different transmission choices compared to later models, making it challenging to swap transmissions between different versions.
These issues highlight some of the common challenges faced by owners of the 1988 Subaru XT6, ranging from engine reliability and maintenance difficulties to unique suspension and drivetrain complexities.
1988 Subaru Xt6 car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Subaru Xt6 problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Steering problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1988 Subaru Xt6 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1988 Subaru Xt6 complaints
The NHTSA has received 5 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1988 Subaru Xt6.
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2002-12-01
- VIN: JF1AX942XJH
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE REMEDIED UNDER RECALL 91V193000 IN 02/92. POWER STEERING BEGAN TO FAIL WITHOUT WARNING INTERMITTENTLY AT 89K MILES. DEALER DIAGNOSED PROBLEM AS RELATED TO PREVIOUS RECALL. MANUFACTURER ADVISED ONLY A 1 YEAR WARRANTY ON RECALL REMEDY. TS
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: JF1AX9420JH
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: WHILE OPERATING VEHICLE AT ANY SPEED, THE POWER STEERING WILL CEASE OPERATING CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL. VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY INCLUDED IN RECALL 91V193000, WHICH THE REMEDY CORRECTED THE PROBLEM ONLY BRIEFLY.
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1998-02-01
- VIN: JF1AX9426JH
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED PRIOR TO/AFTER RECALL REPAIRS (91V-193).
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-08-01
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: POWER STEERING MECHANISM FAILED AFTER RECALL WORK PERFORMED.
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-04-04
- VIN: JF1AX8424JC
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: WHEN TRAVELING THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT AND THEN IT COMES BACK ON. ELECTRONIC STEERING SYSTEM SIGNAL CONTROLLER HAS BEEN REPLACED UNDER SERVICE RECALL #WZM48 ON 3/30/92 AT 60,000 MILES. NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN AT 90,000 AND ON 7/89. *AK
1988 Subaru Xt6 recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 2 recalls for different components of the 1988 Subaru Xt6.
- Manufacturer: SPX FILTRAN
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: CERTAIN SPX FILTRAN FUEL FILTERS WITH A 45-DEGREE ANGLE INLET TUBE, MODEL 800F350-S1, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT FILTERS FOR 1993-1997 FORD PROBE,1993-2001 MAZDA 626 AND MX-6, AND 1983-1994 LOYAL, 3-DOOR COUPE, HATCHBACK, SEDAN, WAGON, BRAT, DL, GL, GL-10, RX, XT, AND XT6 PASSENGER VEHICLES WITH EFI OR TURBO ENGINES. THESE FILTERS ARE PACKAGED AS WIX, NAPA, AND CARQUEST BRAND FUEL FILTERS. CERTAIN SPX FILTRAN FUEL FILTERS WITH A 90-DEGREE ANGLE INLET TUBE, MODEL 800F300-S2, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT FILTERS FOR 19983-1994 SUBARU VEHICLES WITH EFI OR TURBO ENGINES. THESE FILTERS ARE PACKAGED AS WIX, NAPA, AND CARQUEST BRAND FUEL FILTERS. FUEL MAY LEAK FROM THE FILTER DUE TO NON-CONFORMING BRAZING WELDS WHERE THE INLET TUBE IS CONNECTED TO THE FILTER CAN.
- Consequence: IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A VEHICLE FIRE CAN OCCUR.
- Remedy: SPX WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND PROVIDE A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN SEPTEMBER 27, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MR. CHRIS GREESON AT 704-869-3733 OR CONTACT THE WIX INFORMATION HOTLINE AT 800-949-6698.
- Manufacturer: SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
- Components: STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP
- Summary: THE ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED MOTOR PUMP POWER STEERING SYSTEM MAY MALFUNCTION, CAUSING INTERMITTENT LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST AND REQUIRING VARYING DEGREES OF INCREASED STEERING EFFORT.
- Consequence: THE INTERMITTENT NATURE OF THE POWER STEERING FAILURECAN LEAD TO LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND RESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
- Remedy: INSTALL A MODIFIED SIGNAL CONTROLLER AND A MODIFIED POWER CONTROLLER.
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