1991 Subaru Justy recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-20. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Seat belts
What's wrong, in plain English: Seat belts may not hold you in a crash. 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.
What could happen: THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The fix: 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 SECU…
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1991 JUSTY.
- Book a repair at any authorized Subaru dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 95V103006.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: 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.
Notes: SYSTEM: INTERIOR; SEAT BELTS; BELT BUCKLES. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SAFETY BELTS MADE BY TAKATA CORPORATION. DL, GL AND LOYALE MODELS INVOLVE ONLY 3-DOOR COUPES, OTHER MODELS IN THESE SERIES ARE NOT INVOLVED. NOTE: THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT SUPPLIED THE MODEL VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THIS CAMPAIGN. NOTE: IF YOUR VEHICLE IS PRESENTED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND THE REMEDY IS NOT PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME, PLEASE CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 1991 Subaru Justy owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Seat belts (3), Transmission / drivetrain (2), Engine (1), Seats (1), Brakes (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
06/24/1999 · Seat belts
SEAT BELT DOES NOT RETRACT INTO DOOR, DOES NOT RESTRAIN DRIVER. DEALER QUOTES $500 TO REPAIR. *AK
06/22/1999 · Transmission / drivetrain
TRANSMISSION: DROPS INTO LOW GEAR AFTER THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED TO SLOW DOWN. THE FRONT WHEELS WOULD SQUEAL & SLIDE WHEN THIS HAPPENS. HAVE TAKEN VEHICLE TO PRIVATE SHOP.
06/17/1997 · Engine
OWNER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AT HIGHWAY SPEED THE PISTON ROD SNAPPED. THE CAUSE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED. OWNER IS VERY CONCERNED FOR SAFETY. *ML
07/03/1996 · Seats · crash
WHILE IN REAR-END ACCIDENT SEAT BROKE, FELL BACKWARDS, RESULTING IN AN INJURY. *AK
06/18/1996 · Brakes · fire
DRIVNG AT VERY LOW SPEED,10MPH, APPLIED THE BRAKES, THEY FAILED, PUT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON, SAW SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. *AK
03/31/1996 · Transmission / drivetrain
TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT DOWNSHIFT SMOOTHLY, IT JUMPED INTO LOWER GEAR, CAUSING A JOLT; THROWING PASSENGERS FORWARD. *DSH
11/01/1995 · Seat belts
PASSIVE RESTRAINT FAILED (1) YEAR AGO NOT RESTRAINING DRIVER'S UPPER PORTION. ELECTRONIC RETRACTOR FAILURE WAS REPLACED W/PROBLEM REOCCURING. PLEASE DESCRIBE.
03/15/1995 · Seat belts · crash
VEHICLE WAS AT COMPLETE STOP AND IMPACT AT 6:00 POSITION, FRONT SHOULDER BELT FAILED, CAUSING INJURIES. TT