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Subaru LoyaleModel year report

1990 Subaru Loyale Problems

Complaints
13filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
—no mileage reported
Recalls
4campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
22 mpgcombined, 1.8L 4-cyl FWD · 21 city / 24 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1990 Subaru Loyale (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 13 consumer complaints for the 1990 Subaru Loyale. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 5 complaints (38% of the total), followed by seat belts (5) and tires (3). NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 10 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part. Seat belts complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the buckle assembly filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Engine cooling: “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”

NHTSA complaint #960863, filed 1995-03

Tires: “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. Consumer state tire side wall blew out. Dot. # mkev5bhr 195.”

NHTSA complaint #8016707, filed 2002-08

Transmission and drivetrain: “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.”

NHTSA complaint #844145, filed 1999-08

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

1995719961997199920002002
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 1990 Subaru Loyale version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Loyale FWD1.8L 4-cyl5-speed manual222925$2,700
Loyale FWD1.8L 4-cyl3-speed automatic212422$3,050
Loyale FWD1.8L 4-cyl3-speed automatic192220$3,350
Loyale 4WD1.8L 4-cyl5-speed manual212623$2,900
Loyale 4WD1.8L 4-cyl3-speed automatic192120$3,350
Loyale 4WD Turbo1.8L 4-cyl4-speed automatic182420$3,350
Loyale Wagon FWD1.8L 4-cyl5-speed manual222824$2,800
Loyale Wagon FWD1.8L 4-cyl3-speed automatic212422$3,050
Loyale Wagon FWD1.8L 4-cyl3-speed automatic192220$3,350
Loyale Wagon 4WD1.8L 4-cyl5-speed manual212623$2,900
Loyale Wagon 4WD1.8L 4-cyl3-speed automatic192120$3,350
Loyale Wagon 4WD Turbo1.8L 4-cyl4-speed automatic182420$3,350

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 1990 Subaru Loyale → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

NHTSA investigations

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 10 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

Other model years of the Subaru Loyale

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
199313—1—24—Not enough data
199223200,0001—24—Stable
199113222,0002—24—Not enough data
199013—4—22—Not enough data

All Subaru Loyale model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 1990 Subaru Loyale have?

NHTSA recorded 13 consumer complaints for the 1990 Subaru Loyale as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1990 Subaru Loyale is reported most often?

Engine cooling is named most often, in 5 complaints (38% of the total), followed by seat belts with 5.

Has the 1990 Subaru Loyale been recalled?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 1990 Subaru Loyale get?

The EPA rates the 1990 Subaru Loyale (Loyale, 1.8L 4-cyl) at 22 mpg combined, 21 city and 24 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,050 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.