Vehicles / Subaru / SVX / 1992

1992 Subaru SVX

231 federal complaints (303 component records) · 0 recall campaigns on file · 13 service bulletins
See all 7 model years of the Subaru SVX →
Engine
3.3L 6-cyl
Fuel
Premium
Drive
4WD/AWD
EPA economy
15 city / 23 hwy
Federal complaints
231
Recall campaigns
0
Specifications show one example EPA configuration for this model year; other engines, drivetrains, and trims exist and the records below cover all of them.
How to read this file. Complaint records are unverified owner submissions to the federal safety agency. Counts are raw, not adjusted for sales volume or vehicle age. Recall campaigns apply to the model; only a VIN check shows whether this car is affected or repaired. Parts shown are named by an editorial note or listed as a search directory; none is a diagnosis. Full methodology.

Fault profile

Complaint-component records on this vehicle, grouped by family. A complaint naming two systems counts once in each.

Power train
224
Suspension
20
Electrical system
9
Brakes
9
Speed control
7
Wheels
6
Steering
6
Other
6
Complaints are owner-reported and not verified by the agency.

When it fails

The timing of this vehicle's reported failures, from the complaint file itself. A cluster tells you what to expect and when; it is shaped by reporting behavior as well as by the vehicle.

Vehicle age when the failure occurred

0 years old: 0 complaints01 years old: 0 complaints2 years old: 1 complaints3 years old: 1 complaints4 years old: 8 complaints5 years old: 16 complaints56 years old: 41 complaints7 years old: 32 complaints8 years old: 16 complaints9 years old: 17 complaints10 years old: 12 complaints1011 years old: 8 complaints12 years old: 5 complaints13 years old: 4 complaints14 years old: 0 complaints15 years old: 2 complaints1516 years old: 1 complaints17 years old: 0 complaints18 years old: 0 complaints19 years old: 0 complaints20+ years old: 1 complaints20+
Years between the model year and the owner's reported failure date. Based on 165 of 231 complaints with a usable failure date.

Known issues

The component families with the most complaint records against this vehicle. Counts, crash and fire figures belong to the whole family, not to any single named issue. Parts listed are related system parts, not a diagnosis.

Power train

224 complaint records1 fire report3 crash reports
"PEMATURE FAILURE OF TRANSMISSION. THERE'S ACTUALLY A TSB ON THIS FAILURE SHOWING THAT THE MANUFACTURE NEW OF THIS FAILURE...."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse power train parts in the directory →

Suspension

20 complaint records
"THE REAR WHEEL BEARING WAS MAKING NOISE WHEN VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED AND WAS REPAIRED BY DEALER, ABOUT 14 THOUSAND MILES IT'S MAKING NOISE AGAIN...."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse suspension parts in the directory →

Electrical system

9 complaint records
"TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED.THE PROBLEMS RANGES FROM BAD ECU'S THAT SCREW UP WHEN IT IS COLD TO HORRIBLE TORQUE CONVERTERS THAT SLIP DURING SHIFTING OR ACCELERATING...."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse electrical system parts in the directory →

Service bulletins and warranty extensions

Manufacturer communications to dealers on file with the federal agency: repair instructions, service campaigns, and warranty extensions. A warranty extension means the manufacturer may pay for a repair the recall table does not cover.

BulletinTypeComponentSummary
15-302-22
Aug 2022
EquipmentThis bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure.
01-167-08R
Aug 2022
EquipmentThis bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models.
15-192-22R
Mar 2022
Electrical SystemThis bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic essential information during diagnosis and repair of the Infotainment concerns. (Applicable to all models with Harman or Denso CP1 Infotainment).
01-167-08R
Jun 2021
EquipmentThis bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models
09-51-08R
Jun 2021
Engine And Engine CoolingThis bulletin is to advise of SOA’s revised catalytic converter recycling program shipping procedure.
Show 8 more bulletins
BulletinTypeComponentSummary
14-22-16R
Feb 2021
EquipmentTo help reduce confusion and increase technician efficiency, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) has developed the following cross reference list to help locate the appropriate Special Service Tool.
14-22-16R
Aug 2020
EquipmentSpecial Service Tools Cross Reference List.
01-181-20
Apr 2020
EquipmentAll Models (Vehicle Cleaning- COVID-19Best Practices)
Subaru Tech Tips
May 2019
EquipmentSubaru Service and Technical Support Line Newletter.
14-22-16R
May 2019
EquipmentTo help reduce confusion and increase technician efficiency, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) has developed the following cross reference list to help locate the appropriate Special Service Tool.
106896R
Aug 1998
EquipmentVARIOUS INSTRUCTIONS AND PROCEDURES ON AIR CONDITIONING RETROFIT. *YC
97061301146
Jun 1997
EquipmentVARIOUS INFORMATION ON PROCEDURES AND THEFT PREVENTION STANDARDS. *YC
114695
Oct 1995
Unknown Or OtherKNOCK SENSOR. *SD

Before you buy this vehicle

A test-drive checklist generated from this vehicle's own complaint and recall record.

  1. Drive it from a dead stop, twice, on a hill if you can.Shudder, hesitation, or a lurch under light throttle is how this vehicle's largest complaint cluster shows itself. Then ask for the transmission service history in writing; repeat repairs are a pattern, not a fluke.
  2. Find the roughest road nearby.Clunks over bumps, a droning hum that changes when the car leans, or a corner that sits low are this vehicle's suspension complaints. Wheel bearings and control arm bushings lead the parts list.
  3. Sit in it with the engine off and test everything that has a switch.Windows, locks, lights, the cluster, the radio. Electrical faults are this vehicle's story and the hardest to see on a drive: an intermittent no-start waits for the second week of ownership. Ask for the battery's age and whether any control module has been replaced.
  4. Ask for the service history in writing, then read it against this page.The complaint families above are where owners of this vehicle report trouble. Repairs in exactly those systems are evidence the car had the problem; no such repairs could mean it never developed it, or that it was never fixed. The test-drive items above are how you tell those apart.

Parts search directory

The generic parts list for this vehicle has its own page: a search launcher for every system, filtered by fuel type and era but not by engine, trim, or brake type. It is not a diagnosis and not a fitment guarantee.

Open the parts directory for this Subaru SVX →