1988 Subaru Justy
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1988 Subaru Justy is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 1 on record.
1988 Subaru Justy at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
1988 Subaru Justy recalls 4
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.
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 SU…
DUE TO THE DESIGN OF THE TRANSMISSION CASE DIPSTICK AND THE FLUID LEVEL CHECKING METHOD, THERE MAY BE INSUFFICIENT LUBRICATION OF THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE EXTENSION HOUSING BEARING.
Fix: INSTALL MODIFIED DIPSTICK AND INSERT INFORMATION IN OWNERS MANUAL ON THE CORRECT FLUID LEVEL CHECKING PROCEDURES.
OMISSION OF INFORMATION SPECIFIED BY FMVSS 210 FROM OWNER MANUAL.
Fix: ADHESIVE BACKED INSERTS WILL BE FURNISHED WITH THE CORRECT INFORMATION.
INSUFFICIENT CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE RELOCATED ALTERNATOR WIRING AND THE SOLENOID HOSE ALTERNATOR WIRING STAY BRACKET CAN CAUSE WIRE CHAFFING AND AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.
Fix: MODIFY BY REMOVING THE SOLENOID HOSE/ALTERNATOR STAY BRACKET.
Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.
1988 Subaru Justy common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 4 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
1988 Subaru Justy MPG & running costs
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov.
Estimated 5-year cost to own
A rough guide to what running a 1988 Subaru Justy costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.
Dimensions & weight
Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1988 Subaru Justy. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.
Investigations & service bulletins
NHTSA defect investigations 3
TAKATA SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE Closed
NHTSA #EA95008 · Fuel System, Other · opened Mar 1995 · closed Aug 1995HOOD LATCH FAILURE Closed
NHTSA #PE94051 · Structure · opened Jun 1994 · closed Oct 1994STALLING & TRANSMISSION Closed
STALLING & TRANSMISSION
NHTSA #DP90015 · Power Train · opened Aug 1990 · closed Nov 1990An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.
Manufacturer service bulletins 10
Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered.
This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure.
Bulletin 15-302-22 · Equipment, Electrical System · Aug 2022This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models.
Bulletin 01-167-08R · Equipment · Aug 2022This 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).
Bulletin 15-192-22R · Electrical System · Mar 2022This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models
Bulletin 01-167-08R · Electrical System, Equipment · Jun 2021This bulletin is to advise of SOAâs revised catalytic converter recycling program shipping procedure.
Bulletin 09-51-08R · Equipment, Engine And Engine Cooling · Jun 2021To 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.
Bulletin 14-22-16R · Equipment · Feb 2021Special Service Tools Cross Reference List.
Bulletin 14-22-16R · Equipment · Aug 2020All Models (Vehicle Cleaning- COVID-19Best Practices)
Bulletin 01-181-20 · Equipment · Apr 2020Subaru Service and Technical Support Line Newletter.
Bulletin Subaru Tech Tips · Equipment · May 2019To 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.
Bulletin 14-22-16R · Equipment · May 2019Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the JUSTY. Model-year data, not specific to one car.
Canadian recalls 2
Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 1988 Subaru Justy. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.
Seats And Restraints
DEFECT: THE (Takata) ABS PLASTIC FRONT SEAT BELT RELEASE BUTTONS ON THESE VEHICLES MAY BREAK ALLOWING PLASTIC PIECES TO FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY. IF THIS SHOULD HAPPEN, A NO LATCH, FALSE LATCH OR FAILURE TO UNLATCH CONDITION COULD OCCUR CREATING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH OR SUDDEN STOP. CORRECTION: FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLES WILL BE REPAIRED OR REPLA…
Transport Canada #1995107 · Jun 1995Powertrain
ON VEHICLES WITH 5 SPEED TRANSMISSION AND 4WD THE DESIGN OF THE TRANSMISSION CASE DIPSTICK AND THE FLUID LEVEL CHECKING METHOD DESCRIBED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL MAY RESULT IN INSUFFICIENT LUBRICATION OF THE 4WD EXTENSION BEARING. THIS COULD LEAD TO BEARING SEIZURE AND POSSIBLE REAR WHEEL LOCK-UP WHICH COULD IN TURN LEAD TO LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND A CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING…
Transport Canada #1989031 · Mar 1989Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.
About the Subaru Justy
The Subaru Justy is a subcompact hatchback manufactured and marketed by Japanese automaker Subaru since 1984. The company has marketed a rebadged variant known as the Daihatsu Boon, at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show with could be optioned with a 1.0 or 1.2-litre inline-3 engine, front/four wheel drive, electronically controlled continuously variable transaxle, or a 5-speed manual transaxle. For the 2010 model year, the Justy was replaced with the Subaru Trezia. The Justy nameplate was revived in November 2016 as a rebadged Toyota Tank and its twin counterpart the Toyota Roomy and Daihatsu Thor.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.