1992 Subaru SVX: problems, recalls and reliability
0 recalls and 231 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (80% of complaints); the 1994 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly
0
recalls
231
owner complaints
1
fire reports
115,290
typical failure mileage, mi
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
No recall campaignsProblems tend to appear late (median 115,290 mi)Weak spot: power train (80%)1 fire report
Common problems
Computed from 231 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
Power Train (transmission, axles, driveline)80% · 181 complaints
Suspension (shocks, springs, ride quality)7% · 16 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control (unintended acceleration, cruise control)2% · 5 complaints
Wheels (wheels, lug nuts, bearings)2% · 5 complaints
Service Brakes, Hydraulic (brakes)2% · 4 complaints
Electrical System (battery, wiring, electronics)2% · 4 complaints
“Tl* the contact owns a 1992 subaru svx. The contact was driving approximately 40 mph when the transmission seized without warning. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer, who advised that the transmission would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 151,000.”Owner report · Power Train · Jan 2013
“Transmission failure. No specific event or activity lead to the failure. Transmission worsened over a period of weeks - rough shifts and eventually unable to get into all gears. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Feb 2007
“Dt*: the contact stated the transmission's second gear is inoperative and third gear is slipping. The cooling system was unable to cool the transmission which led to the failure of the second gear. An independent mechanic determined the transmission needed to be replaced or rebuilt. *nm”Owner report · Power Train · Dec 2005
Show 7 more owner reports
“The transmission failed on my subaru svx 1992 year model. The vehicle only has 65k miles on it and has been maintained per the manufacturer's recommendations. The transmission failed prematurely. *jb”Owner report · Power Train · Nov 2005
“1992 subaru svx transmission failure. Everything on the car works great but 3rd and 4th gear.. Subaru needs to help us out since the repairs would cost $4200, that's more then blue book. *ak”Owner report · Power Train · Apr 2005
“Transmission has failed for the second time after being fixed. No warning this time, just wouldn't go in reverse. Transmission is being rebuilt by subaru. It is a 1992 subaru svx. *jb”Owner report · Power Train · Dec 2004
“I am feeling the failure of my transmission, which is quite common to all 1992 subaru svx and the company hasn't really taken any precautionary or even recall for those defective transmissions and many of 1992 owners have spent a lot in this issue and even some of those have changed to manual transmissions. The company is charging about $4,200 to install a new tranmission. I am gettin whether they are making money on these transmissions.*ak”Owner report · Power Train · Nov 2004
“Transmission failed with 64000 mi. Trans shop "rebuilt" it and added a trans cooler for 2200$ as soon as I fist drove it I noticed the car "binding up" during turns at slow speed. Shop owner said he couldn't replicate or feel anything wrong, with me in the car and it was clearly binding during slow turns, he refused to acknowledge any problem. Also there is a noise, like a bolt inside the torque converter that I hear when I am off the throttle. Also have replaced both rear wheel bearings. Cabin trunk release has failed and all of the hood/trunk struts have failed. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Sep 2004
“The transmission slips in 4th gear when it's temperature and the weather temperature is cool. The transmission also fails to lock in gear. The speedometer fluctuates and does not indicate the correct speed being driven. This occurs because the speedometer sensor is installed on top on the transmission, and the transmission burnt through the sensor. The failure is common with this vehicle per the dealership. *nm”Owner report · Power Train · Jun 2004
“My svx, although it is a 92' the front differential failed at about 98,000 miles. I expected the life of the transmission to last a lot longer. The car is in good condition, but it will cost me over $6000 to fix as reno subaru says I will need a complete new transmission to fix the problem. The car is probabley only worth about that much. My car is sitting in my drive way, I don't want to scrap it but don't want to spend the entire worth of the car to fix the problem. *ak”Owner report · Power Train · Sep 2003
When filing, owners marked a crash in 4 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
How other years compare
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Is the 1992 Subaru SVX reliable?
NHTSA has 231 owner complaints and 0 recall campaigns on record for the 1992 Subaru SVX. The most complained-about area is power train (80% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1992 Subaru SVX problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 115,290 miles or less.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.