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1987 Subaru GL

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1987 GL.

With an engine oil capacity of 3.7 qt accepting 10W-30, 10W-40, or 10W-50 API SM viscosity, the 1987 Subaru GL presents a specific mechanical profile for researchers. Reliability records show 3 recalls and a total of 25 owner complaints, with the top complaint area identified as Engine & Engine Cooling. This concentration suggests that while the total issue count is limited, the vehicle's standing in reliability history hinges primarily on the integrity of its cooling system.

Model year1989 1988 1987 1986 1985

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity3.7 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type10W-30 / 10W-40 / 10W-50 API SMOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	174.8 in
Overall width	65.4 in
Overall height	54.7 in
Wheelbase	96.9 in
Curb weight	2260 lb

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 3.7 qt of 10W-30 / 10W-40 / 10W-50 API SM engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Engine Coolant	ETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil	10W-30 · 10W-40 · 10W-50 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	3.7 qt
Engine Oil	10W-30 · 10W-40 · 10W-50 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	4.2 qt
Power Steering Fluid	ATF
Transfer Case Fluid	80W-90 · GL-5

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter at 3,000 mi.

At 3,000 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 7,500 mi	Axle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 mi	Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Clutch Assembly (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Engine Valves (inspect valve lash) · Hill Holder System (inspect)
Every 30,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Brake Power Booster Unit (inspect) · Choke System (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level)
Every 60,000 mi	Carburetor (adjust fuel mixture) · EGR System (inspect) · Emission Control System (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Canister (replace) · PCV Valve (replace) · Wheel Bearing (inspect)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Owner complaints about the 1987 Subaru GL dominate in one area — the engine & engine cooling, 10 of 25 reports (40%), well ahead of the next concern. None of this vehicle's 3 recall campaigns target the engine & engine cooling, so those reports read as owner-reported wear-and-tear rather than an acknowledged defect. 2 of the reports describe a crash and 3 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the engine & engine cooling pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

2 involved a crash · 3 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 25 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine & Engine Cooling10

Seat Belts4

Suspension2

Power Train2

Tires1

Parking Brake1

Structure,Equipment1

Wheels1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

05E065000Fuel System, GasolineReported 05/10/2005

CERTAIN SPX FILTRAN FUEL FILTERS WITH A 45-DEGREE ANGLE INLET TUBE, MODEL 800F350-S1, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT FILTERS FOR 1993-1997 FORD PROBE,1993-2001 MAZDA 626 AND MX-6, AND 1983-1994 LOYAL, 3-DOOR COUPE, HATCHBACK… Remedy: SPX WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND PROVIDE A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN SEPTEMBER 27, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT MR. CHRIS GREESON AT 704-869-3733 OR CONTACT THE WIX INFORMATION…

92V001000Suspension:RearReported 02/12/1992

THE INNER ARMS OF THE REAR SUSPENSION ARE SUBJECT TO CORROSION IN AREAS WHERE ROAD SALT IS USED HEAVILY IN WINTER. Remedy: RUSTPROOF OR REPLACE THE INNER CONTROL ARMS AS NECESSARY.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 10 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
15-302-22	2022-08-23	Equipment	This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as…
01-167-08R	2022-08-23	Equipment	This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the…
15-192-22R	2022-03-18	Electrical System	This bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic essential…
01-167-08R	2021-06-17	Electrical System	This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the…
09-51-08R	2021-06-07	Equipment	This bulletin is to advise of SOAâs revised catalytic converter recycling program…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific GL. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Vehicles taking 3.7 qt

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1987 GL take?

3.7 qt of 10W-30, 10W-40 OR 10W-50 API SM, per the factory manual.

Does the 1987 GL have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.