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1988 Subaru XT

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1988 XT.

The 1988 Subaru XT occupies a distinctive place in Subaru's lineup as a quirky, aerodynamically styled coupe whose engine calls for 4.2 quarts of oil in 10W-30, 10W-40, or 10W-50 API SM viscosity — specifications that reflect the practical, owner-serviceable nature of its powertrain. With only two total owner complaints on record, the top complaint area being seat belts, alongside two recalls, this model year sits among the more trouble-free entries in the XT's reliability history. That low complaint count suggests the core mechanical package aged well, though prospective owners should confirm that both recall remedies have been properly addressed before committing to a purchase.

Model year1989 1988 1987 1986 1985

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4.2 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	177.6 in
Overall width	66.5 in
Overall height	52.8 in
Wheelbase	96.9 in

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the XT of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

9.0–9.8 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 9.00 sec — 1988 XT6 Coupe

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
1988	XT6 Coupe 2.7L F-6	9.00 sec	16.70 sec	145 hp	AWD
1988	XT6 Coupe 2.7L F-6	9.80 sec	17.00 sec	145 hp	AWD
1985	4WD Turbo Coupe 1.8L Turbo F-4	10.30 sec	17.40 sec	111 hp	4WD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 4.2 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	4.2 qt
Engine Oil	10W-30 · 10W-40 · 10W-50 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	5.3 qt
Transfer Case Fluid	80W-90 · GL-5
Transfer Case Fluid Capacity	2.5 Pints

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	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) · Hill Holder System (inspect) · Power Steering System (inspect)
Every 30,000 mi	Brake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Brake Power Booster Unit (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Breather Filter (replace)
Every 60,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · 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.

The 1988 Subaru XT's federal record is sparse, with no recall or investigation data for the model year itself, but the two complaint areas—seat belts and steering—each logged one complaint, including one crash complaint. In the broader generation context, the 1990 and 1991 model years each had two recalls and ten technical service bulletins (TSBs), suggesting ongoing service needs, though complaints remained very low (0 in 1990, 1 in 1991). The 1988 year falls at the start of this arc, and while the data does not specify root causes for its complaints, the presence of a crash-related issue and the later years' multiple recalls indicate that early XT models may have had unresolved safety or steering concerns. Without recall or TSB data for 1988 itself, it is impossible to confirm whether those issues were addressed, making this a risky buy compared to later years with documented service actions.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

1 involved a crash · 0 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 2 complaints on record, top 2 components.

Seat Belts1

Steering1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 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…

88V052000Seat BeltsReported 05/04/1988

OMISSION OF INFORMATION SPECIFIED BY FMVSS 210 FROM OWNER MANUAL. Remedy: ADHESIVE BACKED INSERTS WILL BE FURNISHED WITH THE CORRECT INFORMATION.

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 XT. 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 4.2 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 1988 XT take?

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

Does the 1988 XT have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.