1994 Subaru SVX recalls & problems
The 1994 Subaru SVX has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 28 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is power train (24 complaints).
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 1994 Subaru SVX.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Fuel economy
SVX
| City / highway | 15 / 23 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Premium Gasoline |
3.3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $4,550/year to fuel
SVX AWD
| City / highway | 15 / 23 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Premium Gasoline |
3.3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,550/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Power train Automatic transmission; Axle assembly › Axle shaft | 24 | 99,721 mi |
| Suspension Front › Wheel bearing; Multiple axle | 3 | — |
| Service brakes, hydraulic Foundation components › Disc › Caliper; Foundation components | 2 | — |
| Vehicle speed control Accelerator pedal | 2 | — |
| Unknown or other | 1 | — |
| Tires | 1 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- Mar 2, 2011 · 116,000 milesPower train › Automatic transmission
MY 94 SUBARU SVX TRANSMISSION WILL NOT MOVE IN ANY GEAR. VERY COSTLY TO REPAIR SUBARU SHOULD PAY. POOR DESIGN IN TRANSMISSION *TR - Aug 19, 2009 · 85,276 milesPower train › Automatic transmission
MY SUBARU SVX TRANSMISSION RECENTLY STARTED SUFFERING A DELAY WHEN SHIFTING GEARS, HIGH REVS AND SLIPPING WHILE SHIFTING AND JUST NOW I TRIED TO DRIVE IT AND A CLUNKING SOUND HAPPENED WHEN PUTTING THE CAR IN REVERSE. NOW IT WON'T GO IN TO REVERSE AT ALL, ALSO, 1ST GEAR DOESN'T WORK HALF THE TIME AND THE REST OF THE FORWARD GEARS SEEM TO SLIP SEVERELY MOST OF THE TIME TOO. THE CAR HAS LOW MILEAGE, AND I HAVE NOT HAD ANY TROUBLE WITH IT BEFORE. TROUBLE STARTED MAYBE A FEW DAYS AGO.. THE HEAT TRANSMISSION INSTALLED IN THE SUBARU SVX AND LEGACY MODELS SUFFER FROM A SEVERE COOLING PROBLEM. THE RADIATOR BASED TRANSMISSION COOLER CAN NOT COOL THE TRANSMISSION FLUID COOL ENOUGH. THE TRANSMISSIONS… - Aug 4, 2006 · 58,540 milesPower train › Automatic transmission
STARTED OUT AS 3RD AND 4TH SLIPPING, AND AFTER BABYING IT FOR A WEEK OF GOING TO WORK AND BACK HOME IT WILL NO LONGER HOLD 3RD OR 4TH. AFTER DOING RESEARCH IT HAS BEEN FOUND THAT THE 4EAT HAS ABOUT AS MUCH ISSUES AS THE PINTO (WITHOUT THE EXPLODING). EVERY OWNER OF THE SVX AND A 4EAT HAS SUFFERED THIS IN ONE FORM OR ANOTHER. THE LEGACY'S WERE RECALLED AND REPAIRED, BUT WHAT ABOUT THE SVX? FOR A $30-$40K MSRP FROM THE DEALER, YOU WOULD ASSUME THEY WOULD TREAT THESE CARS WITH A BIT MORE CLASS IN THIS SITUATION. TOP IT ALL OFF, I ONLY HAVE 58K MILES ON MY 94. *NM - Feb 20, 2002 · 121,500 milesPower train › Automatic transmission
I HAD TRANSMISSION FAILURE OF THE 3RD AND 4TH GEARS THAT STARTED OUT AS GEARS SLIPPING, THEN THE TRANSMISSION STOPPED SHIFTING TO 3RD AND 4TH ALL TOGETHER. I DID NOT DO ANYTHING TO FIX THE PROBLEM BECAUSE IT IS TOO EXPENSIVE. I HAD TO BUY ANOTHER CAR JUST TO GET TO AND FROM WORK SINCE IT WAS CHEAPE, AND I HAVE BEEN LETTING THE CAR SIT IN MY DRIVEWAY.*AK - Jun 10, 2004 · 104,443 miles · crashPower train › Automatic transmission
WHILE DRIVING 100 MPH TRANSMISSION FAILED. ENGINE REVVED AT A HIGH RATE. THEN, VEHICLE LOST POWER, AND THE CONSUMER HIT A WALL. VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK - Mar 15, 2004Power train › Automatic transmission
AFTER RESEARCHING ABOUT MY SUBARU SVX, I FOUND OUT THAT THERE IS A CHRONIC PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION SUBARU PUT IN THESE CARS. THERE IS AN EXTENSIVE FAQ PAGE AT SUBARU SVX.COM AS TO THE REASON FOR THE PROBLEMS. MY CAR WILL NOT TRANSFER IN TO 4TH GEAR AND THE TRANSMISSION RUNS HOT. *JB - Feb 14, 2004Power train › Automatic transmission
JUST ANOTHER DEAD TRANSIMISSION IN MY SVX. IT SEEMS LIKE 116,000-124,000 MILES IS THE LIFETIME OF THESE THINGS (SO MANY DEAD THERE HAVEN'T BEEN ANY NEW TRANSMISSIONS AVAILABLE SINCE 2001) . *AK - May 13, 2003 · 95,000 milesPower train › Automatic transmission
1994 SUBARU SVX, HAD A TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE FAILURE IS WELL KNOWN TO SVX OWNER COMMUNITY. THERE ARE MANY SITES AND ARTICLES THAT ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF THE 4EAT TRANSMISSION FAILING. THE REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT IS VERY COSTLY AND SUBARU SHOULD HELP. *JB
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.