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1990 Subaru Justy

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1990 Justy.

Transmission Automatic (variable gear ratios)

The 1990 Subaru Justy is documented with an automatic transmission employing variable gear ratios, paired with a modest service requirement of 3 quarts of 5W-30 API engine oil. EPA fuel economy for the model year is rated at 29 mpg city, 32 mpg highway, and 30 mpg combined. Across the 1990-1995 complaint history compiled for the nameplate, 1990 stands as the highest-volume year at 18 owner reports — with seat belts the leading complaint area and a single recall on record — compared to just 1 complaint logged for 1994. That wide spread frames the model year as the baseline against which the Justy's subsequent, far cleaner reliability record should be measured.

Model year1995 1994 1992 1991 1990

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity3 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy29/32/30 mpgEPA · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic (variable gear ratios)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	145.3 in
Overall width	60.2 in
Overall height	53.5 in
Wheelbase	90.2 in
Curb weight	1806 lb
Track (front / rear)	52.8 / 50.4 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	62/38

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	29 / 32 / 30 mpg
Drivetrain	Front-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuel	Regular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

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

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

11.3–13.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 11.30 sec — 1992 GL 3-door Hatchback

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
1988	RS 3-door Hatchback 1.2L I-3	12.40 sec	18.70 sec	66 hp	AWD
1992	GL 3-door Hatchback 1.2L I-3	11.30 sec	18.40 sec	66 hp	FWD
1987	GL 3-door Hatchback 1.2L I-3	13.50 sec	18.70 sec	66 hp	FWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 3 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, 75W-90 · 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential.

Lubricants & capacities

Differential Gear Oil	75W-90 · 80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	1.6 Pints
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	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) · 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	Timing Belt (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.

In 1990 the Justy generated the highest volume of federal complaints (18) and the only recall recorded in the six‑year span, while investigations (2) and technical service bulletins (10) matched the levels seen in adjacent years. The following year saw complaints drop by half to 9, and by 1992 complaints fell to just 3 with no recalls or investigations, indicating a sharp downward trend after the target year. Across the generation the data show a rapid decline in both complaints and regulatory actions, suggesting that many of the 1990 issues were addressed early in the model’s lifecycle. The 1990 complaint profile is dominated by seat‑belt (9) and power‑train (5) problems, with no reported crash or fire complaints, implying that safety‑critical failures were not a major factor. Because 1990 sits at the peak of the complaint/recall arc and subsequent years improve markedly, it is a less favorable year to purchase compared with later model years.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

0 involved a crash · 0 a fire

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’90’91 ’92 ’93 ’94 ’95

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 18 complaints on record, top 4 components.

Seat Belts9

Power Train5

Suspension3

Engine & Engine Cooling1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

95V103006Seat Belts:Front:Buckle AssemblyReported 24/05/1995

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. Remedy: 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…

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 Justy. 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 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 1990 Justy take?

3 qt of 5W-30 API SM, per the factory manual.

Does the 1990 Justy have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Justy get?

EPA figures are 29 city / 32 highway / 30 combined mpg.