1987 Subaru GL Service & Repair Manual

← 1986All GL years1988 →

The service and repair manual for the 1987 Subaru GL — 1.8L H4 and 1.6L H4 and 1.8L H4 and 1.8L H4 engines, 5 trims. Matched to this exact model year, so the specifications and sequences are the ones Subaru published for your car, not figures carried over from a neighbouring year.

01 / FitmentWhat this manual covers

Model year1987
Engines
1.8L H4 — 109 cu in, SOHC
1.6L H4 — 97 cu in, OHV
1.8L H4 — 109 cu in, OHV
1.8L H4 — 109 cu in, SOHC, turbocharged
TrimsBase Coupe 3-Door · Base Sedan 4-Door · Turbo Coupe 3-Door · Base Wagon 4-Door · Base Hatchback 2-Door
Federal record1 recall · 26 complaints · 8 technical service bulletins (refreshed 2026-08-21)

02 / InsideSample pages from the 1987 GL manual

1987 Subaru GL service manual page 11987 Subaru GL service manual page 21987 Subaru GL service manual page 31987 Subaru GL service manual page 41987 Subaru GL service manual page 5

03 / ContentsSections in the manual

  • Quick Lookups 65
  • General Information 1,370
  • Accessories & Equipment 63
  • Heating, Ventilation & A/C (HVAC) 64
  • Brakes 37
  • Maintenance 59
  • Drivelines & Axles 27
  • Steering 77
  • Electrical 122
  • Suspension 63
  • Engine Mechanical 145
  • Transmission 51
  • Engine Performance 538

04 / Known issuesRecalls on federal record for the 1987 GL

  1. Fuel System, Gasoline · 05E065000
    In the presence of an ignition source, a vehicle fire can occur.

Owners have filed 26 complaints and Subaru has issued 8 technical service bulletins for the 1987 GL. The manual carries the manufacturer's diagnostic and repair procedures behind these systems.

FAQQuestions about the 1987 GL manual

Is this manual specific to the 1987 GL?

Yes. It is the OEM manual matched to the 1987 model year, covering the 1.8L H4 and 1.6L H4 and 1.8L H4 and 1.8L H4 across the Base Coupe 3-Door, Base Sedan 4-Door, Turbo Coupe 3-Door, Base Wagon 4-Door, Base Hatchback 2-Door trims. Specifications and procedure sequences are the ones Subaru published for this year.

What 1987 GL problems does it help with?

1 recall is on federal record for the 1987 GL, covering fuel system, gasoline. The manual carries the manufacturer's diagnostic and repair procedures for those systems; the recall repairs themselves are done free by Subaru dealers.

Does it include 1987 GL wiring diagrams?

Yes — the complete wiring diagrams for the 1987 build, alongside repair procedures, specifications and diagnostics.

Is it a subscription?

No. $29.99 once and the manual is yours. It is a digital manual — nothing ships; access details arrive by email after checkout and it works on any device.

RelatedOther GL years and 1987 Subaru models

1989 GL · 1988 GL · 1986 GL · 1985 GL · 1984 GL · 1983 GL · 1982 GL · all 8 years

1987 Subaru Brat · 1987 Subaru DL · 1987 Subaru GL-10 · 1987 Subaru Justy · 1987 Subaru RX · 1987 Subaru Standard · 1987 Subaru XT · every 1987 model