The service and repair manual for the 1988 Subaru XT — 1.8L H4 and 2.7L H6 engines, 3 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 year | 1988 |
|---|---|
| Engines | 1.8L H4 — 109 cu in, SOHC 2.7L H6 — 163 cu in, SOHC |
| Trims | GL Coupe 2-Door · XT6 Coupe 2-Door · DL Coupe 2-Door |
| Federal record | 2 recalls · 2 complaints · 8 technical service bulletins (refreshed 2026-08-21) |
02 / InsideSample pages from the 1988 XT manual
03 / ContentsSections in the manual
- Quick Lookups 67
- General Information 1,357
- Accessories & Equipment 45
- Heating, Ventilation & A/C (HVAC) 67
- Brakes 50
- Maintenance 48
- Drivelines & Axles 27
- Steering 90
- Electrical 106
- Suspension 70
- Engine Mechanical 137
- Transmission 48
- Engine Performance 409
04 / Known issuesRecalls on federal record for the 1988 XT
- Fuel System, Gasoline · 05E065000In the presence of an ignition source, a vehicle fire can occur.
- Seat Belts · 88V052000Fails to meet requirements of fmvss 210 regarding childrestraint systems.
Owners have filed 2 complaints and Subaru has issued 8 technical service bulletins for the 1988 XT. The manual carries the manufacturer's diagnostic and repair procedures behind these systems.
FAQQuestions about the 1988 XT manual
Is this manual specific to the 1988 XT?
Yes. It is the OEM manual matched to the 1988 model year, covering the 1.8L H4 and 2.7L H6 across the GL Coupe 2-Door, XT6 Coupe 2-Door, DL Coupe 2-Door trims. Specifications and procedure sequences are the ones Subaru published for this year.
What 1988 XT problems does it help with?
2 recalls are on federal record for the 1988 XT, covering fuel system, gasoline, seat belts. 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 1988 XT wiring diagrams?
Yes — the complete wiring diagrams for the 1988 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 XT years and 1988 Subaru models
1991 XT · 1990 XT · 1989 XT · 1987 XT · 1986 XT · 1985 XT · all 7 years
1988 Subaru DL · 1988 Subaru GL · 1988 Subaru GL-10 · 1988 Subaru Justy · 1988 Subaru RX · every 1988 model