1998 Subaru Outback Problems and Recalls (125 Complaints)

The most-reported problem on the 1998 Subaru Outback is Engine (29% of 125 owner reports). There are 2 safety recalls. Check the VIN and inspect Engine — this is the NHTSA file, not a score.

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Snapshot 2026-09-07 125 complaints · 2 recalls

What problems show up on the 1998 Subaru Outback?

36 of 125 filings named Engine (29% of the file). That is what owners wrote, not a shop diagnosis of the vehicle in the driveway.

Second is Transmission / driveline (16 reports).

There are 2 official safety recalls on this year. They were filed about Suspension and Transmission / driveline. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov — a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific truck.

The previous year is not published here. Use the year list to jump around.

What to check before you buy a 1998 Subaru Outback

A useful visit to this page takes five minutes. YearTell does not score years and cannot see the vehicle in front of you.

  1. Look up the VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov. This year has 2 campaigns on file below.
  2. Engine. Have a shop check for oil consumption, coolant leaks, rough idle and unusual engine noise.
  3. Transmission / driveline. Have a shop drive it and check the transmission: hard or delayed shifts, burnt-smelling fluid, and 4WD engagement if equipped.
  4. Brakes. Have a shop check pads, rotors, fluid and whether the pedal feels firm.
  5. Skim a few owner reports below for Engine. Look for the same symptom repeating.
  6. Take that list to a mechanic. Do not turn the complaint total into a score.

What owners reported

System named most often: Engine 36 complaints · 28.8% of the file
Crashes, fires, injuries and deaths in those filings:
  • Crashes 9
  • Fires 2
  • Injuries 8
  • Deaths 1
All Subaru Outback years →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Which systems owners named

Share of owner complaints filed against each vehicle system. These shares are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold.

Which systems owners named Engine (ENGINE) appears in 36 of 125 owner complaints (28.8%) in this vehicle snapshot. Engine (ENGINE): 36 complaints, 28.8% of reports Engine (ENGINE) 36 · 28.8% Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN): 16 complaints, 12.8% of reports Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 1 crash reports 1 fire reports 16 · 12.8% Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES): 11 complaints, 8.8% of reports Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 1 crash reports 11 · 8.8% Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL): 10 complaints, 8.0% of reports Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) 1 crash reports 10 · 8.0% Airbags (AIR BAGS): 9 complaints, 7.2% of reports Airbags (AIR BAGS) 4 crash reports 9 · 7.2% Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY): 7 complaints, 5.6% of reports Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY) 7 · 5.6% Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM): 5 complaints, 4.0% of reports Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 5 · 4.0% Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM): 4 complaints, 3.2% of reports Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM) 4 · 3.2% Tires (TIRES): 4 complaints, 3.2% of reports Tires (TIRES) 1 fire reports 4 · 3.2% Unclassified NHTSA leftover: 74 complaints, 59.2% of reports Unclassified NHTSA leftover 6 crash reports 1 fire reports 74 · 59.2% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

“Unclassified NHTSA leftover” is not a car part. It is a filing bucket and always sits last.

View component data as a table
System / Component Complaints Share of Reports Safety Reports (Crashes / Fires)
Engine (ENGINE) 36 28.8% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 16 12.8% 1 crashes · 1 fires
Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 11 8.8% 1 crashes · 0 fires
Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) 10 8.0% 1 crashes · 0 fires
Airbags (AIR BAGS) 9 7.2% 4 crashes · 0 fires
Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY) 7 5.6% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 5 4.0% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM) 4 3.2% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Tires (TIRES) 4 3.2% 0 crashes · 1 fires
Unclassified NHTSA leftover 74 59.2% 6 crashes · 1 fires
NHTSA Consumer Complaints, NHTSA Safety Recalls, and NHTSA Defect Investigations Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

When reports and recalls showed up

When owners filed reports, and when recall campaigns showed up.

When reports and recalls showed up Owner reports in this snapshot begin in Oct 1997; the first recall shown was reported in Feb 1998. 1997-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 1998-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 1998-Q3: 6 owner reports 6 1998-Q4: 5 owner reports 5 1999-Q1: 8 owner reports 8 1999-Q3: 3 owner reports 3 2000-Q1: 2 owner reports 2 2000-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2000-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 2001-Q1: 5 owner reports 5 2001-Q2: 4 owner reports 4 2001-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2001-Q4: 3 owner reports 3 2002-Q1: 2 owner reports 2 2002-Q3: 5 owner reports 5 2002-Q4: 5 owner reports 5 2003-Q1: 2 owner reports 2 2003-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2003-Q3: 8 owner reports 8 2003-Q4: 4 owner reports 4 2004-Q1: 7 owner reports 7 2004-Q2: 5 owner reports 5 2004-Q3: 2 owner reports 2 2004-Q4: 8 owner reports 8 2005-Q1: 4 owner reports 4 2005-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2005-Q3: 4 owner reports 4 2006-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2006-Q2: 3 owner reports 3 2006-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2007-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2008-Q3: 3 owner reports 3 2008-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2009-Q1: 2 owner reports 2 2009-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2010-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2010-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2010-Q3: 2 owner reports 2 2011-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 2012-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2013-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2014-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 Owner reports Oct 1997 Jul 2014 Recall campaign 98V042000 ◆ Recall campaign 98V042000 Recall campaign 01V216000 ◆ Recall campaign 01V216000
View timeline records as a table
Date Record type Count Record identifier
1997-Q4 Owner reports 2
1998-Q1 Owner reports 1
1998-Q3 Owner reports 6
1998-Q4 Owner reports 5
1999-Q1 Owner reports 8
1999-Q3 Owner reports 3
2000-Q1 Owner reports 2
2000-Q2 Owner reports 1
2000-Q4 Owner reports 2
2001-Q1 Owner reports 5
2001-Q2 Owner reports 4
2001-Q3 Owner reports 1
2001-Q4 Owner reports 3
2002-Q1 Owner reports 2
2002-Q3 Owner reports 5
2002-Q4 Owner reports 5
2003-Q1 Owner reports 2
2003-Q2 Owner reports 2
2003-Q3 Owner reports 8
2003-Q4 Owner reports 4
2004-Q1 Owner reports 7
2004-Q2 Owner reports 5
2004-Q3 Owner reports 2
2004-Q4 Owner reports 8
2005-Q1 Owner reports 4
2005-Q2 Owner reports 1
2005-Q3 Owner reports 4
2006-Q1 Owner reports 1
2006-Q2 Owner reports 3
2006-Q4 Owner reports 1
2007-Q3 Owner reports 1
2008-Q3 Owner reports 3
2008-Q4 Owner reports 1
2009-Q1 Owner reports 2
2009-Q3 Owner reports 1
2010-Q1 Owner reports 1
2010-Q2 Owner reports 2
2010-Q3 Owner reports 2
2011-Q4 Owner reports 2
2012-Q2 Owner reports 1
2013-Q2 Owner reports 1
2014-Q3 Owner reports 1
Recall campaign 1 98V042000
Recall campaign 1 01V216000
NHTSA Safety Recalls Snapshot 2026-09-06 Open source record

Safety Recalls (2)

Official campaigns. Each one says what could go wrong and what the dealer was told to fix.

In short, these campaigns were filed about Suspension and Transmission / driveline.

  1. Recall campaign 01V216000

    Suspension

    Report date
    Component:
    Suspension (SUSPENSION)
    Consequence:
    DEPENDING ON THE LOCATION OF THE FRACTURE, A BROKEN SPRING COULD MOVE PAST THE SPRING SEAT AND CONTACT A FRONT TIRE. SOME TIRES HAVE DEFLATED DUE TO CONTACT WITH A BROKEN SPRING.
    Remedy:
    DEALERS WILL NOTIFIY CUSTOMERS TO BRING THEIR VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE A SPRING GUARD INSTALLED ON BOTH FRONT STRUTS TO PREVENT TIRE PUNCTURE AND REPLACE ANY BROKEN SPRINGS FREE OF CHARGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 18, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  2. Recall campaign 98V042000

    Transmission / driveline

    Report date
    Component:
    Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)
    Consequence:
    THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE UNEXPECTED MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.
    Remedy:
    DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER ASSEMBLIES (EXCEPT THE HANDLE GRIP).
    View authoritative NHTSA record →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

What owners actually wrote

Short excerpts from the public NHTSA file. Look for the same symptom repeating.

Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation · snapshot 2026-09-07
Safety incident filters
Showing 8 of 125 complaints · page 1 of 5
2014-07-03Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES)
NHTSA ODI 10608136
CrashFireInjuryDeath
WHILE DRIVING IN THE CITY STREETS, I CAME TO A STOP AND REALIZED THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP. WHEN I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE MECHANIC HE SAID 3 BRAKE LINES ON MY SUBARU OUTBACK 1998 HAD BROKEN. I LIVE IN PENNSYLVANIA. THIS INCIDENT COST ME $500 IN REPAIRS. I REALIZE THERE IS A RECALL FOR NEWER MODELS, BUT MY OLDER SUBARU OUTBACK IS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. *TR
2013-04-04Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 10507047
CrashFireInjuryDeath
ON MARCH 19, 2013, I WAS RETURNING TO MY PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT AFTER PICKING UP MY OUTBACK FROM BLOOMINGTON ACURA SUBARU, BLOOMINGTON, MN AFTER A CLUTCH REPLACEMENT WHEN THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEM HAD A TOTAL FAILURE RESULTING IN A NEAR CATASTROPHIC COLLISION WITH SEVERAL VEHICLES. THIS VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR EVALUATION. DEALER INSPECTION CONFIRMED THAT THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE LINE BY THE FUEL TANK PROTECTOR HAD EXCESSIVE CORROSION RESULTING IN SEVERE FLUID RELEASE THUS NOT ALLOWING THE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM TO PROPERLY PRESSURIZE RESULTING IN A COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE BRAKE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM. THE BRAKE LINES REPLACED WERE PART NUMBER 26522AA010 AND 26522AA020 (RIGHT AND LEFT). ON MARCH 27, 2013, THE NHTSA ISSUED CAMPAIGN NUMBER 13V110000 FOR SUBARU LEGACY OUTBACKS REGARDING "BRAKE LINES MAY FAIL DUE TO CORROSION". THIS RECALL PERTAINS TO MODEL YEAR 2005 TO 2009. THIS CITIZEN REQUESTS, NAY, INSISTS THAT THIS RECALL NOTICE BE EXTENDED TO INCLUDE LATER MODEL YEARS. *TR
2012-05-18Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 10458897
CrashFireInjuryDeath
I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 90 IN IDAHO AT 62 MPH WHEN THE HOOD LATCH FAILED. THE HOOD WAS SECURED DOWN ALL THE WAY BEFORE THE INCIDENT AND HAD NOT BEEN OPENED IN TWO WEEKS. THERE HAD BEEN OVER 100 MILES OF HIGHWAY DRIVING OVER 60 MPH SINCE THE HOOD WAS LAST OPENED. THE HOOD FLEW UP WITH NO SAFETY CATCH OR HESITATION AND SLAMMED INTO THE WINDSHIELD. THE WINDSHIELD WAS SHATTERED, THE HOOD BENT AND THE ROOF DENTED. THE REAR VIEW MIRROR FLEW OFF INSIDE. I WAS ABLE TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE PERSON FOLLOWING ME ON THE INTERSTATE PULLED OVER AND HELPED ME TIE IT DOWN TO BE ABLE TO LEAVE THE SCENE. WE BOTH DETERMINED IT WAS LATCH FAILURE. IT HAD THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT AS MY FRONT VISION WAS COMPLETELY BLOCKED. *TR
2011-12-09SUSPENSION
NHTSA ODI 10439191
CrashFireInjuryDeath
SOUNDED LIKE THERE WAS A POP IN MY FRONT CORNER. STILL DROVE OK UNDER 20-25 MPH. FASTER THAN THAT THE WHEEL SHOOK VIOLENTLY. BACKING UP THERE WAS A LOUD GRINDING NOISE. TOOK TO FRIENDS HOSE WHO WORKS ON CARS. HE SAID IT WAS MY FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE CONTROL ARM AND THE FRONT (HE CALLED IT HANDLING BUSHING) WAS RUSTED COMPLETELY IN TWO. HE FOUND A USED CONTROL ARM AT A JUNK YARD AND REPLACED IT FOR ME. WE TOOK PICTURES OF THE PART THAT I CAN PROVIDE IF NEEDED. I NO LONGER HAVE THE OLD PART. *TR
2011-10-10Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 10429362
CrashFireInjuryDeath
AS MY WIFE AND I WERE FILLING UP OUR 98 SUBARU LEGACY OUTBACK WE NOTICED A SMELL OF GAS FUMES ON THE WAY HOME AS I BACKED THE CAR INTO THE DRIVEWAY I NOTICED THE SMELL OF FUEL EVEN STONGER. I WENT TO THE BACK AND LOOKED UNDER THE RIGHT REAR AND TO MY SURPRISE THE FUEL FILLER NECK WAS LEAKING FUEL!! I PLACED A OIL CHANGE PAN UNDERNEATH AND TO THIS DAY I STILL HAVEN'T FIXED IT. DON'T KNOW WERE TO BEGIN WITH IT AND I'M THINKING IT'S A DESIGN FLAW SEEMS LIKE THERE IS HEAVY CORROSION ON THE VERY LOW PART OF THE FILLER PIPE AND THAT'S WERE IT'S LEAKING FROM. I'M GOING TO TRY AND HAVE IT REPAIRED BUT AT WHAT COST. I THINK THAT THIS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO AND BY SUBARU OF NORTH AMERICA AS A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS DESIGN FLAW AND LEGAL LIABILTY. *KB
2010-09-08Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 10354455
CrashFireInjuryDeath
FUEL (GASOLINE) FILLER NECK FOR THE 1998 SUBARU LEGACY WAGON RUSTS OUT. MECHANIC INDICATED VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR MAKE AND MODEL. VERY POOR DESIGN BECAUSE THE TUBE IS BEHIND A PLASTIC MOLDING THAT ACCUMULATES DIRT, SALT, WATER, AND ROTS THE TUBING CAUSING A CHRONIC LEAK OF GASOLINE POTENTIALLY OVER THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. RECALL AND REPAIR IS NEEDED. *TR
2010-07-30Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM)
NHTSA ODI 10346356
CrashFireInjuryDeath
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ANY TYPE OF GMC VEHICLE WAS PARKED NEXT TO HIS VEHICLE THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS AND ALARM SYSTEM WOULD ENGAGE WHEN THE OTHER VEHICLES KEYLESS ENTRY SYSTEM WAS ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO RECOMMENDED THAT THE VEHICLE BE TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
2010-06-13Engine (ENGINE)
NHTSA ODI 10336001
CrashFireInjuryDeath
ENGINE OVERHEATING EVERY HALF MILE WITH ENGINE RESERVOIR OVERFLOWING. AFTER $1300 OF REPLACING THERMOSTAT, TIMING BELT, BELT TENSIONER, WATER PUMP, FLUSHING THE COOLING SYSTEM, AND COMPRESSION TESTS, I WAS TOLD I HAD A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. I WAS TOLD THE REPLACEMENT WOULD COST AN ADDITIONAL $2,200 AT LEAST. *TR

Subaru Outback Complaints and Recalls by Year

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems on the 1998 Subaru Outback?

Owners named Engine most often — 36 of 125 reports (29%). That is the NHTSA file, not a diagnosis of every vehicle.

Are there recalls for the 1998 Subaru Outback?

NHTSA lists 2 safety recall campaigns. They were filed about Suspension and Transmission / driveline. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov; a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific vehicle.

What should I inspect before buying a 1998 Subaru Outback?

Look up the VIN for open recalls. Have a shop check for oil consumption, coolant leaks, rough idle and unusual engine noise. Then skim owner filings for the same symptom and take that list to a mechanic.

Does a high complaint count mean I should skip this year?

No. Counts are reports people chose to file and they are not adjusted for sales volume. YearTell does not publish scores or a list of years to skip. Inspect the vehicle.

EPA Fuel Economy Database Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record

Estimated Ownership Cost

EPA fuel economy ratings and annual operating cost estimates

Data: US EPA Fuel Economy Guide · snapshot 2026-08-21
Supported range: 1,000–60,000 miles per year
Supported range: $1.50–$10.00 per gallon
55% city45% highway
Estimate unavailable

EPA fuel-economy data is unavailable for this vehicle.

No estimate is shown when required EPA values are unavailable.

 Open Ownership Cost Calculator →

Adjacent Model Years

Immediate preceding and succeeding model year records

NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Methodology & Data Integrity

Source: NHTSA ODI / recalls, snapshot 2026-09-07. YearTell is not a government agency.

Read our complete data methodology → Sources