1998 Subaru Outback Problems, Recalls & Reliability
165 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 1998 Subaru Outback, alongside 2 recall campaigns and 0 defect investigations. It scores 16/100 on the trouble index — one of this model's quieter years. Engine leads the reports, typically around 94,700 miles.
One of the quieter years. Relative to its siblings, the 1998 Subaru Outback has drawn well-below-average complaint volume with at least four years on the road.
Better year
Where 1998 sits among all Outback years
What owners report
“Oil was leaking from the top of the engine on the right side near the rear oil galley plug, the oil leaked down onto the exhaust causing and odor to come through the vents. Nlm”— owner report to NHTSA, 1998 Outback
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 68 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 91,271 miles. Half of those reports fall between 70,000 and 121,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (2)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FRONT COIL SPRINGS ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW…
Fix: 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…
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. DUE TO POOR WELDS, IGNITION KEYS CAN STICK, SHIFT LEVERS/LINKAGES CAN BREAK AND SHIFT LEVERS CAN MOVE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER ASSEMBLIES (EXCEPT THE HANDLE GRIP).
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 1998 Subaru Outback reliable?
The 1998 Subaru Outback drew 165 complaints in federal safety records — one of this model's quieter years. Its trouble index is 16/100, scored against the model's worst year (2019).
What are the most common 1998 Subaru Outback problems?
The top reported problems for the 1998 Subaru Outback are engine (46 complaints), transmission & drivetrain (21), and brakes & stability (18).
At what mileage do 1998 Subaru Outback problems show up?
Owners most often report 1998 Subaru Outback problems around 91,271 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 70,000 and 121,000 miles.
Does the 1998 Subaru Outback have recalls?
2 recall campaigns apply to the 1998 Subaru Outback. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.