1998 Subaru Outback Recalls, Problems & Safety Rating

1998 Subaru Outback recalls

Most common 1998 Subaru Outback problems

Problem areas named in the 127 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.

Problem area	Reports
Engine And Engine Cooling	46
Power Train	21
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	14
Vehicle Speed Control	14
Air Bags	11
Visibility	7
Electrical System	7
Tires	5
Unknown Or Other	4
Seat Belts	4

What owners report

2014-07-03, Service Brakes
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

2013-04-04, Service Brakes
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

2012-05-18, Latches/Locks/Linkages
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 ACCIDEN

2011-12-09, Suspension
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

2011-10-10, Fuel System, Gasoline
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 POTENTIA

1998 Subaru Outback questions

Does the 1998 Subaru Outback have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls for the 1998 Subaru Outback: Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs; Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl). Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.

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

Based on 127 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Engine And Engine Cooling (46), Power Train (21), Service Brakes, Hydraulic (14).

How do I check if a recall on my 1998 Subaru Outback has been fixed?

Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.