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1998 Subaru Outback

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1998 Subaru Outback do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 207.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

59 reports with mileage · 68 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 40 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

9 crash reports2 fire reports7 injury reports

Wheels complaints

4 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jul 14, 2005
TiresWheels

DT: THE CONTACT STATES ONE OF THE TIRES HAS BEEN LOSING AIR. THE SERVICE MECHANIC STATES THAT HE HAS NEVER SEEN THIS PROBLEM. THE WHEEL ITSELF LOOKS LIKE IT HAS A CRACKED. IT IS RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WHEEL ON THE INNER RIM. IT HAS NOT DAMAGED THE TIRES. THE TIRE IS LOCATED ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT. THE METAL ALLOY W…

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DT: THE CONTACT STATES ONE OF THE TIRES HAS BEEN LOSING AIR. THE SERVICE MECHANIC STATES THAT HE HAS NEVER SEEN THIS PROBLEM. THE WHEEL ITSELF LOOKS LIKE IT HAS A CRACKED. IT IS RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WHEEL ON THE INNER RIM. IT HAS NOT DAMAGED THE TIRES. THE TIRE IS LOCATED ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT. THE METAL ALLOY WHEEL IS WHAT HAS THE CRACK. THE TIRES ON THE WHEEL WERE ALMOST NEW AND THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH THEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10128825

Mileage unknown · Jan 27, 2005
Wheels

THE RIM IS CAUSING THE TIRES TO LOSE AIR ABOUT ONE POUND A DAY, WHICH IS MAKING THE ABILITY TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE DIFFICULT. THE OWNER HAS TO FILL UP TIRES WITH AIR EVERY FIVE DAYS. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BY OWNER.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10109037

86,225 miles · Nov 19, 2003
Wheels

VEHICLE'S TIRES LEAKED DUE TO CORROSION/OXIDATION ON THE RIM WHERE THE TIRE MET THE ALUMINUM WHEEL. *MR THE CORROSION IS EXTENSIVE ENOUGH TO AFFECT THE SEAL BETWEEN THE TIRE AND THE RIM. THE TIRES LOSE ABOUT TWO POUNDS OF AIR PER WEEK. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10048448

Mileage unknown · Dec 4, 2002
Wheels

TIRE RIMS CORRODING, CAUSING PITS WHICH GENERATE TIRE LEAKS AT THE RIM. INITIALLY ASSUMED POOR TIRE SEAL JOB, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED REPEATEDLY FOR ALL TIRE RIMS, SOMETIMES CAUSING TIRE DEFLATION AT EVERY TRIP. IF NOT NOTICED, SUCH DEFLATION COULD LEAD TO. DT

NHTSA ODI #770419

Official recalls

2

01V216000 · Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs

Jun 25, 2001

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 YORK, NEW JERSEY, NEW HAMPSHIRE, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, AND WISCONSIN, AND IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS WERE PRODUCED WITH POOR PAINT QUALITY WHICH, AFTER CONTINUED EXPOSURE TO CORROSIVE SALT, CAN RESULT IN BREAKAGE OF THE SPRING.

Consequence & remedy

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.

98V042000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)

Feb 20, 1998

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.

Consequence & remedy

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).

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

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