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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

127 reports
Mileage unknown · Apr 16, 2001
Exterior Lighting

ALL TURN SIGNALS ARE FLASHING AT SAME TIME, TURN SIGNAL AND HAZARD SIGNAL ARE WORKING AT SAME TIME.*AK DEALER PUSHED THE HAZARD SIGNAL BUTTON AND THE CONDITION STOPPED AND COULD NOT BE REPLICATED, CONSUMER HAD TRIED PUSHING THE HAZARD BUTTON HIMSELF, HOWEVER THE SIGNALS KEPT BLINKING WHEN HE ATTEMPTED, PROBLEM HAS NOT OCCURRED…

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ALL TURN SIGNALS ARE FLASHING AT SAME TIME, TURN SIGNAL AND HAZARD SIGNAL ARE WORKING AT SAME TIME.*AK DEALER PUSHED THE HAZARD SIGNAL BUTTON AND THE CONDITION STOPPED AND COULD NOT BE REPLICATED, CONSUMER HAD TRIED PUSHING THE HAZARD BUTTON HIMSELF, HOWEVER THE SIGNALS KEPT BLINKING WHEN HE ATTEMPTED, PROBLEM HAS NOT OCCURRED SINCE. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #886036

Mileage unknown · Apr 14, 2001
Power TrainVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

I WAS PARKING MY CAR TO GO TO THE VIDEO STORE WITH MY SON. IT APPEARED TO LURCH FORWARD, SPEEDING UP, AND DID NOT COME TO A STOP UNTIL IT HIT FOUR OTHER CARS, AND FINALLY PLOWED INTO A LARGE 4X4 BROADSIDE, WITH ENOUGH SPEED TO PUSH IT INTO ANOTHER CAR. MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, AND MY DISABLED CHILD FELL OUT OF THE PASSENGER SIDE O…

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I WAS PARKING MY CAR TO GO TO THE VIDEO STORE WITH MY SON. IT APPEARED TO LURCH FORWARD, SPEEDING UP, AND DID NOT COME TO A STOP UNTIL IT HIT FOUR OTHER CARS, AND FINALLY PLOWED INTO A LARGE 4X4 BROADSIDE, WITH ENOUGH SPEED TO PUSH IT INTO ANOTHER CAR. MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, AND MY DISABLED CHILD FELL OUT OF THE PASSENGER SIDE ONTO THE PAVEMENT. PARAMEDICS WHERE CALLED AND HE WAS DETERMINED TO HAVE MINOR INJURIES. I HAD PREVIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE KEY STICKING, AND SOMETIMES UNEXPLAINED MINOR SPEEDUPS INT HE TRANSMISSION, BUT DIDN'T REALIZE HOW SEVERE IT WAS. NOW I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A POSSIBLE, SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE. THE CAR IS CONSIDERED TOTALLED, BUT HASN'T BEEN DISPOSED OF AS YET. POLICE TOOK PICTURES AT THE SCENE. PLEASE HELP ME FIGURE THIS OUT.*AK

NHTSA ODI #744021

Mileage unknown · Mar 30, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainUnknown Or Other

ON 1/15/01 BEARD SUBARU DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED MY ENGINE FOR AN OIL LEAK. I PAID $654.50 FOR THEM TO REMOVE THE TRANSMISSION AND RESEAL BAFFLE PLATE AS WELL AS RESEAL OIL PUMP, QUESTIONABLE CAM SEALS (REFERRING TO PAPERWORK FROM DEALER). ON 3/23/01 WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON AND SIMULTANEOUSLY CAR…

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ON 1/15/01 BEARD SUBARU DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED MY ENGINE FOR AN OIL LEAK. I PAID $654.50 FOR THEM TO REMOVE THE TRANSMISSION AND RESEAL BAFFLE PLATE AS WELL AS RESEAL OIL PUMP, QUESTIONABLE CAM SEALS (REFERRING TO PAPERWORK FROM DEALER). ON 3/23/01 WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON AND SIMULTANEOUSLY CAR COMPLETELY DIED. BEARD SUBARU DIAGNOSED ENGINE SEIZED DUE TO DROP IN PRESSURE W/IN ENGINE. UPON SEVERAL CONTACTS W/ SUBARU OF AMERICA, THEY HAVE OFFERED TO PAY 50% TO REBUILD ENGINE, WHICH HAS BEEN VERBALLY ESTIMATED AT $2,500. BEARD SUBARU UNABLE TO EXPLAIN CAUSE OF ENGINE SEIZE, BUT DENIES IT IS RELATED TO RECENT REPAIR OF ENGINE LEAK. SUBARU OF AMERICA REQUIRES ME TO ACCEPT OR DENY OFFER TO OF "COURTESY FOR MY PATRONAGE" 50% BY WED. 4/4/01. I BOUGHT MY VEHICLE BRAND NEW AT BEARD SUBARU AND HAVE MAINTAINED IT FAITHFULLY. I QUESTION A DEFECT WITHIN MY VEHICLE, OR A DIRECT CORRELATION TO THE RECENT WORK CONDUCTED BY BEARD SUBARU. I REQUESTED WRITTEN DOCUMENTATION. THEY DIAGNOSED MY VEHICLE ON 3/27/01. ON 3/30/01 I RECEIVED A MESSAGE FROM BEARD SUBARU THEY WOULD HAVE TO GET BACK TO ME "NEXT WEEK". THEY ARE AWARE I BEGIN A NEW JOB ON 4/2/01 REQUIRING ME TO RENT A VEHICLE UNTIL MY SITUATION IS RESOLVED. SUBARU OF AMERICA HAS OFFERED TO PAY 50% CAR RENTAL FEE FOR 5 DAYS. IS THERE A WAY TO HAVE A SECOND OPINION BEFORE I AM REQUIRED TO RESPOND TO SUBARU OF AMERICA'S DEADLINE BY 4/4/01? I AM WEARY TO ACCEPT AN AGREEMENT THAT NO ONE HAS PROVIDED A SECOND OPINION, THEY HAVE FAILED TO PROVIDE A WRITTEN ESTIMATE OF WHAT I WILL BE REQUIRED TO PAY "AFTER JUST PAYING $654.50 FOR AN ENGINE LEAK" AND I AM BEING TOLD I MUST RESPOND TO THE OFFER BY 4/4/01 OR I WILL NOT BE ASSISTED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #743319

Mileage unknown · Mar 9, 2001
Air Bags

AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND DEALER SAID MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CONSUMER CONCERNED THAT AIRBAGS WON'T WORK.*AK THE AIR BAG MODULE WAS REPLACED. *YH

NHTSA ODI #882573

Mileage unknown · Feb 26, 2001
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment

POWER STEERING RACK WAS LEAKING CAUSING ODOR IN VENTS. NLM

NHTSA ODI #559819

Mileage unknown · Feb 23, 2001
Power Train

CONSUMER HAD SOME PLAY IN STEERING WHEEL. LATER, CONSUMER WAS ON HIGHWAY DOING ABOUT 65MPH, SLOWING DOWN AND STEERING STARTED TO SHAKE. THERE WAS A KNOCKING NOISE, AND IT WAS VERY HARD TO CONTROL. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER, AND THEY FOUND A BROKEN AXLE. BOTH BOOTS ON SIDE OF THE AXLE WERE NOT DAMAGED SO THE REASON OF A…

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CONSUMER HAD SOME PLAY IN STEERING WHEEL. LATER, CONSUMER WAS ON HIGHWAY DOING ABOUT 65MPH, SLOWING DOWN AND STEERING STARTED TO SHAKE. THERE WAS A KNOCKING NOISE, AND IT WAS VERY HARD TO CONTROL. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER, AND THEY FOUND A BROKEN AXLE. BOTH BOOTS ON SIDE OF THE AXLE WERE NOT DAMAGED SO THE REASON OF AXLE BREAKING WAS UNKNOWN. *AK

NHTSA ODI #881276

Mileage unknown · Jan 2, 2001
Air Bags

CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION, HOWEVER THE AIRBAGS EXPERIENCED NO DEPLOYMENT. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #558534

Mileage unknown · Oct 29, 2000
Visibility

WE ARE UNABLE TO RIDE IN VEHICLE WITH HEATER ON AS IT STILL HAS A VERY BAD MUSTY MILDEW SMELL INSIDE , AFTER 4 ATTEMPTS TO SOLVE PROBLEM. EDMOND CHEV SISTER STORE SHULTS SUBARU SAID FOR US TO SPRAY LYSOL INTO THE AIR VENTS ONCA A MONTH. THAT MAKES IT WORSE AND WE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO DO THIS AS WE HAVE TALKED TO OTHER SUBARU OWNER…

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WE ARE UNABLE TO RIDE IN VEHICLE WITH HEATER ON AS IT STILL HAS A VERY BAD MUSTY MILDEW SMELL INSIDE , AFTER 4 ATTEMPTS TO SOLVE PROBLEM. EDMOND CHEV SISTER STORE SHULTS SUBARU SAID FOR US TO SPRAY LYSOL INTO THE AIR VENTS ONCA A MONTH. THAT MAKES IT WORSE AND WE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO DO THIS AS WE HAVE TALKED TO OTHER SUBARU OWNERS THAT HAVE NO PROBLEM LIKE THIS. PLEASE HELP US ,WE LOVE THE CAR ,BUT CAN NOT RIDE ANY DISTANCE IN IT WITHOUT GETTING VERY BAD SINUS HEADACHES

NHTSA ODI #735404

Mileage unknown · Oct 4, 2000
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingParking Brake

EGR SOLONOID FAILED. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #555503

Mileage unknown · May 19, 2000
Visibility

CONSUMER HAS PROBLEM WITH WINDSHIELD WIPERS, THEY INTERMITTENTLY WORK. IN WET CONDITIONS THEY DON'T CLEAR. INSTEAD THEY SMEAR THE WINDSHEILD, MAKING IT VERY HARD TO SEE. ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN IN MOTION THEY FLY IN THE WIND. SUBARU HAS NO REMEDY & TRIED TO USE HEAVY DUTY WIPERS, BUT THEY DIDN'T MAKE A DIFFERENCE. *AK *ML

NHTSA ODI #862169

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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