The 1998 Subaru Outback has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 199,386 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 165 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine and engine cooling. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
SUSPENSION01V2160002001-06-25180,000 affected
Defect
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…
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…
POWER TRAIN98V0420001998-02-2019,386 affected
Defect
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
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).
Complaints by component
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
18
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
11
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
11
4crashes3injuries
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
7
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
7
1crashes
AIR BAGS
6
1crashes
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
6
1crashes2injuries
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
4
4crashes2injuries
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
4
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
4
1crashes2injuries1deaths
Total complaints165
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“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,…”
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“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 (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…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1998 Subaru Outback as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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