1998 Subaru Forester Problems
Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 1998 Subaru Forester. Part of Generation 1 — 1998–2002.
Worst 1998 Subaru Forester Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TIRES
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1998 Subaru Forester.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 13 | 3 | — | 98,332 mi | |
| TIRES | 8 | 1 | — | — | |
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD | 6 | — | — | — | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 5 | — | — | 88,730 mi | |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR | 5 | — | — | — | |
| SUSPENSION:REAR | 5 | — | — | 101,943 mi | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 4 | — | — | — | |
| POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY | 4 | — | — | — | |
| POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY | 4 | — | — | 30,000 mi | |
| POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION | 4 | — | — | 30,000 mi | |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING | 4 | — | — | 65,000 mi | |
| SUSPENSION:MULTIPLE AXLE | 4 | — | — | — | |
| AIR BAGS | 3 | — | — | — | |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:PEDAL/HAND LEVER(MOTORCYCLE) | 3 | — | — | — | |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 3 | — | — | — | |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER | 3 | — | — | — | |
| SUSPENSION | 3 | — | — | — | |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 3 | — | — | — | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 2 | — | — | 98,000 mi | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS | 2 | — | — | — | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM | 2 | 1 | — | 105,000 mi | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM | 2 | — | — | 73,500 mi | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR | 2 | — | — | 50,000 mi | |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 2 | — | — | — | |
| POWER TRAIN | 2 | — | — | — | |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 2 | — | — | — | |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT | 2 | — | — | — |
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1998 Subaru Forester. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Subaru Forester Years
Wider context: See the full Subaru Forester reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1998 Subaru Forester
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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