Complaints
165
Crashes
13
Fires
2
Injuries
11
Fatalities
1
Recalls
0
Worst 1998 Subaru Outback Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#118 complaints
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Avg mileage:100,789 mi
#211 complaints
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Avg mileage:98,619 mi
#311 complaints
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Avg mileage:60,830 mi
Crash-related:4
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1998 Subaru Outback.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 18 | — | — | 100,789 mi | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 11 | — | — | 98,619 mi | |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 11 | 4 | — | 60,830 mi | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM | 7 | — | — | 124,720 mi | |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 7 | 1 | — | — | |
| AIR BAGS | 6 | 1 | — | 43,000 mi | |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 6 | 1 | — | 73,500 mi | |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 4 | 4 | — | 80,346 mi | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM | 4 | — | — | 93,000 mi | |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 4 | 1 | — | 101,000 mi | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 3 | — | — | — | |
| POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY | 3 | — | — | 18,500 mi | |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS | 3 | — | — | — | |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL | 3 | — | — | 68,000 mi | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR | 2 | — | — | — | |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 2 | — | — | 131,075 mi | |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP | 2 | — | — | 124,575 mi | |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | 2 | — | — | 139,686 mi | |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH | 2 | — | — | — | |
| PARKING BRAKE | 2 | 1 | — | 65,000 mi | |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL) | 2 | — | — | — | |
| POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY | 2 | — | 1 | — | |
| POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:PEDAL/HAND LEVER(MOTORCYCLE) | 2 | — | — | 91,486 mi | |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR | 2 | — | — | 10,000 mi | |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 2 | — | — | 142,500 mi | |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 2 | — | — | 168,000 mi | |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS | 2 | — | — | — | |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER | 2 | — | — | 63,000 mi | |
| TIRES | 2 | — | — | — | |
| VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR | 2 | — | — | — |
Other Subaru Outback Years
Wider context: See the full Subaru Outback reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
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