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 & Cooling
Avg mileage:98,619 mi
#311 complaints
Unintended Acceleration
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 & Cooling | 11 | — | — | 98,619 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 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 | — | — | |
| Airbags | 6 | 1 | — | 43,000 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 6 | 1 | — | 73,500 mi | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 4 | 4 | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Clutch Assembly | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Filler Pipe And Cap | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Latches / Locks | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Parking-Brake Issues | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl) | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Axle Assembly | 2 | — | 1 | — | |
| Power Train:Clutch Assembly:Pedal/Hand Lever(Motorcycle) | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Brakes | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Brake Master Cylinder | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Defects | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Side/Rear Glass | 2 | — | — | — |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
18
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
100,789
Engine & Cooling
11
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
98,619
Unintended Acceleration
11
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
—
Avg Miles
60,830
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
124,720
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
7
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Airbags
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
43,000
Automatic Transmission
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
73,500
Air Bags:Frontal
4
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Clutch Assembly
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Gasoline Fuel System
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Filler Pipe And Cap
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Latches / Locks
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Parking-Brake Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Gear Position Indication (Prndl)
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Axle Assembly
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Clutch Assembly:Pedal/Hand Lever(Motorcycle)
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Brakes
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Hydraulic Brakes
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Brake Master Cylinder
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tire Defects
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Side/Rear Glass
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1998 Subaru Outback. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Subaru Outback Years
1998 Subaru Outback — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1998 Subaru Outback reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 1998 Subaru Outback has 165 NHTSA complaints, 13 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine with 18 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1998 Subaru Outback?
Top reported problems: Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine (18 complaints, avg 100,789 mi); Engine & Cooling (11 complaints, avg 98,619 mi); Unintended Acceleration (11 complaints, avg 60,830 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 1998 Subaru Outback?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 87,122 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1998 Subaru Outback?
NHTSA complaints for the 1998 Subaru Outback include 13 crash-related reports, 2 fire reports, 11 injuries, and 1 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1998 Subaru Outback have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1998 Subaru Outback as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1998 Subaru Outback?
Fewer complaints than typical for this model. That's a good sign, but every individual car is different — the VIN still tells you what happened to this specific one.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Subaru Outback reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1998 Subaru Outback
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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