1998 Subaru Outback problems
Owners have filed 165 complaints about the 1998 Subaru Outback with NHTSA. Engine and engine cooling accounts for 27.9% of them — the clear leader, ahead of power train at 12.7%.
Complaints165
Crashes13
Fires2
Injuries11
Deaths1
What owners report breaking
Engine and engine cooling 27.9% · 46
Power train 12.7% · 21
Vehicle speed control 8.5% · 14
Service brakes, hydraulic 8.5% · 14
Air bags 6.7% · 11
Electrical system 4.2% · 7
Visibility 4.2% · 7
Tires 3.0% · 5
Severity
Of those complaints, 13 describe a crash, 2 describe a fire, 11 report an injury and 1 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 28 model years of the Subaru Outback in this data, 1998 sits 21st by complaint volume. 2019 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 4 in the last three years against 15 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 91,056 miles.
In owners' own words
Took my Subaru to dealer for 60,000 mile check. He advised me that my head gasket was about to fail and needed replacement. He also informed me that failure of the head gasket in 1998 outbacks was common. This repair is very costly (about $1500), and failing to make it could cause catastrophic damage to the engine. Engine and engine cooling · reported at 58,640 miles
Head gasket failure in Subaru legacy Outback 1998. Engine overheated which lead to lead to smoke coming out under the hood and subsequent warping of engine heads. I hard to replace gasket heads but I am told there is no guarantee this would not happen again since there is an apparent design flaw in the 2.5L engines. Engine and engine cooling
Engine overheating every half mile with engine reservoir overflowing. After $1300 of replacing thermostat, timing belt, belt tensioner, water pump, flushing the cooling system, and compression tests, I was told I had a blown head gasket. I was told the replacement would cost an additional $2,200 at least. Engine and engine cooling · reported at 81,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…