1998 Subaru Forester Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 14about this part
- Share
- 14%of 101 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 73,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1998 Subaru Forester, 14% of the 101 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 73,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“1. Engine failure due to a manufacturer's defect -- the cylinder walls are being bored into to place the engine bolts on the Subaru 2.5l engines. In this case the cylinder wall cracked through the entire section where it was substantially bored into on the number 1 cylinder causing the engine to fail completely. Each of the 4 cylinder walls on my vehicle were bored into to some degree. I have a 1998 Subaru Forester l. With 72,000 miles. There was never an indication of a problem prior to engine failure. At the time of failure a blown head gasket was thought to be the problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #10078992, filed 2004-06, 72,000 miles“(1) noticed periodic overheating on 1998 Forester with 2.5l dohc engine. (2) head gasket failed temperature spiked and coolant boiled over, large amount of white steam from hood. (3) dealer said problem was head gasket and the engine was repaired for $1800, Subaru of america was notified and denied any problems with this year engine in spite of a large number of similiar head gasket.”
NHTSA complaint #10096493, filed 2004-10, 100,150 miles“Please note!..... My 1998 Forester l-model with only 54400 miles has been diagnosed as having a leaky oil pump....thus causing oil to be dripping from the engine, front area, on to a plastic splash pan....where it lies until it has built-up enough of a puddle that it now seeks to be blown rearward along the inside of the pan...(between the splash-pan and the engine) until finally it is blown on to the hot exhaust pipes located under the body of the car...adjacent to the catalytic converter (which is extremely hot)....it appears that Subaru is totally aware that this problem exists....in fact…”
NHTSA complaint #10078772, filed 2004-06, 50,000 miles“Grease and oil dripping onto the catalytic converter starts smelling. Dealer cannot duplicate the problem, but is aware of the problem. *akthey doubled the viscosity of the driveline grease. From 90 to 150 weight. Tthere only one problem with this.the fumes coming off the exhaust were making me sick.the laekage was bad enough that I thought the car was starting on fire- fire hazard.”
NHTSA complaint #826556, filed 1998-08“The contact stated the vehicle accelerated while parked. The vehicle went through a fence and hit some brush. The contact noticed smoke coming from the engine. Two weeks prior to the incident the contact smelled something burning. The heater would not work properly. The vehicle was taken to a dealership. The thermostat was replaced. There was not a police report filed. Updated 3/28/2006 -”
NHTSA complaint #10149914, filed 2006-02, 105,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10198749Jun 7, 2021This bulletin is to advise of SOAâs revised catalytic converter recycling program shipping procedure.
- 10019343Feb 1, 2006Rubbing mark on timing belt. Subaru.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 1% |
| 2020 | 4 | 1% |
| 2019 | 5 | 1% |
| 2017 | 1 | 0% |
| 2015 | 5 | 1% |
| 2014 | 3 | 1% |
| 2012 | 2 | 2% |
| 2011 | 7 | 5% |
| 2010 | 6 | 2% |
| 2009 | 12 | 7% |
| 2008 | 2 | 4% |
| 2007 | 6 | 8% |
| 2006 | 11 | 13% |
| 2005 | 7 | 8% |
| 2004 | 16 | 7% |
| 2003 | 19 | 10% |
| 2002 | 14 | 16% |
| 2001 | 16 | 12% |
| 2000 | 12 | 16% |
| 1999 | 25 | 19% |
| 1998 | 14 | 14% |
Other parts of the 1998 Subaru Forester
23 complaintsSuspension
17 complaintsBrakes
15 complaintsVehicle speed control
14 complaintsTires
8 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
7 complaintsAir bags
6 complaintsElectrical system
6 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsEquipment
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 Subaru Forester
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology