1998 Subaru Forester Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 3%of 101 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the steering of the 1998 Subaru Forester, 3% of the 101 complaints for this model year. 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.
“While driving, vehicle lost control and started sliding sideways on dry pavement. Turned at 180 degree slide and went through 10 feet of shoulder gravel, 10 more feet of grass before flipping over twice and landing on its wheels in a marshy area. There were no injuries. However vehicle was totaled.”
NHTSA complaint #538321, filed 1998-07“Kazoo noise in front since 31k, became ratchet noise at 52k. Rack and pinion adjustment stopped noise but steering is sloppy and pulls to right sometimes.”
NHTSA complaint #722756, filed 2000-05Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 2% |
| 2024 | 1 | 3% |
| 2023 | 1 | 1% |
| 2022 | 2 | 2% |
| 2021 | 3 | 1% |
| 2020 | 11 | 2% |
| 2019 | 14 | 2% |
| 2018 | 25 | 5% |
| 2017 | 25 | 4% |
| 2016 | 19 | 5% |
| 2015 | 19 | 3% |
| 2014 | 16 | 4% |
| 2012 | 1 | 1% |
| 2011 | 1 | 1% |
| 2010 | 5 | 2% |
| 2009 | 3 | 2% |
| 2008 | 4 | 8% |
| 2007 | 3 | 4% |
| 2006 | 9 | 10% |
| 2005 | 2 | 2% |
| 2004 | 1 | 0% |
| 2003 | 4 | 2% |
| 2002 | 1 | 1% |
| 2001 | 2 | 1% |
| 2000 | 1 | 1% |
| 1999 | 3 | 2% |
| 1998 | 3 | 3% |
Other parts of the 1998 Subaru Forester
23 complaintsSuspension
17 complaintsBrakes
15 complaintsEngine cooling
14 complaintsVehicle speed control
14 complaintsTires
8 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
7 complaintsAir bags
6 complaintsElectrical system
6 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsOther or unknown
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 28, 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