1998 Subaru Forester Tires Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 8%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 8 complaints about the tires of the 1998 Subaru Forester, 8% of the 101 complaints for this model year. 1 of these say a crash was involved, 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.
“On march 9, 2000 I took my car in to les schwab to have my tires rotated. The serviceman came out to my car to write up the paperwork and as he was checking my tires out he said that he wouldn't rotate my tires due to extreme wear on all tires. He apologized but he said there was no possible way that they needed to be replaced. So reluctantly I had to replace my tires as I thought it would be better to be safe rather than sorry as I was going on a road trip in a month. …”
NHTSA complaint #729252, filed 2000-08“The Subaru forrester was purchased on 8/25/2000. The above tire (and 3 other tires) were brand new on the vehicle which showed 24,900 miles on the odometer. These tires have had excellent care and we have been especially careful to maintain the correct air pressure. The tire failed suddenly, that is went entirley flat in about 5 seconds at 55 MPH. As far as we know, the tire was not punctured just prior to the failure. Both poquet auto and the local firestone dealer promptly worked with us to replace the tire and rebalance the new unit at no cost to us. …”
NHTSA complaint #737885, filed 2000-12“1998 Subaru Forester's tire blew out. When the tire blewout it caused the vehicle to go off the roadway and strike a construction cone, delineator post and south ditch. The vehicle left rear quarter panel, taillight and bumper were damaged. There were no injuries.”
NHTSA complaint #10166914, filed 2006-08“While driving, tires wobble causing the front end to wobble, when accelerator pressure is released the wobble goes away until tires get warmed up, then the wobble does not go away, tires were replaced before due to the same reason, dealer states this is atire problem and not an alignment problem, tires are firestone tires, size p285/75r15, DOT # hxlr1800.”
NHTSA complaint #877668, filed 2001-01Related service bulletins
- 10037968Feb 3, 2011Subaru: there is a steering wheel vibration at highway speeds due to an imporper wheel balance.
Tires: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 | 3% |
| 2023 | 2 | 3% |
| 2021 | 1 | 0% |
| 2020 | 2 | 0% |
| 2018 | 2 | 0% |
| 2016 | 2 | 0% |
| 2015 | 5 | 1% |
| 2014 | 2 | 1% |
| 2012 | 1 | 1% |
| 2010 | 2 | 1% |
| 2009 | 2 | 1% |
| 2008 | 1 | 2% |
| 2007 | 4 | 5% |
| 2006 | 4 | 5% |
| 2004 | 2 | 1% |
| 2003 | 3 | 2% |
| 2002 | 1 | 1% |
| 2001 | 5 | 4% |
| 2000 | 8 | 11% |
| 1999 | 7 | 5% |
| 1998 | 8 | 8% |
Other parts of the 1998 Subaru Forester
23 complaintsSuspension
17 complaintsBrakes
15 complaintsEngine cooling
14 complaintsVehicle speed control
14 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 29, 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