1998 Subaru Impreza Problems
- Complaints
- 30filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 69,500miles, 6 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 23 mpgcombined, 2.2L 4-cyl 4WD/AWD · 20 city / 27 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1998 Subaru Impreza (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 30 consumer complaints for the 1998 Subaru Impreza. The part named most often is suspension, with 11 complaints (37% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain (9) and engine cooling (7). 6 of the complaints include a mileage, and 17% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 69,500 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 15 technical service bulletins for this model year. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Suspension11 37%
- Engine cooling7 23%
- Air bags3 10%
- Electrical system3 10%
- Other or unknown3 10%
- Exterior lighting2 6.7%
- Wheels2 6.7%
- Brakes1 3.3%
- Interior lighting1 3.3%
Also reported: Seat belts (1), Seats (1), Body and structure (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).
Example complaints
Suspension: “Consumer has experienced numerous failures of left rear wheel bearing, consumer states very noisy and just failed without warning while driving at high speed the car began to vibrate quite violently, causing some difficulty in maintaining control of the vehicle, consumer was able to brake and move to emergency lane.”
NHTSA complaint #560626, filed 2001-04Transmission and drivetrain: “Transfer clutch on the powertrain of my 1998 Subaru Impreza bucks and binds in turns, apparently due to the transfer clutch hanging up and staying applied. This has occurred at least since the 50,000 mile mark and continues to date. Despite this problem falling under Subaru's powertrain warranty, two separate Subaru dealers have refused to fix it under warranty, and instead have added limited slip differential additive to the differential-a fix I have been told by another Subaru dealer is not an authorized fix for this problem. I am now faced with $900 in repair bills. …”
NHTSA complaint #10002761, filed 2003-01, 51,478 milesEngine cooling: “98 Subaru Impreza 2.5rs. I had the head gaskets replaced under warranty the first time . Around a year after that,the car over heated again. I had it towed to a auto repair shop that I worked at and had them test the car to see the problem. It was a blown head gasket again. They determined this by testing for any emissions in the coolant. There was also a large amount of sludge build up in the coolant reservoir(oil)as well. Subaru would not warranty there original work so the car sat for a bit before I could afford to have it fixed. …”
NHTSA complaint #10168246, filed 2006-09, 72,000 milesAir bags: “Vehicle was rear ended and pushed into the rear of vehicle in front. The drivers seat was twisted back toward the back seat as a result of the impact and the air bags did no deploy.”
NHTSA complaint #536929, filed 1998-06Mileage when problems were reported
17% of the 6 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 51,478 and 98,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1998 Subaru Impreza version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Impreza AWD | 2.2L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 20 | 27 | 23 | $2,900 |
| Impreza AWD | 2.2L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 20 | 27 | 23 | $2,900 |
| Impreza AWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 19 | 26 | 22 | $3,050 |
| Impreza AWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 19 | 25 | 21 | $3,200 |
| Impreza Wagon AWD | 2.2L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 20 | 27 | 23 | $2,900 |
| Impreza Wagon AWD | 2.2L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 20 | 27 | 23 | $2,900 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1998 Subaru Impreza in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 15 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10240110Jul 11, 2023Equipment. This bulletin announces the recommended cleaning procedures to followed when encountering vehicles with long time exposure to pollen on painted surfaces on vehicles imported from Japan. This…
- 10219492Aug 23, 2022Equipment. This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models.
- 10219491Aug 23, 2022Electrical system, Equipment. This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure.
- 10209915Mar 18, 2022Electrical system. This bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic essential information during diagnosis and repair of the Infotainment concerns. (Applicable to all models with Harman or…
- 10198758Jun 17, 2021Equipment, Electrical system. This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models
- 10198749Jun 7, 2021Equipment, Engine cooling. This bulletin is to advise of SOAâs revised catalytic converter recycling program shipping procedure.
- 10187315Feb 1, 2021Equipment. To help reduce confusion and increase technician efficiency, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) has developed the following cross reference list to help locate the appropriate Special Service Tool.
- 10179378Aug 4, 2020Equipment. Special Service Tools Cross Reference List.
- 10174543Apr 30, 2020Equipment. All Models (Vehicle Cleaning- COVID-19Best Practices)
- 10163525Jul 11, 2019Brakes. This Service Information bulletin announces instruction for application of additional lubrication between the brake caliper support and pad clips. This will prevent the pad from dragging due to…
Other model years of the Subaru Impreza
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 5 | 2,700 | 0 | 5 | 30 | — | Too new |
| 2024 | 32 | 36,292 | 2 | 5 | 30 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2022 | 14 | — | 1 | 5 | 30 | — | Not enough data |
| 2021 | 14 | 1,700 | 2 | 5 | 30 | — | Not enough data |
| 2020 | 85 | 7,000 | 1 | 5 | 30 | 50 · Typical | Falling |
| 2019 | 194 | 11,700 | 5 | 5 | 30 | 86 · More | Stable |
| 2018 | 152 | 18,500 | 5 | 5 | 30 | 62 · Typical | Rising |
| 2017 | 125 | 14,953 | 7 | 5 | 30 | 71 · More | Rising |
| 2016 | 75 | 26,258 | 1 | 5 | 30 | 5 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2015 | 77 | 36,000 | 2 | 5 | 30 | 2 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2014 | 108 | 49,500 | 3 | 5 | 27 | 25 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2013 | 251 | 61,590 | 4 | 5 | 27 | 51 · Typical | Falling |
| 2012 | 243 | 45,825 | 6 | 4 | 27 | 82 · More | Falling |
| 2011 | 58 | 38,000 | 14 | — | 22 | 24 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2010 | 46 | 47,800 | 15 | — | 21 | 2 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2009 | 104 | 64,000 | 14 | — | 21 | 48 · Typical | Falling |
| 2008 | 176 | 48,150 | 14 | — | 22 | 70 · More | Falling |
| 2007 | 68 | 49,890 | 9 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2006 | 56 | 61,728 | 10 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2005 | 75 | 72,072 | 6 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2004 | 96 | 65,000 | 8 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2003 | 62 | 64,500 | 6 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 292 | 62,500 | 6 | — | 21 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2001 | 11 | 42,000 | 0 | — | 22 | — | Not enough data |
| 2000 | 41 | 64,000 | 0 | — | 22 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 22 | 67,750 | 0 | — | 22 | — | Stable |
| 1998 | 30 | 69,500 | 0 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 30 | 99,550 | 0 | — | 23 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 20 | — | 0 | — | 24 | — | Stable |
| 1995 | 46 | 132,062 | 1 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 8 | — | 1 | — | 24 | — | Not enough data |
| 1993 | 33 | 158,850 | 1 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
All Subaru Impreza model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1998 Subaru Impreza have?
NHTSA recorded 30 consumer complaints for the 1998 Subaru Impreza as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1998 Subaru Impreza is reported most often?
Suspension is named most often, in 11 complaints (37% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 9.
Has the 1998 Subaru Impreza been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1998 Subaru Impreza get?
The EPA rates the 1998 Subaru Impreza (Impreza AWD, 2.2L 4-cyl) at 23 mpg combined, 20 city and 27 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,900 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 1998 Subaru Impreza reported?
Among the 6 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 69,500 miles and the middle half falls between 51,478 and 98,000 miles; 17% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
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. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.