1998 Subaru Legacy Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 14about this part
- Share
- 12%of 114 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 150,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the brakes of the 1998 Subaru Legacy, 12% of the 114 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 150,000 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
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.
“This car accelerated suddenly and spontaneously while I was shifting from reverse to drive;the brakes had no effect in slowing the car down and I had to crash into a concrete post to stop the car and avoid hitting other cars and pedestrians. The car is totaled and I am lucky to have survived.”
NHTSA complaint #724364, filed 2000-06“The contact owns a 1998 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, there was a delayed failure in the braking system. The contact notified the local dealer regarding the failure and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 99V040000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) for which the vehicle was included. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired due to parts not being available. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 307,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11458828, filed 2022-03, 307,000 miles“The contact owns a 1998 Subaru Legacy. While the brake pedal was depressed, the contact stated that the brake pedal felt spongy. The contact heard a rattling noise but could not determine the origin. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the brake discs, brake rotors, and idler arms on both sides of the vehicle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The failure mileage was 150,000. …”
NHTSA complaint #11004059, filed 2017-07, 150,000 miles“While driving, consumer felt a vibration in the steering wheel, after inspection, consumer found a large amount of brake dust on the right front wheel, one of the caliper pistons was frozen, the brake pad was worn down on one side, however 80 percent was left on the other side.”
NHTSA complaint #8016047, filed 2002-08“Brake pedal went to floor when applied.dealer has replaced linings ,front caliper,master cylinder and booster.problem still occured.lucky all occurances were at speeds below 25 MPH and there was no accident. Speedometer failed internaly and odometer started to operate backward. Actual milage on car is unknown.”
NHTSA complaint #700093, filed 1998-10Related recalls
- 99V040000Mar 3, 1999Vehicle description: passenger and sport utility vehicles equipped with anti-lock braking system (abs). (the 1999 2.2 liter legacy vehicles are excluded). In…Covers: Subaru Legacy 1998–1999, Forester 1998–1999
Related service bulletins
- 10163525Jul 11, 2019This Service Information bulletin announces instruction for application of additional lubrication between the brake caliper support and pad clips. This will prevent the pad from…
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 17% |
| 2024 | 1 | 6% |
| 2022 | 1 | 3% |
| 2021 | 2 | 6% |
| 2020 | 2 | 2% |
| 2019 | 2 | 2% |
| 2018 | 6 | 5% |
| 2017 | 5 | 4% |
| 2016 | 8 | 5% |
| 2015 | 13 | 8% |
| 2014 | 2 | 4% |
| 2013 | 4 | 6% |
| 2012 | 7 | 8% |
| 2011 | 18 | 11% |
| 2010 | 13 | 9% |
| 2009 | 9 | 14% |
| 2008 | 13 | 20% |
| 2007 | 3 | 9% |
| 2006 | 10 | 11% |
| 2005 | 31 | 17% |
| 2004 | 3 | 6% |
| 2003 | 4 | 7% |
| 2002 | 7 | 13% |
| 2001 | 7 | 9% |
| 2000 | 7 | 7% |
| 1999 | 12 | 13% |
| 1998 | 14 | 12% |
| 1997 | 27 | 19% |
| 1996 | 18 | 15% |
| 1995 | 29 | 16% |
| 1994 | 6 | 10% |
| 1993 | 7 | 9% |
| 1992 | 1 | 2% |
| 1991 | 10 | 13% |
| 1990 | 4 | 5% |
Other parts of the 1998 Subaru Legacy
30 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
14 complaintsAir bags
11 complaintsVehicle speed control
10 complaintsElectrical system
9 complaintsFuel system
8 complaintsSteering
8 complaintsBody and structure
7 complaintsSuspension
7 complaintsEquipment
6 complaintsTires
6 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 Subaru Legacy
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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