1998 Subaru Legacy Tires Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 5%of 114 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the tires of the 1998 Subaru Legacy, 5% of the 114 complaints for this model year.
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.
“Tire sidewalls are cracking on all 4 tires, and a section of the right front tire has completely separated. A mechanic at local service station stated that he is seeing a lot of this on this size michelin tire, particularly on Subaru outbacks.”
NHTSA complaint #764812, filed 2002-07“Tires repeatedly lose air, especially in rear. Steel belt began showing and a large sidewall bulge appeared in one rear tire at about 15,500 miles. Replaced all four tires at approximately 15,580 miles, with michelin tires, because we felt that the bridgestone tires were not safe and did not want replacements of the same make that might fail in the same manner in the future.( DOT number: obj6pja417 tire size: 185/70 r14 )”
NHTSA complaint #716529, filed 1999-12“Severe cupping on tread. Car aligned 4 times and new tires placed. Car still cupping tires. Vibration above 30 MPH( DOT number: tire size: 205/55/16 )”
NHTSA complaint #729241, filed 2000-08“Tires lost nearly all air within 2,000 mile of checking;had to replace;they went to steel bar at 18000 miles; fumes inside cabin from purchase of car;fell asleep at wheel sevl times; romania Subaru in eugene wouldn't fix on 2 visits;3rd visit, found leak;still have fumes inside cabin and more if window is down on pass side;no one can fix the open window fume problem;inside-found crankcase leaking on exhaust syst;cosmolene overload, but stillhave burning eyes and sore throat;can't find problem;brakes went to floor-replaced master cylinder per recal;windshield from purchase,couldn't see…”
NHTSA complaint #711562, filed 1999-09Related 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 3% |
| 2020 | 1 | 1% |
| 2019 | 1 | 1% |
| 2018 | 2 | 2% |
| 2017 | 1 | 1% |
| 2016 | 2 | 1% |
| 2015 | 2 | 1% |
| 2012 | 2 | 2% |
| 2011 | 1 | 1% |
| 2010 | 1 | 1% |
| 2009 | 2 | 3% |
| 2008 | 2 | 3% |
| 2005 | 6 | 3% |
| 2004 | 1 | 2% |
| 2003 | 4 | 7% |
| 2002 | 5 | 9% |
| 2001 | 8 | 10% |
| 2000 | 17 | 18% |
| 1999 | 5 | 5% |
| 1998 | 6 | 5% |
| 1997 | 1 | 1% |
| 1996 | 3 | 2% |
| 1995 | 6 | 3% |
| 1994 | 2 | 3% |
| 1993 | 8 | 10% |
| 1992 | 5 | 9% |
| 1991 | 1 | 1% |
| 1990 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 1998 Subaru Legacy
30 complaintsBrakes
14 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 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