1998 Subaru Legacy Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 14about this part
- Share
- 12%of 114 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 99,750miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1998 Subaru Legacy, 12% of the 114 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 99,750 miles. 1 a fire, 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.
“I have a 1998 Subaru Legacy outback with manual transmission. When it gets hot (I live in houston!!!) the clutch pedal will get spongy and eventually stick to the floor. I have to lift it up with my foot. If I have to drive the car for any length of time like this, I eventually lose the ability to get the car in and out of gear. I have to turn the car off and let it cool off (for about an hour) and it will fix itself. I have had to sit on the side of the road, with my kids in the car, waiting for it to cool down! It first happened in 1999. …”
NHTSA complaint #10127015, filed 2005-06, 25,000 miles“Dealership service technician indicated the rear axle was coming loose from the rear differential, recommended replacement. Dealership replaced rear axle seals. Dealership indicated problem was caused by vehicle being suspended by differential and resulting downward strain on axles. This has not occured while we have owned this car (approx. 3 years). The front axle seals were replaced in a recall on 7/18/03.”
NHTSA complaint #10151393, filed 2006-02, 110,500 miles“The speedometer on my 1999 Subaru Legacy l sedan stops working at random intervals. My mechanic tells me that this is connected to the also faulty transmission and is not just a minor speed sensor problem. Subaru denies any knowledge of these problems but I have researched and found many, many 1999 Subaru owners with the exact same problems. The 1999's had a new transmission that is very flawed and was changed again before the 2000 release because of so many problems. …”
NHTSA complaint #10161771, filed 2006-07“The contact owns a 1998 Subaru Legacy. While attempting to drive, the transmission began to smoke and then unexpectedly failed. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 155,025. Updated 05/31/17”
NHTSA complaint #10965763, filed 2017-03, 155,025 miles“Bought my Subaru Legacy 2.5 gt last month, I brought the car in for the first servicing complaining of clutch, and transmission difficulty. When car goes over bumps, transmission twists and lurches. 5 speed manual transmission, third gear is difficult to enter, reverse grinds.”
NHTSA complaint #540198, filed 1998-08Related recalls
- 98V042000Feb 20, 1998Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. Due to poor welds, ignition keys can stick, shift levers/linkages can break and…Covers: Subaru Legacy 1997–1998, Outback 1997–1998
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 3% |
| 2021 | 2 | 6% |
| 2020 | 7 | 6% |
| 2019 | 1 | 1% |
| 2018 | 2 | 2% |
| 2017 | 4 | 3% |
| 2016 | 13 | 9% |
| 2015 | 15 | 9% |
| 2014 | 6 | 11% |
| 2013 | 12 | 18% |
| 2012 | 34 | 38% |
| 2011 | 47 | 28% |
| 2010 | 50 | 33% |
| 2009 | 2 | 3% |
| 2008 | 6 | 9% |
| 2007 | 1 | 3% |
| 2006 | 8 | 9% |
| 2005 | 13 | 7% |
| 2004 | 2 | 4% |
| 2003 | 5 | 8% |
| 2002 | 7 | 13% |
| 2001 | 2 | 3% |
| 2000 | 14 | 15% |
| 1999 | 18 | 19% |
| 1998 | 14 | 12% |
| 1997 | 17 | 12% |
| 1996 | 8 | 7% |
| 1995 | 9 | 5% |
| 1994 | 5 | 8% |
| 1993 | 9 | 12% |
| 1992 | 5 | 9% |
| 1991 | 16 | 21% |
| 1990 | 14 | 17% |
Other parts of the 1998 Subaru Legacy
30 complaintsBrakes
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