1998 Subaru Outback Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 1998 Outback most often describe engine overheating traced to a failed head gasket, frequently somewhere between 60,000 and 120,000 miles and often on the 2.5L engine. Complaints also describe premature clutch wear, brake hydraulic problems, and, on some cars, unintended acceleration or non-deploying airbags in a crash.

1. 1
   Engine cooling

   Head gasket failure and overheating

   • 29 complaints (23%)
   • median 98,600 mi at 7.0 yrs old (23 state mileage)
   • owner-quoted repair $1,880 (median of 15 quotes)
   • filed 2002–2010

   Owners describe the temperature gauge climbing into the hot range, coolant boiling over into the overflow reservoir, coolant that contains oil or exhaust gases, and white smoke or steam from the tailpipe. Many report that thermostats, radiator caps, water pumps and timing belts were replaced before a head gasket leak was finally diagnosed, and some say dealers told them the head gasket problem was common on this model year. Reported across the sample from about 43,000 to 180,000 miles, with most complaints between roughly 60,000 and 120,000 miles, sometimes under load such as hills or with the A/C on.

   What to check: Have a mechanic check for hydrocarbons in the coolant, a coolant pressure test and signs of oil in the coolant, and ask whether the head gaskets have been replaced and at what mileage.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “1998 Subaru Outback showed signs of overheating as temperature gauge rose up past the usual midline and cold air inside car from air conditioner suddenly got warmer. I pulled over and coolant was over flowing from overflow reservoir through the cap. I drove with the heater on full power and made it to a repair facility and remove the thermostat which had seized. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10082338, filed 2004-07, 72,000 miles

   “Catastrophic failure of a major engine component which is considerably outside the expected statistical failure rate(based on my research of complaints by other purchasers of this model Subaru automobile), resulting in significant costs to repair. At approximately 56000 miles the head gaskets on my 1998 Subaru Outback with the 2.5l engine failed.the cost to repair was $ 1880.00. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10064176, filed 2004-03, 56,000 miles
2. 2
   Vehicle speed control

   Unintended acceleration or surging while driving

   • 9 complaints (7%)
   • median 66,500 mi at 6.6 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1998–2004

   Owners describe the car accelerating on its own while backing out of a space or while braking at low speed, in some cases with the brake pedal pressed and the vehicle still moving. Other complaints describe surging, revving to high rpm before jerking into gear, and hesitation when acceleration is needed. Reported at a range of mileages, from about 40,000 to over 100,000 miles, typically at low parking-lot speeds or during throttle application.

   Recall 98V042000

   What to check: Check throttle cable routing and free play, have the transmission and throttle body inspected, and ask whether the car has shown any surging or revving on a test drive.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Failure and its consequences: I own a 1993 Subaru impreza l, and I own a 1998 impreza Outback sport. Both these cars have a potentially serious safety issue. There are two TSB's on hesitation issues for all Subaru's concerning this. This is a hazard because of the sudden need for acceleraion in the case of an emergency. My personal experiences are: 1. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10067878, filed 2004-04, 76,800 miles

   “On october 6, 2004, I was coasting into a parking space in my 1998 Subaru legacy Outback. My headlights were facing a curb, sidewalk, and cement brick building, and I touched the brakes to prevent bumping the curb. As soon as my foot hit the brake, the car vroomed as if the throttle had been fully opened, and the car continued moving forward. I pressed the brake harder, but the car seemed to take off on it's own and was totally out of my control. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10098142, filed 2004-11, 65,000 miles
3. 3
   Air bags

   Airbags not deploying in a crash / airbag light on

   • 13 complaints (10%)
   • median 65,000 mi at 7.0 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • 7 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1998–2006

   Complaints describe frontal impacts at moderate to highway speeds in which neither airbag deployed, and one owner reported the airbag warning light coming on with dealer diagnosis of failed modules in the steering wheel and floor. Owners generally say the dash light was the only warning before a crash. Reported from roughly 40,000 to 120,000 miles, in crashes at speeds from about 15 to 50 mph.

   What to check: Confirm the airbag warning light illuminates briefly at start-up and then goes out, and have the system scanned for stored airbag fault codes before purchase.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The front airbags on my 1998 Subaru Outback sport went out at 76,000 miles without ever deploying or any other indicators. The light on the dash was the only sign that the bags were no longer working. The dealer said two modules went out. The one in the steering wheel will be over $300 to replace and the one in the floor over $700. I can't believe that safety features don't have a lifetime warranty. I will never be able to afford to have them fixed!”

   NHTSA complaint #10146907, filed 2006-01, 70,000 miles

   “When driving at low speeds, the vehicle surged forward. This caused the consumer to lose control of the vehicle and hit a light pole head on. Upon impact, both frontal air bags did not deploy. The consumer had the vehicle towed to the insurance company's designated repair facility. This was quickly followed by 2-3 more accelerations in which the vehicle gained speed each time. The vehicle felt as if it were being shifted into the next gear.”

   NHTSA complaint #10074014, filed 2004-06, 40,691 miles
4. 4
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Clutch wear and pedal dropping to the floor

   • 5 complaints (4%)
   • median 40,500 mi at 6.5 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2002–2005

   Owners describe clutches that needed replacement very early, repeat replacements, and a clutch pedal that fades and drops to the floor. Some report bucking or grabbing under load in first and second gear, and several say the clutch never felt right after repairs; one owner of an automatic reported failure in the transmission clutch assembly at low mileage. Mostly reported below about 80,000 miles, with several complaints in the first year of ownership.

   Recall 98V042000

   What to check: Test the clutch pedal for a spongy or dropping feel, ask for clutch and hydraulic cylinder service records, and check the shift and pedal behavior on a test drive.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have had continuos problems with the clutch on my 1998 suabru Outback. Since the car has been purchased I have had the cluch replaced 3 times, and it is now due to go in again. A common problem is bucking under load (1st & second). There are countless similar storied available on the internet. Subaru needs to be held accountable for this issue as it affects the majority of Subaru owners.”

   NHTSA complaint #10058154, filed 2004-02, 17,000 miles

   “The automatic transmission failed with just 61,000 easy miles. The failure was in the clutch assembly (it would not decelerate when taking pressure off the gas pedal). I took it to the dealer and the manager told me that the drive train was technically out of warranty and that I would be responsible for a new transmission. (before 60,000 I had the dealer check out the whole car and they could find nothing. When the transmission failed I took it in again and the mechanic told me nothing is wrong ... …”

   NHTSA complaint #10126712, filed 2005-06, 61,000 miles

Buying note. A pre-purchase inspection focused on the cooling system and head gaskets is worthwhile, along with a check of brake lines for corrosion and the clutch and airbag systems, since these are the areas owners most often describe. Receipts showing prior head gasket, clutch or brake work are useful to review before deciding.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.