1998 Subaru Outback Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 5%of 127 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 100,147miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the electrical system of the 1998 Subaru Outback, 5% of the 127 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 100,147 miles.
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.
“Both fuses on the cooling system fans failed within the same drive. I checked the one marked in the 1998 legacy owners manual for the cooling fan and it was number 13 in page 11-7. I checked for the other one and it was under the hood and it was night time and I didn't have a flashlight or light. I could count where the fuse was and in the book it stated it was # 25. I pulled the fuse 25 and it checked out good and I put it back in the slot. However, I checked in the day time under the fuse cover under the hood and it indicates that fuse #22 is the correct one. I checked that and it was blown. …”
NHTSA complaint #10007058, filed 2002-10, 100,147 miles“The contact owns a 1998 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that when any type of gmc vehicle was parked next to his vehicle the automatic door locks and alarm system would engage when the other vehicles keyless entry system was activated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who recommended that the vehicle be taken to an authorized dealer to be repaired. The failure mileage was 160,000. The VIN was unavailable.”
NHTSA complaint #10346356, filed 2010-07, 160,000 miles“Consumer experiencing ongoing problem of a burning odor coming into the vehicle on a daily basis, but intermittently within a day. Vehicle been in/out of dealer shop on several occasions. Dealer `informed consumer nothing could be found and at time refused to look further into the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #829485, filed 1998-10Related service bulletins
- 10219491Aug 23, 2022This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure.
- 10209915Mar 18, 2022This bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic essential information during diagnosis and repair of the Infotainment concerns. (Applicable to all…
- 10198758Jun 17, 2021This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 6 | 29% |
| 2025 | 13 | 16% |
| 2024 | 16 | 15% |
| 2023 | 17 | 19% |
| 2022 | 52 | 11% |
| 2021 | 76 | 26% |
| 2020 | 259 | 29% |
| 2019 | 364 | 35% |
| 2018 | 267 | 33% |
| 2017 | 392 | 43% |
| 2016 | 309 | 48% |
| 2015 | 127 | 25% |
| 2014 | 32 | 15% |
| 2013 | 23 | 8% |
| 2012 | 37 | 13% |
| 2011 | 67 | 10% |
| 2010 | 33 | 9% |
| 2009 | 23 | 22% |
| 2008 | 34 | 15% |
| 2007 | 20 | 15% |
| 2006 | 42 | 15% |
| 2005 | 28 | 10% |
| 2004 | 8 | 9% |
| 2003 | 7 | 8% |
| 2002 | 4 | 3% |
| 2001 | 3 | 2% |
| 2000 | 8 | 4% |
| 1999 | 8 | 7% |
| 1998 | 6 | 5% |
| 1997 | 4 | 5% |
| 1996 | 1 | 2% |
Other parts of the 1998 Subaru Outback
40 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
19 complaintsBrakes
15 complaintsVehicle speed control
13 complaintsAir bags
11 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
7 complaintsTires
5 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsSeat belts
4 complaintsWheels
4 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 Subaru Outback
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology