1998 Subaru Outback Equipment Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 2%of 127 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 70,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the equipment of the 1998 Subaru Outback, 2% of the 127 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 70,000 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.
“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 milesRelated service bulletins
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Equipment: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 2% |
| 2024 | 1 | 1% |
| 2020 | 1 | 0% |
| 2019 | 6 | 1% |
| 2018 | 2 | 0% |
| 2017 | 1 | 0% |
| 2016 | 1 | 0% |
| 2015 | 7 | 1% |
| 2013 | 3 | 1% |
| 2011 | 3 | 0% |
| 2010 | 3 | 1% |
| 2008 | 1 | 0% |
| 2007 | 3 | 2% |
| 2005 | 3 | 1% |
| 2004 | 1 | 1% |
| 2003 | 2 | 2% |
| 2002 | 2 | 1% |
| 2001 | 2 | 1% |
| 2000 | 3 | 1% |
| 1999 | 1 | 1% |
| 1998 | 2 | 2% |
| 1997 | 3 | 4% |
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 complaintsElectrical system
6 complaintsTires
5 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsSeat belts
4 complaintsWheels
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 Subaru Outback
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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