1998 Subaru Outback Other or unknown Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 3%of 127 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 101,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the other or unknown of the 1998 Subaru Outback, 3% of the 127 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 101,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
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 car accelerated when backing from a parking space, hit a pole, I then put it on drive and it accelerated at a very high speed, I went to brake, it had already hit a parked dodge caravan in the parking spot directly in front of me. I was on brake, car still continued to move. I managed to put it on neutral and it stopped. I turned off the engine. My car had pushed the parked dodge 1.5 car lengths. Van tire skid marks measured by highway patrol. No injuries except to myself, hit my knee and my head. Indicent reported to ca hwy patrol, geico insurance company, and 49r Subaru dealership. …”
NHTSA complaint #10038942, filed 2003-09, 101,000 miles“On 1/15/01 beard Subaru diagnosed and repaired my engine for an oil leak. I paid $654.50 for them to remove the transmission and reseal baffle plate as well as reseal oil pump, questionable cam seals (referring to paperwork from dealer). On 3/23/01 while driving on the highway, check engine light went on and simultaneously car completely died. Beard Subaru diagnosed engine seized due to drop in pressure w/in engine. Upon several contacts w/ Subaru of america, they have offered to pay 50% to rebuild engine, which has been verbally estimated at $2,500. …”
NHTSA complaint #743319, filed 2001-03Other or unknown: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7 | 33% |
| 2025 | 18 | 22% |
| 2024 | 29 | 28% |
| 2023 | 16 | 18% |
| 2022 | 87 | 19% |
| 2021 | 66 | 22% |
| 2020 | 153 | 17% |
| 2019 | 205 | 20% |
| 2018 | 163 | 20% |
| 2017 | 178 | 19% |
| 2016 | 124 | 19% |
| 2015 | 109 | 21% |
| 2014 | 22 | 11% |
| 2013 | 25 | 8% |
| 2012 | 24 | 8% |
| 2011 | 39 | 6% |
| 2010 | 19 | 5% |
| 2009 | 6 | 6% |
| 2008 | 10 | 4% |
| 2007 | 6 | 5% |
| 2006 | 13 | 5% |
| 2005 | 13 | 5% |
| 2004 | 3 | 3% |
| 2003 | 1 | 1% |
| 2002 | 2 | 1% |
| 2001 | 4 | 2% |
| 2000 | 6 | 3% |
| 1999 | 6 | 5% |
| 1998 | 4 | 3% |
| 1997 | 1 | 1% |
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 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 28, 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