1998 Subaru Outback Tires Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 4%of 127 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 79,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the tires of the 1998 Subaru Outback, 4% of the 127 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 79,500 miles. 1 a fire, 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.
“All 4 tires sidewall separated. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. Michelin, 205/70r15. The tires had dry rot cracking on the sidewalls. There was no seperating, just hundreds of cracks. Tire/model#xw4”
NHTSA complaint #10059165, filed 2004-04, 94,000 miles“Dt: the contact states one of the tires has been losing air. The service mechanic states that he has never seen this problem. The wheel itself looks like it has a cracked. It is right in the middle of the wheel on the inner rim. It has not damaged the tires. The tire is located on the passenger's side front. The metal alloy wheel is what has the crack. The tires on the wheel were almost new and there was no problem with them.”
NHTSA complaint #10128825, filed 2005-07“When using the factory provided spare tire, the rear differential caught on fire. Owner did not drive vehicle over 50 miles as stated in owner's manual. Owner was able to put out fire.the repairs were made by the dealer under warranty. Fire was due to the diffenrence in the tire size.”
NHTSA complaint #832012, filed 1998-12“We purchased a brand new Subaru Outback s/w in 1999 and recently had a flat tire. Upon placing the mini spare provided with the car and driving (under 50 MPH) only 19 miles to a tire dealer to have the flat repaired, the rear end was damaged. It cost $800 to have the rear end gears replaced. It turns out that the mini spare provided with the car cannot be used without disabling the all wheel drive, by finding and replacing a fuse under the hood (listed in the instructions for spare removal last on page 2 of the owners manual). Oh yeah, the spare can only be used on the rear wheels. …”
NHTSA complaint #745049, filed 2001-05Related service bulletins
- 10037968Feb 3, 2011Subaru: there is a steering wheel vibration at highway speeds due to an imporper wheel balance.
Tires: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 10% |
| 2025 | 1 | 1% |
| 2024 | 1 | 1% |
| 2023 | 2 | 2% |
| 2022 | 1 | 0% |
| 2019 | 2 | 0% |
| 2018 | 2 | 0% |
| 2017 | 3 | 0% |
| 2014 | 3 | 1% |
| 2013 | 2 | 1% |
| 2011 | 9 | 1% |
| 2010 | 9 | 3% |
| 2009 | 3 | 3% |
| 2008 | 2 | 1% |
| 2007 | 2 | 2% |
| 2006 | 6 | 2% |
| 2005 | 5 | 2% |
| 2003 | 5 | 5% |
| 2002 | 5 | 4% |
| 2001 | 9 | 5% |
| 2000 | 30 | 14% |
| 1999 | 3 | 3% |
| 1998 | 5 | 4% |
| 1996 | 4 | 9% |
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 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 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