1998 Subaru Outback Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 19about this part
- Share
- 15%of 127 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 69,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 19 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1998 Subaru Outback, 15% of the 127 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 69,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“1998 Subaru Outback - steering becomes jerky when backing or going forward at slow speeds and while making tight turning radiuses. Local repair shop called a local Subaru dealer and they said that they have seen some incidents of this problem but know of no fix. It was said that the vehicle is safe to drive. The suspected problem is thought due to uneven regulation of the wheel speed in the all wheel drive regulator as one turns sharply. …”
NHTSA complaint #10136561, filed 2005-09, 77,000 miles“Subaru Outback (1998) clutch failure. Notorious problem! Replaced entire clutch assembly, fly wheel, master cylinder and slave cylinder at my cost!!! Dealer would not cover. The clutches on outbacks are lemons! Class action suit from all owners is a real possibility because Subaru has not taken advantage of a recall . This is a terrible thing (money and time and worry) to see over and over on the internet forums, and experience personally.”
NHTSA complaint #10068092, filed 2004-04, 20,000 miles“Have a 1998 Subaru Outback. Bought it new in 1998. Has roughly 90000 miles. In the first year after purchase clutch went. Dealer replaced clutch free of charge (didn't want to, though). Read on the internet that there was a known clutch problem with the Outback and a lot of people had similar problems. Clutch was never, and has never been right . The clutch has been looked at on several different occasions by different mechanics. None have been able to determine what the problem was. …”
NHTSA complaint #10083090, filed 2004-08, 91,486 milesRelated recalls
- 98V042000Feb 20, 1998Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. Due to poor welds, ignition keys can stick, shift levers/linkages can break and…Covers: Subaru Outback 1997–1998, Legacy 1997–1998
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 5% |
| 2025 | 5 | 6% |
| 2024 | 6 | 6% |
| 2023 | 5 | 6% |
| 2022 | 18 | 4% |
| 2021 | 12 | 4% |
| 2020 | 48 | 5% |
| 2019 | 16 | 2% |
| 2018 | 14 | 2% |
| 2017 | 47 | 5% |
| 2016 | 45 | 7% |
| 2015 | 37 | 7% |
| 2014 | 25 | 12% |
| 2013 | 60 | 20% |
| 2012 | 108 | 37% |
| 2011 | 216 | 33% |
| 2010 | 94 | 26% |
| 2009 | 8 | 8% |
| 2008 | 12 | 5% |
| 2007 | 9 | 7% |
| 2006 | 17 | 6% |
| 2005 | 17 | 6% |
| 2004 | 10 | 11% |
| 2003 | 13 | 14% |
| 2002 | 20 | 14% |
| 2001 | 23 | 13% |
| 2000 | 42 | 20% |
| 1999 | 29 | 26% |
| 1998 | 19 | 15% |
| 1997 | 8 | 10% |
| 1996 | 5 | 11% |
Other parts of the 1998 Subaru Outback
40 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 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