1998 Subaru Outback Wheels Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 3%of 127 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 86,225miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the wheels of the 1998 Subaru Outback, 3% of the 127 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 86,225 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.
“Vehicle's tires leaked due to corrosion/oxidation on the rim where the tire met the aluminum wheel. The corrosion is extensive enough to affect the seal between the tire and the rim. The tires lose about two pounds of air per week.”
NHTSA complaint #10048448, filed 2003-11, 86,225 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“The rim is causing the tires to lose air about one pound a day, which is making the ability to control the vehicle difficult. The owner has to fill up tires with air every five days. Manufacturer was contacted by owner.”
NHTSA complaint #10109037, filed 2005-01“Tire rims corroding, causing pits which generate tire leaks at the rim. Initially assumed poor tire seal job, but problem recurred repeatedly for all tire rims, sometimes causing tire deflation at every trip. If not noticed, such deflation could lead to. Dt”
NHTSA complaint #770419, filed 2002-12Wheels: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 1% |
| 2024 | 2 | 2% |
| 2021 | 6 | 2% |
| 2020 | 5 | 1% |
| 2019 | 2 | 0% |
| 2018 | 11 | 1% |
| 2017 | 5 | 1% |
| 2016 | 3 | 0% |
| 2015 | 8 | 2% |
| 2014 | 2 | 1% |
| 2013 | 6 | 2% |
| 2012 | 2 | 1% |
| 2011 | 10 | 2% |
| 2010 | 5 | 1% |
| 2008 | 5 | 2% |
| 2007 | 3 | 2% |
| 2006 | 6 | 2% |
| 2005 | 9 | 3% |
| 2004 | 1 | 1% |
| 2003 | 4 | 4% |
| 2002 | 2 | 1% |
| 2001 | 2 | 1% |
| 2000 | 2 | 1% |
| 1999 | 1 | 1% |
| 1998 | 4 | 3% |
| 1997 | 3 | 4% |
| 1996 | 3 | 7% |
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 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