MYRModel Year Report

1998 Subaru Impreza

▲ Better than typical
1998 Subaru Impreza
RENDERED 2026-09-17T01:53:06.337Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Subaru Impreza Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1998 highlighted. 1990: 1 complaints 1990 1993: 33 complaints 1994: 8 complaints 1995: 46 complaints 1996: 20 complaints 1997: 30 complaints 1997 1998: 30 complaints 1998 1999: 22 complaints 2000: 41 complaints 2001: 11 complaints 2002: 292 complaints 2002 2003: 62 complaints 2004: 96 complaints 2005: 75 complaints 2006: 56 complaints 2007: 68 complaints 2007 2008: 176 complaints 2009: 103 complaints 2010: 46 complaints 2011: 57 complaints 2012: 243 complaints 2012 2013: 249 complaints 2014: 108 complaints 2015: 77 complaints 2016: 75 complaints 2017: 125 complaints 2017 2018: 150 complaints 2019: 193 complaints 2020: 85 complaints 2021: 14 complaints 2022: 13 complaints 2022 2023: 4 complaints 2024: 30 complaints 2025: 5 complaints 2026: 1 complaints 2026
1998: 30 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19901
199333
19948
199546
199620
199730
199830
199922
200041
200111
2002292
200362
200496
200575
200656
200768
2008176
2009103
201046
201157
2012243
2013249
2014108
201577
201675
2017125
2018150
2019193
202085
202114
202213
20234
202430
20255
20261

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

SUSPENSION 40%

40% of complaints: suspension — 12 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing multiple axle and wheel bearing.

Show complaint excerpts

BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT REAR BEARINGS ON THIS CAR FAILED BEFORE IT REACHED 60,000 MILES. NO INJURIES -- I'M CAREFUL AND HEARD THEM FAILING -- BUT REPAIRS WERE VERY EXPENSIVE. MR

NHTSA ODI report, 20021022

THE WHEEL BEARING HAS FAILED THREE TIMES. NLM

NHTSA ODI report, 20020912

POWER TRAIN 40%

40% of complaints: power train — 12 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing axle shaft and clutch assembly.

Show complaint excerpts

TRANSFER CLUTCH ON THE POWERTRAIN OF MY 1998 SUBARU IMPREZA BUCKS AND BINDS IN TURNS, APPARENTLY DUE TO THE TRANSFER CLUTCH HANGING UP AND STAYING APPLIED. THIS HAS OCCURRED AT LEAST SINCE THE 50,000 MILE MARK AND CONTINUES TO DATE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20030115

HEATED GREASE LEAKING FROM THE AXLES CAUSING DAMAGE. MJS

NHTSA ODI report, 19990617

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 27%

27% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 8 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

AIR BAGS 10%

10% of complaints: air bags — 3 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED AND PUSHED INTO THE REAR OF VEHICLE IN FRONT. THE DRIVERS SEAT WAS TWISTED BACK TOWARD THE BACK SEAT AS A RESULT OF THE IMPACT AND THE AIR BAGS DID NO DEPLOY.

NHTSA ODI report, 19980616

Also filed under SEATS

AIR BAG RECALL AND IMPENDING SUIT AGAINST AIR BAG COMPANY

NHTSA ODI report, 20170906

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 10%

10% of complaints: electrical system — 3 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing interior/under dash and starter assembly.

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20081217 — exterior lighting

K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH

Remedy: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.

Campaign 08E050000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090511 — exterior lighting

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONF

Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090728 — exterior lighting

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONF

Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

Campaign 09E025000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1998 Subaru Impreza — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for suspension issues (12 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (12 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (8 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 08E050000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E025000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2024 ▲ 1997 ▲ 1993

WORST YEARS

■ 2002 ■ 2013 ■ 2012

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1998 Subaru Impreza reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1998 Subaru Impreza is rated "better than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1998 Subaru Impreza?

The most-reported component is suspension, accounting for 40% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1998 Subaru Impreza have?

3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.