1998 Subaru Legacy
This year had 30% to 100% more 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.
- Complaints
- 114
- Recalls
- 5
- Investigations
- 0
- Top problem
- Engine and engine cooling
Campaigns on file for 1998
None on file
26% of complaints
Complaints per year
1998: 114 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1987 | 1 |
| 1988 | 1 |
| 1989 | 1 |
| 1990 | 81 |
| 1991 | 78 |
| 1992 | 57 |
| 1993 | 78 |
| 1994 | 61 |
| 1995 | 182 |
| 1996 | 123 |
| 1997 | 139 |
| 1998 | 114 |
| 1999 | 94 |
| 2000 | 94 |
| 2001 | 77 |
| 2002 | 54 |
| 2003 | 60 |
| 2004 | 49 |
| 2005 | 184 |
| 2006 | 87 |
| 2007 | 33 |
| 2008 | 65 |
| 2009 | 65 |
| 2010 | 151 |
| 2011 | 167 |
| 2012 | 90 |
| 2013 | 66 |
| 2014 | 53 |
| 2015 | 160 |
| 2016 | 147 |
| 2017 | 119 |
| 2018 | 117 |
| 2019 | 123 |
| 2020 | 121 |
| 2021 | 31 |
| 2022 | 34 |
| 2023 | 10 |
| 2024 | 17 |
| 2025 | 6 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Engine and engine cooling
26% · 30 reportsMost commonly citing engine and gasoline.
Show complaint excerpts
Oil leak from oil filter seam, causing fire. (Qcaw)
NHTSA ODI report, 1998-08-26
Power train
14% · 16 reportsMost commonly citing manual transmission and automatic transmission.
Show complaint excerpts
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Subaru Legacy. While attempting to drive, the transmission began to smoke and then unexpectedly failed. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired.
NHTSA ODI report, 2017-03-13
Service brakes
12% · 14 reportsMost commonly citing hydraulic.
Show complaint excerpts
June 26 2017 I went to have my front brake pads replaced, because they felt spongy and difficult to stop the vehicle. The mechanic told me I needed to replace the brake pads, rotors, and outer tie rods on both ends.
NHTSA ODI report, 2017-06-27
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that while he inspected the vehicle, he noticed that the rear brake lines were corroded due to defective steel metal.
NHTSA ODI report, 2012-11-02
Air bags
10% · 11 reportsMost commonly citing frontal and on-off switch assembly.
Show complaint excerpts
Vehicle was in an accident traveling at 70MPH. It was a frontal and side collision, and air bags did not deploy. Dealer has not been contacted.
NHTSA ODI report, 1998-11-02
No deployment of driver's/passenger's air bags in a crash, resulting in injuries to driver.
NHTSA ODI report, 1997-11-30
Vehicle speed control
9% · 10 reportsMost commonly citing linkages and accelerator pedal.
Safety timeline
5 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
-
▮
1998Complaint volume 114 complaints filed for this model year.
-
R
1998-06-15Power train98V042000 Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. Due to poor welds, ignition keys can stick, shift levers/linkages can break and shift levers can move.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the automatic transmission shift lever assemblies (Except the handle grip).
-
R
1998-09-15Engine and engine cooling98V127000 Vehicle description: passenger vehicles, also service parts supplied to Subaru dealers are involved (Lot numbers F01 J21D2, F01 J30D2, F02 J09D1, F02 J09D2, and F02 J20D1). The purolator oil…
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace these engine oil filters.
-
R
1999-06-07Service brakes, hydraulic99V040000 Vehicle description: passenger and sport utility vehicles equipped with anti-lock braking system (ABS). (The 1999 2.2 liter Legacy vehicles are excluded). In extremely cold weather, the brake…
Remedy: Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder.
-
R
2000-11-15Electrical system00I002000 This is not a safety recall in accordance with the safety act. However, it is deemed a safety improvement campaign by the agency. Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Some of these…
Remedy: Dealers will replace the alternator with a modified alternator. Owners will also be cautioned that, should the alternator telltale warning lamp illuminate, they must seek immediate repair to avoid…
-
R
2001-09-18Suspension01V216000 Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with front coil springs originally sold in or currently registered in the states of Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine…
Remedy: Dealers will notifiy customers to bring their vehicle to an authorize dealership to have a spring guard installed on both front struts to prevent tire puncture and replace any broken springs free of…
Buy-smart checklist
1998 Subaru Legacy — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Engine and engine cooling: 30 reports on file for this year.
- Power train: 16 reports on file for this year.
- Service brakes: 14 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 98V042000 · Power train
- Recall 98V127000 · Engine and engine cooling
- Recall 99V040000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
- Recall 00I002000 · Electrical system
- Recall 01V216000 · Suspension
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 1998 Subaru Legacy reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1998 Subaru Legacy is rated "worse than typical".
- What are the most common problems with the 1998 Subaru Legacy?
- The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 26% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 1998 Subaru Legacy have?
- 5 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.