MYRModel Year Report

1998 Subaru Legacy

◆ Worse than typical
1998 Subaru Legacy
RENDERED 2026-08-02T10:13:11.305Z

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.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Subaru Legacy Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1998 highlighted. 1987: 1 complaints 1987 1988: 1 complaints 1989: 1 complaints 1990: 81 complaints 1991: 78 complaints 1992: 55 complaints 1992 1993: 77 complaints 1994: 60 complaints 1995: 182 complaints 1996: 123 complaints 1997: 139 complaints 1997 1998: 114 complaints 1998 1999: 94 complaints 2000: 94 complaints 2001: 77 complaints 2002: 54 complaints 2002 2003: 60 complaints 2004: 49 complaints 2005: 182 complaints 2006: 87 complaints 2007: 33 complaints 2007 2008: 65 complaints 2009: 65 complaints 2010: 150 complaints 2011: 167 complaints 2012: 90 complaints 2012 2013: 66 complaints 2014: 53 complaints 2015: 159 complaints 2016: 145 complaints 2017: 118 complaints 2017 2018: 116 complaints 2019: 122 complaints 2020: 121 complaints 2021: 31 complaints 2022: 32 complaints 2022 2023: 10 complaints 2024: 15 complaints 2025: 6 complaints 2025
1998: 114 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19871
19881
19891
199081
199178
199255
199377
199460
1995182
1996123
1997139
1998114
199994
200094
200177
200254
200360
200449
2005182
200687
200733
200865
200965
2010150
2011167
201290
201366
201453
2015159
2016145
2017118
2018116
2019122
2020121
202131
202232
202310
202415
20256

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 13%

13% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 15 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

OIL LEAK FROM OIL FILTER SEAM, CAUSING FIRE. (QCAW)

NHTSA ODI report, 19980826

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 7%

7% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 8 distinct reports on file.

AIR BAGS 7%

7% of complaints: air bags — 8 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
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. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19981102

NO DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVER'S/PASSENGER'S AIR BAGS IN A CRASH, RESULTING IN INJURIES TO DRIVER.

NHTSA ODI report, 19971130

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 6%

6% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 7 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 5%

5% of complaints: electrical system — 6 distinct reports on file.

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 1998 — complaint volume: 114
R 19980615 — power train

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).

Campaign 98V042000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19980915 — engine and engine cooling

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 FILTER

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THESE ENGINE OIL FILTERS.

Campaign 98V127000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19990607 — service brakes, hydraulic

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 PED

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER.

Campaign 99V040000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20001115 — electrical system

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 VEHICLES

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 TH

Campaign 00I002000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20010918 — suspension

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, M

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 C

Campaign 01V216000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1998 Subaru Legacy — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (15 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (8 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (8 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 98V042000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 98V127000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 99V040000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 00I002000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 01V216000 (suspension) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2021 ▲ 2022 ▲ 2007

WORST YEARS

■ 1995 ■ 2005 ■ 2011

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:engine, accounting for 13% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1998 Subaru Legacy have?

5 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.