NHTSA vehicle safety data
1998 Subaru Forester Recalls & Complaints
The 1998 Subaru Forester has 1 NHTSA recall campaign and 101 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Subaru dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1998 Subaru Forester. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
1998 Subaru Forester owner complaints
Owners have filed 101 complaints with NHTSA about the 1998 Subaru Forester, describing incidents dated July 27, 1997 to December 11, 2016.
Most-cited components
- Power Train 23 complaints
- Suspension 15 complaints
- Engine 14 complaints
- Vehicle Speed Control 14 complaints
- Service Brakes 13 complaints
- Tires 8 complaints
Of the 101 complaints on file, 7 report a crash and 5 a fire; across all 101 complaints, owners report 5 injuries and 1 death (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Newest complaints
ODI #11311218 · Filed
1. WHEEL BEARINGS HAVE CONSISTENTLY NEEDED REPLACEMENT STARTING 4 YEARS AFTER CAR PURCHASED NEW. AT 450.00 TO 500.00 EACH TIME. THIS IS A DESIGN ISSUES AND SUBARU NEEDS TO PAY OF EACH REPLACEMENT. 2. FUEL LINE LEAK. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND AGAIN LISTED MANY MANY TIME ON ALL SUBARU FIX WEB SITES…
ODI #11160794 · Filed
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE REVVED UP AND DOWN. THE VEHICLE WOULD NEED TO ACCELERATE IN ORDER TO REV DOWN. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FAILURE MAY BE DUE TO THE OXYGEN SENSOR OR THE CATALYTIC…
ODI #10778898 · Filed
WHEN AT THE GAS STATIONS I TRY TO PUT GAS INTO MY CAR, IT IS NOT GOING INTO THE TANK PROPERLY, IT KEEPS SHUTTING THE GAS NOZZLE OFF WITHIN SECONDS. VERY HARD TO PUT GAS INTO MY CAR.
SUBARU/COLD WEATHER/ABS MASTER CYLINDER
NHTSA #99V040000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Foundation Components — Master Cylinder · NHTSA notice
Reported March 3, 1999 · SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Potentially affected: 221,987 vehicles
Subaru campaign WXQ-74 · Owners notified June 7, 1999 · Vehicles built April 11, 1997 – March 10, 1999 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
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 PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR AND THE VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE IS INCREASED.
Safety consequence
THIS CONDITION CAUSES THE VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE TO BE INCREASED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER.
Notes
OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 7, 1999. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SUBARU AT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Other Subaru Forester model years
Check your 1998 Subaru Forester VIN
Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Subaru Forester at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
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