Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 1998 Subaru Outback
NHTSA data on file today
The 1998 Subaru Outback has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 127 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #01V216000 SUBARU/FRONT COIL SPRINGS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #98V042000 SUBARU/AUTO TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Engine and Engine Cooling 38 complaints
- Power Train 17 complaints
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic 13 complaints
- Vehicle Speed Control 13 complaints
- Air Bags 11 complaints
- Visibility 7 complaints
Of the 127 complaints on file, 9 report a crash and 2 a fire; across all 127 complaints, owners report 8 injuries and 1 death (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $6,000–$9,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 1998 Subaru Outback faces reliability issues, primarily concerning the suspension and transmission systems. Recalls and numerous owner complaints suggest potential high maintenance costs, impacting the overall ownership experience.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| front coil springs | 80,000–120,000 miles | $500–$800 | very common |
| automatic transmission | 100,000–140,000 miles | $2,000–$3,000 | common |
| ignition key mechanism | 60,000–100,000 miles | $150–$300 | common |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Change engine oil every 3,000 miles
- Replace air filter annually
- Inspect brakes every 12,000 miles
- Rotate tires every 6,000 miles
- Replace transmission fluid every 30,000 miles
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Grinding noise during gear shifts
- Front end sagging or uneven tire wear
- Ignition key sticking or jamming
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 1998 Subaru Outback at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.