Most common 1998 Subaru Legacy problems
Share of the 114 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Subaru Legacy complaints by model year
Best Legacy years: 2023, 2025, 2021. Years to avoid: 2015, 2016, 2011, 2020, 2019. Compare all years →
1998 Subaru Legacy recalls (4)
Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil springs
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, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new york, new jersey, new hampshire, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island,…
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 charge.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Master cylinder
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.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder.
Engine and engine cooling › Engine
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 cans used on these vehicles can fracture causing a vaporized oil spray and subsequent oil leak.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace these engine oil filters.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Gear position indication (PRNDL)
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).
What 1998 Subaru Legacy owners say
Engine & cooling all 30 →
My 98 Subaru Legacy outback 2.5 liter, 144K miles was sporadically overheating while driving on the highway through a snow/rain storm. The temperature gauge would go up, and the cabin heater would start producing cool air. I pulled over and let it cool down, filled the radiator back up with water (it had overflowed) and drove slowly home. When I took it to the mechanic, he suggested when hearing the symptoms that it was a blown head gasket, and that this Subaru engine was notorious for this. He even suggested a class action suit. After he checked it out, it was indeed a blown head gasket. After some web research on car forums, I found several other people with exactly the same problem with this particular engine.
Vehicle requires replacement of head gaskets, as part of the engine coolant system. Original service complaint was the " check engine light came on". After three days at dealer service, it was determined that the head gaskets needed replacement for the cost of $ 2,700.00. Because the engine has to be removed to access the gaskets. Labor will involve 3 days. The dealer has admitted that this is a design problem with the Subaru and models from 1999 will be covered. I feel the cost is excessive because of a design defect. I am will to pay but not $ 2,700.00. I was expecting $ 400-$500 dollars. For a $ 20.00 dollar seal! While not a safety defect; it certainly is a design defect!
Transmission & drivetrain
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. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 155,025. Updated 05/31/17
I have a 1998 Subaru Legacy outback with manual transmission. When it gets hot (I live in houston!!!) the clutch pedal will get spongy and eventually stick to the floor. I have to lift it up with my foot. If I have to drive the car for any length of time like this, I eventually lose the ability to get the car in and out of gear. I have to turn the car off and let it cool off (for about an hour) and it will fix itself. I have had to sit on the side of the road, with my kids in the car, waiting for it to cool down! It first happened in 1999. Subaru tried to fix it by replacing most of the clutch (the pressure plate, fly wheel, slave and master cylinder). They pressure and gravity bled the system. I was there almost every week for months. They would try one thing and when it didn't work, they would replace another part or try something else. …
Brakes
The contact owns a 1998 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, there was a delayed failure in the braking system. The contact notified the local dealer regarding the failure and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 99V040000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) for which the vehicle was included. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired due to parts not being available. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 307,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Subaru Legacy. While the brake pedal was depressed, the contact stated that the brake pedal felt spongy. The contact heard a rattling noise but could not determine the origin. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the brake discs, brake rotors, and idler arms on both sides of the vehicle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The failure mileage was 150,000. Updated 08/24/17 the consumer stated the vehicles should not have been sold given it's brake condition. Updated 08/25/2017
1998 Subaru Legacy engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.2L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 21 / 29 / 24 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1998 Subaru Legacy a good car?
Based on 114 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1998 Legacy rates average: 1.3× as many complaints as a typical year of the Legacy at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1998 Subaru Legacy?
The engine & cooling — 30 complaints, 26% of all complaints for this model year, most often about engine. Next are the transmission & drivetrain (14) and brakes (14).
How many recalls does the 1998 Subaru Legacy have?
There are 4 recalls for the 1998 Subaru Legacy, the most recent from June 25, 2001 (coil springs). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Subaru Legacy?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2023, 2025 and 2021. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2015, 2016, 2011, 2020 and 2019. See the full Subaru Legacy years comparison.
At what mileage do 1998 Subaru Legacy problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 108,000 miles; 16% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.