1998 Subaru Legacy/Outback
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 70 of 241 complaints (29%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more crash reports (14) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 218 in 1997 to 241 in 1998.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | vs. 1998 Compact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,500–3,100 | 2,600–2,950 | 2,600–3,100 | 2,850–2,950 | 2,950 | |
| Combined MPG | 20–25 | 21–24 | 20–24 | 21–22 | 21 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 18–21 / 24–30 | 18–21 / 24–29 | 18–21 / 24–29 | 18–20 / 24–27 | 19 / 25 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 355–444 | 370–423 | 370–444 | 404–423 | 423 | |
| Complaints filed | 169 | 218 | 241 | 205 | 301 | |
| Recalls issued | 4 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 4 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 38 | 25 | 26 | 31 | 25 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 5 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 7 | |
| Injuries reported | 25 | 11 | 20 | 30 | 10 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | |
| Configurations compared | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 2 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 1998 Subaru Legacy/Outback have?
5 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 1998 Subaru Legacy/Outback?
Engine: 70 of 241 NHTSA complaints (29%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 1998 Subaru Legacy/Outback get?
EPA rates it 20–24 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 1998 Subaru Legacy/Outback?
EPA estimates $2,600–$3,100 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (10)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 2.2L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 21 mpg (high) | 29 mpg (high) | 24 mpg (high) | $2,600 (low) | 370 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 2.2L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 20 mpg | 27 mpg | 23 mpg | $2,700 | 386 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.2L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 20 mpg | 27 mpg | 23 mpg | $2,700 | 386 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 2.5L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 18 mpg (low) | 24 mpg (low) | 20 mpg (low) | $3,100 (high) | 444 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 5 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.5L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 19 mpg | 25 mpg | 21 mpg | $2,950 | 423 g/mi |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 2.2L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Station Wagons | 21 mpg (high) | 29 mpg (high) | 24 mpg (high) | $2,600 (low) | 370 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 7 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 2.2L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Station Wagons | 20 mpg | 27 mpg | 23 mpg | $2,700 | 386 g/mi |
| Configuration 8 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.2L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Station Wagons | 20 mpg | 27 mpg | 23 mpg | $2,700 | 386 g/mi |
| Configuration 9 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 2.5L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Station Wagons | 18 mpg (low) | 24 mpg (low) | 20 mpg (low) | $3,100 (high) | 444 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 10 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.5L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Station Wagons | 19 mpg | 25 mpg | 21 mpg | $2,950 | 423 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 70 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 33 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 29 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Steering | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 25 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 27 | 14 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 23 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 19 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 15 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (5)
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS · Campaign 01V216000 · Jun 26, 2001
Defect: 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, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, AND WISCONSIN, AND IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS WERE PRODUCED WITH POOR PAINT QUALITY WHICH, AFTER CONTINUED EXPOSURE TO CORROSIVE SALT, CAN RESULT IN BREAKAGE OF THE SPRING.
Consequence: DEPENDING ON THE LOCATION OF THE FRACTURE, A BROKEN SPRING COULD MOVE PAST THE SPRING SEAT AND CONTACT A FRONT TIRE. SOME TIRES HAVE DEFLATED DUE TO CONTACT WITH A BROKEN SPRING.
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. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 18, 2001. 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 1-800-782-2783.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR · Campaign 00I002000 · Aug 24, 2000
Defect: 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 HAVE AN ALTERNATOR PROBLEM THAT CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF CHARGING CAPABILITY.
Consequence: IF THE ALTERNATOR FAILS, THE ALTERNATOR WARNING TELLTALE WILL ALERT THE DRIVER TO THE PROBLEM, GIVING AMPLE OPPORTUNITY TO SEEK REPAIR BEFORE A LOSS OF BATTERY POWER, WHICH, IF THE WARNING WERE IGNORED, COULD ULTIMATELY RESULT IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE POWER (ENGINE STALL).
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 THE EVENTUAL LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER, WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ENGINE STALL.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER · Campaign 99V040000 · Mar 17, 1999
Defect: 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.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAUSES THE VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE TO BE INCREASED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE · Campaign 98V127000 · Jun 11, 1998
Defect: 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.
Consequence: THIS VAPORIZED OIL SPRAY CAN RESULT IN OIL VAPOR IGNITION BY THE HOT EXHAUST SYSTEM RESULTING IN A POSSIBLE UNDERHOOD FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THESE ENGINE OIL FILTERS.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL) · Campaign 98V042000 · Feb 27, 1998
Defect: 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.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE UNEXPECTED MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER ASSEMBLIES (EXCEPT THE HANDLE GRIP).