Model Year Problem Record
The complete public record for the 1998 Subaru Outback: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.
Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.
For each system: what owners reported, matched against the recalls on file for this model year. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.
46 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
21 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 98V042000.
18 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
13 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
11 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
3 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 01V216000.
3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.
Suspension. Recall covering the suspension system, reported to NHTSA on June 25, 2001. The campaign covers an estimated 180,000 vehicles across all affected models.
Power Train. Recall covering the power train system, reported to NHTSA on February 20, 1998. The campaign covers an estimated 19,386 vehicles across all affected models.
When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.
Data as of November 1, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.