1998 Subaru Outback power train problems
19 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the power train on the 1998 Subaru Outback — 15% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“1998 subaru legacy outback wagon automatic transmission 86,000 miles. Purchased used many years ago with about 10,000 miles. My sister's car, she was driving alone. Experienced driver. About two months ago she came around a corner on a 30 mph road near her home. Light snow on the ground (amherst…”
filed Apr 2, 2010
“1998 subaru outback - steering becomes jerky when backing or going forward at slow speeds and while making tight turning radiuses. Local repair shop called a local subaru dealer and they said that they have seen some incidents of this problem but know of no fix. It was said that the vehicle is safe…”
filed Sep 15, 2005
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Power Train problems in other Outback years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 Outback | 2 | 3% |
| 2024 Outback | 6 | 6% |
| 2023 Outback | 4 | 5% |
| 2022 Outback | 17 | 4% |
| 2021 Outback | 11 | 4% |
| 2020 Outback | 46 | 5% |
| 2019 Outback | 15 | 1% |
| 2018 Outback | 14 | 2% |
| 2017 Outback | 47 | 5% |
| 2016 Outback | 45 | 7% |
| 2015 Outback | 37 | 7% |
| 2014 Outback | 25 | 12% |
Other reported problem areas on the 1998 Subaru Outback
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.