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1998 Subaru ForesterProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 101 owner complaints about the 1998 Subaru Forester, most often about the power train. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

65
CarFlaw IndexSolid year46% below the Forester median · #23 of 27 years by complaints
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints10114 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage30kPower train, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through February 24, 2020. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1998 Subaru Forester has problems

101 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Power train232
Suspension170
Service brakes, hydraulic151
Engine and engine cooling142
Vehicle speed control145
Tires81
Visibility70
Air bags61
Electrical system63
8 other systems143

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

1998 Subaru Forester recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Foundation components: master cylinder

Recall 99V-040 · Mar 3, 1999 · 221,987 vehicles

Risk. THIS CONDITION CAUSES THE VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE TO BE INCREASED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Subaru.

Best & worst years

1998 vs. every other Forester year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Forester median. How we score

'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
In owners' words

What Forester owners report

Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

MY 98 FORESTER HAD THE RIGHT REAR BEARING CHANGED 3 TIMES BY NON DEALER CHAIN. STARTED MAKING NOISE AGAIN. WHEN I WENT TO SUBARU, THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT IT'S COMMON. HE HAS BEEN REPLACING THEM WITH LEGACY BEARINGS AND HAS NOT HAD ANY COMPLAINTS. ALSO THE VENT ON TOP OF REAR DIFFERENTIAL BLOWS OR…
Complaint 10207577 · Oct 31, 2007 · 120,000 miles
CLUTCH CHATTERS BADLY AND CLUTCH DOES NOT ENGAGE UNTIL THE PEDAL IS ALMOST FULLY DEPRESSED WHEN VEHICLE SITS OVERNIGHT. PROBLEM SEEMS MORE PRONOUNCED IN COLDER WEATHER, BUT OCCURS IN ALL WEATHER CONDITIONS. IN ADDITION TO CAUSING AN UNSAFE DRIVING SITUATION, THE CONDITION MAY CAUSE FIRST AND…
Complaint 10025425 · Jul 4, 2003 · 30,000 miles
CONSUMER WAS PARKING ON AN UPGRADE. CONSUMER STATED THAT THEY PUT VEHICLE IN PARK ATTEMPTED TO EXIT WHEN VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL BACKWARDS. CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES, PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. WHICH RESULTED IN VEHICLE CROSSING A RESIDENTIAL STREET AND STOPPING IN SOMEONES YARD. CONSUMER FEELS THIS WAS…
Complaint 10001063 · Dec 17, 2002

Own a 1998 Forester?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.