| 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
1998 Subaru Outback repairs by problem area
Engine (54%)
Transmission and Drivetrain (17%)
Brakes and Traction Control (4%)
Suspension and Steering (9%)
Electrical and Air Conditioning (11%)
Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (0%)
Other (4%)
Select a problem area
Chart based on 46 repairs.
1998 Subaru Outback engine repair cost distribution
$2500+ (13%)
$1000 - $2499 (29%)
$500 - $999 (4%)
$100 - $499 (38%)
< $100 (17%)
Chart based on 24 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.
1998 Subaru Outback
Engine not specified
| 108000 mi US $1450 |
Replace intermediate exhaust pipe. Replace crank and cam seals. |
| 77000 mi | When sold had slight oil leak that would need repair but not for awhile. |
| 159000 mi US $400 |
total engine failure. would turn over but not start. repair shop suggests that i not attempt to have the car repaired because of known reliability problems with 4 cam engine and mysterious breakdowns |
1998 Subaru Outback 4-door
4-cylinder manual AWD
| 96000 mi US $700 |
Timing belt jumped 2 teeth on cam drive cyl's 1&3. Replaced with belt kit,pulleys and hyd. tensioner. Front brake rotors and pads replaced also (worn) |
| 97000 mi US $255 |
During replacement of timing belt kit a cam drive bolt was loosened. The next day when the kit was installed, different tech didn't retorque that bolt. At dissy. insp., bolt retorqued and we made a GOOD 1600 mi. trip the next day. |
| 100000 mi US $220 |
Due to 2 previous dissy's of harmonic balancer for timing belt replacement, woodruff key was damaged and failed so that balancer/pulley spun on end of crankshft. Shop did weld repair, and replaced some new parts. I hope this is over. |
| 106000 mi US $118 |
valve cover gaskets - both had drips- both replaced with OEM kits from dealer. |
| 119000 mi US $1775 |
curse of the Subi's of certain years and milage...the head gasket(s)- New "Felpro" gasket set -new timing belt/kit. Heads sent out to check for flatness and cracks (none), also oil change and fresh anti-freeze & lower radiator hose. |
| 170000 mi US $1600 |
Head gasket s and bad oil leak due to that |
| 88000 mi | Blown head gasket. Cost estimate was "at least $1000." Online research shows this to be a common problem which can cost up to $3K to fix. Since car is worth about $3000, decided not to repair, but to instead buy new car and donate car to charity. |
| 108000 mi US $1600 |
blown head gasket, took so long to repair because subaru has issued multiple replacement head gaskets and getting the right one, shipped to hawaii was costly and time consuming.argh. |
| 197000 mi US $270 |
Needed to have the mid-pipe replaced in the exhaust system. |
1998 Subaru Outback 4-door
4-cylinder automatic AWD
| 195000 mi US $8000 |
Blown head gasket, overheating, knock sensor |
| 181000 mi US $80 |
CEL came on, code indicated problem with knock sensor. Replaced knock sensor. |
| 200100 mi US $4200 |
Failure of connecting rod bearing, replaced engine with remanufactured engine. |
| 167000 mi US $150 |
Exhaust pipe rusted out |
| 177000 mi US $200 |
replaced valve cover gaskets |
| 206000 mi US $250 |
Needed new transmission mount |
| 215400 mi US $1700 |
Blown head gasket valve job new radiator |
| 175460 mi | Multiple problems when car sold. Head gasket... exhaust |
| 96000 mi US $1576 |
Replace complete exhaust system. |
| 216000 mi US $200 |
Purchased rebuilt engine several years ago. Had oil leak from the start. Finally leaking so bad, it had to be fixed. Found oil leaking from oil pump. Replaced O-Ring that had been crimped when engine rebuilt. Replaced timing belt as well. |
| 107000 mi US $2200 |
Brought car in for oil change (told that was what was "due" when I made the appointment) but told needed timing belt. Later called and said back brakes required service. |
See TrueDelta's information for all Subaru models.
