1998 Subaru Outback Problems and Repair Histories
1998 Subaru Outback problems reported via the Car Repair History and Car Reliability Surveys
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Subaru Outback
1998 Subaru Outbacks for which no problems have been reported are not displayed. So the 1998 Subaru Outback problems and repair histories you see here should not be used to infer car problem frequency.
For 1998 Subaru Outback problem frequency, check the Car Reliability Survey result. For the problems behind the score, check the 1998 Subaru Outback problems and repair histories that follow it.
Subaru Outback Reliability through March 31, 2013
General NotesModels and statistics marked with an asterisk (*) have very low sample sizes. These results, visible only to logged-in members, provide only a rough estimate of car reliability.Any result under 20 repair trips per 100 cars is likely a result of the small sample size, and should be expected to increase to 20 or so in future updates.
New models often start out with high repair rates, and then improve as the manufacturer identifies and addresses common problems. MethodologyOnly successfully completed repairs are currently included in the analysis. Routine maintenance, most wear items, recalls, and problems fixed with just a reflash or warning light reset are not included.
| Year | Make/Model | Trips/Year/100 Cars | Compared to all models for the same year | |
| 1998 | Subaru Outback | 17 Outbacks, 7.2 months of data per Outback, average 171100 miles Small sample size. Join or 17 Outbacks, 7.2 months of data per Outback, average 171100 miles Small sample size. sign in to view |
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Non-members can see only ten 1998 Subaru Outback problems and repair histories. Log in or join us to see them all.
Repair costs are in local units.
1998 Subaru Outback
Engine not specified
| Subaru in Virginia, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jun | 2011 | 96000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jul | 2011 | 96000 | 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) |
| Feb | 2012 | 106000 | 118 | valve cover gaskets - both had drips- both replaced with OEM kits from dealer. |
| Feb | 2013 | 117000 | 140 | CV joint had made some noise on right turns, garage looked at front while changing oil and spark plug wires. The rubber boot was torn. I believe CV was original to the car.Replaced with a lifetime wrnty. unit. |
| Mar | 2013 | 118000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Subaru in Washington, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Apr | 2009 | 99000 | First odometer entry | |
| May | 2009 | 100000 | 900 | Failed R front CV joint |
| Sep | 2009 | 101000 | 400 | Replaced other CV joint. |
| Jun | 2011 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| Subaru in Illinois, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Aug | 2011 | 77000 | First odometer entry | |
| Dec | 2011 | 77000 | 0 | When sold had slight oil leak that would need repair but not for awhile. |
| Subaru in Pennsylvania, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Nov | 2012 | 107000 | First odometer entry | |
| Dec | 2012 | 108000 | 1450 | Replace intermediate exhaust pipe. Replace crank and cam seals. |
| Mar | 2013 | 110000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
1998 Subaru Outback 4-door
4-cylinder manual AWD
| Subaru in California, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Feb | 2011 | 123000 | First odometer entry | |
| Apr | 2011 | 124000 | 125 | replace driver side headlight bucket |
| Subaru in Pennsylvania, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jan | 2009 | 196000 | First odometer entry | |
| Feb | 2009 | 197000 | 270 | Needed to have the mid-pipe replaced in the exhaust system. |
| Sep | 2012 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| Subaru in Hawaii, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Apr | 2010 | 107000 | First odometer entry | |
| May | 2010 | 108000 | 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. |
| Jun | 2010 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| Subaru in Michigan, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jan | 2009 | 132000 | First odometer entry | |
| May | 2009 | 132000 | 215 | Front drive axle replaced due to worn CV joint |
| Jan | 2010 | 136000 | 1000 | Had clutch, ball joint and wheel bearing replaced |
| Aug | 2010 | 140000 | 340 | New rear rotors, pads, and passenger side caliper installed. Front rotors resurfaced. |
| Aug | 2012 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| Subaru in California, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jan | 2009 | 88000 | First odometer entry | |
| Feb | 2009 | 88000 | 0 | 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. |
| Mar | 2009 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
1998 Subaru Outback 4-door
4-cylinder automatic AWD
| Subaru in California, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jan | 2009 | 106000 | First odometer entry | |
| Feb | 2009 | 106000 | 110 | Rear window washer intermittently spraying on own but not in response to driver controls. The reservoir of washer fluid, which usually lasts 4-6 months, was emptied in less than 2 months. New part (pump?) ordered- not a plugged valve as was suspected. |
| Jun | 2009 | 107000 | 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. Brought in car for oil change. Instead received call asking for approval to replace rear brake lining. I had not noticed any problem with the brakes but I didn't want a problem so I approved the extra work. |
| Mar | 2010 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| Subaru in New York, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jun | 2011 | 80000 | First odometer entry | |
| Apr | 2012 | 83000 | 20 | driver-side window switch (window would go down but not up) |
| May | 2012 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| Subaru in Ontario, Canada | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jan | 2009 | 167400 | First odometer entry | |
| Mar | 2009 | 170500 | 250 | Rear struts. |
| Aug | 2009 | 175460 | 0 | Multiple problems when car sold. Head gasket... slippy transmission... exhaust |
| Subaru in Arizona, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jan | 2011 | 194000 | First odometer entry | |
| Feb | 2011 | 195000 | 8000 | Blown head gasket, overheating, knock sensor |
| Subaru in New York, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jan | 2009 | 149000 | First odometer entry | |
| Sep | 2010 | 167000 | 150 | Exhaust pipe rusted out |
| Jan | 2011 | 177000 | 200 | replaced valve cover gaskets |
| Apr | 2011 | 184000 | 700 | Change AC compressor and dryer |
| Nov | 2011 | 200000 | 500 | Replaced front CV shafts |
| Jan | 2012 | 206000 | 250 | Needed new transmission mount |
| May | 2012 | 216000 | 1700 | Blown head gasket valve job new radiator |
| Oct | 2012 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| Subaru in Missouri, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Apr | 2009 | 92000 | First odometer entry | |
| Apr | 2010 | 96000 | 1576 | Replace complete exhaust system. |
| Jun | 2011 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| Subaru in Michigan, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jan | 2010 | 167000 | First odometer entry | |
| Feb | 2010 | 168000 | 300 | Both front wheel bearings replaced |
| Apr | 2011 | 181000 | 80 | CEL came on, code indicated problem with knock sensor. Replaced knock sensor. |
| Sep | 2011 | 184000 | 1800 | Tranny/Diff seal blown, replaced seal and other wear items in transmission during repair. |
| Jan | 2013 | 199300 | 1200 | Replace Timing Belt Replaced Worn Struts |
| Feb | 2013 | 199700 | 4200 | Failure of connecting rod bearing, replaced engine with remanufactured engine. |
| Mar | 2013 | 200000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
1998 Subaru Outback 4-door
4-cylinder automatic 2WD
| Subaru in Oregon, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Nov | 2010 | 105000 | First odometer entry | |
| Dec | 2010 | 107000 | 950 | timing belt, water pump, gaskets & hoses |
| Jul | 2011 | 112000 | 330 | starter was failing, replaced |
Expert 1998 Subaru Outback Repair Advice
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