The contact owns a 1998 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, there was a delayed failure in the braking system. The contact notified the local dealer regarding the failure and related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 99V040000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) for which the vehicle was included. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired due to parts not being available. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 307,000.
The worst 1998 Subaru Legacy problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Engine30
- Brakes14
- Transmission14
- Airbags11
- Acceleration10
- Electrical9
- Fuel system8
- Steering8
- Body7
- Suspension7
- Tires6
- Seats4
- Visibility4
- Locks3
- Seat belts2
- Wheels2
- Lights1
Specific symptoms reported on the 1998 Subaru Legacy
No deployment 6Check engine light 5Hesitation 5Overheating 5
Recalls 4
Suspension: front: springs: coil springs
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with front coil springs originally sold in or currently registered in the states of connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new york, new jersey, new hampshire, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, virginia, west virginia, and wisconsin, and in the district of columbia. The front coil springs were produced with poor paint quality which, after continued exposure to corrosive salt, can result in breakage of the spring.
- Risk
- Depending on the location of the fracture, a broken spring could move past the spring seat and contact a front tire. Some tires have deflated due to contact with a broken spring.
- Remedy
- Dealers will notifiy customers to bring their vehicle to an authorize dealership to have a spring guard installed on both front struts to prevent tire puncture and replace any broken springs free of charge. Owner notification began september 18, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact subaru at 1‑800‑782‑2783.
Recall number 01V216000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger and sport utility vehicles equipped with anti-lock braking system (ABS). (the 1999 2.2 liter legacy vehicles are excluded). In extremely cold weather, the brake pedal goes to the floor and the vehicle stopping distance is increased.
- Risk
- This condition causes the vehicle stopping distance to be increased, possibly resulting in a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder.
Recall number 99V040000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: engine
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles, also service parts supplied to subaru dealers are involved (lot numbers f01 j21d2, f01 j30d2, f02 j09d1, f02 j09d2, and f02 j20d1). The purolator oil filter cans used on these vehicles can fracture causing a vaporized oil spray and subsequent oil leak.
- Risk
- This vaporized oil spray can result in oil vapor ignition by the hot exhaust system resulting in a possible underhood fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace these engine oil filters.
Recall number 98V127000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. Due to poor welds, ignition keys can stick, shift levers/linkages can break and shift levers can move.
- Risk
- This condition can cause unexpected movement of the vehicle increasing the risk of a crash or property damage.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the automatic transmission shift lever assemblies (except the handle grip).
Recall number 98V042000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 1998 Subaru Legacy 26
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This bulletin announces the recommended cleaning procedures to followed when encountering vehicles with...
- This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a...
- This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for...
- This bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic essential information during...
- This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for...
- This bulletin is to advise of SOA’s revised catalytic converter recycling program shipping procedure.
- To help reduce confusion and increase technician efficiency, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) has developed...
- Special Service Tools Cross Reference List.
- All Models (Vehicle Cleaning- COVID-19Best Practices)
- This Service Information bulletin announces instruction for application of additional lubrication between...
1998 Subaru Legacy fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.2L 4‑cyl | FWD | 21 | 29 | 24 |
| 2.2L 4‑cyl | 4WD | 20 | 27 | 23 |
| 2.5L 4‑cyl | 4WD | 18-19 | 24-25 | 20-21 |
What 1998 Subaru Legacy owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The weld that attached the front right strut assembly to the body completely failed. The wheel collapsed into the wheel well. This happened while I beginning to make a right turn. The vehicle was not moving more than 3-4 MPH. For some months before the weld failed there was vibration during braking that we could not diagnose. I ended up replacing the brake pads, rotors, brake cylinders on both front wheels to no avail. I have pictures of the collapsed wheel. I don't know how to upload the picture. I can send it to an email address if you wish.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 subaru legacy. While the brake pedal was depressed, the contact stated that the brake pedal felt spongy. The contact heard a rattling noise but could not determine the origin. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the brake discs, brake rotors, and idler arms on both sides of the vehicle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The failure mileage was 150,000. Updated 08/24/17*lj the consumer stated the vehicles should not have been sold given it's brake condition. Updated 08/25/2017
June 26 2017 I went to have my front brake pads replaced, because they felt spongy and difficult to stop the vehicle. The mechanic told me I needed to replace the brake pads, rotors, and outer tie rods on both ends. All these parts were dangerously worn preexisting conditions before I purchased the vehicle in december 2016. The brake repair was done at: 424 west henderson street, cleburne, texas 76033. 817 645 7848. On june 26, 2017 I purchased the vehicle from brad deery honda in iowa used, as is. Since then I have had to have numerous expensive repairs. There should be laws to protect consumers from dealerships that sell vehicles that are unsafe and falling apart, and refusing to help pay repair bills. Used vehicles do not qualify for help under the lemon laws. Please let me know if there is something I can do to get help with my repair bills on my vehicle for unsafe preexisting mechanical conditions. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 subaru legacy. While attempting to drive, the transmission began to smoke and then unexpectedly failed. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 155,025. Updated 05/31/17*lj
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 subaru legacy. The contact stated that while he inspected the vehicle, he noticed that the rear brake lines were corroded due to defective steel metal. The contact believed that if the vehicle was equipped with brake master cylinders for the rear and front, the vehicle could be safer. The vehicle had only one master cylinder for the corroded rear brakes. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage was 120,000. Updatd12/14/12*lj the consumer stated the problem that there are no brakes on the vehicle when a rea brake like breaks. Updated 12/17/2012
Cpsc#i1220374a. 1998 legacy subaru. Consumer stated the air bags failed to deploy in a frontal collision.
Vehicle involved in a frontal collision with a fire hydrant. There was substantial damage to the vehicle and the hydrant did break away as designed. Air bag did not deploy.
Fuel (gasoline) filler neck for the 1998 subaru legacy wagon rusts out because the tube is behind a plastic molding that accumulates dirt, salt, water, and rots the tubing causing a chronic leak of gasoline potentially over the exhaust system. Recall and repair is needed.
Tl*the contact owns a 1996 subaru legacy. While pulling into a parking space with her foot on the brake pedal, the vehicle suddenly accelerated and she was unable to stop the vehicle which caused it to crash into a building. Two passengers were injured. The insurance company stated that the vehicle was destroyed. The mileage was not available.
Compare the 1998 Subaru Legacy
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Other model years
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Questions about the 1998 Subaru Legacy
Is the 1998 Subaru Legacy reliable?
Owners have filed 114 complaints about the 1998 Subaru Legacy, 1.5 times a typical Legacy model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1998 Subaru Legacy?
Engine and cooling, with 30 complaints, typically around 105,000 miles. Next is brakes (14).
How many recalls does the 1998 Subaru Legacy have?
4 recalls, covering suspension, service brakes, hydraulic and engine and engine cooling.
Was there a recall on the 1998 Subaru Legacy engine?
Yes, 1 recall: 98V127000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Subaru Legacy have bad engine?
The Subaru Legacy model years with the most engine complaints are 2010 (35 complaints), 2005 (33 complaints) and 1997 (32 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 1998 Subaru Legacy get?
Official estimates for the 1998 Subaru Legacy range from 20 to 24 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.2L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 21 city and 29 highway.
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