1998 Subaru Outback: engine failure

Filed Sep 3, 2005 · Engine · 123,600 miles · CO

Late on the night of 09/01/05 my wife, her son, daughter and two (2) grand children were traveling to omaha, ne for the long labor day weekend in a 1998 subaru legacy outback wagon with 123,000 miles. They got as far as the outskirts of kearney, ne when they noticed a loss of power and saw heavy smoke/steam coming from the tail pipe of the car. They immediately pulled over and were assisted by a ne state trooper. $600 later the car, which apparently suffered from head gasket failure, was finally towed to the duteau subaru dealership in lincoln, ne. They verified the head gasket failure and that the engine seized. Subaru USA was notified and asked if they would cover any of the damage, which as it turns out includes a new/rebuilt engine. The response was it's not under warranty, you didn't purchase an extended warranty and "we are sorry for any inconvenience that this has caused your family." I contacted the dealership from which the car was purchased, namely burt subaru. I was told that head gasket failure was a frequent problem with 1998, 1999 and 2000 subaru legacy outback wagons. If this was such a problem, why did subaru fail to issue a recall to fix the defective gasket? My wife an I are now faced with having to sell the car to duteau subaru for $500 to $1,000, rent a car to return to denver, then rush to try to find a used vehicle so she can get to and from work. I responded to subaru USA's condolences but your space limitation prohibits me from including such response here.

Filed Jul 21, 2004 · Engine · 72,000 miles · CA

1998 subaru outback showed signs of overheating as temperature gauge rose up past the usual midline and cold air inside car from air conditioner suddenly got warmer. I pulled over and coolant was over flowing from overflow reservoir through the cap. I drove with the heater on full power and made it to a repair facility and remove the thermostat which had seized. Replaced the thermostat and radiator cap ($30) and everything was fine until four months later (march 2004) when car showed signs of over heating again (rise in inside air conditioned air temperature from cold to warm). Took car to rallysport engineering in costa mesa, ca and mechanic could not find symptoms of head gasket failure although this is what he thought it was. He added stop leak, new thermostat, and new coolant ($150 parts/labor) and the problem was resolved although the temperature gauge reading was a little higher than it was when using original equipment (prior to november). Now, july 2004, car has almost overheated again. I took the car to south coast subaru in costa mesa, ca and they stated that it was a head gasket failure and that they could smell the exhaust fumes through the overflow reservoir. The estimate to fix the repair will be $1500 parts and labor.

Filed Mar 30, 2004 · Engine · 56,000 miles · CO

Catastrophic failure of a major engine component which is considerably outside the expected statistical failure rate(based on my research of complaints by other purchasers of this model subaru automobile), resulting in significant costs to repair. At approximately 56000 miles the head gaskets on my 1998 subaru outback with the 2.5l engine failed.the cost to repair was $ 1880.00. I contacted subaru in an effort to get them to absorb at least part of the cost since the car was well within the mileage warranty period, but was slightly outside the time warranty.their response was sorry tough luck. I indicated to subaru that a component of this nature with such a high failure rate, was obviously due to a significant design or manufacturing defect.their response was, again, they were not goint to do anything about it. Someone needs to put pressure on subaru to make this a recall item.

Filed Sep 3, 2003 · Engine · 53,125 miles · NY

I own a 1998 subaru outback.: VIN #[xxx]. On the date below, the timing belt on my car, which had 53 thousand miles on it at the time, broke and resulted in a catastrophic engine failure. This forced me to buy a used engine. Fortunately, I was only driving at 20 MPH and was able to safely pull over. Had this happened at interstate highway speed the result might have been very different. Subaru's own maintenance schedule says that the timing belt should be inspected at 60 thousand miles. I've been in touch with the company but they don't seem to be very responsive or forthcoming. Thank you for your attention to this matter.*ak information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Oct 7, 2002 · Electrical · 100,147 miles · UT

Both fuses on the cooling system fans failed within the same drive. I checked the one marked in the 1998 legacy owners manual for the cooling fan and it was number 13 in page 11-7. I checked for the other one and it was under the hood and it was night time and I didn't have a flashlight or light. I could count where the fuse was and in the book it stated it was # 25. I pulled the fuse 25 and it checked out good and I put it back in the slot. However, I checked in the day time under the fuse cover under the hood and it indicates that fuse #22 is the correct one. I checked that and it was blown. I notified subaru a month ago and have not heard back from them about this issue. It seems though that there should be a change in the manual as it would have probably made a difference in this situation. The safety issue is that with both fan fuses blown the vehicle can stop due to an overheat at an unexpected time and cause and engine failure that can lead to an accident. The number 25 is actually a spare fuse area and does not have an electrical connection but the number 22 is a different configuration with a vehicle that has an accessory power socket in some vehicle. I am not sure you would classify this as a safety problem but I am informing you if you do. *nlm **dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12/12/02 cut-over to artemis*768183

Filed Mar 30, 2001 · Engine, Transmission · MA

On 1/15/01 beard subaru diagnosed and repaired my engine for an oil leak. I paid $654.50 for them to remove the transmission and reseal baffle plate as well as reseal oil pump, questionable cam seals (referring to paperwork from dealer). On 3/23/01 while driving on the highway, check engine light went on and simultaneously car completely died. Beard subaru diagnosed engine seized due to drop in pressure w/in engine. Upon several contacts w/ subaru of america, they have offered to pay 50% to rebuild engine, which has been verbally estimated at $2,500. Beard subaru unable to explain cause of engine seize, but denies it is related to recent repair of engine leak. Subaru of america requires me to accept or deny offer to of "courtesy for my patronage" 50% by wed. 4/4/01. I bought my vehicle brand new at beard subaru and have maintained it faithfully. I question a defect within my vehicle, or a direct correlation to the recent work conducted by beard subaru. I requested written documentation. They diagnosed my vehicle on 3/27/01. On 3/30/01 I received a message from beard subaru they would have to get back to me "next week". They are aware I begin a new job on 4/2/01 requiring me to rent a vehicle until my situation is resolved. Subaru of america has offered to pay 50% car rental fee for 5 days. Is there a way to have a second opinion before I am required to respond to subaru of america's deadline by 4/4/01? I am weary to accept an agreement that no one has provided a second opinion, they have failed to provide a written estimate of what I will be required to pay "after just paying $654.50 for an engine leak" and I am being told I must respond to the offer by 4/4/01 or I will not be assisted.