1998 Subaru Outback recalls & complaints

Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)
Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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).
Notes: OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 15, 1998. 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. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Component: SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Notes: ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

07/03/2014 · Brakes
WHILE DRIVING IN THE CITY STREETS, I CAME TO A STOP AND REALIZED THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP. WHEN I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE MECHANIC HE SAID 3 BRAKE LINES ON MY SUBARU OUTBACK 1998 HAD BROKEN. I LIVE IN PENNSYLVANIA. THIS INCIDENT COST ME $500 IN REPAIRS. I REALIZE THERE IS A RECALL FOR NEWER MODELS, BUT MY OLDER SUBARU OUTBACK IS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. *TR

04/04/2013 · Brakes
ON MARCH 19, 2013, I WAS RETURNING TO MY PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT AFTER PICKING UP MY OUTBACK FROM BLOOMINGTON ACURA SUBARU, BLOOMINGTON, MN AFTER A CLUTCH REPLACEMENT WHEN THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEM HAD A TOTAL FAILURE RESULTING IN A NEAR CATASTROPHIC COLLISION WITH SEVERAL VEHICLES. THIS VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR EVALUATION. DEALER INSPECTION C…

05/18/2012 · Latches / locks
I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 90 IN IDAHO AT 62 MPH WHEN THE HOOD LATCH FAILED. THE HOOD WAS SECURED DOWN ALL THE WAY BEFORE THE INCIDENT AND HAD NOT BEEN OPENED IN TWO WEEKS. THERE HAD BEEN OVER 100 MILES OF HIGHWAY DRIVING OVER 60 MPH SINCE THE HOOD WAS LAST OPENED. THE HOOD FLEW UP WITH NO SAFETY CATCH OR HESITATION AND SLAMMED INTO THE WINDSHIELD. THE WIN…

12/09/2011 · Suspension
SOUNDED LIKE THERE WAS A POP IN MY FRONT CORNER. STILL DROVE OK UNDER 20-25 MPH. FASTER THAN THAT THE WHEEL SHOOK VIOLENTLY. BACKING UP THERE WAS A LOUD GRINDING NOISE. TOOK TO FRIENDS HOSE WHO WORKS ON CARS. HE SAID IT WAS MY FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE CONTROL ARM AND THE FRONT (HE CALLED IT HANDLING BUSH…

10/10/2011 · Fuel system
AS MY WIFE AND I WERE FILLING UP OUR 98 SUBARU LEGACY OUTBACK WE NOTICED A SMELL OF GAS FUMES ON THE WAY HOME AS I BACKED THE CAR INTO THE DRIVEWAY I NOTICED THE SMELL OF FUEL EVEN STONGER. I WENT TO THE BACK AND LOOKED UNDER THE RIGHT REAR AND TO MY SURPRISE THE FUEL FILLER NECK WAS LEAKING FUEL!! I PLACED A OIL CHANGE PAN UNDERNEATH AND TO THIS DAY I STIL…

09/08/2010 · Fuel system
FUEL (GASOLINE) FILLER NECK FOR THE 1998 SUBARU LEGACY WAGON RUSTS OUT. MECHANIC INDICATED VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR MAKE AND MODEL. VERY POOR DESIGN 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 NEE…

07/30/2010 · Electrical system
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ANY TYPE OF GMC VEHICLE WAS PARKED NEXT TO HIS VEHICLE THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS AND ALARM SYSTEM WOULD ENGAGE WHEN THE OTHER VEHICLES KEYLESS ENTRY SYSTEM WAS ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO RECOMMENDED THAT THE VEHICLE BE TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TO…

06/13/2010 · Engine
ENGINE OVERHEATING EVERY HALF MILE WITH ENGINE RESERVOIR OVERFLOWING. AFTER $1300 OF REPLACING THERMOSTAT, TIMING BELT, BELT TENSIONER, WATER PUMP, FLUSHING THE COOLING SYSTEM, AND COMPRESSION TESTS, I WAS TOLD I HAD A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. I WAS TOLD THE REPLACEMENT WOULD COST AN ADDITIONAL $2,200 AT LEAST. *TR