Model year record

1998 Subaru Forester recalls & problems

The 1998 Subaru Forester has 1 safety recall and 101 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is power train (28 complaints).

Recalls1safety recalls

Complaints101filed by owners

Crashes · fires7 · 5reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths5 · 1reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Service brakes, hydraulicMar 3, 1999

Foundation components › Master cylinder

Recall 99V040000221,987 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Fuel economy

Forester AWD

21mpg combined

City / highway	19 / 25 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.5 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

Forester AWD

20mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.5 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Power trainAxle assembly; Manual transmission	28	1	0	2	30,000 mi
SuspensionRear; Multiple axle	18	0	0	0	84,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components › Disc › Rotor; Foundation components	17	1	0	0	—
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Engine › Gasoline	16	1	1	0	73,500 mi
Vehicle speed controlCables	14	3	0	5	102,500 mi
TiresSidewall	9	1	0	0	—
VisibilityWindshield; Defroster/defogger/hvac system	7	0	0	0	—
Electrical systemWiring › Fuses and circuit breakers; Wiring	6	0	2	2	—
Air bagsFrontal	6	1	0	0	—
SteeringHydraulic power assist system; Hydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connections	3	0	1	0	—
Unknown or other	3	0	0	0	—
Fuel system, gasolineDelivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings; Fuel injection system	2	0	1	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Fuel/propulsion system
1. WHEEL BEARINGS HAVE CONSISTENTLY NEEDED REPLACEMENT STARTING 4 YEARS AFTER CAR PURCHASED NEW. AT 450.00 TO 500.00 EACH TIME. THIS IS A DESIGN ISSUES AND SUBARU NEEDS TO PAY OF EACH REPLACEMENT. 2. FUEL LINE LEAK. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND AGAIN LISTED MANY MANY TIME ON ALL SUBARU FIX WEB SITES. COST TO FIX 1600.00 AND MORE IF FUEL TANK NEEDS REPLACING. AGAIN, SUBARU NEEDS TO DEAL WITH THIS. THESE HAVE BEEN HAPPENING SINCE CAR PURCHASED. CAR HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED SINCE PURCHASE.
Jun 1, 1998
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE REVVED UP AND DOWN. THE VEHICLE WOULD NEED TO ACCELERATE IN ORDER TO REV DOWN. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FAILURE MAY BE DUE TO THE OXYGEN SENSOR OR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE CONTACT CALLED LIBERTY AUTO CITY (1000 E PARK AVE, LIBERTYVILLE, IL 60048, (847) 362-2683) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED THE CONTACT WITH A CASE NUMBER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
Dec 11, 2016 · 120,000 miles
Fuel/propulsion system
WHEN AT THE GAS STATIONS I TRY TO PUT GAS INTO MY CAR, IT IS NOT GOING INTO THE TANK PROPERLY, IT KEEPS SHUTTING THE GAS NOZZLE OFF WITHIN SECONDS. VERY HARD TO PUT GAS INTO MY CAR.
Sep 24, 2015
Suspension › Rear
INCREASING GRINDING NOISE FROM REAR OF CAR; DEALER INSPECTED AND FOUND FAILING RIGHT REAL WHEEL BEARING; REPAIR FOUND FAILED SEAL ON AXLE; ONE CONTROL ARM REPLACED ALONG WITH AXLE AND BEARING. *TR
Aug 1, 2008 · 84,000 miles
Suspension › Rear
MY '98 SUBARU FORESTER IS EXPERIENCING REAR WHEEL BEARING FAILURE AGAIN. THESE BEARINGS ARE DEFECTIVE AND FAIL OFTEN, FROM WHAT I'VE READ ON THE WEB. *TR
Apr 15, 2008 · 141,000 miles
Suspension › Rear
MY 98 FORESTER HAD THE RIGHT REAR BEARING CHANGED 3 TIMES BY NON DEALER CHAIN. STARTED MAKING NOISE AGAIN. WHEN I WENT TO SUBARU, THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT IT'S COMMON. HE HAS BEEN REPLACING THEM WITH LEGACY BEARINGS AND HAS NOT HAD ANY COMPLAINTS. ALSO THE VENT ON TOP OF REAR DIFFERENTIAL BLOWS OR SWEATS DIFF FLUID OUT ONTO DIFFERENTIAL. POTENTIAL FOR FREEZE UP OF DIFFERENTIAL ONCE ALL FLUID IS GONE. MECHANIC CLAIMS HE WOULD HAVE TO OPEN DIFFERENTIAL AND "NOTCH" SOME METAL GUARD IN THERE TO PREVENT THIS. THIS ALONG WITH BEARINGS-$600. *TR
Oct 24, 2007 · 120,000 miles
Vehicle speed control
MY 1998 SUBARA FORESTER WENT INTO A "SUDDEN ACCELERATION". LUCKILY, NO ONE WAS KILLED, BUT THE CAR SUSTAINED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE. *TR
Aug 31, 2007 · 100,000 miles
Engine and engine coolingFire
1998 SUBARU FORESTER. CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING SHE HEARD A LOUD NOISE, PULLED OVER TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE IT WAS ON FIRE. *MC THE CONSUMER REPLACED THE KNOCK SENSOR 30 DAYS PRIOR. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). *JB
Jan 20, 2007

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.