1998 Subaru FORESTER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
68 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
93,998 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 18 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Tires is the most frequently named component, appearing in 7 of 68 complaints (10.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 6 | 8.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 4.4% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 2.9% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 2.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 1.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 1.5% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Tires | 7 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 7 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 5 |
| Suspension:Rear | 5 |
| Power Train:Clutch Assembly | 4 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 4 |
| Suspension:Front:Wheel Bearing | 4 |
| Air Bags | 3 |
Tires: 7; Vehicle Speed Control: 7; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 5; Suspension:Rear: 5; Power Train:Clutch Assembly: 4; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor: 4; Suspension:Front:Wheel Bearing: 4; Air Bags: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 6 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 8 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 6; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 8; 150,000 and above: 0
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (8). 50 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 20 |
| 2001 | 14 |
| 2002 | 8 |
| 2003 | 6 |
| 2004 | 7 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 3 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
2000: 20; 2001: 14; 2002: 8; 2003: 6; 2004: 7; 2005: 2; 2006: 3; 2007: 3; 2008: 2; 2015: 1; 2018: 1; 2020: 1
Pattern summary
Tires leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10001063 · 2002-12-17 (December 17, 2002)
CONSUMER WAS PARKING ON AN UPGRADE. CONSUMER STATED THAT THEY PUT VEHICLE IN PARK ATTEMPTED TO EXIT WHEN VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL BACKWARDS. CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES, PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. WHICH RESULTED IN VEHICLE CROSSING A RESIDENTIAL STREET AND STOPPING IN SOMEONES YARD. CONSUMER FEELS THIS WAS VERY DANGEROUS, SOMEONE COULD HAVE BEEN HIT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001063 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10082022 · 2004-07-15 (July 15, 2004)
THE CONSUMER PLACED HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE, STARTED THE VEHICLE AND SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE LUNGED INTO GEAR TAKING OFF SOME 40 FEET, STRIKING ANOTHER VEHICLE DAMAGING BOTH VEHICLES. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 89,995 miles reported. Look up ODI 10082022 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10025425 · 2003-07-04 (July 4, 2003)
CLUTCH CHATTERS BADLY AND CLUTCH DOES NOT ENGAGE UNTIL THE PEDAL IS ALMOST FULLY DEPRESSED WHEN VEHICLE SITS OVERNIGHT. PROBLEM SEEMS MORE PRONOUNCED IN COLDER WEATHER, BUT OCCURS IN ALL WEATHER CONDITIONS. IN ADDITION TO CAUSING AN UNSAFE DRIVING SITUATION, THE CONDITION MAY CAUSE FIRST AND REVERSE GEARS TO GRIND WHEN SELECTING THESE GEARS FROM A STOP. AFTER DRIVING A FEW MILES THE PROBLEM GOES AWAY AND THE CLUTCH OPERATES NORMALLY. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED TO SUBARU REPAIR SHOPS NUMEROUS TIMES, INCLUDING AT 33,220; 59,451; 74,213; AN…
Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10025425 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 718175 · 2000-02-01 (February 1, 2000)
TRANSMISSION SLIPS INTO NEUTRAL WHILE ACCELERATING ON TO THE INTERSTATE, TRANSMISSION WAS REBUIT BY SUBARU AT 30,767 MILES. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 718175 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10134373 · 2005-08-27 (August 27, 2005)
THE PLASTIC !! SPEEDOMETER CABLE GEARS (2) FAILED , CAUSING SPEEDOMETER FAILURE , AT OIL TEMP LIGHT TO FLASH , CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME , ERRATIC IDLE, CRUISE CONTROL FAILURE, ENGINE STALL . IF THIS IS NOT DANGEROUS I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE IS !! COST ME $1300 TO HAVE IT FIXED AND YES THE PARTS ARE AVAILABLE ! *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 140,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10134373 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 725476 · 2000-07-15 (July 15, 2000)
THE CLUTCH DOES NOT ENGAGE PROPERLY WHEN THE ENGINE IS COLD AND FOR EXTENDED PERIODS IN COLD WEATHER. CLUTCH "CHATTERS" MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO START UP FROM REST WITHOUT HESITATION AND/OR STALLING. POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS IN TRAFFIC. CLUTCH SEEMS NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO HANDLE THE TORQUE OF THE ENGINE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 725476 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 722756 · 2000-05-16 (May 16, 2000)
KAZOO NOISE IN FRONT SINCE 31K, BECAME RATCHET NOISE AT 52K. RACK AND PINION ADJUSTMENT STOPPED NOISE BUT STEERING IS SLOPPY AND PULLS TO RIGHT SOMETIMES.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 722756 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 742021 · 2001-03-06 (March 6, 2001)
STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG COVER HAS SPLIT; A SUBARU 3YR/36K WARRANTY ITEM; IF CAR WERE IN CRASH, WOULDN'T THE AIRBAG POSSIBLY CAUSE INJURY BY INFLATING OUT OF THE TORN AIRBAG COVER ON THE STEERING WHEEL? CANNOT REPLACE JUST THE COVER; WILL COST $1000+/- TO REPLACE THE AIRBAG AND COVER. SHOULDN'T THE ORIGINAL DRIVER AIRBAG ASSEMBLY BE A SEATBELT-LIKE WARRANTY ITEM? THE PLASTIC COVER SPLITS, THE AIRBAG COULD INJURE IN A WAY NOT EXPECTED, AND THE MANUFACTURER DOES NOT HAVE TO PROVIDE A WARRANTY FOR ITS DEFECTIVE PRODUCT.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 742021 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8002093 · 2002-01-14 (January 14, 2002)
WHEN VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED BACKWARDS VERY FAST, CRASHING INTO TWO VEHICLES. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED. *AK WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK AND CONSUMER HAD FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND TURNED ON IGNITION THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED VERY FAST IN REVERSE AND CAUSED ACCIDENT, CONSUMER IS ALSO HAVING VARIOUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE, SUCH AS THE BATTERY DRAINING, SECURITY SYSTEM GOES OFF WHILE PARKED, AND THE DOORS LOCK BY THEMSELVES. *YD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8002093 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11311218 · 2020-02-24 (February 24, 2020)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11311218 at NHTSA ↗