1998 Subaru FORESTER: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
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 10010563 · 2003-03-16 (March 16, 2003)
MY SPOUSE HAD A MINOR ACCIDENT WITH OUR 1998 SUBARU FORESTER. THE FRONTAL IMPACT CAUSED BOTH AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WHEN IT DEPLOYED BROKE THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE (PASSENGER SIDE) DOOR WINDOW AND THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. NO ONE WAS SEATING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. I BELIEVE THIS IS A DEFECT THAT MAY BE A RESULT OF THE AIR BAG IMPROPERLY INSTALLED OR ALIGNED. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10010563 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 10029063 · 2003-07-24 (July 24, 2003)
MY PARENTS RECENTLY GAVE MY DAUGHTER A 1998 SUBARU FORESTER AND SHE IS HAVING PROBLEMS GETTING THE BABY'S CARSEAT TO TIGHTEN DOWN PROPERLY. I EMAILED SUBARU ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND THEY SUGGESTED USING A ROLLED TOWEL TO FILL THE VOID AND MAKE IT TIGHTER. SHE HAS TAKEN THE CAR TO SERVERAL DEALERSHIPS AND THEY SAY THEY KNOW OF NO PROBLEMS. IS THE ROLLED TOWEL SAFE TO USE? SHE MAKES SURE THAT HER CARSEAT IS PROPERLY INSTALLED, EVEN PURCHASING A RATCHETING SYSTEM TO TIGHTEN. WE ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS, EVEN TO THE POINT OF SELLING THE CAR…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10029063 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10033834 · 2003-08-13 (August 13, 2003)
DEALER HAS HAD TO REPLACE FRONT AND REAR WHEEL BEARINGS THREE TIMES. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED AT THIS TIME.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10033834 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10046309 · 2003-12-10 (December 10, 2003)
THE REAR WHEEL BEARING SHOWED SIGNS OF EXCESSIVE WEAR EVERY 30000 TO 40000 MILES. THE DEALER/INDEPENDENT SHOP REPLACED THE PART. *AK *SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 62,772 miles reported. Look up ODI 10046309 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10047895 · 2003-11-12 (November 12, 2003)
PROBLEMS WITH WHEEL BEARINGS ON 1998 SUBARU FORESTER. *MR THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS ON THE RIGHT SIDE WERE REPLACED TWICE. *SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10047895 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10052669 · 2004-01-08 (January 8, 2004)
BAD HEAD GASKET CAR IS OVERHEATING, SMELL OF ANTI-FREEZE BURNING FROM EXHAUST. *LA
Owner-reported narrative. 73,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10052669 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
99V040000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Master Cylinder
Reported: 1999-03-03 (March 3, 1999)
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.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAUSES THE VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE TO BE INCREASED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER.
NHTSA campaign record ↗