1998 Subaru IMPREZA: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
27 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
69,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 6 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 7 of 27 complaints (25.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 3.7% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 3.7% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 3.7% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 7 |
| Suspension:Multiple Axle | 7 |
| Power Train:Axle Assembly:Axle Shaft | 4 |
| Air Bags | 2 |
| Power Train:Clutch Assembly | 2 |
| Suspension:Front:Wheel Bearing | 2 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 1 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 7; Suspension:Multiple Axle: 7; Power Train:Axle Assembly:Axle Shaft: 4; Air Bags: 2; Power Train:Clutch Assembly: 2; Suspension:Front:Wheel Bearing: 2; Unknown Or Other: 2; Electrical System:Ignition: 1
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 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 21 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 | 2 |
| 2001 | 12 |
| 2002 | 3 |
| 2003 | 3 |
| 2004 | 4 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
2000: 2; 2001: 12; 2002: 3; 2003: 3; 2004: 4; 2005: 1; 2006: 1; 2017: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 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 10002761 · 2003-01-15 (January 15, 2003)
TRANSFER CLUTCH ON THE POWERTRAIN OF MY 1998 SUBARU IMPREZA BUCKS AND BINDS IN TURNS, APPARENTLY DUE TO THE TRANSFER CLUTCH HANGING UP AND STAYING APPLIED. THIS HAS OCCURRED AT LEAST SINCE THE 50,000 MILE MARK AND CONTINUES TO DATE. DESPITE THIS PROBLEM FALLING UNDER SUBARU'S POWERTRAIN WARRANTY, TWO SEPARATE SUBARU DEALERS HAVE REFUSED TO FIX IT UNDER WARRANTY, AND INSTEAD HAVE "ADDED LIMITED SLIP DIFFERENTIAL ADDITIVE" TO THE DIFFERENTIAL-A FIX I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY ANOTHER SUBARU DEALER IS NOT AN AUTHORIZED FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM. I AM NOW FAC…
Owner-reported narrative. 51,478 miles reported. Look up ODI 10002761 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10009580 · 2003-02-28 (February 28, 2003)
THE WHEEL BEARINGS FAILED PREMATURELY.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10009580 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10018895 · 2003-05-18 (May 18, 2003)
ENGINE STALLS WHEN TRYING TO TAKE OFF AFTER STOPPING AT TRAFFIC LIGHT. THERE IS ALSO A RAPPING NOISE IN ENGINE UNTIL ITS BEEN RUNNING AWHILE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10018895 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10070799 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
THIS CAR NEEDED REPLACEMENT OF BOTH REAR WHEEL BEARINGS AT SLIGHTLY OVER 67,000 MILES. NO OTHER SUBARU I HAVE OWNED OR HEARD OF NEEDED SUCH REPAIRS. MY PREVIOUS SUBARU HAD OVER 100,000 MILES ON IT WITH NO DEFECTS. THE SHOP PERSONEL AT THE DEALER SAID THIS WAS A PROBLEM WITH SOME OTHER IMPREZAS, AS WELL AS FORESTERS. I WROTE A LETTER TO SUBARU AMERICA, AFTER SIX DAYS I HAVEN'T RECIEVED ANY RESPONSE. I INCLUDED A COPY OF MY REPAIR BILL AS WELL AS MY RENTAL CAR FEES.
Owner-reported narrative. 67,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10070799 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10078362 · 2004-06-17 (June 17, 2004)
1998 SUBARU IMPREZA 53,000 MILES AND THE AUTO TECH AT SUBARU SAYS I HAVE A PISTON SLAP, $2500.00 TO PULL ENGINE AND CHECK THIS OUT. I HAVE CHANGED OIL EVERY 3,000 MILES BROUGHT IT IN FOR THE 30,000 MILEAGE OVER ALL CHECK UP - WHAT IS UP WITH THIS MOTOR? *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10078362 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10081183 · 2004-07-16 (July 16, 2004)
THE ENGINE KEPT OVERHEATING AND AIR WOULD APPEAR IN THE RADIATOR. ANTIFREEZE WOULD BE PUSHED OUT OF RADIATOR AND THE HEATER WOULD BLOW COLD AIR. THE CAR HAD TO BE SHUT OFF REPEATEDLY AND ALLOWED TO COOL DOWN AND THE ANTIFREEZE REPLACED. A CHECK OF THE COOLING SYSTEM DETECTED NO LEAKS. WE WERE TOOK THE CAR TO A NUMBER OF GARAGES UNTIL FINALLY ONE GARAGE TOLD US THAT THE ENGINE BLOCK WAS MOST LIKELY CRACKED AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $3600. ACCORDING TO THE GARAGE, THEY HAVE REPLACED A NUMBER OF ENGINES FOR THIS PARTIC…
Owner-reported narrative. 98,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10081183 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10086572 · 2004-08-10 (August 10, 2004)
INTERMITTENT FAILURE/SHORT OF POWER TO THE MAIN COMPUTER (ECU) AT APPOX. 120K MILES. CAR WOULD NOT START, NO CHECK-ENGINE LIGHT. AFTER WAITING FOR TOW TRUCK, IT STARTS AND RUNS FINE. TOOK TO MECHANIC, AND HE SAYS NOTHING WRONG. TWO WEEKS LATER, SAME THING. HOOK UP OBD II MONITOR AND IT SAYS ECU RECIEVING "NO PWR." TOWED TO SHOP. MECHANIC DIAGNOSED AS FAILED ECU AND REPLACED. TWO WEEKS LATER, SAME SYMPTOMS (NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, "NO PWR" ON OBD II MONITOR), BUT AN HOUR LATER CAR STARTED FINE AND OBD II SHOWED NO PROBLEMS. TOOK TO MECHANIC WH…
Owner-reported narrative. 120,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10086572 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10110468 · 2005-02-13 (February 13, 2005)
HEAD GASKET FAILURE ENGINE OVERHEATED ON 16 HOUR TRIP.. TOOK TO SUBARU DEALERSHIP, THEY PUT IN A NEW "STARTER BOLT" STATED IT WAS A BAD GROUND?? ON RETURN HOME CAR OVER HEATED AGAIN.. WAS REPAIRED BY SUBARU, TECH SAID IT WAS COMMON. 2ND HEAD GASKET FAILURE, TWO MONTHS LATER, OIL IN ANTIFREEZE... DRIVING 55-65 MPH FOR 10 MIN IN 75-80F WEATHER, NOT UNDER HARD ACCELERATION. FEAR THAT IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN. CURRENT RECALL ON 99-01 MODELS FOR "COOLANT ADDITIVE". POOR HEAD GASKET DESIGN IS LEADING TO FAILURE... SEEMS TO BE COMMON PROBLEM ON 98'S (2.5R…
Owner-reported narrative. 29,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10110468 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.