Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

1998 Subaru Impreza: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns for the 1998 Subaru Impreza. Owners have filed 30 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the suspension.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Caution Fewer than 50 complaints filed. With this few reports, patterns may not be meaningful.
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Recalls (0)

NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns for the 1998 Subaru Impreza. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Owner complaints (30)

30 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The suspension is mentioned most often.

1involved a crash
0involved a fire
1injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1998 Subaru Impreza, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 30.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 1998 compares with other Impreza years

Best and worst Impreza years →
1994199519961997199819992000200120022003
This year (1998)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 23 mpg combined

23
mpg combined
20
city
27
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$2,900
CO₂ tailpipe
386 g/mi
EPA class
Subcompact Cars

What it costs you to run

$2,840per year
$237per month
652gallons a year

Miles ÷ 23 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

1998 Subaru Impreza configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
2.2 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automatic4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive20 / 27 / 23$2,900386
2.2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive20 / 27 / 23$2,900386
2.2 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automatic4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive20 / 27 / 23$2,900386
2.2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive20 / 27 / 23$2,900386
2.5 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive19 / 26 / 22$3,050404
2.5 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automatic4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive19 / 25 / 21$3,200423

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 1998 Impreza for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All Impreza years

Where to next

1998 Subaru Impreza FAQ

How many recalls does the 1998 Subaru Impreza have?

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 1998 Subaru Impreza. Check a specific car with NHTSA's VIN lookup, which also covers newly announced recalls.

What are the most common 1998 Subaru Impreza problems?

Owners filed 30 complaints with NHTSA. Suspension (11), Power train (9), Engine and engine cooling (7) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 1998 Subaru Impreza get?

EPA rates the 2.2 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automatic version at 20 city, 27 highway and 23 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

How does the 1998 Impreza compare with other years?

Among the 1994–2003 Subaru Impreza model years at least five years old, the 1994 drew the fewest complaints (8) and the 2002 the most (292). The 1998 drew 30. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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