Recalls (4)
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 1998 Subaru Legacy. 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 ↗SUBARU/FRONT COIL SPRINGS
- Summary
- VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FRONT COIL SPRINGS ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW YORK, NEW JERSEY, NEW HAMPSHIRE, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, AND WISCONSIN, AND IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS WERE PRODUCED WITH POOR PAINT QUALITY WHICH, AFTER CONTINUED EXPOSURE TO CORROSIVE SALT, CAN RESULT IN BREAKAGE OF THE SPRING.
- Consequence
- DEPENDING ON THE LOCATION OF THE FRACTURE, A BROKEN SPRING COULD MOVE PAST THE SPRING SEAT AND CONTACT A FRONT TIRE. SOME TIRES HAVE DEFLATED DUE TO CONTACT WITH A BROKEN SPRING.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL NOTIFIY CUSTOMERS TO BRING THEIR VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE A SPRING GUARD INSTALLED ON BOTH FRONT STRUTS TO PREVENT TIRE PUNCTURE AND REPLACE ANY BROKEN SPRINGS FREE OF CHARGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 18, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.
SUBARU/COLD WEATHER/ABS MASTER CYLINDER
- Summary
- 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.
SUBARU/PUROLATOR OIL FILTERS
- Summary
- VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES, ALSO SERVICE PARTS SUPPLIED TO SUBARU DEALERS ARE INVOLVED (LOT NUMBERS F01 J21D2, F01 J30D2, F02 J09D1, F02 J09D2, AND F02 J20D1). THE PUROLATOR OIL FILTER CANS USED ON THESE VEHICLES CAN FRACTURE CAUSING A VAPORIZED OIL SPRAY AND SUBSEQUENT OIL LEAK.
- Consequence
- THIS VAPORIZED OIL SPRAY CAN RESULT IN OIL VAPOR IGNITION BY THE HOT EXHAUST SYSTEM RESULTING IN A POSSIBLE UNDERHOOD FIRE.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THESE ENGINE OIL FILTERS.
SUBARU/AUTO TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER
- Summary
- VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. DUE TO POOR WELDS, IGNITION KEYS CAN STICK, SHIFT LEVERS/LINKAGES CAN BREAK AND SHIFT LEVERS CAN MOVE.
- Consequence
- THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE UNEXPECTED MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER ASSEMBLIES (EXCEPT THE HANDLE GRIP).
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 (114)
114 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The engine and engine cooling is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 114 |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 30 | 26.3% |
| Power train | 14 | 12.3% |
| Service brakes | 14 | 12.3% |
| Air bags | 11 | 9.6% |
| Vehicle speed control | 10 | 8.8% |
| Electrical system | 9 | 7.9% |
| Fuel system | 8 | 7% |
| Steering | 8 | 7% |
| Structure | 7 | 6.1% |
| Suspension | 7 | 6.1% |
How 1998 compares with other Legacy years
Best and worst Legacy years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 60 | 0 |
| 1995 | 182 | 2 |
| 1996 | 123 | 3 |
| 1997 | 139 | 5 |
| 1998 | 114 | 4 |
| 1999 | 94 | 3 |
| 2000 | 94 | 3 |
| 2001 | 77 | 7 |
| 2002 | 54 | 4 |
| 2003 | 60 | 14 |
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 24 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $2,800
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 370 g/mi
- EPA class
- Compact Cars
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 24 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
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.2 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 / 29 / 24 | $2,800 | 370 |
| 2.2 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 / 29 / 24 | $2,800 | 370 |
| 2.2 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automatic | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 20 / 27 / 23 | $2,900 | 386 |
| 2.2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 20 / 27 / 23 | $2,900 | 386 |
| 2.2 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automatic | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 20 / 27 / 23 | $2,900 | 386 |
| 2.2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 20 / 27 / 23 | $2,900 | 386 |
| 2.5 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 19 / 25 / 21 | $3,200 | 423 |
| 2.5 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 19 / 25 / 21 | $3,200 | 423 |
| 2.5 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automatic | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 18 / 24 / 20 | $3,350 | 444 |
| 2.5 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automatic | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 18 / 24 / 20 | $3,350 | 444 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 1998 Legacy 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.
Where to next
1998 Subaru Legacy FAQ
How many recalls does the 1998 Subaru Legacy have?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns: 01V216000 (suspension), 99V040000 (brake), 98V127000 (engine), 98V042000 (power train). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 1998 Subaru Legacy problems?
Owners filed 114 complaints with NHTSA. Engine and engine cooling (30), Power train (14), Service brakes (14) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 1998 Subaru Legacy get?
EPA rates the 2.2 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automatic version at 21 city, 29 highway and 24 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 1998 Legacy compare with other years?
Among the 1994–2003 Subaru Legacy model years at least five years old, the 2002 drew the fewest complaints (54) and the 1995 the most (182). The 1998 drew 114. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
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.