1998 Subaru Outback engine problems
The 1998 Subaru Outback has 46 engine complaints filed with NHTSA — 28% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.
46
Engine complaints
28%
Share of year
0
Crash-involved
0
Related recalls
Engine complaints by year
What owners report
“HEAD GASKET FAILURE IN SUBARU LEGACY OUTBACK 1998. ENGINE OVERHEATED WHICH LEAD TO LEAD TO SMOKE COMING OUT UNDER THE HOOD AND SUBSEQUENT WARPING OF ENGINE HEADS. I HARD TO REPLACE GASKET HEADS BUT I AM TOLD THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THIS WOULD NOT HAPPEN AGAIN SINCE THERE IS AN APPARENT DESIGN FLAW IN…”
Common questions
How many engine complaints does the 1998 Subaru Outback have?
NHTSA has 46 complaints about the 1998 Subaru Outback engine — 28% of all complaints filed for that model year.
Related
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.