Model year guide

1998 Subaru Legacy

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1998 Subaru Legacy is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 17 on record.

1998 Subaru Legacy — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

1998 Subaru Legacy at a glance

Safety recalls5
Owner complaints124
Combined24 mpg
Typical price$1,593

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

1998 Subaru Legacy recalls 5

Electrical System:alternator/generator/regulator NHTSA Campaign #00I002000 · 15/05/2000

THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE AN ALTERNATOR PROBLEM THAT CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF CHARGING CAPABILITY.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ALTERNATOR WITH A MODIFIED ALTERNATOR. OWNERS WILL ALSO BE CAUTIONED THAT, SHOULD THE ALTERNATOR TELLTALE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATE, THEY MUST SEEK IMMEDIATE REPAIR TO AVOID THE EVENTUAL LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER, WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ENGINE STALL.

Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs NHTSA Campaign #01V216000 · 25/06/2001

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 …

Fix: 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 AUTHORIZ…

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder NHTSA Campaign #99V040000 · 03/03/1999

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.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER.

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine NHTSA Campaign #98V127000 · 08/06/1998

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.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THESE ENGINE OIL FILTERS.

Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl) NHTSA Campaign #98V042000 · 20/02/1998

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.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER ASSEMBLIES (EXCEPT THE HANDLE GRIP).

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

1998 Subaru Legacy common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 124 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Hydraulic
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Suspension
Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Fuel System
Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.
Gasoline
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

1998 Subaru Legacy MPG & running costs

Combined24 mpg
City21 mpg
Highway29 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,550

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 1998 Subaru Legacy worth?

Low
$560
Typical price
$1,593
High
$4,000

From 17 comparable 1998 Subaru Legacy listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1998 Subaru Legacy costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$12,750
Fuel only$12,750
Per mile$0.17

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

1998 Subaru Legacy trims & engines on record

Trims
Outback · L · SUS (sedan)/OUTBACK (wagon) · GT · BRIGHTON
Engines
2.5L · 2.2L

1998 Subaru Legacy vehicles on record

Other Subaru Legacy model years

1998 Subaru Legacy — frequently asked questions

Does the 1998 Subaru Legacy have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls for the 1998 Subaru Legacy. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 1998 Subaru Legacy?

Based on 124 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are service brakes, hydraulic, suspension.

What gas mileage does the 1998 Subaru Legacy get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 1998 Subaru Legacy at about 24 mpg combined (21 city / 29 highway).

How much is a 1998 Subaru Legacy worth?

Comparable 1998 Subaru Legacy listings run roughly $560–$4,000, typically around $1,593 (from 17 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.