1998 SUBARU FORESTER — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
138
Owner Complaints
1
Recall
6
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 1998 SUBARU FORESTER
The 1998 SUBARU FORESTER has received a total of 138 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There has been 1 recall campaign affecting this vehicle, covering issues with SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER. 6 technical service bulletins have been issued by Subaru of America, Inc. for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Vehicle Speed Control (13 complaints), Tires (8 complaints), and Visibilitywindshield (6 complaints).
Recalls for the 1998 SUBARU FORESTER
NHTSA has recorded 1 recall for the 1998 SUBARU FORESTER, potentially affecting up to 221,987 vehicles.
Recall 99V040000 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
| 221,987 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 1998 SUBARU FORESTER
138 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1998 SUBARU FORESTER. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
1. WHEEL BEARINGS HAVE CONSISTENTLY NEEDED REPLACEMENT STARTING 4 YEARS AFTER CAR PURCHASED NEW. AT 450.00 TO 500.00 EACH TIME. THIS IS A DESIGN ISSUES AND SUBARU NEEDS TO PAY OF EACH REPLACEMENT. 2. FUEL LINE LEAK. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND AGAIN LISTED MANY MANY TIME ON ALL SUBARU FIX WEB SITES. COST TO FIX 1600.00 AND MORE IF FUEL TANK NEEDS REPLACING. AGAIN, SUBARU NEEDS TO DEAL WITH THIS. THESE HAVE BEEN HAPPENING SINCE CAR PURCHASED. CAR HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED SINCE PURCHASE.
1. WHEEL BEARINGS HAVE CONSISTENTLY NEEDED REPLACEMENT STARTING 4 YEARS AFTER CAR PURCHASED NEW. AT 450.00 TO 500.00 EACH TIME. THIS IS A DESIGN ISSUES AND SUBARU NEEDS TO PAY OF EACH REPLACEMENT. 2. FUEL LINE LEAK. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND AGAIN LISTED MANY MANY TIME ON ALL SUBARU FIX WEB SITES. COST TO FIX 1600.00 AND MORE IF FUEL TANK NEEDS REPLACING. AGAIN, SUBARU NEEDS TO DEAL WITH THIS. THESE HAVE BEEN HAPPENING SINCE CAR PURCHASED. CAR HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED SINCE PURCHASE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE REVVED UP AND DOWN. THE VEHICLE WOULD NEED TO ACCELERATE IN ORDER TO REV DOWN. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FAILURE MAY BE DUE TO THE OXYGEN SENSOR OR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE CONTACT CALLED LIBERTY AUTO CITY (1000 E PARK AVE, LIBERTYVILLE, IL 60048, (847) 362-2683) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED THE CONTACT WITH A CASE NUMBER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
WHEN AT THE GAS STATIONS I TRY TO PUT GAS INTO MY CAR, IT IS NOT GOING INTO THE TANK PROPERLY, IT KEEPS SHUTTING THE GAS NOZZLE OFF WITHIN SECONDS. VERY HARD TO PUT GAS INTO MY CAR.
INCREASING GRINDING NOISE FROM REAR OF CAR; DEALER INSPECTED AND FOUND FAILING RIGHT REAL WHEEL BEARING; REPAIR FOUND FAILED SEAL ON AXLE; ONE CONTROL ARM REPLACED ALONG WITH AXLE AND BEARING. *TR
Safety Rating for the 1998 SUBARU FORESTER
NHTSA has not yet tested the 1998 SUBARU FORESTER in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 1998 SUBARU FORESTER
Subaru of America, Inc. has issued 6 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 1998 SUBARU FORESTER. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
010103 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
SOA REPLACEMENT IGNITION WIRE SET. *TT *JB
17 — POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
SUBJECT REGARDING SHIFTER RATTLE. *JG
010898 — POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE
INFORMATION ON INSTALLING REAR DIFFERENTIAL PROTECTOR . *TT
010398 — UNKNOWN OR OTHER
INFORMATION ON ACCESSORY INSTALLATION MANUAL. *YC
184498 — EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
SUBJECT ON SERVICE MANUAL CORRECTION. *YC
08-06-97 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
LOCATION OF THE TRANSIT CONNECTOR. *TT
NHTSA Investigations for the 1998 SUBARU FORESTER
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the SUBARU FORESTER
- 1996 SUBARU FORESTER — 0 complaints
- 1998 SUBARU FORESTER (current)
- 1999 SUBARU FORESTER — 156 complaints
- 2000 SUBARU FORESTER — 95 complaints
- 2001 SUBARU FORESTER — 169 complaints
- 2002 SUBARU FORESTER — 109 complaints
- 2003 SUBARU FORESTER — 238 complaints
Other SUBARU Models
- SUBARU OUTBACK — 12,068 total complaints
- SUBARU LEGACY — 4,117 total complaints
- SUBARU IMPREZA — 3,406 total complaints
- SUBARU CROSSTREK — 1,431 total complaints
- SUBARU ASCENT — 1,230 total complaints
- SUBARU WRX — 1,207 total complaints
- SUBARU SVX — 373 total complaints
- SUBARU XV CROSSTREK — 354 total complaints