1998 Subaru Legacy Owner Complaints

The contact owns a 1998 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, there was a delayed failure in the braking system. The contact notified the local dealer regarding the failure and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 99V040000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) for which the vehicle was included. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired due to parts not being available. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 307,000.

NHTSA ID

11458828

Incident

Feb 21, 2022

Mileage

307,000 mi

THE WELD THAT ATTACHED THE FRONT RIGHT STRUT ASSEMBLY TO THE BODY COMPLETELY FAILED. THE WHEEL COLLAPSED INTO THE WHEEL WELL. THIS HAPPENED WHILE I BEGINNING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT MOVING MORE THAN 3-4 MPH. FOR SOME MONTHS BEFORE THE WELD FAILED THERE WAS VIBRATION DURING BRAKING THAT WE COULD NOT DIAGNOSE. I ENDED UP REPLACING THE BRAKE PADS, ROTORS, BRAKE CYLINDERS ON BOTH FRONT WHEELS TO NO AVAIL. I HAVE PICTURES OF THE COLLAPSED WHEEL. I DON'T KNOW HOW TO UPLOAD THE PICTURE. I CAN SEND IT TO AN EMAIL ADDRESS IF YOU WISH.

NHTSA ID

11080757

Incident

Mar 15, 2017

Mileage

130,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 SUBARU LEGACY. WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL FELT SPONGY. THE CONTACT HEARD A RATTLING NOISE BUT COULD NOT DETERMINE THE ORIGIN. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE DISCS, BRAKE ROTORS, AND IDLER ARMS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. UPDATED 08/24/17*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLES SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN SOLD GIVEN IT'S BRAKE CONDITION. UPDATED 08/25/2017*JS

NHTSA ID

11004059

Incident

Jun 26, 2017

Mileage

150,000 mi

JUNE 26 2017 I WENT TO HAVE MY FRONT BRAKE PADS REPLACED, BECAUSE THEY FELT SPONGY AND DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE BRAKE PADS, ROTORS, AND OUTER TIE RODS ON BOTH ENDS. ALL THESE PARTS WERE DANGEROUSLY WORN PREEXISTING CONDITIONS BEFORE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN DECEMBER 2016. THE BRAKE REPAIR WAS DONE AT: 424 WEST HENDERSON STREET, CLEBURNE, TEXAS 76033. 817 645 7848. ON JUNE 26, 2017 I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM BRAD DEERY HONDA IN IOWA USED, AS IS. SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD TO HAVE NUMEROUS EXPENSIVE REPAIRS. THERE SHOULD BE LAWS TO PROTECT CONSUMERS FROM DEALERSHIPS THAT SELL VEHICLES THAT ARE UNSAFE AND FALLING APART, AND REFUSING TO HELP PAY REPAIR BILLS. USED VEHICLES DO NOT QUALIFY FOR HELP UNDER THE LEMON LAWS. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THERE IS SOMETHING I CAN DO TO GET HELP WITH MY REPAIR BILLS ON MY VEHICLE FOR UNSAFE PREEXISTING MECHANICAL CONDITIONS. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

11001583

Incident

Jun 26, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 SUBARU LEGACY. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SMOKE AND THEN UNEXPECTEDLY FAILED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,025. UPDATED 05/31/17*LJ *AS

NHTSA ID

10965763

Incident

Jan 2, 2017

Mileage

155,025 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT THE REAR BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED DUE TO DEFECTIVE STEEL METAL. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT IF THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH BRAKE MASTER CYLINDERS FOR THE REAR AND FRONT, THE VEHICLE COULD BE SAFER. THE VEHICLE HAD ONLY ONE MASTER CYLINDER FOR THE CORRODED REAR BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000. UPDATD12/14/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM THAT THERE ARE NO BRAKES ON THE VEHICLE WHEN A REA BRAKE LIKE BREAKS. UPDATED 12/17/2012 *JS

NHTSA ID

10483164

Incident

Oct 31, 2012

Mileage

120,000 mi

CPSC#I1220374A. 1998 LEGACY SUBARU. CONSUMER STATED THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY IN A FRONTAL COLLISION. *LN

NHTSA ID

10449775

Incident

Feb 3, 2012

VEHICLE INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION WITH A FIRE HYDRANT. THERE WAS SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE AND THE HYDRANT DID BREAK AWAY AS DESIGNED. AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR

NHTSA ID

10359674

Incident

Oct 1, 2010

Mileage

123,000 mi

FUEL (GASOLINE) FILLER NECK FOR THE 1998 SUBARU LEGACY WAGON RUSTS OUT BECAUSE THE TUBE IS BEHIND A PLASTIC MOLDING THAT ACCUMULATES DIRT, SALT, WATER, AND ROTS THE TUBING CAUSING A CHRONIC LEAK OF GASOLINE POTENTIALLY OVER THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. RECALL AND REPAIR IS NEEDED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10344688

Incident

Jul 16, 2010

Mileage

215,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 SUBARU LEGACY. WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE WITH HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND SHE WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE WHICH CAUSED IT TO CRASH INTO A BUILDING. TWO PASSENGERS WERE INJURED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10313562

Incident

Mar 4, 2009

DEFECTIVE FRAME ON 1998 SUBARU LEGACY. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKES AND TIE RODS WERE REPLACED. AND A ALIGNMENT WAS DONE AS WELL. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO MAKE A RUMBLING SOUND, AS WELL A STRONGER PULL TO THE RIGHT WHEN BRAKING. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND UPON INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THE FRONT LEFT CROSS-MEMBER WAS SEVERED IN THE CENTER. *JB

NHTSA ID

10299229

Incident

Dec 13, 2009

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 SUBARU LEGACY WAGON. THE DRIVER-SIDE CROSS MEMBER THAT CONNECTS THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY TO THE MAIN FRAME HAD CORRODED. THE STEERING WHEEL ALSO MAKES A CLANGING NOISE WHEN TURNING AND SOMETIMES DOES NOT RESPOND. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, AND HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE WARRANTY EXPIRED AND THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON HIS VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE AND IT REQUIRES A TOW TRUCK TO BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. ALL REPAIRS WILL BE AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 254,000.

NHTSA ID

10296541

Incident

Dec 13, 2009

Mileage

254,000 mi

IN 2004 MY HOOD LATCH FAILED EMERGENCY LATCH AND HOOD FLEW UP AND CRASHED MY WINDSHIELD. SUBARU SAID THEY FIXED LATCH BUT YESTERDAY 3/3/09 FOR A SECOND TIME MY HOOD CAME UP SMASHING MY WINDSHIELD VIOLENTLY I AM INJURED AGAIN AND TRAUMATIZED AND SUBARU NORTHTOWN COLLISION NEVER TOLD ME OF THIS PROBLEM AND I WAS ALMOST KILLED. THIS IS SO VERY DANGEROUS AND NEEDS TO BE BROUGHT TO PEOPLE'S ATTENTION. *TR

NHTSA ID

10260764

Incident

Mar 3, 2009

Mileage

89,000 mi

FUEL (GASOLINE) FILLER NECK FOR THE 1998 SUBARU LEGACY SW RUSTS OUT BECAUSE THE TUBE IS BEHIND A PLASTIC MOLDING THAT ACCUMULATES DIRT, SALT, WATER, AND ROTS THE TUBING CAUSING A CHRONIC LEAK OF GASOLINE POTENTIALLY OVER THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. RECALL AND REPAIR IS NEEDED.*TR

NHTSA ID

10251040

Incident

Dec 8, 2008

Mileage

89,000 mi

IT SEEMS AFTER 5 MINUTES OF INVESTIGATION THAT THERE IS THOUSANDS OF 1997 TO 2002 SUBARU OWNERS WHO ARE HAVE THE PROBLEM WITH OVER HEATING AND HEAD GASKET REPLACEMENT. SUBARU REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE AN ISSUE OR DESIGN FLAW AND IS MAKING THE CUSTOMER BARE THE COST OF REPAIRING A FAULTY HEAD GASKET PROBLEM. EVEN REPLACING THE HEAD GASKET DOES NOT INSURE THAT THE PROBLEM WILL BE DEALT WITH AND NO FURTHER TROUBLE WILL BE HAD. *TR

NHTSA ID

10228990

Incident

May 23, 2008

Mileage

120,000 mi

THE FUEL FILLER NECK ON THIS VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY ROTTED (RUSTED PIPE, PLUS ASSOCIATED HOSES WERE ROTTED) AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10224970

Incident

Apr 17, 2008

Mileage

126,494 mi

POORLY DESIGNED GAS FILLER NECK/PIPE HAS CORRODED AND IS LEAKING GASOLINE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARD WITH POTENTIALLY GRAVE CONSEQUENCES. *TR

NHTSA ID

10217567

Incident

Feb 10, 2008

Mileage

80,580 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 SUBARU LEGACY. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A GUARDRAIL. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. DURING THE CRASH, THE CONTACT WAS FORCED THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. THE INSURANCE COMPANY STATED THAT THEY HAD NO FINDINGS REGARDING THE CRASH. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS PRESENT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 39,000.

NHTSA ID

10207443

Incident

Aug 27, 2007

Mileage

39,000 mi

1 X OVERHEATED ON A HOT DAY, HEADING UP A HILL. NOTICED HIGH TEMP AND TURNED ON HEATER, WAITED FOR CAR TO COOL, ADDED H2O. 2 MONTHS LATER, DRIVING ON A HOT DAY WITH AC ON, SUDDEN CLICKING, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, LOST POWER, SMOKE, STOPPED. TOWED TO GARAGE THAT SPECIALIZES IN SUBARU AND THEY FOUND HOLE IN HEAD GASKET. REPAIRS TO COST $3K AND THIS IS SOMETHING THEY SEE 2X A WEEK WITH SUBARU VEHICLES. FOUND A WEB SITE WHERE DOZENS OF PEOPLE COMPLAIN OF THE SAME ISSUE OVER THE YEARS. SUBARU APPARENTLY HAS A RECALL ON 1999-2002 VEHICLES, BUT NOT OTHERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. SUBARU SHOULD BE PAYING FOR THE PARTS ON THIS WIDESPREAD AND KNOWN ISSUE! *TR

NHTSA ID

10197311

Incident

Jul 23, 2007

Mileage

85,000 mi

MY 98 SUBARU LEGACY OUTBACK 2.5 LITER, 144K MILES WAS SPORADICALLY OVERHEATING WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THROUGH A SNOW/RAIN STORM. THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WOULD GO UP, AND THE CABIN HEATER WOULD START PRODUCING COOL AIR. I PULLED OVER AND LET IT COOL DOWN, FILLED THE RADIATOR BACK UP WITH WATER (IT HAD OVERFLOWED) AND DROVE SLOWLY HOME. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC, HE SUGGESTED WHEN HEARING THE SYMPTOMS THAT IT WAS A BLOWN HEAD GASKET, AND THAT THIS SUBARU ENGINE WAS NOTORIOUS FOR THIS. HE EVEN SUGGESTED A CLASS ACTION SUIT. AFTER HE CHECKED IT OUT, IT WAS INDEED A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. AFTER SOME WEB RESEARCH ON CAR FORUMS, I FOUND SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE WITH EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS PARTICULAR ENGINE. *NM

NHTSA ID

10176174

Incident

Dec 2, 2006

Mileage

144,000 mi

INQUIRING HOW A GOVERNMENT INITIATED RECALL THE YEAR OF A CAR OR REPLACEMENT PARTS WORKS, INJURED IN A 1998 LEGACY WAGON. *KB THE CONSUMER TRIED TO RECOVER THE ORIGINAL HEAD REST FROM THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS TOLD IT WAS NO LONGER AVAILABLE AND IT WOULD BE REPLACED WITH A MUCH SAFER MODEL. THE CONSUMER LEARNED THAT THE MANUFACTURER UNOFFICIALLY REPLACED THE SEATS AND HEAD RESTS OF HER MAKE AND MODEL BEGINNING WITH THE 1999. *JB *NM

NHTSA ID

10164727

Incident

Jan 1, 1901

THE SPEEDOMETER ON MY 1999 SUBARU LEGACY L SEDAN STOPS WORKING AT RANDOM INTERVALS. MY MECHANIC TELLS ME THAT THIS IS CONNECTED TO THE ALSO FAULTY TRANSMISSION AND IS NOT JUST A MINOR SPEED SENSOR PROBLEM. SUBARU DENIES ANY KNOWLEDGE OF THESE PROBLEMS BUT I HAVE RESEARCHED AND FOUND MANY, MANY 1999 SUBARU OWNERS WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEMS. THE 1999'S HAD A NEW TRANSMISSION THAT IS VERY FLAWED AND WAS CHANGED AGAIN BEFORE THE 2000 RELEASE BECAUSE OF SO MANY PROBLEMS. THIS IS THE SECOND 1999 SUBARU LEGACY I HAVE BOUGHT IN THE PAST 3 MONTHS WITH THIS VERY SAME PROBLEM (I ASSUMED THE FIRST WAS A FLUKE AND THE DEALER TOOK THE CAR BACK). THE CAR HAS 96,000 MILES AND SHOULD NOT NEED A COMPLETE TRANSMISSION OVERHAUL AT THIS POINT. I BELIEVE THAT SUBARU IS VERY AWARE OF THESE FAULTS BUT DOESN'T WANT TO FACE THE REPERCUSSIONS OF A CAMPAIGN OR RECALL. I IMPLORE YOU TO LOOK INTO THIS. THESE FAULTY TRANSMISSIONS AND THEIR ASSOCIATED FAILURES(SPEEDOMETER, ETC) ARE A DANGER TO ALL OWNERS. IT IS IRRESPONSIBLE OF SUBARU TO RELEASE AN ENTIRE MODEL YEAR THAT HAS SO MANY EXPENSIVE PROBLEMS TO FIX. *NM

NHTSA ID

10161771

Incident

Jul 6, 2006

GASOLINE FUEL FILLER PIPE LEAKING AND CAUSES DANGEROUS GASOLINE FUMES TO FILL CAR AND SURROUNDING AREA CREATING A FIRE AND EXPLOSION HAZARD. THIS IS ON A 1998 SUBARU OUTBACK. *NM

NHTSA ID

10157671

Incident

May 16, 2006

MY CAR (SUBARU LEGACY LIMITED) WAS STOPPED AND HIT FROM BEHIND. *JB

NHTSA ID

10151997

Incident

Aug 20, 2001

DEALERSHIP SERVICE TECHNICIAN INDICATED THE REAR AXLE WAS COMING LOOSE FROM THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL, RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT. DEALERSHIP REPLACED REAR AXLE SEALS. DEALERSHIP INDICATED PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY VEHICLE BEING SUSPENDED BY DIFFERENTIAL AND RESULTING DOWNWARD STRAIN ON AXLES. THIS HAS NOT OCCURED WHILE WE HAVE OWNED THIS CAR (APPROX. 3 YEARS). THE FRONT AXLE SEALS WERE REPLACED IN A RECALL ON 7/18/03. *NM

NHTSA ID

10151393

Incident

Jan 13, 2004

Mileage

110,500 mi