CONSUMER STATES AFTER PARKING VEHICLE, IT JUMP OUT OF GEAR AND STARTED MOVING. NLM
1998 Subaru Legacy
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 1998 Subaru Legacy do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 77.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Legacy years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
32 reports with mileage · 82 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 30 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
114 reportsWHILE DRIVING A TAPPING NOISE IS COMING FROM ENGINE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER CANNOT FIND CAUSE OF PROBLEM. *AK
VEHICLE WAS IN PARK AND TOOK OFF WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK
OVER SENSITIVE KNOCK SENSOR, CAUSES ACCELERATION HESITATION. IT'S BEEN A KNOWN PROBLEM FOR YEARS (SEE TSBS 115899 & 115398), BUT ALMOST CAUSED A SERIOUS AND POTENTIALLY FATAL ACCIDENT LAST WEEKEND.*AK
THIS INTERNET SYSTEM IS NOT THE BEST FORM FOR THIS: THE MANUFATCURER HAS REPLACED THE SUN VISORS ONCE, BUT IT DOESN'T HELP. THE VISOR DESIGN IS POOR. THEY SWING WITH GREAT FREEDOM & SPEED ANY TIME YOU ROUND A CURVE OR TURN QUICKLY, SMACKIONG THE DRIVER IN THE HEAD AT THE RIGHT HEIGHT TO KNOCK OFF GLASSES OR KNOCK THE BRIM OF YOU…
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THIS INTERNET SYSTEM IS NOT THE BEST FORM FOR THIS: THE MANUFATCURER HAS REPLACED THE SUN VISORS ONCE, BUT IT DOESN'T HELP. THE VISOR DESIGN IS POOR. THEY SWING WITH GREAT FREEDOM & SPEED ANY TIME YOU ROUND A CURVE OR TURN QUICKLY, SMACKIONG THE DRIVER IN THE HEAD AT THE RIGHT HEIGHT TO KNOCK OFF GLASSES OR KNOCK THE BRIM OF YOUR HAT ACROSS YOUR EYES WHEN YOU MANEUVER BRISKLY. THIS IS VERY DISTRACTING & CAN DANGEROUSLY INTERFERE WITH VISABILITY & CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, CAUSING ACCIDENTS. WE HAVEN'T HAD ONE YET.. THE COMPANY SIMPLY REPLACED THE ORIGINAL VISOR WITH AN IDENTICAL ONE, WHICH SOON HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THE DESIGN IS VERY POOR (ONE OF SEVERAL VERY POORLY DESIGNED ITEMS ON THIS CAR). THE SHAFTS ON WHICH THEY PIVOT SO RAPIDLY & FREELY ARE HOLLOW, TO MAKE SPACE FOR THE POWER CORD FOR THE **LIGHTED MIRRORS(!!)** THIS IS WHY IT CAN'T BE TIGHTENED OR ADJUSTED & A NEW ONE IS NO BETTER. THE DESIGN NEEDS TO BE CHANGED, & THESE DIP-BRAINS WHO WASTED MY MONEY ON JUNK LIKE LIGHTED (DOUBLE LIGHTED) COULD SPEND THE MONEY ON SOMETHING USEFUL, LIKE OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRRORS! THANX, BK. P.S. I MAY TRY TO FIND A WORKABLE OLDER ONE FROM A JUNK YARD, IF I GET THE TIME.
A TIRE WENT FLAT, SO CONSUMER PUT ON SPARE, THIS RESULTED IN DAMAGE TO THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL AND TRANSFER CASE, THESE PARTS OVERHEATED AND HAD TO BE QUICKLY HOSED DOWN WITH WATER TO PREVENT A FIRE, IN THE OWNERS MANUAL IT STATES THAT THE ALL WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE DISENGAGED IF A SPARE TIRE IS EVER USED, HOWEVER CONSUMER…
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A TIRE WENT FLAT, SO CONSUMER PUT ON SPARE, THIS RESULTED IN DAMAGE TO THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL AND TRANSFER CASE, THESE PARTS OVERHEATED AND HAD TO BE QUICKLY HOSED DOWN WITH WATER TO PREVENT A FIRE, IN THE OWNERS MANUAL IT STATES THAT THE ALL WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE DISENGAGED IF A SPARE TIRE IS EVER USED, HOWEVER CONSUMER DID NOT NOTICE THESE SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS AND FEELS THIS DAMAGE WOULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED IF A WARNING STICKER WOULD HAVE BEEN ON THE SPARE TIRE, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT. *SLC
BRAKE FAILED FOUR TIMES.
WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH HOOD FLEW OPEN, WINDSHIELD WAS BROKEN. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER SAFELY, NO INJURIES. *AK
THE FR0NT MAIN SEAL FAILED REPAETEDLY (3 TIMES) RESULTING IN LEAKAGE. NLM
COMMENTS FROM THE DEALERS INVOICE: 671 MILES: CHECKED FOR OIL LEAK, FOUND FLUID LEAKING FROM POWER STEERING RACK. REMOVED AND REINSTALLED RACK ASSEMBLY.671 MILES: I COMPLAINED ABOUT SMELL IN VENTS. ADVISED IT WAS POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKING ONTO EXHAUST. 944MILES: OIL LEAKING FROM ENGINE DOWN ONTO EXHAUST. FOUND LEAK AT TOP OF …
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COMMENTS FROM THE DEALERS INVOICE: 671 MILES: CHECKED FOR OIL LEAK, FOUND FLUID LEAKING FROM POWER STEERING RACK. REMOVED AND REINSTALLED RACK ASSEMBLY.671 MILES: I COMPLAINED ABOUT SMELL IN VENTS. ADVISED IT WAS POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKING ONTO EXHAUST. 944MILES: OIL LEAKING FROM ENGINE DOWN ONTO EXHAUST. FOUND LEAK AT TOP OF ENGINE ON THE RIGHT SIDE NEAR REAR OIL GALLEY PLUG. DISASSEMBLE ENGINE COMPLETE DOWN TO SHORT BLOCK. REPLACE SHORT BLOCK AND ALL NECESSARY GASKETS AND SEALS. REASSEMBLE ENGINE. 944 MILES: I COMPLAINED ABOUT SMELL IN VENTS. THIS TIME TOLD IT WAS BURNING OIL GETTING INTO VENTS BEFORE ENGINE REPAIR.6195 MILES,03/27/98: COMPLAINED ABOUT SMELL IN VENTS. DASH ASSEMBLY DISASSEMBLED, CLEANED, REASSEMBLED. 7173 MILES: COMPLAINED ABOUT SMELL IN VENTS. WORKING WITH ZEXEL REP. ON A/C SYSTEM LOCATED LEAK AT EVAPORATOR COOLING UNIT. REMOVE AND REPLACE RECEIVER DRIER AND A/C COMPRESSOR. REASSEMBLE. 8009 MILES: I COMPLAINED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON WHILE DRIVING. TOLD POSSIBLE THAT FUEL TANK CAP WAS NOT ON TIGHT. 10185MILES 08/06/98: I COMPLAINED CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STILL STAYS ON: FOUND REAR 0-2 SENSOR TO HAVE SLOW RESPONSE TIMES. REMOVE AND REINSTALL REAR 0-2 SENSOR. 8485 MILES COMPLAINED OF BURNING SMELL FROM UNDER HOOD. TOLD INNER AXLE BOOT LEAKING. INNER AXLE CV BOOT GREASE IN FRONT REPLACED. 29901MILES: RECALL CAMPAIGN WXQ74 MASTER CYLINDER. PERFORM WXQ-74 AND INSTALL LABEL. 39150 MILES: COMPLAINED ABOUT RATTLING NOISE FROM REAR AXLE. CHECKED REAR DIFFERENTIAL, HEARD PINION BEARING TO BE NOISY. REPLACED REAR DIFFERENTIAL. WARRANTY EXPIRED. 45330 MILES: MY ALTENATOR FAILED. I WAS TOWED 15 MILES TO THE DEALERSHIP, AT A COST OF $140 DOLLARS, AND PAID 294.35 DOLLARS TO HAVE IT REPLACED. AT THE TIME I WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS AN OPEN RECALL ON BOTH 1996 AND 1997 ALTENATORS BUT NOTHING ON THE 1998'S. LAST WEEK I GOT A LETTER FROM SUBARU INFORMING ME THAT SOME 1998'S MAY REQUIRE ALTENATOR REPLACEMENTS. *AK
Official recalls
401V216000 · Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs
Jun 25, 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 COIL SPRINGS WERE PRODUCED WITH POOR PAINT QUALITY WHICH, AFTER CONTINUED EXPOSURE TO CORROSIVE SALT, CAN RESULT IN BREAKAGE OF THE SPRING.
Consequence & remedy
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.
99V040000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder
Mar 3, 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAUSES THE VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE TO BE INCREASED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER.
98V127000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine
Jun 8, 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.
Consequence & remedy
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.
98V042000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)
Feb 20, 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.
Consequence & remedy
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).
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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