Vehicle recall 98V042000 · February 20, 1998
Subaru Legacy and Outback
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions.
Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.
- Summary
- 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
- 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).
- Notes
- Owner notification began June 15, 1998.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. Also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).
Recall details
- NHTSA campaign
- 98V042000
- Reported to NHTSA
- February 20, 1998
- Filed by
- SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
- Owner notification
- June 15, 1998
- Vehicles potentially affected
- 19,386
- Initiated by
- the manufacturer
- Components
- Power train › Automatic transmission › Gear position indication (prndl)
Vehicles covered
As listed by NHTSA. A recall usually covers only some vehicles of each model and year, often a production date range.
- Subaru Legacy (1997-1998): 1998, 1997
- Subaru Outback (1997-1998): 1998, 1997
Has your Subaru been repaired?
Recalls here come from NHTSA’s records for the model and year. Not every vehicle of a model is included in every recall, and this site can’t see whether a repair has been done. Only a VIN lookup can tell you that.
NHTSA’s VIN search doesn’t show recalls that were already repaired, recalls more than 15 years old, or some small manufacturers’ recalls. A Subaru dealer can also check your VIN. Recall repairs are free.