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1998 Subaru Legacy recalls

Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.

4 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026

For the 1998 Subaru Legacy. These apply to the model and year, not to one particular vehicle: check your VIN to see whether yours is included and whether it has been repaired.

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.

1998 Subaru Legacy recalls, newest first

June 25, 2001NHTSA 01V216000180,000 vehicles potentially affected

Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil springs

Summary
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
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.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

March 3, 1999NHTSA 99V040000221,987 vehicles potentially affected

Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Master cylinder

Summary
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.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

June 8, 1998NHTSA 98V12700020,306 vehicles potentially affected

Engine and engine cooling › Engine

Summary
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
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.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

February 20, 1998NHTSA 98V04200019,386 vehicles potentially affected

Power train › Automatic transmission › Gear position indication (prndl)

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).

This recall on nhtsa.gov

Owner complaints

Owners have filed 114 complaints about the 1998 Subaru Legacy with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public; NHTSA uses them to decide what to investigate.

Crashes reported
17
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
12
Deaths reported
0

Most complained-about components

  1. Engine and engine cooling › Engine15
  2. Service brakes14
  3. Air bags › Frontal8
  4. Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline8
  5. Fuel system8

Other Subaru Legacy years

Other 1998 Subaru models

Most recalled 1998 vehicles

  1. 1998 Honda Accord (19 recalls)
  2. 1998 Ford F-150 (18 recalls)
  3. 1998 Honda Civic (18 recalls)
  4. 1998 Dodge Ram (17 recalls)
  5. 1998 Blue Bird TC2000 (17 recalls)
All of 1998’s most recalled vehicles

Questions

Does the 1998 Subaru Legacy have any recalls?
4 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026, covering: suspension, service brakes, hydraulic, engine and engine cooling, power train. Recalls apply to the model and year; whether a particular vehicle is included, and whether it has been repaired, depends on its VIN.
How do I check if my 1998 Subaru Legacy recall has been fixed?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask a Subaru dealer. Recall repairs are free. NHTSA's VIN search doesn't list recalls that were already repaired.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 1998 Subaru Legacy?
114 complaints filed with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public that NHTSA uses to decide what to investigate.