1998 Subaru Impreza: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 30 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is suspension (32% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 30 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“1998 subaru impreza 53,000 miles and the auto tech at subaru says I have a piston slap, $2500.00 to pull engine and check this out. I have changed oil every 3,000 miles brought it in for the 30,000 mileage over all check up - what is up with this motor? *jb”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jun 2004
“The engine kept overheating and air would appear in the radiator. Antifreeze would be pushed out of radiator and the heater would blow cold air. The car had to be shut off repeatedly and allowed to cool down and the antifreeze replaced. A check of the cooling system detected no leaks. We were took the car to a number of garages until finally one garage told us that the engine block was most likely cracked and the engine needed to be replaced at a cost of $3600. According to the garage, they have replaced a number of engines for this particular model, specifically one with the dohc.*ak”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Dec 2003
“This car needed replacement of both rear wheel bearings at slightly over 67,000 miles. No other subaru I have owned or heard of needed such repairs. My previous subaru had over 100,000 miles on it with no defects. The shop personel at the dealer said this was a problem with some other imprezas, as well as foresters. I wrote a letter to subaru america, after six days I haven't recieved any response. I included a copy of my repair bill as well as my rental car fees.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Sep 2003
Show 7 more owner reports
“Engine stalls when trying to take off after stopping at traffic light. There is also a rapping noise in engine until its been running awhile. *jb”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jan 2003
“Both the left and right rear bearings on this car failed before it reached 60,000 miles. No injuries -- I'm careful and heard them failing -- but repairs were very expensive. Mr”Owner report · Suspension · Nov 2001
“Consumer had taken vehicle to dealer due to a strong fuel smell and burning oil coming from engine. Dealer replaced transmission transfer case/ repaired an oil leak, and replaced piston gaskets.sometimes consumer had tried to start engine, but it would not happen at all. Please provide more information. *ak”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Oct 2001
“Rear wheel bearing failed twice. I believe that this a potentially a serious safety problem. Subaru is aware of the problem. They quietly superseeded the old ball bearing used in imprezas and foresters with a new roller bearing from the legacy. Please see this url for more info: http://www.I-club.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=110396&perpage=25&pagenumber=1. *ak”Owner report · Suspension · Apr 2001
“The left rear wheel bearing went bad at approx 51k miles. The reason the report is being filed is the large number of late model subaru wheel bearing failures I found on the internet. I read many reports of failed rear wheel bearings on 1998 and later subaru vehicles which included the outback, forester and impreza. Several individuals reported having the same bearing replaced two and three times. The alarming part is many were replaced at mileages below twenty thousand miles. I'm afraid I'm going to have other bearings go or the same bearing go again.*ak”Owner report · Power Train · Mar 2001
“Head gasket failure engine overheated on 16 hour trip.. Took to subaru dealership, they put in a new "starter bolt" stated it was a bad ground?? On return home car over heated again.. Was repaired by subaru, tech said it was common. 2nd head gasket failure, two months later, oil in antifreeze... Driving 55-65 mph for 10 min in 75-80f weather, not under hard acceleration. Fear that it will happen again. Current recall on 99-01 models for "coolant additive". Poor head gasket design is leading to failure... Seems to be common problem on 98's (2.5rs dohc ej25 phase 1) *jb”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Mar 2001
“I believe there is a sub-standard part being used in subaru impreza rear wheel bearings. Besides my 2 failures, I know of dozens of other people in my car club with similar rear wheel bearing failures. Currently the failures are being handled under warranty, but as the cars age, the wheel bearing failures seem likely to continue and will start to get expensive.”Owner report · Power Train · May 2000
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 1 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
Remedy: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1998 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Impreza by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1998 Subaru Impreza reliable?
NHTSA has 30 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 1998 Subaru Impreza. The most complained-about area is suspension (32% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1998 Subaru Impreza problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 69,500 miles or less.
Does the 1998 Subaru Impreza have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting:headlights. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.