1998 Subaru Legacy

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/28/1999· TIRES

  TIRES REPEATEDLY LOSE AIR, ESPECIALLY IN REAR. STEEL BELT BEGAN SHOWING AND A LARGE SIDEWALL BULGE APPEARED IN ONE REAR TIRE AT ABOUT 15,500 MILES. REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES AT APPROXIMATELY 15,580 MILES, WITH MICHELIN TIRES, BECAUSE WE FELT THAT THE BRIDGESTONE TIRES WERE NOT SAFE AND DID NOT WANT REPLACEMENTS OF THE SAME MAKE THAT MIGHT FAIL IN THE SAME MANNER IN THE FUTURE.( DOT NUMBER: OBJ6PJA417 TIRE SIZE: 185/70 R14 )

• 12/25/1999· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  HOT BURNING SMELL IN THE CABIN AND OUTSIDE OF CAR,SEVERAL TRIPS TO THE SHOP. *AK

• 12/22/2005· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  1998 SUBARU LEGACY HOOD LATCH FAILED IN HIGH WINDS. *TS *JB

• 12/22/1999· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICCrash

  WHILE DRIVING 50MPH HAD GRADUALLY APPLIED THE BRAKES, AND ABS BRAKES LOCKED UP WHEN ENTERING RAMP EXIT. VEHICLE SKIDDED OUT OF CONTROL AND HIT A CONCRETE WALL. VEHICLE WAS DECLARED TOTALED. *AK

• 12/21/2009· STRUCTURE

  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.

• 12/20/2005· AIR BAGS

  1998 SUBARU FORESTER (S) HAS AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ON AND OFF. AIRBAGS HAVE NEVER BEEN DEPLOYED, AND THIS CREATES A SAFETY INTEGRITY ISSUE, SINCE ONE CANNOT TELL IF THE BAGS ARE GOOD OR NOT. MANUFACTURER MAY HAVE HINTED AT FREQUENT FAILURE OF THIS PART. *JB

• 12/14/2006· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  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

• 12/13/2004· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WAS REGISTERING HOT ON THE DASHBOARD WHILE DRIVING. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. *AK......IT WAS NECESSARY TO TEAR DOWN THE ENGINE AND REPLACE ALL THE GASKETS/HOSES/RADIATOR/WATER PUMP/THERMOSTAT, AS WELL AS THE COOLANT AND OIL. FROM JANUARY 2004 TO SEPTEMBER 2004, SUBARU REPLACED 13 HEAD GASKETS ON OUTBACKS, AND VINTAGES FROM 1996-1998, AND A MILEAGE FROM 60,000 MILES-90,000 MILES. THIS REPRESENTED A SERIOUS MANUFACTING DEFECT, IT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY THE MANUFACTURER WITH A RECALL NOTICE. *AK

• 12/08/2008· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  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

• 12/07/2001· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  VEHICLE WAS IN PARK AND TOOK OFF WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

• 12/04/2001· STEERING

  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

• 11/30/1997· AIR BAGSCrash

  NO DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVER'S/PASSENGER'S AIR BAGS IN A CRASH, RESULTING IN INJURIES TO DRIVER.

• 11/09/1999· POWER TRAIN

  INTERMITTENT FAILURES: CAR DOES NOT SHIFT INTO SECOND GEAR AND KEEPS ACCELERATING WITH RPM INCREASING. HAVE TO TAKE FOOT OFF ACCELERATOR AND PULSE TO GET CAR TO SHIFT INTO SECOND GEAR.

• 11/08/2005· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  DT: THE CONTACT STATES WHEN FILLING UP THE VEHICLE THE FUEL FILLER PIPE LEAKS OUT HALF A TANK OF GAS. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING IT WILL LEAK GAS. HE CONTACTED A LOCAL DEALERSHIP, AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE AT THIS TIME.*AK

• 11/04/2004· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER WAS NOT ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, AND IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

• 11/02/2012· SERVICE BRAKES

  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

• 11/02/1998· AIR BAGSCrash

  VEHICLE WAS IN AN ACCIDENT TRAVELING AT 70MPH. IT WAS A FRONTAL AND SIDE COLLISION, AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

• 11/01/1998· POWER TRAIN,STRUCTURE

  CAR OUT OF ALIGNMENT, CAR PULLS TO THE RIGHT EVEN WHEN IN ALIGNMENT. RIDE IS VERY ROUGH LIKE SOMETHING IS OUT OF KILTER; THE TRANSMISSION DOESN'T OPERATE SMOOTHLY BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEAR... LIKE HESITATION, AND ACTS LIKE THERE COULD BE SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE GAS LINES OR PARTS CONTROLLING THE FUEL TO CAR; CUP HOLDER IS DESIGNED SO THAT EVERYTHING WANTS TO TIP OUT!! IT IS NOT DEEP ENOUGH WHICH COULD BE A DEFINITE SAFETY HAZZARD IF SOMETHING HOT TIPS OUT ONTO PASSENGER. I PREVIOUSLY OWNED A 1993 SUBARU LEGACY WAGON THAT ALSO PULLED TO THE RIGHT!! AND THE TRANSMISSION (STANDARD) WAS SOOOOO POORLY GEARED IN 1ST AND SND THAT IT ATE TIRES CONTINUALLY, WOULD NOT MOVE ON SNOWY OR INCLINED SURFACES, AND POSED A MAJOR SAFETY HAZZARD IN WET OR SNOWY CONDITIONS,,, THIS WAS A STANDARD, NON-AWD MODEL... AND THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT ON THIS VEHICLE AT 93,000 MILES AND SUBARU WOUDL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY OF THESE PROBLEMS!!! THAT VEHICLE WAS CLEARLY DEFECTIVE AS THIS ONE IS,,, AND NONE OF THE CORRECTIONS THEY (THE DEALERSHIP) HAS MADE HAVE CORRECTED OR HELD SO FAR! AS FOR THE GEARING .. THEY SAY IT IS THE NATURE OF THE BEAST!! AS IS THE PULLING,,, I THINK I HAVE ANOTHER SUBARU LEMON,,, AND I DO NOT WANT TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS OR WORSE THAT I HAD BEFORE!!!

• 10/30/2007· AIR BAGSCrash

  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.

• 10/29/2002· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  AUTHORIZED SERVICER/DEALER SAID IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE FOR A WEEK BEFORE REPLACING. IT SEEMS LIKE A FIRE HAZARD TO ME. DT

• 10/27/2001· STRUCTURE

  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.

• 10/27/2000· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  I AM GETTING A LOUD SLAPPING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE ON COLD STARTS IT LAST FOR ABOUT TEN TO FIFTEEN MINUTES OR UNTILL THE ENGINE WARMES UP,THE DEALER SAYS THAT IT IS A PISTON SLAP AND THAT IS NORMAL. I DO NOT AGREE, WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT THE CAR IT DID NOT HAVE THAT NOISE ,AND IT IS GETTING LOUDER ,I DO NOT WANT TO WAIT TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM FIXED ,MY WARRANTEE WILL EXPIRE SOON

• 10/26/1998· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR WHEN APPLIED.DEALER HAS REPLACED LININGS ,FRONT CALIPER,MASTER CYLINDER AND BOOSTER.PROBLEM STILL OCCURED.LUCKY ALL OCCURANCES WERE AT SPEEDS BELOW 25 MPH AND THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT. SPEEDOMETER FAILED INTERNALY AND ODOMETER STARTED TO OPERATE BACKWARD. ACTUAL MILAGE ON CAR IS UNKNOWN.

• 10/13/1998· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  WHILE WARMING THE VEHICLE UP THERE IS A STRONG FUEL SMELL COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD COMPARTMENT, AND WHENEVER STOPPING IN TRAFFIC THE SMELL IS VERY STRONG. THE SMELL IS LIKE GASOLINE, CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT THE SOURCE OF THE PROMBLEM IS. *AK

• 10/10/2001· EQUIPMENT

  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

• 10/08/2010· AIR BAGSCrash

  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

• 09/22/2005· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  KEY DIDN'T COME OUT OF IGNITION SWITCH. SHIFT LOCK CONTROL MODULE HAD TO BE REPLACED. *NM

• 09/19/1999· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,VISIBILITY,TIRES,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  TIRES LOST NEARLY ALL AIR WITHIN 2,000 MILE OF CHECKING;HAD TO REPLACE;THEY WENT TO STEEL BAR AT 18000 MILES; FUMES INSIDE CABIN FROM PURCHASE OF CAR;FELL ASLEEP AT WHEEL SEVL TIMES; ROMANIA SUBARU IN EUGENE WOULDN'T FIX ON 2 VISITS;3RD VISIT, FOUND LEAK;STILL HAVE FUMES INSIDE CABIN AND MORE IF WINDOW IS DOWN ON PASS SIDE;NO ONE CAN FIX THE OPEN WINDOW FUME PROBLEM;INSIDE-FOUND CRANKCASE LEAKING ON EXHAUST SYST;COSMOLENE OVERLOAD, BUT STILLHAVE BURNING EYES AND SORE THROAT;CAN'T FIND PROBLEM;BRAKES WENT TO FLOOR-REPLACED MASTER CYLINDER PER RECAL;WINDSHIELD FROM PURCHASE,COULDN'T SEE THROUGH;BAD FILM;PURCHASED A NEW ONE RECENTLY;CAR HESITATES AND SURGES FORWARD;SUBARU SAYS THIS IS NORMAL( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 185 70 R14 )

• 09/15/2000· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  WHEN PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE WITH FOOT ON BRAKE VEHICLE WILL BEGIN TO RACE, AND SUDDENLY ACCELERATE CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK THE PROBLEM REOCCURED 5 TIMES IN 3 MONTHS PERIOD. *YH

• 09/08/1999· POWER TRAIN

  TRANSFER CASE VIBRATES AT HIGHER SPEEDS.

• 09/05/2006· SEATSCrash

  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

• 08/27/2000· TIRES

  SEVERE CUPPING ON TREAD. CAR ALIGNED 4 TIMES AND NEW TIRES PLACED. CAR STILL CUPPING TIRES. VIBRATION ABOVE 30 MPH( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 205/55/16 )

• 08/25/2000· AIR BAGSCrash

  I WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT-END COLLISION AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH. I RECEIVED WORD TODAY THAT THE CAR IS CONSIDERED TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. NEITHER THE DIRVER'S SIDE NOR PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAG EMPLOYED IN THE ACCIDENT.

• 08/21/1998· POWER TRAIN

  BOUGHT MY SUBARU LEGACY 2.5 GT LAST MONTH, I BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR THE FIRST SERVICING COMPLAINING OF CLUTCH, AND TRANSMISSION DIFFICULTY. WHEN CAR GOES OVER BUMPS, TRANSMISSION TWISTS AND LURCHES. 5 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION, THIRD GEAR IS DIFFICULT TO ENTER, REVERSE GRINDS.

• 08/20/2001· EQUIPMENT

  THE RADIO FAILED.

• 08/19/1998· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  WHENEVER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE BEFORE CATCHING OR MOVING. TOOK TO DEALER & PROBLEM WAS CONFIRMED. MECHANIC DID NOT KNOW HOW TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. *AK

• 08/16/2004· STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  CONSUMER REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR ALL REPAIRS EXPENSES FOR 1998 SUBARU LEGACY.*MR DURING REGULAR MAINTENANCE THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT HE VEHICLE'S STEERING CENTER DIFFERENTIAL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE'S CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION COIL. SINCE THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 38,000 MILES THE CONSUMER FEELS SUBARU SHOULD REIMBURSE HIM FOR THE COST OF THE REPAIRS. *NM

• 08/15/2000· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  THE OBD SYSTEM INDICATES CHECK ENGINE. THE ENGINE LOOSES POWER AND THE CARS ACCELERATION BECOMES VERY WEAK. THE CAR IS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED AND THE ENGINE WILL EITHER CONTINUE TO MALFUNCTION OR WILL RUN NORMALLY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE IDLE SPEED CONTROL ($600) BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUES TO OCCUR. NOW SUBARU SAYS THAT THEY CANNOT FIND ANY MALFUNCTION. WHEN THE ENGINE MALFUNCTIONS WITHOUT WARNING IT IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE THE CAR WHEN ACCELERATING ONTO A HIGHWAY OR IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. I CANNOT TRUST THIS CAR TO GET ME SAFELY TO MY DESTINATION.

• 08/15/1997· SUSPENSION

  UPON DRIVING ON ALL TERRAINS VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT. SUBARU CLAIMED THAT PULLING TO THE RIGHT IS DUE TO A DESIGN FEATURE, AND THEY REFUSED TO PERFORM ADDITIONAL SERVICE ON VEHICLE. *AK

• 08/12/2002· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER FELT A VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL, AFTER INSPECTION, CONSUMER FOUND A LARGE AMOUNT OF BRAKE DUST ON THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL, ONE OF THE CALIPER PISTONS WAS FROZEN, THE BRAKE PAD WAS WORN DOWN ON ONE SIDE, HOWEVER 80 PERCENT WAS LEFT ON THE OTHER SIDE. *SLC

• 08/10/1999· VISIBILITY,STRUCTURE

  THE ROLLERS FOR THE POWER WINDOWS ARE COLLECTING DIRT AND LEAVING A VERTICAL SCRATCHALONG THE LENGTH OF THE WINDOW. WHEN I CONTACTED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT IN MY AREA I WAS TOLD THIS WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER MY WARRANTY BECAUSE THE DISTRICT SERVICE MANAGER FOR SUBARU HAD DETERMINED THE DAMAGE WAS CAUSED FROM DIRT ON THE WINDOWS. THIS SEEMS ODD TO ME BECAUSE THE SUBARU LEGACY IS THE ONLY VEHICLE I HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM ON AND OTHER CARS IN MY AREA ARE NOT SUFFERING FROM THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE HAD NO LUCK WITH SUBARU OR MY DEALER IN SOLVING THIS PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD I COULD PAY $50 TO HAVE MY DOOR ASSEMBLY TAKEN APART TO CLEAN THE ROLLERS AND PAY $200-$300 PER WINDOW TO REPLACE THE WINDOW. IF THIS PROBLEM EXISTED ON OTHER MAKES OR MODELS I COULD ACCEPT THE EXPLAINATION THAT I NEED TO KEEP THE DIRT OFF OF MY CAR, BUT THAT IS NOT THE CASE. I FEEL SUBARU SHOULD REPLACE THE ROLLERS AND WINDOW UNDER MY WARRANTY.

• 08/09/2004· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE. IT WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE HEAD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A BLOW OUT. *AK UPDATED 02/24/06

• 08/09/2000· TIRES

  WHEN I TRAVEL 65-70 MPH MY VEHICLE SHAKE AND VIBRATE REALLY BAD. I CAN HARDLY HOLD THE STERRING WHEEL. I CAN FEEL THE PULL COMING FROM MY TIRES.( DOT NUMBER: )

• 08/04/2004· POWER TRAIN

  TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE. WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING FOR A WHILE LOWER GEARS IN TRANSMISSION WILL NOT GO INTO GEAR. WHEN VEHICLE COOLED OFF FOR A PERIOD OF TIME THE VEHICLE RAN WELL. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND WAS TOLD THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TEST DRIVEN THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. HOWEVER, AFTER CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE AGAIN , WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS HOT, THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED. ALREADY, TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED 3 TIMES, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED.*AK

• 07/30/1998· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE

  SUNROOF DRAINLINES WERE REPAIRED TWICE, DUE TO LEAKAGE, DEALER BELIEVES THAT THE WINDSHIELD INSTALLER CAUSED THEM TO BE DISCONNECTED. CV JOINT LEAKING DUE TO FREEZE PLUG IN THE CV JOINTS, REPLACE BUT LEAKS WORSE. INSTALLED A BATTERY HOLD DOWN, TOP DEFROSTER LINE REPAIRED TWICE, SMELL OF BURNING OIL.

• 07/27/2002· TIRES

  TIRE SIDEWALLS ARE CRACKING ON ALL 4 TIRES, AND A SECTION OF THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE HAS COMPLETELY SEPARATED. A MECHANIC AT LOCAL SERVICE STATION STATED THAT HE IS SEEING A LOT OF THIS ON THIS SIZE MICHELIN TIRE, PARTICULARLY ON SUBARU OUTBACKS.*AK

• 07/26/2000· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  2ND SUBARU TO FAIL, BOTH UNDER 3 YRS OLD, UNDER 42K MILE. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN SUMMARY. *AK

• 07/26/1999· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  THE CAR DEVELOPED A LEAK AT THE OIL FILTER (LEE MAXI FILTER) WHERE IT MEETS THE ENGINE. THE LEAK STARTED SMALL AND GREW STEADILY LARGER (10 EXTRA QUARTS OF OIL WERE NEEDED TO GO THE LAST 50 MILES). THIS OCCURRED TOWARD THE END OF MY TRIP, AFTER TRAVELING ABOUT 140 MILES. I KNOW THAT THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL PREVIOUSLY ON THE SUBARU BRAND FILTER (1998) FOR THIS VERY SAME PROBLEM AT THE END OF LAST YEAR, BUT I HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH A LEE BRAND FILTER, WHICH I HAD BUT ON 2100 MILES EARLIER. UP UNTIL THIS TIME, NO LOSS OF OIL HAD OCCURRED WITH THIS FILTER OR WITH PREVIOUS OIL CHANGES (I HAD JUST CHECKED THE OIL LEVEL A FEW DAYS EARLIER). I BELIEVE THAT THERE MAY BE A LARGER PROBLEM HERE, OTHER THAN THE SUBARU BRAND FILTER FROM THE RECALL. YOU SHOULD ALSO KNOW THAT THERE IS AN AUTO QUESTION AND ANSWER AREA IN THE FRIDAY JULY 23 ISSUE OF THE NEWSPAPER "NEWSDAY" (LONG ISLAND, NY WWW.NEWSDAY.COM). THE VERY FIRST QUESTION IS FROM AN OWNER OF A 1998 SUBARU LEGACY WHO HAD AN OIL LEAK ATTRIBUTED TO THE FILTER, AND HAD TO HAVE HIS CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER. HE MENTIONED THAT THE DEALER REQUIRED HIM TO PAY FOR THE TOWING AND REPAIR, AS THE OIL FILTER THAT FAILED WAS NOT A SUBARU OIL FILTER. SINCE THIS IS ANOTHER INCIDENT INVOLVING A NON SUBARU FILTER FAILURE. THIS MAY INDICATE THAT OTHER BRAND FILTERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM, AND THAT THERE MAY BE A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR ITSELF, AND NOT THE FILTER. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY PARKED, WAITING FOR ME TO GET OFF OF WORK TO PUT ON A NEW FILTER (FRAM BRAND). I DID NOTICE THAT THE RUBBER GASKET ON THE FRAM FILTER IS MUCH TALLER THAN THE LEE BRAND FILTER GASKET. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS HAS ANY RELATIONSHIP TO THE PROBLEM. CAN YOU ADVISE ME IF YOU HAVE RECEIVED ANY ADDITIONAL COMPLAINTS OF THIS TYPE FROM PEOPLE WHO EITHER EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM WITH A SUBARU FILTER NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL OR WITH A LEE MAXI FILTER OR OTHER NON SUBARU FILTER. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP. (I WILL PROVIDE YOU WITH VIN NUMBER IN THE NEAR FUTURE)

• 07/24/2007· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  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

• 07/22/2010· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  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