Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 1998 Subaru Forester, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Power train23
- Suspension17
- Service brakes, hydraulic15
- Engine and engine cooling14
- Vehicle speed control14
- Tires8
- Visibility7
- Electrical system6
- Air bags6
- Unknown or other3
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 5 injuries and 1 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 6 1998 Forester vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 3 people died inside them. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 1998 Subaru Forester failed the safety check 3.50% of the time — 104% more often than the average 1998 passenger car (1.71%). Median odometer at inspection: 157,785 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
In the Netherlands
207 first registered in 1998 are on Dutch roads; 8% arrived later as imports.
Most common APK defects
- Overmatige vloeistoflekkage overige vloeistoffen119
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde94
- Kentekenplaatverlichting werkt niet (goed) / ontbreekt54
- Uitlaatsysteem niet gasdicht / onveilige afvoer uitlaatgasse52
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld45
- Stofhoes stuurinrichting beschadigd, dicht niet af37
- Stadslicht werkt niet (goed)36
- Waarschuwingsinrichting airbag- / gordelsysteem geeft defect35
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
48 cars built in 1998 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 161 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
In Finland
49 of these cars first registered in 1998 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 293,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
In New Zealand
278 1998 cars are on the New Zealand register; 77% arrived as used imports, 19% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 2 variants: combined 11.2–11.6 L/100 km (about 20–21 mpg US), CO₂ 258–267 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forester AWD · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 12.7 | 9.5 | 11.2 |
| Forester AWD · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 12.9 | 9.9 | 11.6 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
3 Transport Canada recalls for the 1998 Subaru Forester.
| 2000069 17 Mar 2000 | Other Certain vehicle do not comply with Regulation 6 - Statement of Compliance. Compliance label was not expressed in both official languages in regard to vehicle c… |
| 1999043 17 Mar 1999 | Brakes On certain vehicles equipped with anti-lock brakes (ABS), the brake master cylinder secondary circuit may not function in extremely cold weather due to brake fl… |
| 1998154 22 Jul 1998 | Structure THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 215 - BUMPERS. THE FRONT RIGHT CORNER IMPACT TEST FOR THE STANDARD CAUSES THE RIGHT FRONT FOG LAMP LENS TO BREAK. … |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Subaru told its dealers about the 1998 Subaru Forester: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 631078 | SUBJECT REGARDING SHIFTER RATTLE. *JG |
| 626926 | INFORMATION REGARDING SEAT BELT LATCH SLIDES TO THE LOWER SEAT BELT ANCHOR. *YH UPDATED *EH |
| 608198 | VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS MAY EXHIBIT FIRST GEAR POPPING OUT WHILE DRIVING. *TT |
| 606645 | SUBJECT REGARDING BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN ON SOME VEHICLES WITH ABS. *TT |
| 605779 | INFORMATION REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF RETROFIT AIR BAG |
| 605778 | INFORMATION ON INSTALLING REAR DIFFERENTIAL PROTECTOR . *TT |
| 604956 | LOCATION OF THE TRANSIT CONNECTOR. *TT |
| 604484 | CUSTOMER MAY COMPLAIN OF A SLIGHT ENGINE HESITATION ON VEHICLES WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS 2.5L AND 2.2L ENGINES. TT |
| 602135 | INFORMATION ON ACCESSORY INSTALLATION MANUAL. *YC |
| 600708 | SUBJECT ON SERVICE MANUAL CORRECTION. *YC |
| 53025 | VARIOUS INFORMATION ON PROCEDURES AND THEFT PREVENTION STANDARDS. *YC |
| 10240110 | This bulletin announces the recommended cleaning procedures to followed when encountering vehicles with long time exposure to pollen on painted surfaces on vehicles imported from Japan. This bulletin does not apply to SIA built vehicles. |
| 10234261 | Remanufactured Automatic Transaxle Program |
| 10219492 | This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models. |
| 10219491 | This bulletin contains illustrations of exchange components and their manufacturer as well as a description of the proper exchange procedure. |
| 10209915 | This bulletin has been developed to outline the steps for gathering basic essential information during diagnosis and repair of the Infotainment concerns. (Applicable to all models with Harman or Denso CP1 Infotainment). |
| 10198758 | This bulletin contains additional information for recommended materials listed in the Service Manuals for individual models |
| 10198749 | This bulletin is to advise of SOAs revised catalytic converter recycling program shipping procedure. |
| 10187315 | To help reduce confusion and increase technician efficiency, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) has developed the following cross reference list to help locate the appropriate Special Service Tool. |
| 10179378 | Special Service Tools Cross Reference List. |
| 10174543 | All Models (Vehicle Cleaning- COVID-19Best Practices) |
| 10163525 | This Service Information bulletin announces instruction for application of additional lubrication between the brake caliper support and pad clips. This will prevent the pad from dragging due to corrosion buildup which may result in uneven or premature wear of the replacement brake pads. This additional instruction applies to all models with brake pads using the upper and lower pad clips and has been added to the brake pad installation procedures found in the related Service Manuals. |
| 10161824 | Subaru Service and Technical Support Line Newletter. |
| 10161813 | To help reduce confusion and increase technician efficiency, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) has developed the following cross reference list to help locate the appropriate Special Service Tool. |
| 10037968 | SUBARU: THERE IS A STEERING WHEEL VIBRATION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS DUE TO AN IMPORPER WHEEL BALANCE. *RM |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)