The 1998 Subaru Forester has 112 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 1 recall on record. The most-reported areas are power train and suspension. Owners most often flag cvt transmission longevity concerns: concerns about long-term reliability beyond 100,000 miles, with strong owner consensus recommending proactive fluid changes every 30,000-60,000 miles despite some manufacturer guidance. frequency: very frequent.
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 1998 Subaru Forester vehicles (US, public record).
Across the 12 Forester model years we track, complaint volume runs from 56 (2024) to 487 (2018). With 112 complaints, the 1998 Forester sits about the same asthe model's median of 112.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:master cylinder
Campaign 99V040000VEHICLE 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 …
Overwhelmingly positive sentiment across multiple generations, with the Forester consistently praised for its practicality, safety, all-weather capability, and long-term reliability when properly maintained.
Owner insights cover all generations of the Forester. See the full Forester owner picture and every model year.
Used Forester listings typically run $14,131–$28,173 across 2012 to 2026 model years.
Compare every Forester year side by side to see how 1998 ranks against the rest.