Model year record

1998 Subaru Forester

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 138 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 99V040000

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder

Component
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder
Manufacturer
SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
221,987
Reported to NHTSA
1999-03-03
Owners notified
1999-06-07

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION CAUSES THE VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE TO BE INCREASED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Vehicle speed control13100,000 mi
Tires8
Visibility: windshield6
Engine and engine cooling: engine573,500 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor5
Suspension: rear584,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline4
Power train: axle assembly4
Power train: clutch assembly430,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission430,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components4
Suspension: front: wheel bearing465,000 mi
Suspension: multiple axle4
Air bags3
Air bags: frontal3
Power train: clutch assembly: pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)3
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip3
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder3
Suspension3
Unknown or other3
Electrical system298,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers2
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system2105,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system273,500 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor250,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system2
Power train2
Power train: automatic transmission2
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch2
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft2
Seat belts: rear/other2
Suspension: front2
Electrical system: wiring1
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood1
Engine1120,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling1
Equipment1
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner1
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system1
Fuel system, other198,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines1
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft: seal1
Power train: axle assembly: banjo housing1
Power train: driveline1
Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)1120,000 mi
Seats1
Service brakes, hydraulic1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: drum1
Steering: hydraulic power assist system1
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections1
Steering: rack and pinion1
Tires: sidewall1
Vehicle speed control: cables1140,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system1

The 1999 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.