NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls covering the 1998 Subaru Outback. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking the car, but check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which apply to yours.
SuspensionJun 2001 · NHTSA campaign 01V216000
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with front coil springs originally sold in or currently registered in the states of connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new york, new jersey, new hampshire, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont…
Risk: Depending on the location of the fracture, a broken spring could move past the spring seat and contact a front tire. Some tires have deflated due to contact with a broken spring.
Service Brakes, HydraulicMar 1999 · NHTSA campaign 99V040000
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.
Risk: This condition causes the vehicle stopping distance to be increased, possibly resulting in a crash.
Engine and Engine CoolingJun 1998 · NHTSA campaign 98V127000
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles, also service parts supplied to Subaru dealers are involved (lot numbers f01 j21d2, f01 j30d2, f02 j09d1, f02 j09d2, and f02 j20d1). The purolator oil filter cans used on these vehicles can fracture causing a vaporized oil spray and subsequent oil leak.
Risk: This vaporized oil spray can result in oil vapor ignition by the hot exhaust system resulting in a possible underhood fire.
Power TrainFeb 1998 · NHTSA campaign 98V042000
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. Due to poor welds, ignition keys can stick, shift levers/linkages can break and shift levers can move.
Risk: This condition can cause unexpected movement of the vehicle increasing the risk of a crash or property damage.