Brake Master Cylinder problems of the 2011 Subaru Forester

Two problems related to brake master cylinder have been reported for the 2011 Subaru Forester. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2011 Subaru Forester based on all problems reported for the 2011 Forester.

1 Brake Master Cylinder problem

Failure Date: 09/15/2016

Soft brake pedal that continues down to floor after pressure applied ; especially when engine cold or when on an incline. First brought to Subaru of new bern, n. C. On August 8, 2016 where they replaced brake fluid. Problem continued; on sept. 13, 2016 the master cylinder replaced under extented warrantee. Problem still exists; service manager drove car and agreed with my complaint. He also drove a 2015 model and same thing happened. On sept. 27th, manager authorized replacement again of the master cylinder and vacuum booster pump. Parts ordered. Today is October 11th, and no parts received yet. Subaru of America, cherry hill, n. J. Has been notified 9-15-16, but no action taken yet.

2 Brake Master Cylinder problem

Failure Date: 09/29/2011

Took vehicle in for 30k maintenance. When I picked it up dealer had changed brake fluid (brakes had been functioning perfectly prior). When leaving dealer lot brake pedal went to floor and I went into oncoming traffic. Luckily oncoming vehicle dodged me. I pumped pedal and got brakes and went back into dealership. They bled brakes and said it was ready. When backing out of space brake pedal again went to floor but vehicle stopped. I called a service writer over and showed him pedal on floor. I left car and new master cylinder was ordered and installed next day. I went to pick up vehicle and again pedal went to floor and I had another service writer witness it. Took pic with cell phone. Service manager told me that it was normal for brake pedal to go to floor if engine was not running and was safe to drive. I told him engine was running and brake pedal should never go to floor if engine running or not. If booster bleeds down pedal may go somewhat lower than normal. Pedal had never went anywhere near floor before. I refused to drive car as I deemed it dangerous. If pedal was pumped it would come to normal position. He finally agreed to contact Subaru representative to look at it next week. If I had not had mechanical background and had listened to him and drove a car where the brake pedal would intermittently go to floor what could have been the results? at no time even after I mentioned it was the abs system checked for air to my knowledge. Normal bleeding at wheels will not remove air from master cylinder or abs system. Note: by "pedal going to floor" the pedal arm hits floor/carpet and pedal can go no lower. I am waiting for the Subaru representative to inspect car at this point. I emailed Subaru, but they did not seemed too concerned.


Other Service Brakes related problems of the 2011 Subaru Forester



Safety Ratings of Forester Cars
Fuel Economy of Forester Vehicles
Forester Service Bulletins
Forester Safety Recalls
Forester Defect Investigations