Brake Electric Antilock Problems of Subaru Impreza - part 2

While approaching a stop light that was turning yellow, road was slightly bumpy, consumer felt abs pulsating. As this happened, brake pedal went to floor and pulsating stopped, however vehicle did not slow down. This has happened about 4 times. Consumer was concerned because dealer could not duplicate problem.

See all problems of the 2002 Subaru Impreza 🔎.

When applying brakes while going over a bump at 25 mph or less consumer can tell abs system kicks in, but brake pedal goes to the floor, no braking ability for a few sconds. This happens intermittently. Dealer stated there was nothing he could do.

I have experienced multiple occurrences of abs problems. If a wheels hits a bump when the brakes are applied the brakes let go completely for 2-3 seconds. It's as if the system is sensing a loss of grip at whatever wheel has hit the bump and instead of releasing pressure on that wheel for a fraction of a second it releases pressure on all four brakes for 2-3 seconds. This can occur not only under hard braking but also when slowing down gradually from a low speed. This is at best discomforting and at worst dangerous. . Read more...

Brakes did not respond to full pressure applied to the brake pedal after getting in the exit lane of northbound interstate 75 and the I-675 south exchange. Brakes did not slow the car and the car proceeded to swerve off the road, resulting in a rollover of multiple revolutions. Exact number of turns is not known. It was noticed that the brakes had been grinding the day before. Also, the brake pedal had started to feel soft the day of the accident. Air bags, neither front nor side impact bags, did not deploy.

While in motion insured approached stop sign. Vehicle 2 stopped and proceeded as insured was already accelerating and was unable to stop, therefore hitting the rear of vehicle 2. May be a possible problem with the abs system.

While in motion insured approached stop sign. Vehicle 2 stopped and proceeded as insured was already accelerating and was unable to stop, therefore hitting the rear of vehicle 2. May be a possible problem with the abs system.

Vehicle stopping distance in snow increases by a factor of 10 when abs system is enabled (tested by removing abs fuse - disables abs).

The abs system does not adaquately brake over a bumpy road surface. I have almost crashed into other cars as a result of the abs system not allowing the car to brake anything like as fast as it should.

I was slowing to make a right turn, the brake pedal went almost to the floor and the car was not stopping. I pulled abs fuse shortly thereafter.

The braking system often fails when the brakes are applied while travelling over a rough or bumpy surface, regardless of speed (I have had it occur several times, from 5 to 35 mph). In these cases the abs is wrongfully triggered under mild braking, then the vast majority of braking power is lost and the car barely stops at all. This braking is completely different in feel and performance from the abs functioning properly ( I. E. Very hard braking on a smooth surface. The brakes work fine in these cases. ). This is a common problem that I am hearing about from other 2002 Impreza/wrx owners.

Failure was an extreme increase in stopping distance for no apparent reason on dry pavement. Brake pedal went nearly to floor , no pedal pulsing, but only about 30% of normal brake force available inspite of extreme pressure on pedal. Narrowly avoided head on with cars in oncoming lanes while attempting left turn. Lack of brake effort resulted in excessive speed for safe left turn.

The brakes that come standard on this vehicle are nowhere near sufficient for a vehicle with this level of performance. My brakes are scored, have grooves, and have chips and burrs. During my hour commute to work I experience brake fade and brake shudder in the steering wheel. The dealer tells me these problems are "normal. " well, if you're going to sell me a car that accellerates and handles like a race car, it should be able to stop like one as well. Or at least stop at all! this vehicle requires larger, more performance oriented brakes right from the factory. I hope Subaru handles this quickly.

Anti-lock braking system over reacts. Had to avoid accidents many times when cruising to stop and hitting either a dip,small or large pothole,slight imperfection in road service will cause abs to engage (brake petal dops and abs starts) especially on downhill breaking. I will include 1 incident date because that is all you will allow me to do on the form. Problem is repeatable and happens often (2-3 times a week) I know this is not just my car or a problem related to only my car it is already known, Subaru knows of problem. Yet does not offer a safe solution. I actually found this out the hard way 2 months after getting my new car the rs model. No injuries luckily. From what I hear from Subaru clubs this happens with other model years as well. Subaru of America has been very stubborn to correct this issue.

See all problems of the 2001 Subaru Impreza 🔎.

Abs brake problems; when stopping in a panic situation, stopping distance was greater than expected. When applying the brakes the vehicle slowed down, and the system kicked in. But it seemed like the driver was driving a very huge vehicle, with the weight pushing forward. The vehicle rear ended the back of another vehicle. The car has been totalled.

See all problems of the 1997 Subaru Impreza 🔎.

Anti lock brakes grinding with noise, intermittent brake loss.

See all problems of the 1996 Subaru Impreza 🔎.

With previous reports by consumers on NHTSA concerning this issue. Until Subaru addresses this design flaw, it is an awareness issue that owners must recognize and adjust their driving habits accordingly to compensate for. I have taken my vehicle into an empty parking lot on the weekend and tested the brake performance fully, and therefore the abs, both in a straight line and while turning very slightly. Abs performance is as expected in both wet and dry provided that the road surface was perfectly smooth. However, even minor bumps, ripples or irregularities in the pavement reduced the braking power by at least 50%, in my estimation, and the brake pedal itself depresses an additional 1-2 inches further than experienced under normal driving conditions. Again, this is consistent in both wet and dry conditions. My vehicle is entirely stock and has not been raced off road, rallied or autocrossed, all of which incur greater wear and tear on the vehicle. Also, I have not taken the vehicle in to a dealer because I believed it to be a design flaw, which has only been confirmed by similar reports I have read on the NHTSA website. In the northeast, where the roads are frequently in poor condition due to frost heaves and other effects of harsh weather, I have altered my driving habits on the local roads to avoid the streets that have pavement irregularities near or in the braking areas. Given Subaru's impressive focus on safety, hopefully they can and will resolve this issue before any fatalities result. Dt.

Abs system too sensitive. System engage over rough pavement then failed to allow the brakes to grip again resulting in a near collision with a tollbooth. Pedal will drop to floor with near 0 braking.

See all problems of the 2000 Subaru Impreza 🔎.

The brakes in my 02 wrx Impreza wagon become temporarily ineffective under normal braking conditions on a road with small bumps or ripples. For several seconds after the abs kicks in there is very little or no deceleration of the vehicle. This would be very dangerous if it occurred with a vehicle or pedestrian in front of me. I have not tried to replicate this issue at high speeds, but I have noticed it very consistently between 15-35 mph under moderate braking.

While driving on a bumpy road, abs engages and loses all braking power. Dealer contacted.

Driving along highway i94, when had to brake (medium braking) due to car slowing in front, went over a bump in the road during the braking the brakes seem to completly disappear with very little pedal pressure. The road was dry. I nearly ran into the back of the car in front. Tyhis can be duplicated with similar conditions such as smooth road with medium to heavy braking (not full braking) with a bump in the road it seems to send the abs out of control and loose all breaking for a 1sec or so.

Brakes: the pedal feel is too soft or the engagement is late, the pedal has to go almost all the way to the floor before the brakes engage engine/tranmission: car will hesitate going from first to second gear usually around the 1k to 2. 5k rpm. The car bucks, and bounces.

Abs is not working properly! there are at least 44 others with exact same problem I know of. Abs engages at low speeds over bumpy roads, and lose braking power. Alot of braking power gone. Some one will get hurt soon.

Consumer complained about an abs brake problem. Brakes activate when vehicle is riding over bumps. The abs is overly sensitive.

See all problems of the 2003 Subaru Impreza 🔎.