Brake Master Cylinder problems of the 2012 Subaru Outback

Three problems related to brake master cylinder have been reported for the 2012 Subaru Outback. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2012 Subaru Outback based on all problems reported for the 2012 Outback.

1 Brake Master Cylinder problem

Failure Date: 05/26/2020

I was driving the car when the brake pedal travel distance suddenly changed on me, which required me to apply more pressure to stop the car. Very alarming at the time and if I were not an experienced driver may have caused an issue. The issue resolved itself briefly but has now remained in it current state, making it difficult to judge what brake pressure to apply -- a definite safety concern. Until I can get this issue fixed, I had to keep the car parked. I took the car in for an immediate diagnosis. Shop said the brake master cylinder appears to be failing. They also advised me that this was under a Subaru recall, however, when asking a nearby Subaru dealer, they said the recall didn't apply. I found that troubling since the recall affects 2012 Subaru models and is a very concerning safety issue if not resolved. (note: I uploaded the recall printout that outlines the issue).

2 Brake Master Cylinder problem

Failure Date: 11/24/2015

Tl-the contact owns a 2012 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 mph the break pedal went all the way down to the floor. The contact managed to brake by pumping on the pedal. The vehicle was driven home. The next day it was towed to the independent mechanic and the diagnosis was that the abs master cylinder was damaged and needed replacement. The vehicle is been repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000. Bp.

3 Brake Master Cylinder problem

Failure Date: 08/30/2013

Recall wvy-35 applies to some 2012 Subaru Outbacks. My 2012 Subaru Outback has this difficulty yet is not part of the recall. Since I purchased the car the brake pedal has been soft and mushy. I need to press the pedal very hard for a long distance almost to the floor of the car to stop the vehicle. The stopping distance as a result is often much longer than expected. This is the exact problem identified in the recall below. I have brought this into my Subaru dealer service center and I am told the brakes are operating normally, but they are not. Subaru corporate headquarters tells me that my 2012 Outback is not part of the recall. Recall wvy-35 seems not to apply to very may cars and for Outbacks is narrowly focused on dates of manufacture spanning only 36 days, when it clearly relates to a faulty master cylinder used in those cars and my car is affected but is not recalled. Why isn't this recall more broad and relate to all cars with these master cylinders. We're talking about brakes here. Do people have to die before bad brake systems are repaired? recall wvy-35 is cut and pasted below: Subaru is recalling certain model year 2012 impreza sedans and wagons (except wrx/sti models), manufactured from April 21, 2011, through November 15, 2011, and legacy and Outback vehicles manufactured from October 17, 2011, through November 23, 2011. These vehicles may be equipped with a brake master cylinder that could malfunction and cause an increase in the amount of brake pedal travel distance required to slow or stop the vehicle. Consequence: the driver might misjudge the amount of brake pedal travel required to achieve the desired stopping distance. This could occur unexpectedly and without prior warning, increasing the risk of a crash.


Other Service Brakes related problems of the 2012 Subaru Outback



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