Service Brakes Problems of Subaru Outback - part 1

Subaru Outback owners have reported 342 problems related to service brakes (under the service brakes category). The most recently reported issues are listed below. Also please check out the statistics and reliability analysis of Subaru Outback based on all problems reported for the Outback.

1 Service Brakes problem of the 2008 Subaru Outback

Failure Date: 06/27/2026

When depressing brakes in driveway pedal went to the floor and brake fluid went all over driveway and car struggled to stop. Upon inspection the junction in picture was heavily corroded and when brake line failed. Supposedly this vehicle was repaired in a former recall that obviously was not a fix.

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2 Service Brakes problem of the 2025 Subaru Outback

Failure Date: 06/22/2026

On 6/22/2026 we were driving on the highway that had no objects in the road and one oncoming car about 200 to 300 yards away when our brakes locked up and a crash indicator popped up on the drivers screen. My wife and I were thrown violently forward into our seat belts it felt like we had been in a crash. I feel that if someone had been following us we would have been hit from behind. We immediately took the car to the dealer to be checked out. The next day they said they found nothing wrong with the car and gave it back. The car did have an update load earlier in the day.

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3 Service Brakes problem of the 2022 Subaru Outback

Failure Date: 06/15/2026

On June 15th 2026, I was at a red light and the auto start-stop feature shut off the engine. When light turned green, my car lost power and started rolling downhill. During this rolling downhill, the brakes stopped working, I was unable to engage parking brake, and I wasn't able to do anything except find a place to safely use gravity to slow the vehicle down. If the hill was steeper, this scenario could have been deadly. It was so scary, I called 911 for assistance but got lucky I was able to stop the car before there was an accident. It turns out the battery didn't have enough power to allow the vehicle to restart and if this happens when the auto start-stop feature is engage you lose the ability to use the brakes. I spoke to the local dealership and acknowledge that is a problem.

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4 Service Brakes problem of the 2017 Subaru Outback

Failure Date: 06/08/2026

On Monday [xxx] were driving on [xxx] going north up [xxx]. I was doing about 60-65 mph in traffic which was flowing in both directions. While ascending the pass, the car suddenly started to misfire, rapidly lost power, power steering failed and all dash lights lit up. With no shoulder to pull out this was a very scary experience. Eventually managed to limp to a spot where I could pull out off the pavement. Car was dead. Popping the hood showed significant battery corrosion. I had a toolkit with me. The voltmeter measured the battery voltage at 9. 3v. Thinking maybe cleaning the battery terminals would allow the car to be restarted, I managed to get the cables off and cleaned everything with a wire brush. But still no power. After a while a state trooper passed by and hung on while I contacted a towing service. After another 1. 5 hours, the tow truck arrived and towed the car the 60 miles or so to the dealership in denver with my wife and I in the cab of the tow truck. Dealer repair invoice indicated data control module (dcm) "causing excessive draw on electrical system. " more significantly, the battery had drained below the the operating threshold voltage required for vehicle drivability (understood to be 10-10. 5v). There was no mention of this by the dealer service adviser. Although dealer diagnostic was carried out, no computer codes were provided. Vehicle mileage at time of incident 73,456. I have owned the car since new and have all service records. Car was repaired and picked up from dealership on 06/10/26 with a replacement dcm. Battery was charged up but not replaced and left in corroded state. Battery will probably have been weakened by such a total discharge with reduced life expectancy. I have uploaded the dealer repair invoice. I have reported this incident to Subaru of America. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

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5 Service Brakes problem of the 2016 Subaru Outback

Failure Date: 05/25/2026

On 05/08/2026 the brakes failed while in a queue at a drive-up restaurant. The car was steered away to a flat part of the parking lot. After a restart the brakes returned to operation and the car was taken to the dealership where the brake line were flushed and the brake fluid replaced. On 05/25/2026 the brakes failed after backing out of an inclined parking space in a parking garage. The car came to a stop when it backed into a concrete wall. The car was towed to the dealer. The dealer inspected inspected the car and reported that the brakes were working as they should.

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6 Service Brakes problem of the 2025 Subaru Outback

Failure Date: 05/07/2026

The contact owns a 2025 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the wheels skidded and the steering wheel seized. In addition, the contact stated that the engine seized. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle started. The contact stated that the vehicles behind the contact's vehicle had to drive around the contact's vehicle. The vehicle was driven to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 16,000.

7 Service Brakes problem of the 2018 Subaru Outback

Failure Date: 05/07/2026

Report on accident [xxx] 4th district wheaton maryland [xxx] [xxx] I was driving west on [xxx] at approximately [xxx]. As I approached the intersection at [xxx] the trafic light cars were stopped . I was in the left hand lane because I was going to turn on to [xxx] . As approached the intersection I applied the brakes the pedal went close to the floor but the car did not slow down. I tried pumping the brake pedal with no effect. No collosion avoidance alert to try and slow the vehicle ran the wheel against the curb of the median which slowed the car down a little . I pressed the parking brake button with no effect. The collision avoidance system did not engage. I clipped the rear of the Toyota corolla as I jumped the curb to avoid cars using the friction against the curb and move further left when oncoming cars were clear and was able to stop the car. (the car may have stopped because the front control arm bent which made the car drag. ) I am unsure whether the master cylinder failure or abs overrode braking, but the car would not stop. I do not know if the black box captured the data as the there was no airbag deployment. The collision avoidance system did not engage to slow the car any time. I did not see any lights light on the dashboard did not check specifically as I was busy avoiding a collision other cars . Basically, pedal went down not all the way to the floor but car was not slowing down. I checked the master cylinder reservoir, and it still had fluid. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

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8 Service Brakes problem of the 2018 Subaru Outback

Failure Date: 04/15/2026

Driving slowly in a parking lot, I applied the brakes as I approached a parking space. Instead of slowing down, the car inexplicably accelerated quickly and did not respond to increased pressure on the brakes. The car was propelled into a metal post, resulting in my glasses flying off and a seat belt bruise, although the airbag did not deploy. I was examined by ambulance personnel at the scene. The car was towed, inspected by an insurance adjuster and eventually declared a total loss. There were no warning lamps prior to the incident and no reproduction of the incident was possible due to damage. The car has been relinquished to the insurance company. This was the first such incident occurring during 8 years of driving this vehicle.

9 Service Brakes problem of the 2010 Subaru Outback

Failure Date: 03/09/2026

This car is a very well-maintained, low-use vehicle with regular oil changes and routine maintenance performed on schedule. Early in this drive, I noticed an unusual hissing sound as I approached a stop. When I tried to brake, I realized my brakes didn't seem to be responding. I pressed the brake pedal harder and realized that with 50-100 pounds of pressure (guess), I could slow the car down. As I came to a stop, the engine died. I restarted the car, and it died again immediately. After the following restart, I realized I could manually keep the rpm up in neutral while at stops, and press with significant force to get the car to stop. Had I not been comfortable two foot driving or understood the issue, this surely would have resulted in a crash of some sort. The car indicated a check engine light, loss of traction control, a flashing brake light, and a flashing cruise control light. I took the car immediately to a local shop where they identified the problem as a vacuum leak at the brake booster. The plastic piece that the hose clamps onto had cracked off, leading to this problem. This make and model does not seem to have a check valve downstream of this component.

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10 Service Brakes problem of the 2019 Subaru Outback

Failure Date: 02/13/2026

Today 13 Feb 2026, around 3pm I was following traffic it was slow (5 miles an hour) and the traffic light turned red so I pushed on my brake to stop the car and it surged forward I pushed down on the brake again and the my vehicle stopped. Lucy I was travel a couple car lengths behind the vehicle in front of me or we would have ran into his back bumper. This is the second time this year this happen the other time was a couple of weeks back and I thought I did something wrong but my wife was in the car this time with me and she thought I did something I told her I pushed on the brake and the car surged forward. I told her I wasn't going nuts as this was the second time this year the car did this. I live in central florida and the weather was over 70 degrees, we were shopping and were heading home I estimate we were in the car traveling 4/5 minutes when this happened.

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11 Service Brakes problem of the 2015 Subaru Outback

Failure Date: 01/25/2026

January 25th, 2026 13:30 I was coming to a stop at an intersection with my foot on the brake pedal when suddenly my vehicle lurched forward potentially causing rear end collision with the truck in front of me that was stopped at the red light. My vehicle finally came to a stop when I pressed hard on the brake pedal. This problem happened today, so I have not reproduced it. I have not had it checked by a dealer (today is Sunday) I have a low tire pressure light that came on two days ago when the temperatures suddenly dropped here in tulsa, ok.

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12 Service Brakes problem of the 2025 Subaru Outback

Failure Date: 01/01/2026

This concerns my 2025 Subaru Outback touring xt- with a turbo charges engine and standardd cvt transmission. When I get to street speed and brake to slow down, as the car slows and the tach decreases to 1000 rpm +/- a bit, the car shows an obvious power surge that can be felt through the accelerator and brake pedal and can be clearly seen on the tach as a jump to about 1100 rpm + . I had the first oil change done at 2500 miles or so at the dealership and asked them to see what it was. The electronic system diagnostic monitor they plugged the car into showed no issues. But, the technician doing the work could feel the same thing. The dealership had just received a new car with same features as mine, so they got in it, and the same thing happened. I was simply told that was the way the care was. I really doubt it. I will be having another oil change soon, perhaps this Saturday, and will ask them to put it on the diagnostic monitor again and see, but this can be a little unnerving. This is a continual and ongoing issue. There is no one specific date as requested below. So, I am just showing 1-1-26 to fill the blank. Thank you [xxx] [xxx] [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

13 Service Brakes problem of the 2022 Subaru Outback

Failure Date: 11/15/2025

I am writing to report what I believe is a significant ergonomic issue with my vehicle. Every time I drive the car—even for short trips—I experience pain on the right side and toward the back of my knee. I have owned the vehicle for several weeks and have made numerous adjustments to the seat position in an effort to resolve the issue, but the pain has persisted. After researching reviews and feedback from other owners of the same model, I believe the problem may be related to the design and placement of the center console and pedal alignment. Specifically, the center console appears to be quite large and positioned very close to the gas pedal, and/or the brake pedal seems to be shifted further to the left than expected. This positioning appears to cause my right knee to overextend when braking. Because I live in a city environment and frequently encounter stop-and-go traffic, this issue is constant and has become unmanageable. Although I truly enjoy every other aspect of this vehicle, the ongoing pain makes it impossible for me to continue driving it comfortably or safely. As a result, I will be trading in the vehicle for a different model, despite my overall satisfaction with its other features. I wanted to formally document this concern in case it is helpful for future design considerations or evaluations, particularly if other drivers are experiencing similar discomfort. Thank you for your time and attention to this matter.

14 Service Brakes problem of the 2024 Subaru Outback

Failure Date: 11/03/2025

Continued issue with phantom reverse automatic emergency braking occurring while backing up from my driveway causing the car to fully brake without me touching the brake pedal at all once the vehicle is into the street. The only time it doesn’t occur is when continuous brake pressure is applied while backing out. This has caused the car to come to complete harsh jerking stop, whipping my head and neck forward and back several times. Each time, there are no people, cars, or anything around that could be seen as a potential hazard.

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15 Service Brakes problem of the 2015 Subaru Outback

Failure Date: 11/03/2025

The contact owns a 2015 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while the vehicle was at the dealer for an oil change and snow tire replacement, the contact was informed that the sub frame and the brake lines were severely corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to a second dealer, 802 Toyota (30 berlin mall rd, berlin, vt 05602) for a trade-in, and it was confirmed that the sub frame was corroded during the appraisal inspection. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the failure was caused by salt damage; however, the contact stated that the vehicle was used for leisure rather than commute since the contact was retired. The failure mileage was 86,801.

16 Service Brakes problem of the 2009 Subaru Outback

Failure Date: 10/04/2025

The contact owns a 2009 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to slow the vehicle, the brake pedal was extremely soft. The contact stated that the vehicle required an extended distance to slow down or come to a complete stop, prompting the contact to discontinue driving the vehicle. The brake warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the braking system due to brake fluid leaks. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 14v311000 (service brakes, hydraulic), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 188,000.

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17 Service Brakes problem of the 2012 Subaru Outback

Failure Date: 09/20/2025

The brake pedal suddenly went almost to the floor while attempting to stop. Researching I found there was a recall. Nhtsa recall no. 11v-562. My car was not apparently among the ones being recalled, yet this problem is exactly as described in the bulletin. The component in question is the master brake cylinder. It is available for inspection. It happened on sat sept 20 2025 returning from a trip approximately. 300 miles away. The symptom persists. There were no warning indicators.

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18 Service Brakes problem of the 2015 Subaru Outback

Failure Date: 09/15/2025

I was within the town limits so I was driving slowly. When I approached the first stop light in town I saw that it was red. There were of three or four vehicles stopped at that light. At that point I was probably only going 5mph. I took my foot off of the gas pedal and put my foot on the brake to make a slow stop. Instead, the car accelerated rather quickly. I continued to brake but the car seemed to speed up. I was able to avoid hitting the truck in front of me by going around it. No vehicles were coming towards me but there were some stopped at the other side of the light. I drove up on the sidewalk to avoid hitting anyone. At that point the front passenger side of the car hit & snapped a pole. The car did not stop immediately upon impact. It stopped acclerating and came to a stop about 10 feet past the pole. I am not sure how fast the car was moving when it hit the pole but I was only going about 5 mph when I put my foot on the break. I would estimate the distance my car traveled from the moment I put my foot on the break until the car stopped was approximately 100-120 feet. It felt like the car went into the cruise resume mode and was trying to accelerate to a predetermined speed. I had not been using the cruise control that day but that is exactly what it felt like. There was one other time this year that the car lunged forward without using the gas pedal. It stopped quickly for me and I just assumed that I had hit the cruise resume button, although I also hadn't been using the cruise that day. The insurance company took the car to an impound lot two hours away. I am sure there has been no inspection and my insurance has not informed me of the status of having my car totaled or repaired. Because of the age of the car, and damage, they think it will be totaled. Yes, my safety and the safety of anyone near me was at risk. The car malfunctioned and the fact no one was hurt was miraculous. There were no warning messages before this accident.

19 Service Brakes problem of the 2020 Subaru Outback

Failure Date: 09/10/2025

I was driving to a medical appointment in ann arbor mi, and was in the area where [xxx] has a few big turns in the road . . . . Like at . . . [xxx] . All of he sudden the car started to accelerate a little on the turn so I attempted to brake the vehicle and I could not feel the brake pedal. I slowly moved into the right lane and frantically trying to slow the car down. I still could not feel the brake pedal and I believe when I hit the speed control off is when it slowed down and I was able to finally brake the car. It all happened in a matter of 10-20 seconds I would guess and it was absolutely terrifying. I have on occasion used the speed control to slow down the vehicle and wonder if that might have some connection. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

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20 Service Brakes problem of the 2019 Subaru Outback

Failure Date: 08/26/2025

I was driving my 2019 Subaru Outback north on [xxx] just north of alanson, michigan on [xxx] when it applied the brakes and made a noise similar to driving on the rumble strip. There were no vehicles in front of me. Scary and now I am nervous driving this car. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

21 Service Brakes problem of the 2012 Subaru Outback

Failure Date: 08/20/2025

I took my Outback to my local highly respectable mechanic on August 20, 2025 as I needed the oil changed and the concern I had about having to add brake fluid twice in the past 4 months. He inspected my car immediately and he refused to let me drive it out of his shop as there is a dangerous brake line leaking issue that could result in brake failure. He told me that my Outback is not the first that he had to repair this “Subaru manufacturing defect”. I had to get it repaired. I checked to see if there was a NHTSA recall on my Outback year and there was none, only prior years. Yet when I went online searching more, I found an article that stated that Subaru was going to recall the 2012 Subaru as well? the repair shop owner said to us that my wife is a "gentle driver" and that was good, because, if she had to apply the brakes very hard to avoid a collision, they probably would have failed. Please understand that I read the recall for previous years of Outbacks and other Subaru models, and my Subaru Outback had the exact same defect. I did contact Subaru of America and they responded that my Outback does not have a recall, only prior years. Unbelievable!!! the exact same make and model with the exact same defect and they just blow me off! I was lucky that we did not reach the point of a serious accident. I hope that NHTSA will evaluate my, and I am sure other safety issues with Subaru brakes, and take some action to give other owners the opportunity to make this very serious safety matter right, and avoid an accident. In a related question, can NHTSA somehow require auto manufacturers to inspect their vehicles that are still on the road after say 12 years to helpfully provide some safety assurance to the drivers of their vehicles?.

22 Service Brakes problem of the 2013 Subaru Outback

Failure Date: 08/15/2025

I purchased a car from middletown Nissan on may 24, 2025. The car was assured to have all these different safety checks so far it had to have the power steering pump replaced twice the power steering lines replaced all new control arms a new bearing brand new back brakes which include rotors and pads, and four new tires when the tires were put on they found that the car had significant damage in the subframe from rotting there are holes in it. The car was at the dealership several times for different problems and they never disclose this problem. They basically told me it was my fault when I’ve had the car for two months that the frame is completely rotted. The car is clunking and not driving mechanically the way it should.

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23 Service Brakes problem of the 2010 Subaru Outback

Failure Date: 08/09/2025

On Saturday, August 9, 2025, my brakes failed at highway speed. My vehicle's stopping distance was severely increased, forcing me to perform an emergency swerve into the leftmost lane to avoid rear-ending a truck. The maneuver was extremely hazardous, as it occurred in a construction zone with concrete barriers and no shoulder, leaving no safe escape path and endangering myself and others. I confirmed the cause was a catastrophic failure of the four-way brake line union block due to severe corrosion. There were no warning lamps or symptoms prior to the incident; the failure was sudden and total. I found that this defect is difficult to spot during inspections because the part is hidden by a plastic panel. The failed union block and corroded lines were removed and are available for inspection upon request. My research shows this is a widespread issue and the exact failure mode covered by Subaru recall wqk-47r for 2005-2009 models. This known safety defect persists in the 2010-2014 generation, which is not covered by the recall. Prohibitive dealer repair costs are forcing unsafe workarounds. This defect presents an unreasonable risk to public safety, and I urge the NHTSA to investigate.

24 Service Brakes problem of the 2011 Subaru Outback

Failure Date: 08/03/2025

Just lost brakes. Was parked at an atm. In park, foot on brake as I was shifting into drive, brake pedal goes to floor and brake fluid leaks out. . . I see there was a recall for brake lines in michigan. I've owned this car since 2020. All brake pads are new as of 4/2025. This just occurred today on Sunday so I have not got the estimate yet.

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25 Service Brakes problem of the 2025 Subaru Outback

Failure Date: 08/01/2025

Since October 2023, my 2019 Toyota prius has developed severe and unpredictable driving behavior after a regular brake service, which may have triggered or coincided with a software or ecu update. The car, which had been driving smoothly since I bought it in 2021, suddenly began showing false braking, steering interference, and lane instability — as if the car were trying to “correct” problems that didn’t exist. These interventions often happen on highways or during turns, creating serious safety risks for both driver and passengers. I’ve spent months and thousands of dollars replacing parts, performing alignments, and recalibrating sensors, including at Toyota dealerships. The problem persists because it is software-based, not mechanical. I discovered that in mid–2023, the NHTSA announced upcoming rules requiring automatic emergency braking (aeb) with pedestrian detection by 2029. Around that same time, reports from multiple drivers (Toyota, Honda, Hyundai, Ford, Subaru) began to appear describing the exact same issues. It seems manufacturers began silently updating vehicles to meet anticipated compliance standards. However, this introduced overly sensitive and malfunctioning driver-assist systems. The most alarming part is that the driver cannot fully disable these features — the “off” button only reduces their intervention. This means when the system malfunctions, the driver is forced to operate an unsafe vehicle. As a professional rideshare driver, this problem destroyed my ability to work. Passengers reported me for unsafe driving because of the car’s erratic behavior. I eventually lost my vehicle and income. I believe this is a systemic safety defect linked to premature or unregulated implementation of aeb software. Drivers deserve the right to fully disable malfunctioning systems that endanger lives. This is not just a car issue — it’s a public safety crisis that must be urgently investigated.

26 Service Brakes problem of the 2005 Subaru Outback

Failure Date: 07/29/2025

See attached document for complaint.

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27 Service Brakes problem of the 2025 Subaru Outback

Failure Date: 07/24/2025

Several incidents: 1) I was on a 3 lane road and gained some speed to get around a car, when I got into the other lane the car collision warning came on and slowed the car down significantly b/c it detected a car that was at least 300 feet in front of me. That is too far for a car accident. I was told by the dealership that the alogorithum between speed and object detection is what made the car react that way. Essentially it calculated that at the speed I was at I would have overtaken the car in front of me despite the fact that it was hundreds of feet away. This is dangerous and in no way would I have kept that speed and overran that car, besides I was getting back in the other lane to get on the interstate ramp in less than 100 feet. 2) I have small kids, in the morning I unlock the car and load them up into the car while I go back and forth to the house to get the rest of my things. I then started the car heading to my destination. While on the interstate my car kept trying to drag me back into a lane despite me wanting to change lanes. Turns out while I was loading my kids in the car they were searching for their "kids bop" radio station and hit all sorts of buttons, changing my button selection. I did not know how to change it back without reading the book. I had to pull over to the side of the interstate to google how to change the features. I was late to work and completely stressed out. The buttons shouldn't be that easy to change. And frankly shouldn't exist, they are dangerous. 3) today I pull into my parking space at work and the bush in front of me is overgrown, the collision detection system detects the leggy limbs of the bush and slams on breaks flashing the collision notice. My head jerked forward and all of my belongings in the front seat of the car fly forward. This car has a mind of its own. I'm not driving the car, its driving me. These features are dangerous and I want them removed. This car is going to kill me!!!!!!!!!!!.

28 Service Brakes problem of the 2008 Subaru Outback

Failure Date: 07/14/2025

Lost use of my brakes. Could have been killed. Recall wqk-47 was improperly addressed by using rust inhibitor as band-aid. My opinion and that of a 25+ year ase certified mechanic. I originally wanted the lines replaced and Subaru refused, cheaped out and used the inhibitor. It obviously was an ineffective solution since the whole reason for the recall is now an issue with my car. The lines should have been replaced and really sealed, not cheaply coated with an aerosol spray. The car might be older but is far from rusted out. The other brake lines are just fine. I was expecting something from Subaru, cover the parts or labor at least but nothing. . Their fix was only "preventative" not actually fixing the problem.

29 Service Brakes problem of the 2022 Subaru Outback

Failure Date: 07/12/2025

Brake rotor and pad issues at 10k, 20k, 30k, and 44k. Severe damage to the brake rotor with bad gauging present. Oem parts replaced with aftermarket duragold rotors and pads. Subaru dealership did not properly resolve issues.

30 Service Brakes problem of the 2010 Subaru Outback

Failure Date: 06/02/2025

Brake pedal went to the floor while applying the brake. Pulled car back up driveway and parked and noted almost zero ability to brake the car, pedal goes to floor when applying pressure to the pedal, almost zero ability to come to stop. Checked fluid - was still in reservoir but not at max. Level (b/n max and min. ). Checked under hood at and no signs of any leaks in engine compartment or on any lines in engine compartment (all good). Looked under car and no signs of leaking. Opened reservoir to top off to max. And by time I went into garage and came back with brake fluid the reservoir was empty, reexamined and found brake fluid leaking from a plastic cover on passenger side rear of car. Placed cover to soak up all fluid dripping/ streaming down to the ground. Called my local mechanic, and he indicated car may need to be towed to be serviced. In looking online, I have found many accounts of this issue with 2010 Subaru Outback owners in northern areas where corrosion at the 4-way connector of the brakes lines causes immediate loss of braking and loss of all fluid. Not sure of cost, but I am thinking once it is examined the 4-way connector and all 4 brake lines may need to be replaced. This appears to be a widely known issue and for some reason this was never included or changed from 2005-2009 Subaru recalls to change for 2010 models, so I would like to know why this and the cost for repairs are not covered by Subaru as a recall. This could have caused a major accident and severe injury or death if traveling at speed on highway or in area needing hard braking to come to immediate stop. This is now the third major issue I have had in less than 12-months and 2nd from corrosion on my 2010 Subaru. Last summer my front frame had corrosion damage and required replacement. This brake issue with corrosion at the lines to the 4-way connector had recalls in earlier models, but why not in 2010 Subaru Outbacks? very unsafe and no warning light prior to brake loss !.

31 Service Brakes problem of the 2006 Subaru Outback

Failure Date: 05/29/2025

I was driving home when my brake pedal went all the way to the floor. Next, I realized I could not stop the vehicle. I was able to pull over and stop. A puddle was pooling under my vehicle by the rear passenger tire. I received no lights or illumination or warning.

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32 Service Brakes problem of the 2020 Subaru Outback

Failure Date: 05/25/2025

While in a dairy queen drive-up lane, I stepped on the brake pedal and it went right to the floor. The car did not stop, causing me to hit the car in front of me. When backing away from the car in front, the brakes again failed and I hit the car in back. I moved forward again , swiping the car in front again. The cars were merely feet apart and my car was thankfully moving very slowly. Had I been traveling at a higher rate of speed there could have been serious injuries. Car was taken to an auto repair shop where the mechanic experienced the same problem with the brake pedal. He says the pedal went to the floor and the car wouldn’t stop. Car is currently at a collision shop where they report that inspection of the brakes is normal. They also report that the brakes worked when they pulled the car into the shop. The car has not yet been moved to the Subaru dealer service department for inspection of the brake pedal. There were no symptoms, warning lights or messages before the incident and there were none found by the shop after. My car was built in the same time frame as those involved with recall #19v664000 which involves the brake pedal mechanism although my VIN was not included. The car is available for inspection. I initially received a ticket but it was dismissed after the repair shop owner reported the same failure.

33 Service Brakes problem of the 2015 Subaru Outback

Failure Date: 05/21/2025

When braking the car shuts down!!!.

34 Service Brakes problem of the 2009 Subaru Outback

Failure Date: 04/17/2025

The contact owned a 2009 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving 65 mph, the brake pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard, and the vehicle failed to respond. The contact swerved to avoid a crash and moved over to the median. The contact stated that the vehicle spun around, and the contact used the parking brake to stop the vehicle. The contact was unaware of a warning light being illuminated. The contact stated that on another occasion the air bag warning light intermittently illuminated weeks before a crash. The driver’s and passenger’s side air bags failed to deploy. A police report was not filed. There were no injuries sustained. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The insurance company was not contacted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact stated that there was a gasoline odor coming from the engine weeks prior to the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.

35 Service Brakes problem of the 2006 Subaru Outback

Failure Date: 02/22/2025

My brake warning light came on as I was driving down a steep decline on a narrow road. When I found a safe place to pull over I found I had very little brakes. It was found that once a plastic shield was removed from the rear of the car that the plastic shield was full of mud and water and had corroded the brake lines causing the brake fluid to drain out of the system. It appears there was a recall for this but only in salt belt states. I have only owned the car for a year and it does not show any outstanding recalls.



Outback Service Bulletins
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