NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints
25 reportsClear category filter174,278 miles · Apr 27, 2011
Air BagsService Brakes, HydraulicCrash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL FROZE AND WAS RESISTANT TO ENGAGEMENT. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT PLACE OF RESIDENCE AND WAS NOT I…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL FROZE AND WAS RESISTANT TO ENGAGEMENT. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT PLACE OF RESIDENCE AND WAS NOT INSPECTED FOR THE FAILURE OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 174,278.
NHTSA ODI #10398037
113,419 miles · Jan 15, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
VEHICLE IS A 1995 SUBARU LEGACY L WAGON WITH AUTO. TRANS. GAS PEDAL AND BRAKE PEDAL ARE TOO CLOSE TOGETHER, AND AT THE SAME HEIGHT. ONE'S FOOT CAN INADVERTENTLY APPLY BOTH PEDALS AT ONCE, CAUSING ACCELERATION AND BRAKING SIMULTANEOUSLY. ALSO, CLEARANCE BETWEEN PEDALS AND LOWER DASH PANEL JUST ABOVE, IS MINIMAL. THIS CAN CAUSE F…
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VEHICLE IS A 1995 SUBARU LEGACY L WAGON WITH AUTO. TRANS. GAS PEDAL AND BRAKE PEDAL ARE TOO CLOSE TOGETHER, AND AT THE SAME HEIGHT. ONE'S FOOT CAN INADVERTENTLY APPLY BOTH PEDALS AT ONCE, CAUSING ACCELERATION AND BRAKING SIMULTANEOUSLY. ALSO, CLEARANCE BETWEEN PEDALS AND LOWER DASH PANEL JUST ABOVE, IS MINIMAL. THIS CAN CAUSE FOOT (ESPECIALLY IN A WINTER BOOT) TO JAM IN THE LIMITED SPACE, RESULTING IN DIFFICULTY LIFTING FOOT FROM A PEDAL. IN AN OTHERWISE PRAISEWORTHY CAR, THESE FLAWS ARE AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10376756
Mileage unknown · Feb 24, 2009
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
CAR SHAKES AND STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. GIVES SENSATION OF INABILITY TO BRAKE. FEELING OF INSECURITY. HAVE TAKEN TO DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND THE FOLLOWING HAVE BEEN DONE: RESURFACED FRONT AND BACK ROTORS AT 17,002 MILES. REPLACED FRONT AND REAR PADS AND FRONT ROTORS AND RESURFACED REAR ROTORS AT …
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CAR SHAKES AND STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. GIVES SENSATION OF INABILITY TO BRAKE. FEELING OF INSECURITY. HAVE TAKEN TO DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND THE FOLLOWING HAVE BEEN DONE: RESURFACED FRONT AND BACK ROTORS AT 17,002 MILES. REPLACED FRONT AND REAR PADS AND FRONT ROTORS AND RESURFACED REAR ROTORS AT 29,154 REPLACED REAR ROTORS AND RESURFACED FRONT ROTORS AT 42,325. NOW AT ABOUT 53,000, FRONT ROTORS NEED REPLACING AGAIN! A QUICK INTERNET SEARCH FOUND ONE REPORTED FAILURE OF ABS IN 2005 LEGACY THAT POTENTIALLY COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. I AM CONCERNED AND WORRIED THAT THIS CAR COULD PROVE UNSAFE FOR MY FAMILY IF OUR BRAKES FAIL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10259793
150,000 miles · Dec 30, 2004
Service Brakes, HydraulicFire
WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED/TAPPED THEY SUDDENLY TIGHTEN AND GET HOT AS TIME PROGRESSES. THIS MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO CONTINUE OPERATING THE VEHICLE. THIS FAILURE RESULTED IN A FIRE DUE TO MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER FAILURE. BRAKE PADS AND CALIPERS WERE REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10105556
Mileage unknown · Aug 14, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
FRONT RIGHT WHEEL ABS MODULE FAILED WHILE PULLING INTO DRIVEWAY. DEALER CONTACTED. *AKTHE BRAKE LIGHT IS ON BECAUSE THE ABS MODULE LEAKS. THE ABS MODULE WAS REPLACED. *JG
NHTSA ODI #8016346
Mileage unknown · Mar 26, 2001
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash
NEWLY-ACQUIRED ABS/AWD MODEL OF OTHERWISE SIMILAR SUBARU WAGON THAT HAD TAKEN SAME DESCRIBED TURN HUNDREDS OF TIMES: DESCENDING WET GRAVEL ROAD IN 2ND GEAR, WHILE BRAKING SIMULTANEOUSLY AND APPROACHING A TIGHT TURN, THE CAR ACTUALLY BEGAN TO SPEED UP -- SO, INSTEAD OF SLOWING TO POINT WHERE BRAKES ALONE WOULD TAKE ME AROUND TUR…
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NEWLY-ACQUIRED ABS/AWD MODEL OF OTHERWISE SIMILAR SUBARU WAGON THAT HAD TAKEN SAME DESCRIBED TURN HUNDREDS OF TIMES: DESCENDING WET GRAVEL ROAD IN 2ND GEAR, WHILE BRAKING SIMULTANEOUSLY AND APPROACHING A TIGHT TURN, THE CAR ACTUALLY BEGAN TO SPEED UP -- SO, INSTEAD OF SLOWING TO POINT WHERE BRAKES ALONE WOULD TAKE ME AROUND TURN AS USUAL, I PUSHED IN CLUTCH TO DOWNSHIFT TO 1ST - WHICH POINT I NEVER REACHED, SINCE THE WAGON SWUNG AROUND TO OUTSIDE OF ROAD, AND SLID DOWN A STEEP 30' EMBANKMENT, ROLLING OVER. ALTHOUGH NEITHER I NOR PASSENGER [DOG!] WERE HURT, THERE WAS EXTENSIVE GLASS AND BODY DAMAGE. PHONE CALL FROM NEARBY NEIGHBORS TO TOW COMPANY HAD THE WAGON BACK UP ON THE ROAD WITHIN CA. 90 MINUTES, ON SECOND TRY [FIRST TRY POPPED BOTH TOW HOOKS ON REAR, CAUSING ANOTHER 10-15' NOSEFIRST DIVE THAT DENTED FRONT FENDER ON SOFT SOIL]. I CALLED TOW TRUCK OPERATOR'S ATTENTION TO APPARENT LACK OF SKID/BRAKING MARKS, BUT THE WHOLE ROAD HAD BEEN GRADED BY THE TIME I RETURNED WITH MY CAMERA THE NEXT DAY. AFTER REINFLATING TIRE, I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT 1.5 MI. BACK UP MOUNTAIN ROAD TO HOUSE, BUT ABS LIGHT AND WARNING FLASHERS REMAINED ON UNTIL I DISCONNECTED BATTERY. GLASS REPLACEMENT [WINDSHIELD, HATCH, REAR QUARTER] ALONE OVER $1000, PLUS WHATEVER BODY WORK [REAR QUARTER CLIP, ROOF, HOOD, FENDERS] AND PAINT NEEDED. BUT MAINLY, I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS WAGON DOWNHILL AGAIN, AS AWD/ABS WERE THE TOUTED SAFETY REASONS FOR BUYING IT: SUBARU'S RECENT BYLINE IS "BECAUSE SAFETY IS NOT AN OPTION".*AK
NHTSA ODI #743084
Mileage unknown · Jun 29, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHEN BRAKING UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS SEVERE VIBRATION OCCURS IN FRONT END DUE TO EXCESSIVE WARPING OF ALL FOUR BRAKE ROTORS. *AK *ML
NHTSA ODI #864513
Mileage unknown · Jan 27, 2000
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CONTINUALLY EXPERIENCING FAILURES OF VARIOUS COMPONENTS (STARTER,(2)BATTERY,ALTERNATOR,(2)RADIO,KNOCK SENSOR,CRANKSHAFT SENSOR AND FUEL SENDING UNITS ON 2 OCCASIONS). POSSIBLE SHORT WITHIN THE SYSTEM CAUSING CONTINUAL FAILURES. YH
NHTSA ODI #550623
Mileage unknown · Nov 15, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
ABS BRAKING SYSTEM NEEDLESSLY ENGAGES AT MODERATE SPEED AND LIGHT BRAKING, DRASTICALLY INCREASING STOPPING DISTANCE, ON WASHBOARD SURFACED ROADS (DIRT OR GRAVEL OR SNOW). LOOSE MATERIAL MAY OR MAY NOT BE PRESENT. THIS HAS CAUSED MANY NEAR ACCIDENTS. A DIFFERENT NON-ABS EQUIPPED VEHICLE STOPS IN A MUCH SHORTER DISTANCE IN IDENTIC…
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ABS BRAKING SYSTEM NEEDLESSLY ENGAGES AT MODERATE SPEED AND LIGHT BRAKING, DRASTICALLY INCREASING STOPPING DISTANCE, ON WASHBOARD SURFACED ROADS (DIRT OR GRAVEL OR SNOW). LOOSE MATERIAL MAY OR MAY NOT BE PRESENT. THIS HAS CAUSED MANY NEAR ACCIDENTS. A DIFFERENT NON-ABS EQUIPPED VEHICLE STOPS IN A MUCH SHORTER DISTANCE IN IDENTICAL CONDITIONS, WITH BRAKING MODERATE ENOUGH TO AVOID LOCK-UPS OR LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. *AK
NHTSA ODI #714826
Mileage unknown · Sep 25, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
BRAKE ROTORS WARPED TWICE, AT 20000 AND 36000 MILES. DEALER RESURFACED ROTORS AT 20855 MILES, ROTORS HAVE WARPED AGAIN WITHIN 17000 MILES, NO UNUSUAL DRIVER BRAKE APPLICATIONS HAVE HEATED ROTORS, VEHICLE SHUDDERS HEAVILY WHEN COMING TO A STOP. SUSPECT DEFECTIVE/INFERIOR ROTOR METALS.
NHTSA ODI #712096
Official recalls
2Jun 25, 2001
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, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, AND WISCONSIN, AND IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS WERE PRODUCED WITH POOR PAINT QUALITY WHICH, AFTER CONTINUED EXPOSURE TO CORROSIVE SALT, CAN RESULT IN BREAKAGE OF THE SPRING.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL NOTIFIY CUSTOMERS TO BRING THEIR VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE A SPRING GUARD INSTALLED ON BOTH FRONT STRUTS TO PREVENT TIRE PUNCTURE AND REPLACE ANY BROKEN SPRINGS FREE OF CHARGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 18, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.
Dec 11, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CAN OCCUR AFTER UNDERCARRIAGE CONTACT OF THE TOW HOOKS WITH CURBS, DIPS, SPEEDBUMPS, POTHOLES, ETC.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: UNEXPECTED AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT COULD RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE FRONT TOW HOOKS.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
3PE99067 · Electrical System
Opened Nov 1, 1999 · Closed May 31, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
ODI HAS RECEIVED 5,820 COMPLAINTS CONCERNING A VARIETY OF ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURES THAT RESULT IN THE VEHICLE STALLING.OUR COMPLAINT ANALYSIS INDICATES THAT THE MAJORITY OF THESE COMPAINTS ARE CAUSED BY ALTERNATOR FAILURE.IN SOME INSTANCES, THE VEHICLE IS COMPLETELY DEAD AND WILL NOT RESTART.BASED ON OUR INVESTIGATION AND THE MANUFACTURER'S RESPOMSE, ODI IS CLOSING THIS INVESTIGATION BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURER HAS AGREED TO PERFORM THE OWNER NORTIFICATION PROGRAM CITED ABOVE, INCLUDING QUARTERLY NOTIFICATIONS TO ODI.THIS PROGRAM ALLOWS OWNERS TO GET THEIR ALTERNATOR REPLACED FOR FREE.FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THIS MATTER CLOSELY, AND THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION ON THESE MODELS IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
EA97010 · Oversensitive Air Bag Deployment
Opened Apr 30, 1997 · Closed Dec 23, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags
IN ITS LETTER DATED DECEMBER 21, 1998, SUBARU STATED THAT THE VEHICLES IDENTIFIED ABOVE WILL BE RECALLED.SUBARU DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE FRONT TOWING/TIE-DOWN HOOKS.REFER TO NHTSA RECALL NO. 98V-315 FOR DETAILS.
PE96075 · Oversensitive Air Bag Deployment
Opened Dec 18, 1996 · Closed Apr 30, 1997
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags
ODI HAS REVIEWED 33 COMPLAINTS OF OVERSENSITIVE' AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT (I.E., ANY NON-CRASH DEPLOYMENT) RECEIVED BY ODI AND SUBARU INVOLVING MODEL YEAR 1995 SUBARU IMPREZA & LEGACY VEHICLES AND ALL OTHER IMPREZA & LEGACY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIR BAG SYSTEMS IDENTICAL OR SIMILAR TO THOSE IN THE 1995 IMPREZA & LEGACY; THEY ARE LATE 1994-1996 IMPREZA AND ALL1995 & 1996 LEGACY (33 COMPLAINTS OUT OF 165,385 VEHICLES).ODI'S ANALYSIS INDICATES THAT CERTAIN IMPREZA & LEGACY VEHICLES - - LATE 1994 & EARLY 1995 IMPREZA AND ALL 1995 & EARLY 1996 LEGACY (29 COMPLAINTS OUT OF 95,678 VEHICLES) -- HAVE MUCH HIGHER COMPLAINT RATE THAN THE REMAINING VEHICLES WHICH ARE DIFFERENT IN VEHICLE STRUCTURE OR EQUIPPED WITH DIFFERENT AIR BAG SENSING SYSTEM.MOST OF THE COMPLAINTS (26 OF THE 29) INDICATE THAT THE VEHICLE'S DUAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED FROM AN UNDERCARRIAGE IMPACT WITH A CURB, BUMP, DIP, POTHOLE, ETC.IN THE REMAINING 3 COMPLAINTS, THE DRIVER ALLEGED THAT THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY OR WITHOUT ANY IMPACT.IN 13 OF THE 29 CASES, ONLY THE VEHICLE'S FRONT TOW HOOKS REPORTEDLY WERE FOUND DAMAGED OR SHOWED EVIDENCE OF IMPACT, AND IN 6 OTHER CASES BOTH TOW HOOKS AND OTHER UNDERCARRIAGE COMPONENTS WERE REPORTEDLY DAMAGED OR IMPACTED; NO DETAILS WERE GIVEN IN THE 10 REMAINING CASES.THIS PE HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO EA97-010
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