NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints
17 reportsClear category filter85,123 miles · Sep 28, 2004
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash
THE VEHICLE WAS SLOWLY MOVING INTO DRIVEWAY AND THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND HIT THE HOUSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY DEALERSHIP THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER FAILED. THE MASTER CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO WARNING. THE FAILU…
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THE VEHICLE WAS SLOWLY MOVING INTO DRIVEWAY AND THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND HIT THE HOUSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED BY DEALERSHIP THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER FAILED. THE MASTER CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO WARNING. THE FAILURE OF THE MASTER CYLINDER CAUSED THE FRONT BRAKES ROTORS AND PADS TO BURN UP. *SC
NHTSA ODI #10091563
Mileage unknown · Sep 10, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHEN BRAKING PEDAL PULSATES. DEALER REPLACED FRONT AND REAR ROTORS IN JUNE AND AUGUST OF 1999 AT 27000 MILES. IN AUG OF 2001, REAR ROTORS WERE REPLACED. FRONT ROTORS ARE TO BE REPLACED IN THE NEAR FUTURE.*AK REPAIR SHOP OWNER STATED THAT THE ROTORS WERE TOO THIN FOR VEHICLE WEIGHT, THEY WARP AND CAN NOT BE RESHAPED, CONSUM…
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WHEN BRAKING PEDAL PULSATES. DEALER REPLACED FRONT AND REAR ROTORS IN JUNE AND AUGUST OF 1999 AT 27000 MILES. IN AUG OF 2001, REAR ROTORS WERE REPLACED. FRONT ROTORS ARE TO BE REPLACED IN THE NEAR FUTURE.*AK REPAIR SHOP OWNER STATED THAT THE ROTORS WERE TOO THIN FOR VEHICLE WEIGHT, THEY WARP AND CAN NOT BE RESHAPED, CONSUMER REQUESTED TO BE REIMBURSED DUE TO THIS BRAKE PROBLEM BEING A DESIGN DEFECT, MANUFACTURER DOES NOT AGREE. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #896077
Mileage unknown · Feb 9, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
BRAKE PEDAL WOULD GO DOWN 1/2" TO 3/4" TO FLOOR ONLY WHEN VEHICLE WAS SITTING FOR A WHILE OR WHILE APPLYING BRAKE AT A STOP POSITION. DEALER/MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #880293
Mileage unknown · Aug 9, 2000
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash
CAR DID NOT STOP IN TIME TO PREVENT CRASH. RAINING. CAR IN FRONT STOPPED. OUR CAR GOING ABOUT 25MPH. BRAKED AT ABOUT 25 YARDS FROM OTHER VEHICLE; CRASH OCCURED. IS THERE A REQUIREMENT THAT A VEHICLE STOPPED WITHIN A CERTAIN DISTANCE AT A GIVEN SPEED IF PROPERLY BRAKED? THANK YOU. JONAS MORRIS
NHTSA ODI #727212
Mileage unknown · Feb 17, 2000
Air BagsService Brakes, HydraulicCrash
WHILE APPLYING BRAKES TO STOP ABOUT 5 MPH, CONSUMER BUMPED INTO VEHICLE IN FRONT, AND BOTH AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT A PRIOR WARNING. *AK
NHTSA ODI #857143
Mileage unknown · Jan 22, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHEN APPLYING THE ABS BRAKES IN COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK
NHTSA ODI #854562
Mileage unknown · Jan 12, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
ABS DOES NOT SEEM TO SLOW OR STOP VEHICLE QUICK ENOUGH, IN EMERGENCY SITUATION. *ET
NHTSA ODI #784422
Mileage unknown · Sep 17, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WARPED, CAUSING THE BRAKES TO BECOME MUSHY, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #847925
Mileage unknown · Jun 22, 1999
Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed Control
FIRST INSTANCE WAS IN DEC 98, 2ND 6-21-99 CRUISE CONTROL STAYS ON, CANNOT CANCEL OR TURN OFF, BRAKES GO TO THE FLOOR WITH NO EFFECT WHAT SO EVER, HAVE TO TURN THE IGNITION KEY OFF AND RESTART THE ENGINE IN ORDER TO GET OUT OF CRUISE AND GET THE BRAKES BACK (THIS IS A LITTLE SCARRY WHEN YOU HAVE POWER STEERING). THIS WAS A LIFE…
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FIRST INSTANCE WAS IN DEC 98, 2ND 6-21-99 CRUISE CONTROL STAYS ON, CANNOT CANCEL OR TURN OFF, BRAKES GO TO THE FLOOR WITH NO EFFECT WHAT SO EVER, HAVE TO TURN THE IGNITION KEY OFF AND RESTART THE ENGINE IN ORDER TO GET OUT OF CRUISE AND GET THE BRAKES BACK (THIS IS A LITTLE SCARRY WHEN YOU HAVE POWER STEERING). THIS WAS A LIFE AND DEATH SITUATION IN TRAFFIC AT HIGHWAY SPEED ON AN APPROACH TO A SEVERE TURN ON A EXIT RAMP. *AK
NHTSA ODI #707787
Mileage unknown · Jan 23, 1999
Electrical SystemService Brakes, HydraulicUnknown Or Other
WHEN CAR STARTED AFTER HAVING STOPPED FOR 3 HOURS, BATTERY WARNING LIGHT AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. CHECKED BRAKES/FLUID AND ALTERNATOR BELT - NO PROBLEM FOUND. CONTINUED DRIVING; VARIOUS LIGHTS, INCLUDING "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" CONTINUED TO GO ON AND OFF. CAR FINALLY STALLED ON HIGHWAY AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALER. …
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WHEN CAR STARTED AFTER HAVING STOPPED FOR 3 HOURS, BATTERY WARNING LIGHT AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. CHECKED BRAKES/FLUID AND ALTERNATOR BELT - NO PROBLEM FOUND. CONTINUED DRIVING; VARIOUS LIGHTS, INCLUDING "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" CONTINUED TO GO ON AND OFF. CAR FINALLY STALLED ON HIGHWAY AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALER. ALTERNATOR REPLACED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #702504
Official recalls
3Jun 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.
May 4, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER STATION WAGON, SEDAN AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. DUE TO IMPROPER WELDING, FRACTURES CAN OCCUR ON THE SUPPORT BRACKET OF THE FRONT TRANSVERSE LINK.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: SUCH FRACTURES CAN RESULT IN PARTIAL OR COMPLETE SEPARATION OF THE BRACKET CAUSING A FAILURE OF THE LOWER SUSPENSION MOUNTING, LEADING TO A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE IF NECESSARY THE FRONT SUSPENSION SUPPORT BRACKETS.
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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