NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints
11 reportsClear category filter307,000 miles · Mar 29, 2022
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
The contact owns a 1998 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, there was a delayed failure in the braking system. The contact notified the local dealer regarding the failure and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 99V040000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) for which the vehicle was included. …
Read full complaint
The contact owns a 1998 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, there was a delayed failure in the braking system. The contact notified the local dealer regarding the failure and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 99V040000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) for which the vehicle was included. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired due to parts not being available. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 307,000.
NHTSA ODI #11458828
Mileage unknown · Jan 6, 2010
Service Brakes, HydraulicSteeringStructure
DEFECTIVE FRAME ON 1998 SUBARU LEGACY. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKES AND TIE RODS WERE REPLACED. AND A ALIGNMENT WAS DONE AS WELL. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO MAKE A RUMBLING SOUND, AS WELL A STRONGER PULL TO THE RIGHT WHEN BRAKING. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND UPON INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED T…
Read full complaint
DEFECTIVE FRAME ON 1998 SUBARU LEGACY. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKES AND TIE RODS WERE REPLACED. AND A ALIGNMENT WAS DONE AS WELL. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO MAKE A RUMBLING SOUND, AS WELL A STRONGER PULL TO THE RIGHT WHEN BRAKING. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND UPON INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THE FRONT LEFT CROSS-MEMBER WAS SEVERED IN THE CENTER. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10299229
Mileage unknown · Aug 12, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER FELT A VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL, AFTER INSPECTION, CONSUMER FOUND A LARGE AMOUNT OF BRAKE DUST ON THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL, ONE OF THE CALIPER PISTONS WAS FROZEN, THE BRAKE PAD WAS WORN DOWN ON ONE SIDE, HOWEVER 80 PERCENT WAS LEFT ON THE OTHER SIDE. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #8016047
Mileage unknown · Aug 20, 2001
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment
BRAKE FAILED FOUR TIMES.
NHTSA ODI #562557
Mileage unknown · Jun 22, 2000
Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury
THIS CAR ACCELERATED SUDDENLY AND SPONTANEOUSLY WHILE I WAS SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE;THE BRAKES HAD NO EFFECT IN SLOWING THE CAR DOWN AND I HAD TO CRASH INTO A CONCRETE POST TO STOP THE CAR AND AVOID HITTING OTHER CARS AND PEDESTRIANS. THE CAR IS TOTALED AND I AM LUCKY TO HAVE SURVIVED.*AK
NHTSA ODI #724364
Mileage unknown · Dec 22, 1999
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash
WHILE DRIVING 50MPH HAD GRADUALLY APPLIED THE BRAKES, AND ABS BRAKES LOCKED UP WHEN ENTERING RAMP EXIT. VEHICLE SKIDDED OUT OF CONTROL AND HIT A CONCRETE WALL. VEHICLE WAS DECLARED TOTALED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #854320
Mileage unknown · Sep 19, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, HydraulicTires
TIRES LOST NEARLY ALL AIR WITHIN 2,000 MILE OF CHECKING;HAD TO REPLACE;THEY WENT TO STEEL BAR AT 18000 MILES; FUMES INSIDE CABIN FROM PURCHASE OF CAR;FELL ASLEEP AT WHEEL SEVL TIMES; ROMANIA SUBARU IN EUGENE WOULDN'T FIX ON 2 VISITS;3RD VISIT, FOUND LEAK;STILL HAVE FUMES INSIDE CABIN AND MORE IF WINDOW IS DOWN ON PASS SIDE;NO ON…
Read full complaint
TIRES LOST NEARLY ALL AIR WITHIN 2,000 MILE OF CHECKING;HAD TO REPLACE;THEY WENT TO STEEL BAR AT 18000 MILES; FUMES INSIDE CABIN FROM PURCHASE OF CAR;FELL ASLEEP AT WHEEL SEVL TIMES; ROMANIA SUBARU IN EUGENE WOULDN'T FIX ON 2 VISITS;3RD VISIT, FOUND LEAK;STILL HAVE FUMES INSIDE CABIN AND MORE IF WINDOW IS DOWN ON PASS SIDE;NO ONE CAN FIX THE OPEN WINDOW FUME PROBLEM;INSIDE-FOUND CRANKCASE LEAKING ON EXHAUST SYST;COSMOLENE OVERLOAD, BUT STILLHAVE BURNING EYES AND SORE THROAT;CAN'T FIND PROBLEM;BRAKES WENT TO FLOOR-REPLACED MASTER CYLINDER PER RECAL;WINDSHIELD FROM PURCHASE,COULDN'T SEE THROUGH;BAD FILM;PURCHASED A NEW ONE RECENTLY;CAR HESITATES AND SURGES FORWARD;SUBARU SAYS THIS IS NORMAL( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 185 70 R14 )
NHTSA ODI #711562
Mileage unknown · Jun 22, 1999
Air BagsService Brakes, HydraulicSuspensionCrash
WHEN DRIVING AT 45 MPH VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT AND LIFTED UP, AND ALL POWER WENT TO THE FRONT SIDE. CONSUMER APPLIED ABS BRAKES, AND VEHICLE WOULDN'T STOP, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SKID AND RUN INTO A HOUSE. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. *AK
NHTSA ODI #840764
Mileage unknown · May 10, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WHEN SITTING AT A LIGHT WITH FOOT ON BRAKES, BRAKES GO STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR, AND VEHICLE IS MOVING FORWARD. ALSO, WHEN CONSUMER IS DRIVING AND IF ANOTHER VEHICLE STOPS IN FRONT OF THE CONSUMER, AND CONSUMER APPLIES THE BRAKES, VEHICLE WON'T STOP. CONSUMER HAS TO GO AROUND THE OTHER VEHICLE TO AVOID HITTING IT. OCCUR…
Read full complaint
WHEN SITTING AT A LIGHT WITH FOOT ON BRAKES, BRAKES GO STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR, AND VEHICLE IS MOVING FORWARD. ALSO, WHEN CONSUMER IS DRIVING AND IF ANOTHER VEHICLE STOPS IN FRONT OF THE CONSUMER, AND CONSUMER APPLIES THE BRAKES, VEHICLE WON'T STOP. CONSUMER HAS TO GO AROUND THE OTHER VEHICLE TO AVOID HITTING IT. OCCURS IN WINTER. CONSUMER EXPERIENCED TWO NEAR COLLISIONS BECAUSE BRAKES DID NOT ENGAGE AND STOP VEHICLE. BOTH SITUATIONS WERE AT 25 MPH. *AK
NHTSA ODI #836749
Mileage unknown · Apr 21, 1999
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash
.WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. THE OWNER REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. DEALER HAS VEHICLE NOW. CONSUMER ALSO NOTICED THERE IS A RECALL LISTED FOR THE SAME TYPE OF PROBLEM, RECALL 99V04000. *AK
NHTSA ODI #836971
Official recalls
4Jun 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.
Mar 3, 1999
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS). (THE 1999 2.2 LITER LEGACY VEHICLES ARE EXCLUDED). IN EXTREMELY COLD WEATHER, THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR AND THE VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE IS INCREASED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAUSES THE VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE TO BE INCREASED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER.
Jun 8, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES, ALSO SERVICE PARTS SUPPLIED TO SUBARU DEALERS ARE INVOLVED (LOT NUMBERS F01 J21D2, F01 J30D2, F02 J09D1, F02 J09D2, AND F02 J20D1). THE PUROLATOR OIL FILTER CANS USED ON THESE VEHICLES CAN FRACTURE CAUSING A VAPORIZED OIL SPRAY AND SUBSEQUENT OIL LEAK.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS VAPORIZED OIL SPRAY CAN RESULT IN OIL VAPOR IGNITION BY THE HOT EXHAUST SYSTEM RESULTING IN A POSSIBLE UNDERHOOD FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THESE ENGINE OIL FILTERS.
Feb 20, 1998
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. DUE TO POOR WELDS, IGNITION KEYS CAN STICK, SHIFT LEVERS/LINKAGES CAN BREAK AND SHIFT LEVERS CAN MOVE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE UNEXPECTED MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH OR PROPERTY DAMAGE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER ASSEMBLIES (EXCEPT THE HANDLE GRIP).
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
Illustration