NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Service Brakes complaints
10 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Jun 17, 2026
Electrical SystemService BrakesUnknown Or Other
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 g…
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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.
NHTSA ODI #11744690
Mileage unknown · Jan 8, 2026
Service BrakesUnknown Or Other
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 th…
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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.
NHTSA ODI #11709629
Mileage unknown · Jul 12, 2025
Service Brakes
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
NHTSA ODI #11673019
Mileage unknown · Mar 14, 2025
Service Brakes
The front rotor warp excessively causing the brake pedal and the entire car to shake uncontrollably. The entire front brake assemblies were replaced at Subaru of Coconut Creek. Our safety was definitely at risk as it was very hard to brake going downhill with the brake pedal and the car shaking uncontrollably. The dealer confi…
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The front rotor warp excessively causing the brake pedal and the entire car to shake uncontrollably. The entire front brake assemblies were replaced at Subaru of Coconut Creek. Our safety was definitely at risk as it was very hard to brake going downhill with the brake pedal and the car shaking uncontrollably. The dealer confirmed black spots on the front rotors and warped front rotors. There were not warnings prior to, during, or after the shaking. Going downhill was made very uncomfortable. Subaru of Coconut Creek services the vehicle and notified me of the black spots and warped front rotors. There was nauseating burning smell coming from under the hood and we had to wait 15 minutes for it to disssipate.
NHTSA ODI #11648319
Mileage unknown · Apr 3, 2024
Forward Collision AvoidanceService BrakesCrash
My brakes failed as I was pulling up to a curb as I attempted to break to put my car into park my breaks failed to engage. My vehicle is also equipped with emergency braking system that did not engage my vehicle crashed into and through a 7/11 while I was breaking the entire time manuall! The vehicle would not stop and did not s…
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My brakes failed as I was pulling up to a curb as I attempted to break to put my car into park my breaks failed to engage. My vehicle is also equipped with emergency braking system that did not engage my vehicle crashed into and through a 7/11 while I was breaking the entire time manuall! The vehicle would not stop and did not stop until it hit the back wall of the store inside.
NHTSA ODI #11581016
Mileage unknown · Jun 13, 2023
Service Brakes
On 5/18/2023, I was driving down RT. 30 in Paoli, PA going East. Cars infront of me stopped for the red light. I pushed down on the brakes and the car was not slowing down and not responding. Instead of hitting the car in front of me, I veered to the right & got on the grass, hit 2 signs and finally got the car to stop. Cash Cha…
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On 5/18/2023, I was driving down RT. 30 in Paoli, PA going East. Cars infront of me stopped for the red light. I pushed down on the brakes and the car was not slowing down and not responding. Instead of hitting the car in front of me, I veered to the right & got on the grass, hit 2 signs and finally got the car to stop. Cash Champions fixed my car to the tune of $6,800. I had asked to check the brakes because they failed. They checked the brakes and they told me when I picked up my car, that there was air in the break line with they flushed out. This is 6/13/2023, so in 2 days I am taking the car in for Subaru to check out the brakes. System failure - brakes Safety - My husband and I were in the car and I was driving. We could have hit the car in front of us. To prevent that I veered the car to the right, no traffic. Confirmed by Crash Champions who repaired my car. Not reproduced. Just saw the air in break line. Subaru is getting the car this Thurs. 6/15/23. I do not remember if there were any warning lights. I just followed what I saw.
NHTSA ODI #11526757
Mileage unknown · Jun 10, 2023
Service Brakes
While driving the light turned red and everyone started breaking. My car failed to brake and slow down so I turned to the right, hit 2 signed, missed an office building. and stopped the car in a Ford Dealership's lot. When the car went to get fixed, I asked the manager to make sure they checked the brakes. They found air in the …
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While driving the light turned red and everyone started breaking. My car failed to brake and slow down so I turned to the right, hit 2 signed, missed an office building. and stopped the car in a Ford Dealership's lot. When the car went to get fixed, I asked the manager to make sure they checked the brakes. They found air in the brake line which could account for the non braking. They flushed the line.. But will it happen again? This car I got 1 year ago, 5600 miles on it. Thanks.
NHTSA ODI #11526375
Mileage unknown · May 17, 2023
Forward Collision AvoidanceService BrakesCrash
Pulled into a parking space at the Village Green strip mall, applied brakes and immediately, the engine accelerated and lunged my vehicle into another car that was parked in the parking space in front of my car. When the car accelerated, the brakes did not work. I reversed the car since it continued to accelerate into the park…
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Pulled into a parking space at the Village Green strip mall, applied brakes and immediately, the engine accelerated and lunged my vehicle into another car that was parked in the parking space in front of my car. When the car accelerated, the brakes did not work. I reversed the car since it continued to accelerate into the parked car in front of me and the car went back as fast as it was accelerating forward. I put the car into drive since I had parked cars behind me as well. The car accelerated forward at a very high rate, I did not have brakes, I guided the car between parked cars as best I could but could not make a left turn and the car drove into a brick building in the strip mall. I opened a claim with Subaru Corp, Case #230508-190-1112.
NHTSA ODI #11522566
Mileage unknown · Jul 15, 2022
Service BrakesVehicle Speed Control
The gas pedal and brake pedal are not adjustable due to them being digitally programmed. The position of the brake is higher than the gas pedal, which causes stress on my knee, ankle, and hip joints and has caused me significant pain so I can't drive. The gas pedal needs to be pressed hard to get the car going, which has been ca…
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The gas pedal and brake pedal are not adjustable due to them being digitally programmed. The position of the brake is higher than the gas pedal, which causes stress on my knee, ankle, and hip joints and has caused me significant pain so I can't drive. The gas pedal needs to be pressed hard to get the car going, which has been causing me knee pain. I asked the Premier Subaru of Fremont, where I leased my Subaru Outback in May 2022, if they could tighten the brake pedal and adjust the gas pedal, but they said it was impossible. This is injuring my knee and causing me to have sciatica.
NHTSA ODI #11474100
Mileage unknown · Feb 8, 2022
Service Brakes
Since I drove 1 mile out of the dealers lot I knew there were something wrong with the brakes Brakes don't feel right when I go to start the car I hear a thump sound than a pedal that has play in it before engaging it does the same while coasting and than applying the brake softly you hear that clicking and the play in it before…
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Since I drove 1 mile out of the dealers lot I knew there were something wrong with the brakes Brakes don't feel right when I go to start the car I hear a thump sound than a pedal that has play in it before engaging it does the same while coasting and than applying the brake softly you hear that clicking and the play in it before it engages there's definitely something wrong with this cars brakes it stops ok but it just doesn't feel right I should know I owned the same vehicle in a 2020 model and those brakes were perfect I brought it in for service and they said they ran test and found nothing I am schedule for another service appointment I've complained and they turn a deaf ear on it I've even contacted Subaru of America
NHTSA ODI #11450896
Official recalls
4Mar 22, 2024
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Outback and Legacy vehicles. A capacitor in the sensors for the Occupant Detection System (ODS) may crack and short circuit, which can prevent the front passenger air bag from deploying in a crash.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the ODS sensors on the front passenger seat, free of charge. Owner notifications were mailed February 3, 2025. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRA-24.
Nov 9, 2023
Subaru of America, Inc. is recalling certain model year 2021 Crosstrek, 2022 Forester, 2021-2023 Legacy, and Outback vehicles. An insufficient weld may allow water to enter the inhibitor switch, causing it to fail.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An inoperative inhibitor switch may prevent the reverse lights from illuminating and the rearview camera image from displaying, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the inhibitor switch, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 8, 2024. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WRQ-23.
Sep 22, 2022
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2022 Impreza and Outback vehicles. The incorrect paint clearcoat may have been applied, which can cause the windshield to be insufficiently bonded to the vehicle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 212, "Windshield Mounting."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An insufficiently bonded windshield can detach during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Subaru will offer owners a vehicle exchange or repurchase, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 21, 2022. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRH-22.
Jul 1, 2022
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2022 Outback vehicles. The engine wiring harness may have been damaged, resulting in a loose electrical connection to the engine control unit (ECU).
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A loose electrical connection to the ECU may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the engine wiring harness and ECU, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 30, 2022. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRC-22.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:engine Control Module (ecu/ecm)
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2022 Outback vehicles. The engine wiring harness may have been damaged, resulting in a loose electrical connection to the engine control unit (ECU).
Consequence: A loose electrical connection to the ECU may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the engine wiring harness and ECU, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 30, 2022. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRC-22.
Electrical System:wiring
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2022 Outback vehicles. The engine wiring harness may have been damaged, resulting in a loose electrical connection to the engine control unit (ECU).
Consequence: A loose electrical connection to the ECU may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the engine wiring harness and ECU, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed August 30, 2022. Owners may contact Subaru's customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WRC-22.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗