Subaru Forester Service Brakes, Hydraulic Problems
Owners have filed 106 complaints with NHTSA about service brakes, hydraulic problems on the Subaru Forester across 19 model years. The 1999 model year has the most (18). The words owners use most often: “depressed brake pedal” (6% of reports).
- 106service brakes, hydraulic complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 22mention a crash
- 12mention an injury
- 3related recalls
- 26%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Depressed brake pedal: mentioned in 6 of 106 complaints (6%)
- Stopping distance: mentioned in 6 of 106 complaints (6%)
- Applying brakes: mentioned in 6 of 106 complaints (6%)
At what mileage do service brakes, hydraulic problems happen?
Based on 49 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 106 complaints, 22 mention a crash, 12 an injury.
Subaru Forester service brakes, hydraulic complaints by model year
| Model year | Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Forester | 1 | 1% | 1,200 |
| 2019 Forester | 4 | 0% | 34,000 |
| 2018 Forester | 1 | 0% | 3,800 |
| 2017 Forester | 2 | 0% | 55,000 |
| 2015 Forester | 1 | 0% | 108,000 |
| 2012 Forester | 4 | 4% | 42,513 |
| 2011 Forester | 3 | 2% | 33,548 |
| 2010 Forester | 10 | 4% | 21,797 |
| 2009 Forester | 5 | 3% | 31,278 |
| 2008 Forester | 1 | 2% | 608 |
| 2007 Forester | 2 | 3% | 1,375 |
| 2006 Forester | 1 | 1% | 25,400 |
| 2005 Forester | 3 | 3% | 34,857 |
| 2004 Forester | 3 | 1% | 28,000 |
| 2003 Forester | 10 | 5% | 16,523 |
| 2002 Forester | 9 | 10% | 38,482 |
| 2001 Forester | 13 | 9% | 40,000 |
| 1999 Forester | 18 | 14% | 50,096 |
| 1998 Forester | 15 | 15% | — |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (3)
Service brakes, hydraulic
Model years: 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
Problem: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Impreza, 2008-2014 WRX and STI, and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, currently, or formerly, registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia that were remedied under recall 14V-311 prior to December 23, 2014. The brake lines may experience brake line corrosion due to salt water splashing on the brake lines through a gap in the fuel tank protector.
Risk: Brake fluid may leak due to the brake line corrosion and may result in longer distances being required to slow or stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will apply an anti-corrosion wax to the four-way joint connector area of the brake line system, free of charge. The recall began on January 27, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQQ-52. Notes: This recall is specific to affected Forester, Impreza, WRX, and STI customers who had their car remedied under NHTSA recall no. 14V-311 prior to December 23, 2014. Subaru has determined that this remedy was inadequate due to incomplete repair instructions provided to dealers. Affected Forester, Impreza, WRX, and STI vehicles that were not repaired under NHTSA recall no. 14V-311 prior to December 23, 2014 will continue to be processed under NHTSA recall no. 14V-311. Affected vehicles not currently, or formerly, registered in the salt belt states identified in this recall are eligible for repair, at no cost to the customer, upon request.
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Model years: 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
Problem: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Outback and Legacy, 2008-2011 Impreza and 2008-2014 Impreza WRX/STI, and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, currently, or formerly, registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. Salt water could splash on the brake lines through a gap in the fuel tank protector, resulting in excessive corrosion of the brake lines. Note that affected vehicles not currently, or formerly registered, in the salt belt states identified above are eligible for repair, at no cost to the customer, upon request.
Risk: Brake line corrosion may result in brake fluid leakage. Fluid leakage may result in longer distances being required to slow or stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will test the brake system by depressing the brake pedal and inspecting for brake fluid leaks. If no brake fluid seepage is observed, the affected areas will be rustproofed with anti-corrosion wax. If brake fluid seepage is observed, the brake lines will be replaced followed by rustproofing with anti-corrosion wax. These services will be performed free of charge. The recall began July 2014 and second notifications will run through November 2014. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's recall campaign number is WQK-47. Note: This recall supersedes recall 13V-110 which applied to certain 2005-2009 Legacy/Outback vehicles. Vehicles that were remedied under the previous campaign still need additional areas rust-proofed.
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:master cylinder
Model years: 1998, 1999
Problem: 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.
Risk: This condition causes the vehicle stopping distance to be increased, possibly resulting in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH with the adaptive cruise control engaged, the vehicle accelerated independently. The contact depressed the brake pedal; however, the engine revved loudly, the vehicle continued to accelerate and collided with…
The contact owns a 2025 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while pulling into a parking space, the brake pedal was slightly released to move the vehicle forward; however, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated, failed to respond upon depression of the brake pedal, and crashed into a brick wall…
The contact's spouse owns a 2015 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving from a complete stop or at various speeds on several occasions, the vehicle hesitated and failed to accelerate as intended. The Hill Assist and Automatic Transmission Oil Temperature warning lights flashed, and…
The contact owns a 2012 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the brake pedal was inoperative. The contact then discovered that there was brake fluid leaking underneath of the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, where it was…
The contact owned a 2019 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while parking the vehicle, the vehicle suddenly accelerated to approximately 80 MPH unintendedly. The contact stated that she depressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle failed to respond. There was no warning light illuminated. The…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Subaru Foresters have service brakes, hydraulic problems?
No. NHTSA has 106 owner complaints about service brakes, hydraulic for the Subaru Forester. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Subaru Forester service brakes, hydraulic?
Yes: 3 safety recalls list service brakes, hydraulic. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about service brakes, hydraulic problems on the Subaru Forester?
The most frequent phrase is “depressed brake pedal”, in 6 of 106 complaints, followed by “stopping distance” (6).
Other Subaru Forester problems
- Visibility/wiper problems (1,061)
- Engine problems (827)
- Air Bags problems (817)
- Electrical System problems (797)
- Power Train problems (556)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (532)
- Suspension problems (415)
- Fuel/propulsion System problems (350)
See all Subaru Forester problems.