Subaru Impreza Service Brakes, Hydraulic Problems
Owners have filed 115 complaints with NHTSA about service brakes, hydraulic problems on the Subaru Impreza across 21 model years. The 2002 model year has the most (56). The words owners use most often: “braking power” (10% of reports).
- 115service brakes, hydraulic complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 22mention a crash
- 7mention an injury
- 3related recalls
- 16%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.
- Braking power: mentioned in 11 of 115 complaints (10%)
- Pedal went: mentioned in 10 of 115 complaints (9%)
- Anti lock: mentioned in 7 of 115 complaints (6%)
- ABS engages: mentioned in 6 of 115 complaints (5%)
At what mileage do service brakes, hydraulic problems happen?
Based on 56 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 115 complaints, 22 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 7 an injury.
Subaru Impreza service brakes, hydraulic complaints by model year
| Model year | Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Impreza | 2 | 6% | 40,500 |
| 2016 Impreza | 1 | 1% | 23,745 |
| 2014 Impreza | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2013 Impreza | 2 | 1% | 125,000 |
| 2012 Impreza | 2 | 1% | 63,033 |
| 2011 Impreza | 1 | 2% | 4,100 |
| 2010 Impreza | 2 | 4% | 14,135 |
| 2009 Impreza | 1 | 1% | 58,000 |
| 2008 Impreza | 6 | 3% | 37,000 |
| 2006 Impreza | 4 | 7% | 30,477 |
| 2005 Impreza | 2 | 3% | 4,500 |
| 2004 Impreza | 3 | 3% | 17,800 |
| 2003 Impreza | 13 | 21% | 10,800 |
| 2002 Impreza | 56 | 19% | 17,350 |
| 2001 Impreza | 3 | 27% | 650 |
| 2000 Impreza | 4 | 10% | — |
| 1999 Impreza | 2 | 9% | — |
| 1998 Impreza | 1 | 3% | — |
| 1997 Impreza | 1 | 3% | — |
| 1996 Impreza | 5 | 25% | — |
| 1995 Impreza | 3 | 7% | — |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (3)
Service brakes, hydraulic
Model years: 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
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: 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
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:pedals and linkages
Model years: 2012
Problem: Subaru is recalling certain model year 2012 impreza sedans and wagons (except wrx/sti models), manufactured from april 21, 2011, through november 15, 2011, and legacy and outback vehicles manufactured from october 17, 2011, through november 23, 2011. These vehicles may be equipped with a brake master cylinder that could malfunction and cause an increase in the amount of brake pedal travel distance required to slow or stop the vehicle.
Risk: The driver might misjudge the amount of brake pedal travel required to achieve the desired stopping distance. This could occur unexpectedly and without prior warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake master cylinder and if necessary, replace it, free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during december 2011. Owners may contact subaru at 1-800-782-2783.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2024 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. The contact stated that there was no resistance in the brake pedal, and the vehicle was uncontrollable. The vehicle independently…
The contact owned a 2024 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. The contact stated that the brake pedal went to the floor with no resistance. No warning lights illuminated. The…
The contact owns a 2012 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard. The vehicle failed to stop immediately. The brake warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who…
The contact owns a 2013 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that upon entering the vehicle, he noticed small, yellow-colored drops of liquid on the ground around the vehicle. Upon starting the vehicle, the brake warning light appeared on the instrument panel. The contact checked the parking brake…
I was driving on a decline at 10 to 15 miles per hour on a snowy evening and when i tried to break, my breaks locked up and i had absolutely no control of my automobile except for steering and made the choice to go towards the guard rail to slow my automobile down since i had no brakes. I bought my…

Frequently asked questions
Do all Subaru Imprezas have service brakes, hydraulic problems?
No. NHTSA has 115 owner complaints about service brakes, hydraulic for the Subaru Impreza. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Subaru Impreza 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 Impreza?
The most frequent phrase is “braking power”, in 11 of 115 complaints, followed by “pedal went” (10).
Other Subaru Impreza problems
- Air Bags problems (449)
- Power Train problems (288)
- Engine problems (263)
- Electrical System problems (231)
- Exterior Lighting problems (202)
- Visibility/wiper problems (201)
- Suspension problems (156)
- Fuel System, Gasoline problems (149)
See all Subaru Impreza problems.