Subaru Impreza Service Brakes Problems
Owners have filed 132 complaints with NHTSA about service brakes problems on the Subaru Impreza across 22 model years. The 2013 model year has the most (23). The words owners use most often: “clutch brake” (10% of reports).
- 132service brakes complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 20mention a crash
- 2mention an injury
- 3related recalls
- 27%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.
- Clutch brake: mentioned in 13 of 132 complaints (10%)
- Spot welds: mentioned in 12 of 132 complaints (9%)
- Pedal depressed: mentioned in 9 of 132 complaints (7%)
At what mileage do service brakes problems happen?
Based on 83 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 132 complaints, 20 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 2 an injury.
Subaru Impreza service brakes complaints by model year
| Model year | Service Brakes complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Impreza | 1 | 20% | 6,250 |
| 2024 Impreza | 5 | 16% | 3,000 |
| 2022 Impreza | 2 | 14% | — |
| 2021 Impreza | 1 | 7% | — |
| 2020 Impreza | 5 | 6% | 20,355 |
| 2019 Impreza | 8 | 4% | 16,015 |
| 2018 Impreza | 3 | 2% | 20,527 |
| 2017 Impreza | 7 | 6% | 17,890 |
| 2016 Impreza | 6 | 8% | 65,000 |
| 2015 Impreza | 4 | 5% | 57,000 |
| 2014 Impreza | 4 | 4% | 21,000 |
| 2013 Impreza | 23 | 9% | 37,500 |
| 2012 Impreza | 13 | 5% | 47,000 |
| 2011 Impreza | 5 | 9% | 26,450 |
| 2010 Impreza | 5 | 11% | 47,351 |
| 2009 Impreza | 14 | 13% | 95,000 |
| 2008 Impreza | 14 | 8% | 95,500 |
| 2007 Impreza | 5 | 7% | 93,000 |
| 2006 Impreza | 2 | 4% | 142,000 |
| 2005 Impreza | 3 | 4% | 130,000 |
| 2004 Impreza | 1 | 1% | 165,000 |
| 2002 Impreza | 1 | 0% | 166,000 |
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.
total failure of brake booster at 49.5k miles, caused air leak in engine intake system, which caused lean run and burning more fuel and failure of air/fuel ratio sensor.
The brakes failed due to a leak in the brake lines (pedal to the floor). Location of the leak is just after a union on the passenger side rear (just in front of the rear tire). Location is not well protected from corrosion similar to other recalls for the wrx and sti version of the impreza. Image…
Front right caliper seized less than 3k miles following dealer service including brake fluid flush. Replaced calipers, pads, and rotors at my own expense. Suspect internal degradation of rubber brake lines. Service bulletin exists for year prior model. Many others report rubber brake line/caliper…
On Sunday July 5th at approximately 4:10pm The vehicle experienced an unexpected Pre-Collision Braking activation at approximately 25 mph. A vehicle was approximately 40 feet ahead and there was no imminent collision. The vehicle automatically applied the brakes aggressively.
The contact owns a 2025 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that while their son was driving approximately 45 MPH, a loud pop sound came from the right side of the engine department, and then the steering wheel seized. The driver attempted to apply the brakes; however, the brakes failed. The…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Subaru Imprezas have service brakes problems?
No. NHTSA has 132 owner complaints about service brakes 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?
Yes: 3 safety recalls list service brakes. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about service brakes problems on the Subaru Impreza?
The most frequent phrase is “clutch brake”, in 13 of 132 complaints, followed by “spot welds” (12).
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.