Subaru Legacy Service Brakes, Hydraulic Problems
Owners have filed 131 complaints with NHTSA about service brakes, hydraulic problems on the Subaru Legacy across 16 model years. The 1997 model year has the most (27). The words owners use most often: “stopping distance” (11% of reports).
- 131service brakes, hydraulic complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 28mention a crash
- 7mention an injury
- 6related 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.
- Stopping distance: mentioned in 15 of 131 complaints (11%)
- Master cylinder: mentioned in 12 of 131 complaints (9%)
- Brake rotors: mentioned in 9 of 131 complaints (7%)
- ABS brakes: mentioned in 8 of 131 complaints (6%)
At what mileage do service brakes, hydraulic problems happen?
Based on 33 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 131 complaints, 28 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 7 an injury.
Subaru Legacy service brakes, hydraulic complaints by model year
| Model year | Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 Legacy | 1 | 1% | 175,000 |
| 2010 Legacy | 1 | 1% | 2,000 |
| 2009 Legacy | 3 | 5% | 121,000 |
| 2008 Legacy | 1 | 2% | 183,000 |
| 2006 Legacy | 2 | 2% | 54,000 |
| 2005 Legacy | 9 | 5% | 115,000 |
| 2004 Legacy | 2 | 4% | 11,000 |
| 2003 Legacy | 1 | 2% | 79,800 |
| 2002 Legacy | 6 | 11% | 47,273 |
| 2001 Legacy | 6 | 8% | 40,000 |
| 2000 Legacy | 7 | 7% | — |
| 1999 Legacy | 12 | 13% | — |
| 1998 Legacy | 11 | 10% | 307,000 |
| 1997 Legacy | 27 | 19% | 70,000 |
| 1996 Legacy | 17 | 14% | 85,123 |
| 1995 Legacy | 25 | 14% | 150,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (6)
Service brakes, hydraulic:pedals and linkages
Model years: 2020
Problem: Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2020 Outback and Legacy vehicles. The brake pedal mounting bracket may have a missing or insufficiently tightened bolt.
Risk: A missing or loose bolt may cause the brake pedal mounting area to deform over time, which can reduce braking performance and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake pedal mounting bracket hardware and replace the hardware or brake pedal assembly, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUL-97.
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Model years: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
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:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Model years: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
Problem: Subaru is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Outback and Legacy vehicles manufactured from December 2003, through April 2009 and 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.
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 inspect the vehicles. If no brake fluid seepage is observed, the affected area 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 on May 30, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's recall campaign number is WQG-43.
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.
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:master cylinder
Model years: 2002
Problem: On certain passenger vehicles, the brake master cylinders may not function properly in ambient temperatures below freezing 32 degrees fahrenheit and lower).
Risk: At these temperatures, the brakes may not release after being applied, even when the driver's foot is no longer on the brake pedal. This can occur withour prior warning, possibly resulting in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the master cylinders. Owner notification began march 21, 2002. 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.
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 2005 Subaru Legacy. 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 was depressed to the floorboard. The contact downshifted to slow down, and…
The contact owns a 2005 Subaru Legacy. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V311000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the dealer refused to perform the recall. The contact stated that the dealer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The…
The contact owned a 2015 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact opened and closed the trunk, triggering the alarm system. The alarm system failed to deactivate immediately. The vehicle then failed to restart as needed, and the "Shift to Park" message was…
The contact owns a 2009 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that 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 contact activated the parking brake to stop the…
The contact owns a 2005 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that the hydraulic brake lines were leaking. The brake warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and the contact was informed that there was rust covering the subframe of the vehicle and fuel tank. The dealer…

Frequently asked questions
Do all Subaru Legacys have service brakes, hydraulic problems?
No. NHTSA has 131 owner complaints about service brakes, hydraulic for the Subaru Legacy. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Subaru Legacy service brakes, hydraulic?
Yes: 6 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 Legacy?
The most frequent phrase is “stopping distance”, in 15 of 131 complaints, followed by “master cylinder” (12).
Other Subaru Legacy problems
- Electrical System problems (415)
- Air Bags problems (380)
- Power Train problems (320)
- Visibility/wiper problems (274)
- Engine problems (219)
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (210)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (188)
- Service Brakes problems (140)
See all Subaru Legacy problems.