Subaru Legacy Service Brakes Problems

Source: NHTSA · Updated Oct 5, 2026 · 140 complaints analyzed

Owners have filed 140 complaints with NHTSA about service brakes problems on the Subaru Legacy across 26 model years. The 2005 model year has the most (22). The words owners use most often: “brake lines” (18% of reports).

What owners describe

Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.

  • Brake lines: mentioned in 25 of 140 complaints (18%)
  • Electronic parking: mentioned in 9 of 140 complaints (6%)
  • Pedal went: mentioned in 9 of 140 complaints (6%)
  • Service brakes hydraulic: mentioned in 7 of 140 complaints (5%)

At what mileage do service brakes problems happen?

Based on 87 complaints that reported the odometer reading.

Under 10k miles12 · 14%
10k–25k miles3 · 3%
25k–50k miles5 · 6%
50k–75k miles8 · 9%
75k–100k miles11 · 13%
100k–150k miles33 · 38%
150k+ miles15 · 17%

How serious are the reports?

Of 140 complaints, 16 mention a crash, 5 an injury.

Subaru Legacy service brakes complaints by model year

Peak: 2005, with 22 complaints
1995: 119951998: 32001: 120012002: 12003: 220032004: 12005: 222005222006: 92007: 320072008: 112009: 620092010: 122011: 1820112012: 62013: 420132014: 12015: 1220152016: 82017: 520172018: 52019: 220192020: 22021: 220212022: 12024: 120242025: 1

n = 140 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Model yearService Brakes complaintsShare of that yearMedian miles
2025 Legacy117%—
2024 Legacy16%—
2022 Legacy13%—
2021 Legacy26%—
2020 Legacy22%4,300
2019 Legacy22%—
2018 Legacy54%3,800
2017 Legacy54%16,504
2016 Legacy85%7,700
2015 Legacy128%34,070
2014 Legacy12%—
2013 Legacy46%67,500
2012 Legacy67%74,500
2011 Legacy1811%101,000
2010 Legacy128%91,000
2009 Legacy69%152,500
2008 Legacy1117%141,000
2007 Legacy39%135,000
2006 Legacy910%109,500
2005 Legacy2212%130,000
2004 Legacy12%130,000
2003 Legacy23%135,000
2002 Legacy12%165,000
2001 Legacy11%120,000
1998 Legacy33%135,000
1995 Legacy11%121,100

When owners reported it

Peak: 2019, with 16 complaints
2012: 3201232013: 552014: 6201462015: 11112016: 102016102017: 11112018: 142018142019: 16162020: 142020142021: 10102022: 8202282023: 12122024: 9202492025: 552026: 620266

n = 140 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Related recalls (6)

Service brakes, hydraulic:pedals and linkagesSep 18, 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V664000 · 3,467 vehicles

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 fittingsJun 10, 2014 · NHTSA campaign 14V311000 · 461,338 vehicles

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 fittingsMar 27, 2013 · NHTSA campaign 13V110000 · 274,402 vehicles

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 linkagesNov 29, 2011 · NHTSA campaign 11V562000 · 32,685 vehicles

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 cylinderMar 12, 2002 · NHTSA campaign 02V079000 · 1,252 vehicles

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 cylinderMar 3, 1999 · NHTSA campaign 99V040000 · 221,987 vehicles

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 vehicle engaged the automatic braking system also known as phantom breaking while there was no objects on the roadway at the time of the incident it was 5:15 a.m. dark and light rain when approaching a curve on the road driving approximately 30 mph the system engaged and applied the brakes in…

Received Sep 29, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11767677

While driving to work, my brake pedal went to the floor and I lost 90% of braking power. After managing to get the car back home, and topping up brake fluid, I noticed a puddle of it right in front of the passenger rear wheel. After doing research, found that this was a problem for this car…

Received Jul 28, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11753193

Brake lines were definitely not replaced even though known to be defective and prone to corrosion and leaks. Almost got into a accident because the known recalled area let go on the highway

Received May 6, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11736111

All Safety features stopped working while driving multiple times and loading feature pops up on the display screen. Speakers will go mute randomly, no sound will emit including phone calls. Automatic stop feature has engaged on the interstate multiple times, locking breaks (This is extremely…

Received Apr 23, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11733299

Incident ~ 5:40 pm, Geneva NY Weather ~ 10 F, not snowing. Background. On or shortly after being started, the vehicle had exhibited prior incidents of extremely rapid engine acceleration not initiated by the operator. Most recently the day before. The incident: I was in the process of very slowly…

Received Jan 31, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11714652
Subaru Legacy
2023 Subaru Legacy photographed in Montréal , Québec , Canada at the 2023 Montréal International Auto Show .. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Bull-Doser, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

Frequently asked questions

Do all Subaru Legacys have service brakes problems?

No. NHTSA has 140 owner complaints about service brakes 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?

Yes: 6 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 Legacy?

The most frequent phrase is “brake lines”, in 25 of 140 complaints, followed by “electronic parking” (9).

Other Subaru Legacy problems

See all Subaru Legacy problems.