31 of the
179 complaints about the 1997 Subaru Legacy are about the
braking system — 17% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
57,000 miles.
IN COLD WEATHER (ZERO OR BELOW), THE BRAKE PEDAL ON MY 1997 SUBARU LEGACY SEDAN BECOMES HARD, AND WHEN I PUT IT ANY GEAR, FORWARD OR REVERSE, THE IDLE SPEED WILL CAUSE THE CAR TO MOVE AND THE BRAKES WILL NOT STOP THE CAR-I HAVE TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL. I HAVE LEARNED THAT PUMPING THE BRAKE PEDAL WHILE THE CAR IS AT IDLE IN N OR P WILL USUALLY HELP, AT -20 DEGREES, I HAVE TO LET THE CAR IDLE FOR 5 TO 10 MINUTES AND THEN TRY IT. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THIS IS NOT UNCOMMON, BUT THAT THERE IS NO EASY FIX FOR THIS. THIS HAS HAPPENED EVERY WINTER SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2001.
NHTSA complaint #10226565 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Juneau, AK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
RIGHT FRONT BRAKE HAS FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY ON AT LEAST FOUR OCCASIONS. THE BRAKES HAVE GOTTEN VERY HOT AND COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE A FIRE OR CAUSE THE BRAKES TO LOCK UP. THE DUAL PISTON DESIGN RESULTS IN ONE PISTON DOING MOST OF THE WORK SO THE OTHER PISTON BECOMES STIFF AND DOES NOT RELEASE. WE HAVE HAD THE BRAKES GRAB AND BECOME EXTREMELY HOT TO THE POINT THAT WE ARE NOW ON OUR FOURTH SET OF CALIPERS WITH JUST OVER 36,000 MILES ON THE CAR. OUR MECHANIC ADVISES THIS PROBLEM IS QUITE COMMON ON SUBARU'S FOR AT LEAST THE 1996 THROUGH 1998 MODEL YEARS. WE HAVE HAD THE BRAKES REPLACED THREE TIMES BUT DO NOT HAVE THE OLD PARTS AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10133120 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesOtego, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
THE BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED WHEN THE WEATHER STARTED TO GET COLD. THE BRAKES SEEM TO FREEZE UP. DEALER HAD TO BLEED THE LINES. HOWEVER THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK
NHTSA complaint #10109548 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 44,000 milesPotomac, MD
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
VEHICLE LURCHES FORWARD AFTER BRAKES ARE APPLIED. VEHICLE JUMPS FORWARD A FEW FEET BEFORE STOPPING COMPLETELY. HAPPENS WHEN VEHICLE IS STOPPED. LAST INCIDENT RESULTED TO IMPACT WITH ANOTHER CAR IN PARKING LOT. DEALER COULD NOT FIND FAULT ON TWO OCCASIONS. SAYS IT MAY BE DUE TO AIR CONDITIONER COMING ON.
NHTSA complaint #10105986 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 44,000 milesPotomac, MD
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
VEHICLE LURCHES FORWARD AFTER BRAKES ARE APPLIED. VEHICLE JUMPS FORWARD A FEW FEET BEFORE STOPPING COMPLETELY. HAPPENS WHEN VEHICLE IS STOPPED. LAST INCIDENT RESULTED TO IMPACT WITH ANOTHER CAR IN PARKING LOT. DEALER COULD NOT FIND FAULT ON TWO OCCASIONS. SAYS IT MAY BE DUE TO AIR CONDITIONER COMING ON.
NHTSA complaint #10105986 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hadley, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN APPLYING BRAKES IN SNOW ONLY RIGHT FRONT BRAKE GRABS, BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON, AS WELL. BRAKES WORK FINE IN DRY ROAD CONDITIONS.
NHTSA complaint #8007307 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Redwood, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
7) ALL 4 RIMS HAVE A TENDENCY TO COLLECT ROAD SILT AND WATER INSIDE. THIS IMBALANCES THE CAR AND MAY EXPLAIN SOME OF THE BRAKE PROBLEMS. PERHAPS AIRFLOW UNDER THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE STUDIED. 8) LEFT REAR PASSENGER WINDOW DOES NOT GO UP ALL THE WAY ANY LONGER. 84,000 MILES. 9) PADS AND SPRINGS LOCATED ON FRAME WHERE THE REAR GATE CLOSES AGAINST THE BODY ARE RUSTED TIGHT. 10) DASH LIGHTS FOR HVAC HAVE FAILED AT ABOUT 30,000 MILES. 11) GAS GAUGE DOES NOT DESCEND ACCURATLY.
NHTSA complaint #754516 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Redwood, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
1) ALL 4 RIMS HAVE A TENDENCY TO COLLECT ROAD SILT AND WATER INSIDE. THIS IMBALANCES THE CAR AND MAY EXPLAIN SOME OF THE BRAKE PROBLEMS. PERHAPS AIRFLOW UNDER THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE STUDIED. 2) PADS AND SPRINGS LOCATED ON FRAME WHERE THE REAR GATE CLOSES AGAINST THE BODY ARE RUSTED TIGHT. 3) DASH LIGHTS FOR HVAC HAVE FAILED AT ABOUT 30,000 MILES. 4) GAS GAUGE DOES NOT DESCEND ACCURATLY.
NHTSA complaint #754517 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
South Bend, IN
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
ENGINE WAS KNOCKING AND MAKING A TICKING NOISE, BRAKES WERE MAKING A SQUEAK/ LOUD NOISE, DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT AND STEERING WHEEL WOBBLES, ALSO RIM WAS REPLACED DUE TO IT BEING BENT.
NHTSA complaint #899069 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Springfield, VACrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
BRAKES DID NOT WORK WHEN DRIVER BRAKED TO AVOID ACCIDENT ON ROAD AHEAD. DRIVER HAD TO SWERVE OFF ROAD INTO DITCH, SLIDING DOWN SLOPE AND IMPACTING CULVERT AND CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO CAR. CAR TOWED AWAY. CAR REPAIRED AT SPRINGFIELD VA SUBARU DEALER, AND COMPLETELY CHECKED OUT. SEVERAL WEEKS LATER, CAR BROUGHT IN TO DEALER TO ADDRESS BRAKE CONCERNS (SHUDDERING, NOISE), DEALER SAID BRAKES WERE OK. CAR BROUGHT IN AGAIN FOR CONTINUING BRAKE CONCERNS, DEALER THEN SAID ALL 4 BRAKES NEEDED REPLACEMENT AT COST OF ABOUT $800. WE CONTACTED SUBARU CUSTOMER SERVICE REGARDING THIS, THEY REFUSED TO COMMUNICATE A REPLY TO US UNTIL ONLY AFTER REPEATED CALLING. THEY TOLD US THEY WOULD REFUSE TO PROVIDE ANY REFUND ON THE BRAKE WORK (WE THOUGHT THE REPAIR EXCESSIVE IN COST). MY CONCERN IS THERE IS A BRAKE FLAW WITH THE SUBARU LEGACY OUTBACK THAT IS NOT BEING ACKNOWLEDGED BY SUBARU. WE HAVE ALSO HAD THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATE WHEN STOPPED AT IDLE AT STOPLIGHT, REQUIRING STRONG BRAKE FORCE TO RESTRAIN THE CAR FROM MOVING.
NHTSA complaint #743563 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Greenville, SC
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
SECOND MASTER CYLINDER WAS PURCHASED FROM SUBARU SERVICE CENTER, BUT FAILED IN LESS THAN A YEAR AND APPROXIMATELY 8,000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #743425 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sante Reach Long ISL, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
BRAKE ROTORS WOULD BE PULSATING WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED. VEHCLE WOULD START TO SHAKE. BRAKES WOULD MAKE GRINDING NOISES. VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP LIKE IT SHOULD WHEN BRAKES WERE IN USE. WOULD NEED TO DRIVE SLOWLY (40MPH) INSTEAD OF 60MPH TO STOP VEHICLE FROM SHAKING. TAKING VEHICLE TO DEALER TO CHECK.
NHTSA complaint #872918 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sante Reach Long ISL, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
BRAKE ROTORS WOULD BE PULSATING WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED. VEHCLE WOULD START TO SHAKE. BRAKES WOULD MAKE GRINDING NOISES. VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP LIKE IT SHOULD WHEN BRAKES WERE IN USE. WOULD NEED TO DRIVE SLOWLY (40MPH) INSTEAD OF 60MPH TO STOP VEHICLE FROM SHAKING. TAKING VEHICLE TO DEALER TO CHECK.
NHTSA complaint #872918 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BAY Port, MNCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN TRAVELING AT ANY SPEED AND UPON ATTEMTING TO MAKE A NORMAL STOP ON WET PAVEMENT OR IN COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS, BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, AND RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. DEALER WA SUNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #855154 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pittsburgh, PACrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 45MPH ANOTHER VEHICLE PULLED OUT IN FRONT. CONSUMER HIT BRAKES ON DRY PAVEMENT AND WHEELS LOCKED UP/VEHICLE SKIDDED. CONTACT DEALER,WAS NOT ABLE TO HELP. WHEN GOING DOWNHILL AND SOME WHAT SLIPPERY SURFACE, SUCH AS SNOW, THE BRAKES WOULD LOCK UP AND THE VEHICLE KEPT ON SLIDING DOWN THE HILL. REPLACED THE BRAKE ROTORS, FRONT BRAKES ONLY, AND TIRES STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #851767 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pittsburgh, PACrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 45MPH ANOTHER VEHICLE PULLED OUT IN FRONT. CONSUMER HIT BRAKES ON DRY PAVEMENT AND WHEELS LOCKED UP/VEHICLE SKIDDED. CONTACT DEALER,WAS NOT ABLE TO HELP. WHEN GOING DOWNHILL AND SOME WHAT SLIPPERY SURFACE, SUCH AS SNOW, THE BRAKES WOULD LOCK UP AND THE VEHICLE KEPT ON SLIDING DOWN THE HILL. REPLACED THE BRAKE ROTORS, FRONT BRAKES ONLY, AND TIRES STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #851767 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Jose, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
NHTSA complaint #713532 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wayland, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
BRAKES ARE NOT STOPPING VEHICLE. IT HAS TO BE STOPPED BY TAKING THE BRAKES OFF THE ABS SYSTEM.DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO.
NHTSA complaint #845891 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
South Wales, NYCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE UNDER FULL BRAKING PRESSURE -- CAUSED REAR-END COLLISION
NHTSA complaint #701362 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
South Wales, NYCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE UNDER FULL BRAKING PRESSURE -- CAUSED REAR-END COLLISION
NHTSA complaint #701362 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Timonium, MD
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BRAKES EXPERIENCE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL.
NHTSA complaint #522810 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gibsonia, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:BRAKE FLUID LOW WARNING: LAMP
ALTERNATOR BELT SNAPPED, CAUSING BATTERY AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHT TO COME ON AND HARD TO STEER.
NHTSA complaint #780591 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Yonkers, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
FRONT BRAKE PADS FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #537000 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Homerville, OH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
THERE IS EXCESSIVE WEAR ON THE BRAKES . THE DEALER HAD TO TURN THE ROTORS, THE FRONT BRAKE PADS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO PINPOINT THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #821343 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Chest, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS BRAKES REPLACED THREE TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #535182 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rockville Centre, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #534593 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Little ROC, AR
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ANTI LOCK BRAKES FAIL CONTINUOUSLY, WHEN APPLYING BRAKES THEY LOCK UP.
NHTSA complaint #524944 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lexington, KY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY APPROACHED AN AREA WHERE HAD TO SLOW DOWN. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SLOW DOWN, TAPPED BRAKES AND IMMEDIATELY WENT INTO A SKID, BRAKES LOCKED UP. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED.
NHTSA complaint #819379 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chicago, ILCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE DRIVING WITH CRUISE ENGAGED,ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE AND TO DISENGAGE CRUISE CONTROL, THERE WAS NO RESPONSE, CRUISE CONTINUED, UPON PRESSING HARDER ON BRAKE PEDAL, VEHICLE WHEELS LOCKED UP, WENT INTO SKID, HIT BARRIER AT APPROX. 65MPH, NOT FIXED.
NHTSA complaint #807473 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chicago, ILCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE DRIVING, AT APPROX 65MPH, EXPERIENCED. ABS FAILURE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO DISENGAGE CRUISE CONTROL BY APPYLING BRAKES THERE WAS NO RESPONSE, SUBSEQUENTLY WHEN APPLIED MORE PRESSURE TO BRAKE PEDAL, WHEELS LOCKED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO HIT BARRIER.
NHTSA complaint #807474 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.