14 of the
155 complaints about the 1998 Subaru Legacy are about the
braking system — 9% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
150,000 miles.
The contact owns a 1998 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, there was a delayed failure in the braking system. The contact notified the local dealer regarding the failure and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 99V040000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) for which the vehicle was included. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired due to parts not being available. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 307,000.
NHTSA complaint #11458828 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,000 milesAlvarado, TX
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 SUBARU LEGACY. WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL FELT SPONGY. THE CONTACT HEARD A RATTLING NOISE BUT COULD NOT DETERMINE THE ORIGIN. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE DISCS, BRAKE ROTORS, AND IDLER ARMS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. UPDATED 08/24/17*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLES SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN SOLD GIVEN IT'S BRAKE CONDITION. UPDATED 08/25/2017
NHTSA complaint #11004059 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Alvarado, TX
SERVICE BRAKES
JUNE 26 2017 I WENT TO HAVE MY FRONT BRAKE PADS REPLACED, BECAUSE THEY FELT SPONGY AND DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE BRAKE PADS, ROTORS, AND OUTER TIE RODS ON BOTH ENDS. ALL THESE PARTS WERE DANGEROUSLY WORN PREEXISTING CONDITIONS BEFORE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN DECEMBER 2016. THE BRAKE REPAIR WAS DONE AT: 424 WEST HENDERSON STREET, CLEBURNE, TEXAS 76033. 817 645 7848. ON JUNE 26, 2017 I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM BRAD DEERY HONDA IN IOWA USED, AS IS. SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD TO HAVE NUMEROUS EXPENSIVE REPAIRS. THERE SHOULD BE LAWS TO PROTECT CONSUMERS FROM DEALERSHIPS THAT SELL VEHICLES THAT ARE UNSAFE AND FALLING APART, AND REFUSING TO HELP PAY REPAIR BILLS. USED VEHICLES DO NOT QUALIFY FOR HELP UNDER THE LEMON LAWS. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THERE IS SOMETHING I CAN DO TO GET HELP WITH MY REPAIR BILLS ON MY VEHICLE FOR UNSAFE PREEXISTING MECHANICAL CONDITIONS. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #11001583 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesMoriah Center, NY
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT THE REAR BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED DUE TO DEFECTIVE STEEL METAL. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT IF THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH BRAKE MASTER CYLINDERS FOR THE REAR AND FRONT, THE VEHICLE COULD BE SAFER. THE VEHICLE HAD ONLY ONE MASTER CYLINDER FOR THE CORRODED REAR BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000. UPDATD12/14/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM THAT THERE ARE NO BRAKES ON THE VEHICLE WHEN A REA BRAKE LIKE BREAKS. UPDATED 12/17/2012
NHTSA complaint #10483164 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Unknown, DC
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
DEFECTIVE FRAME ON 1998 SUBARU LEGACY. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKES AND TIE RODS WERE REPLACED. AND A ALIGNMENT WAS DONE AS WELL. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO MAKE A RUMBLING SOUND, AS WELL A STRONGER PULL TO THE RIGHT WHEN BRAKING. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND UPON INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THE FRONT LEFT CROSS-MEMBER WAS SEVERED IN THE CENTER.
NHTSA complaint #10299229 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Livonia, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
WHILE DRIVING, CONSUMER FELT A VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL, AFTER INSPECTION, CONSUMER FOUND A LARGE AMOUNT OF BRAKE DUST ON THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL, ONE OF THE CALIPER PISTONS WAS FROZEN, THE BRAKE PAD WAS WORN DOWN ON ONE SIDE, HOWEVER 80 PERCENT WAS LEFT ON THE OTHER SIDE. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #8016047 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
South Lake Tahoe, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BRAKE FAILED FOUR TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #562557 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Boise, IDCrash1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THIS CAR ACCELERATED SUDDENLY AND SPONTANEOUSLY WHILE I WAS SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE;THE BRAKES HAD NO EFFECT IN SLOWING THE CAR DOWN AND I HAD TO CRASH INTO A CONCRETE POST TO STOP THE CAR AND AVOID HITTING OTHER CARS AND PEDESTRIANS. THE CAR IS TOTALED AND I AM LUCKY TO HAVE SURVIVED.
NHTSA complaint #724364 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Evergreen, COCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE DRIVING 50MPH HAD GRADUALLY APPLIED THE BRAKES, AND ABS BRAKES LOCKED UP WHEN ENTERING RAMP EXIT. VEHICLE SKIDDED OUT OF CONTROL AND HIT A CONCRETE WALL. VEHICLE WAS DECLARED TOTALED.
NHTSA complaint #854320 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Yoncalla, OR
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
TIRES LOST NEARLY ALL AIR WITHIN 2,000 MILE OF CHECKING;HAD TO REPLACE;THEY WENT TO STEEL BAR AT 18000 MILES; FUMES INSIDE CABIN FROM PURCHASE OF CAR;FELL ASLEEP AT WHEEL SEVL TIMES; ROMANIA SUBARU IN EUGENE WOULDN'T FIX ON 2 VISITS;3RD VISIT, FOUND LEAK;STILL HAVE FUMES INSIDE CABIN AND MORE IF WINDOW IS DOWN ON PASS SIDE;NO ONE CAN FIX THE OPEN WINDOW FUME PROBLEM;INSIDE-FOUND CRANKCASE LEAKING ON EXHAUST SYST;COSMOLENE OVERLOAD, BUT STILLHAVE BURNING EYES AND SORE THROAT;CAN'T FIND PROBLEM;BRAKES WENT TO FLOOR-REPLACED MASTER CYLINDER PER RECAL;WINDSHIELD FROM PURCHASE,COULDN'T SEE THROUGH;BAD FILM;PURCHASED A NEW ONE RECENTLY;CAR HESITATES AND SURGES FORWARD;SUBARU SAYS THIS IS NORMAL( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 185 70 R14 )
NHTSA complaint #711562 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Waterville, MECrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN DRIVING AT 45 MPH VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT AND LIFTED UP, AND ALL POWER WENT TO THE FRONT SIDE. CONSUMER APPLIED ABS BRAKES, AND VEHICLE WOULDN'T STOP, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SKID AND RUN INTO A HOUSE. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #840764 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Ford, MA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN SITTING AT A LIGHT WITH FOOT ON BRAKES, BRAKES GO STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR, AND VEHICLE IS MOVING FORWARD. ALSO, WHEN CONSUMER IS DRIVING AND IF ANOTHER VEHICLE STOPS IN FRONT OF THE CONSUMER, AND CONSUMER APPLIES THE BRAKES, VEHICLE WON'T STOP. CONSUMER HAS TO GO AROUND THE OTHER VEHICLE TO AVOID HITTING IT. OCCURS IN WINTER. CONSUMER EXPERIENCED TWO NEAR COLLISIONS BECAUSE BRAKES DID NOT ENGAGE AND STOP VEHICLE. BOTH SITUATIONS WERE AT 25 MPH.
NHTSA complaint #836749 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bowie, MDCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
.WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. THE OWNER REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. DEALER HAS VEHICLE NOW. CONSUMER ALSO NOTICED THERE IS A RECALL LISTED FOR THE SAME TYPE OF PROBLEM, RECALL 99V04000.
NHTSA complaint #836971 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Claymont, DE
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR WHEN APPLIED.DEALER HAS REPLACED LININGS ,FRONT CALIPER,MASTER CYLINDER AND BOOSTER.PROBLEM STILL OCCURED.LUCKY ALL OCCURANCES WERE AT SPEEDS BELOW 25 MPH AND THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT. SPEEDOMETER FAILED INTERNALY AND ODOMETER STARTED TO OPERATE BACKWARD. ACTUAL MILAGE ON CAR IS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #700093 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.