39 of the 369 complaints about the 2012 Subaru Outback are about the braking system — 11% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 77,881 miles.
39
Complaints
3
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
SERVICE BRAKES
Brakes failed completely due to excessive rust / corrosion on brake line junction area. Brake pedal suddenly went to floor and fluid leaked out near right rear quarter of vehicle in-front of right rear tire.
NHTSA complaint #11757539 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
The brake pedal suddenly went almost to the floor while attempting to stop. Researching I found there was a recall. NHTSA Recall No. 11V-562. My car was not apparently among the ones being recalled, yet this problem is exactly as described in the bulletin. The component in question is the master brake cylinder. It is available for inspection. It happened on Sat Sept 20 2025 returning from a trip approximately. 300 miles away. the symptom persists. There were no warning indicators.
NHTSA complaint #11688694 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
I took my Outback to my local highly respectable mechanic on August 20, 2025 as I needed the oil changed and the concern I had about having to add brake fluid twice in the past 4 months. He inspected my car immediately and he refused to let me drive it out of his shop as there is a dangerous brake line leaking issue that could result in brake failure. He told me that my Outback is not the first that he had to repair this “Subaru manufacturing defect”. I had to get it repaired. I checked to see if there was a NHTSA recall on my Outback year and there was none, only prior years. Yet when I went online searching more, I found an article that stated that Subaru was going to recall the 2012 Subaru as well? The repair shop owner said to us that my wife is a "gentle driver" and that was good, because, if she had to apply the brakes very hard to avoid a collision, they probably would have failed. Please understand that I read the recall for previous years of Outbacks and other Subaru models, and my Subaru Outback had the exact same defect. I did contact Subaru of America and they responded that my Outback does not have a recall, only prior years. Unbelievable!!! The exact same make and model with the exact same defect and they just blow me off! I was lucky that we did not reach the point of a serious accident. I hope that NHTSA will evaluate my, and I am sure other safety issues with Subaru brakes, and take some action to give other owners the opportunity to make this very serious safety matter right, and avoid an accident. In a related question, can NHTSA somehow require auto manufacturers to inspect their vehicles that are still on the road after say 12 years to helpfully provide some safety assurance to the drivers of their vehicles?
NHTSA complaint #11683186 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
Rear four way brake junction is completely corroded and leaking fluid causing a complete loss of braking. This appears to be the exact same issue as referenced in this recall [XXX] ) that affects previous model years. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11589508 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
The rear brake lines sprung a leak in a well-known trouble spot with Subarus. The junction area underneath the passengers rear seat is where brake fluid is leaking from. I was driving under normal conditions, went and depressed the break and the pedal went to the floor. The cars brakes were not performing and upon inspection I found the leak. I researched this issue and found that Subaru did acknowledge this issue and other outback model years through recall and technical service bulletins. This is a significant safety issue and should be upgraded to a recall.
NHTSA complaint #11527494 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2012 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and went down to the floorboard, increasing the stopping distance. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to his residence despite the failure. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the four-way brake connector was corroded and had started leaking brake fluid. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that there were no recalls on the VIN. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
NHTSA complaint #11515816 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
My Subaru Outback, at roughly 110,000 miles, displayed a dash indicator suggesting low brake fluid. After investigating, I found a brake line junction under the car, below the rear passenger seat. This 4-line junction is hidden behind a plastic cover that does have a removable inspection window. The junction's 4-lines are all corroded and at least one is leaking. After finding the issue and researching fixes online, I have discovered that this is a previously-reported problem although Subaru has not taken action to address it. I have not taken action to fix the issue as I am working out the best fix, but will not be driving the car until the leaking corroded junction is repaired.
NHTSA complaint #11475052 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
The contact owns a 2012 Subaru Outback. The contact stated she starting the vehicle and there was an abnormal noise coming from the engine. The contact stated while reserving, she was depressing on the brake pedal but failed to stop the vehicle, causing her to rear into 2 vehicles. The contact was not aware if there were any warning lights illuminated. The contact stated she continued to depress the brake pedal for almost 10-20 feet from where she started until it stop the vehicle completely. The air bags did not deploy. The contact did not sustain any injuries or seek medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a towing lot. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11453573 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
Our low mileage car which we bought new and is under 10 years old experienced a complete brake failure in our driveway. The brake warning light did then come on. The brake pedal went to the floor when pressed. This event immediately followed a trip with a considerable passenger and luggage load on steep hills where complete brake loss would have been catastrophic and endangered us and the public. The dealer is familiar with the problem (rust-through of brake lines in a specific, well-known location). I am astonished to now learn that earlier years of Outback and other models are the subject of NHSTA 14V-311 and a Subaru product safety campaign WQK-47R to inspect and replace or protect the brake lines that just failed in our car, specifically in the vicinity of the 2-2way connector, however our car is not covered by this campaign. I've attached a picture of the corroded lines on our car which is essentially identical to the picture of the 2-2way connector on https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2014/RCMN-14V311-4153.pdf . This failure is compounded by the lack of a conventional emergency/parking brake, as the steps to engage the vehicle's electronic parking brake while the vehicle is in motion and picking up speed are not obvious.
NHTSA complaint #11451033 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
Brakes failed on the highway and it appears to be the brake lines as outlined in a Subaru Brake Line Recall. Of course I own a 2012 Outback which was not covered and now have a very expensive repair bill. Subaru and the NHTSA annouced that the recalled models include the model year 2008 to 2011 Impreza, 2008 to 2014 WRX and STI and 2009 to 2013 Forester crossover SUV. All affected cars are currently or were formerly registered in the snowy states, where salt is applied to the roads. It was duly noted that these vehicles were previously subjected to another safety campaign, which was given the 14V-311 recall number.
NHTSA complaint #11431050 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
I was driving to work and applied the brakes to slow the vehicle while descending a hill and the pedal went almost down to the floor before the brakes took hold. I got the vehicle under control and proceeded toward the stop sign. I attempted to applied the brakes again and the vehicle went nearly through the intersection before I could get the car stopped. This happened at two more stop signs before I was able to pull into a parking spot at work. After the first stop sign incident, I drove very slowly to work, so as to not use the brakes but for stopping. A mechanic has looked at the car and determined the master cylinder is bad. The part number has been recalled for some vehicles, but not for my car, as determined by the VIN. No warning lights are on. I had two other incidences, on different days, and weeks apart, where I was applying the brakes and went over bumps or holes in the road and brakes momentarily gave out, but after letting off the brake and reapplying pressure the brakes were normal again, and remained so for weeks until this latest episode. I had notified the mechanic at the earlier instances and they noted it might be a problem with my car-make.
NHTSA complaint #11428657 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
Brake line failure. Burst under plastic gas tank cover.
NHTSA complaint #11427358 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THEIR SON WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, WHEN THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKE PEDAL HOWEVER THE BRAKES FAILED. THE DRIVER HAD TO DROP THE VEHICLE INTO FIRST GEAR THEN CRASHED INTO THE CURB WHERE IT CAME TO A STOP. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER RECEIVED A CHEST INJURY HOWEVER THERE WAS NO MEDICAL ATTENTION NEEDED. THE REAR PASSENGERS ALL OF WHICH WERE CHILDREN WERE NOT INJURED BUT ALL CAR SEATS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (WALKER MOTORS INC 265 RIVER ST, MONTPELIER, VT 05602; (802) 229-0391) WHO DIAGNOSED THE BRAKE LINE HAD CORRODED. THE VEHICLE'S BRAKE LINE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND CONFIRMED THAT THEIR VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000.
NHTSA complaint #11407579 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT STATE THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS SPONGY WHILE BEING DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKING SYSTEM WAS FLUSHED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. GANLEY WESTSIDE SUBARU (25730 LORAIN RD, NORTH OLMSTED, OH 44070) (888) 798-5035) WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V562000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 82,000.
NHTSA complaint #11373042 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
FLASHING BRAKE LIGHT AND EBRAKE IS NOT ENGAGING. I CHECKED TO SEE IF THERE IS A STUCK DRUM BRAKE BY JACKING UP AND ROTATING BOTH REAR ROTORS. BOTH ROTORS MOVE FREELY. I CHECKED ONLINE AND THERE WAS RECALL ON 2012 MODELS BUT NOT ON MINE (2012 OUTBACK, 3.6 LIMITED. IT IS DRIVING OKAY BUT I AM AFRAID TO TAKE IT ON HIGHWAYS. LAST YEAR BRAKE LINING THICKNESS ON ALL FOUR TIRES WERE 7MM (SUBARU DEALERSHIP) AND I ONLY DROVE A MAXIMUM OF 10000 MILES. IS IT POSSIBLE THAT OTHER USERS FACE THE SAME PROBLEM AND THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH EBRAKE SYSTEM TOO.
NHTSA complaint #11354036 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
VEHICLE REAR ENDED VEHICLE IN FRONT BECAUSE OF BRAKE FAILURE/POTENTIAL ACCELERATION AT APPROXIMATELY 35MPH. THIS HAPPENED IN RAINY CONDITIONS, WHICH MY WIFE HAD NOTICED MANY WEEKS BEFORE. SUBSEQUENTLY, WE FOUND THESE RECALLS: AND LAWSUIT HTTPS://CARS.USNEWS.COM/CARS-TRUCKS/SUBARU/OUTBACK/2012/RELIABILITY HTTPS://WWW.CLASSACTION.ORG/NEWS/CLASS-ACTION-CLAIMS-SUBARU-CONCEALED-SUDDEN-ACCELERATION-DEFECT-IN-FORESTER-LEGACY-OUTBACK-MODELS#:~:TEXT=NEW%20JERSEY-,SUBARU%20OF%20AMERICA%2C%20INC.,FROM%20A%20SUDDEN%20ACCELERATION%20DEFECT.
NHTSA complaint #11352327 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD ARE ON ALL THE TIME BRAKES TRACTION ABS (ANTI BRAKE SYSTEM)ABOUT THE SAME TIME MY CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING
NHTSA complaint #11351702 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
I WAS DRIVING THE CAR WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL DISTANCE SUDDENLY CHANGED ON ME, WHICH REQUIRED ME TO APPLY MORE PRESSURE TO STOP THE CAR. VERY ALARMING AT THE TIME AND IF I WERE NOT AN EXPERIENCED DRIVER MAY HAVE CAUSED AN ISSUE. THE ISSUE RESOLVED ITSELF BRIEFLY BUT HAS NOW REMAINED IN IT CURRENT STATE, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO JUDGE WHAT BRAKE PRESSURE TO APPLY -- A DEFINITE SAFETY CONCERN. UNTIL I CAN GET THIS ISSUE FIXED, I HAD TO KEEP THE CAR PARKED. I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR AN IMMEDIATE DIAGNOSIS. SHOP SAID THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER APPEARS TO BE FAILING. THEY ALSO ADVISED ME THAT THIS WAS UNDER A SUBARU RECALL, HOWEVER, WHEN ASKING A NEARBY SUBARU DEALER, THEY SAID THE RECALL DIDN'T APPLY. I FOUND THAT TROUBLING SINCE THE RECALL AFFECTS 2012 SUBARU MODELS AND IS A VERY CONCERNING SAFETY ISSUE IF NOT RESOLVED. (NOTE: I UPLOADED THE RECALL PRINTOUT THAT OUTLINES THE ISSUE).
NHTSA complaint #11327076 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
BRAKE LINE NEAR REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL HAS CORRODED TO THE POINT WHERE THE LINE IS LEAKING. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE ON OLDER MODELS BUT THIS YEAR DOES NOT HAVE THE RECALL ON IT.
NHTSA complaint #11326605 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
REAR BRAKE LINE ON PASSENGER SIDE IS CORRODED AND LEAKING BADLY.
NHTSA complaint #11326542 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
MY CAR OFTEN GETS STUCK WITH THE PARKING BRAKE ON AND I CANNOT MOVE THE CAR FORWARD OR BACKWARD. MOST TIMES I HAVE A CARLOAD OF GROCERIES AND NEED TO GET THEM TO THE FREEZER OR REFRIGERATOR. COMPUTER ENGINE ANALYSIS...... ABS C0054 BRAKE SWITCH ON MALFUNCTION C0057 ECM CONTROL...... EPB C0252 MOTOR MALFUNCTION DETAIL CODE 50A0 ..... C0234 VDC FAILURE DETAIL CODE C111..... C0242 POWER SUPPLY VOLTAGE FAILURE DETAIL CODE. I HAVE REPLACED BRAKES, REPLACED TIRES, CHECKED FLUID, CHECKED FUSES, ETC.
NHTSA complaint #11288603 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
BRAKE LINE CORRODED. THIS IS A KNOWN SUBARU ISSUE, BUT RECALLS HAVE NOT AFFECTED THE 2012 OUTBACK AS OF YET; WANTED TO REPORT THIS AS A POSSIBLE SAFETY ISSUE. CAR IS IN A SNOWY REGION BUT ALL ROUTINE MAINTENANCE REGULARLY TAKEN CARE OF.
NHTSA complaint #11280018 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
WHILE TRAVELING STRAIGHT ON I70 , 10 MILES EAST OF COLBY, KS AT 75 MPH, THE ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE ENGAGED CAUSING THE CAR TO SLOW DOWN AND SWERVE. THE BRAKE LIGHT ON THE DASH STARTED FLASHING ON THE DASH ALONG WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND SWERVE LIGHT. I STOPPED THE CAR AND CONSULTED THE MANUAL WHICH INDICATED NOT TO DRIVE THE CAR. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO A MECHANIC IN COLBY. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND THE CAR WAS TOWED TO DENVER SUBARU DEALER, WHERE IT IS NOW.
NHTSA complaint #11256977 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
PARKING BRAKE
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUBARU OUTBACK. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 19V009000 (AIR BAGS) AND 18V626000 (PARKING BRAKE). THE CONTACT CALLED CARBONE SUBARU OF TROY AT 518-312-4300 (LOCATED AT 800 HOOSICK RD, TROY, NY 12180) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE FOR 18V626000 (PARKING BRAKE) AND PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT FOR 19V009000 (AIR BAGS).
NHTSA complaint #11190033 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
BRAKE WARNING LIGHT FLASHES ABOUT EVERY SECOND OR THIRD TIME YOU START CAR. ST AUSTIN FLASHING
NHTSA complaint #11129211 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING A 2012 SUBARU OUTBACK COMPANY VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO STOP WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FITZGERALD SUBARU (11407 ROCKVILLE PIKE, ROCKVILLE, MD 20852, (301) 230-9000) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE KNOCK SENSORS AND THE PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE LIGHT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION BODY AND HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AGAIN, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,763.
NHTSA complaint #11097761 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
THE REAR 3RD HIGH BRAKE LIGHT LEAKS EVERY TIME IT RAINS. THIS HAPPENS BOTH WHEN THE CAR IS STATIONARY OR MOVING. IT HAS BEEN DOING THIS EVERY TIME THAT IT RAINS FOR ABOUT THE LAST 6 MONTHS. I HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON FORUMS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #11016060 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED AND THE CAR COMES TO A STOP LIGHT OR STOP SIGN, THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF ('STALLS WHEN IDLING OR SLOWING DOWN'). THE VEHICLE THEN MUST BE PUT INTO 'PARK' MODE IN ORDER TO RE-START. THIS OCCURS NEARLY EVERYDAY OF THE WEEK, AND HAS CREATED MANY, MANY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS FOR US AND THE DRIVERS AROUND US. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP IN MAY CONCERNING THIS ISSUE, AND THEY STATED THAT THEY HAD NOT HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM, AND THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE AGAIN THIS WEEK, AND THE DEALERSHIP MENTIONED THAT A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN HAD BEEN ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE TSB WAS APPARENTLY ISSUED IN JAN 2014, BUT CUSTOMERS WERE NOT NOTIFIED IN SPITE OF THE FACT THAT THE DEFECT POSES DIRE SAFTEY RISKS. WE ARE BEWILDERED GIVEN THAT THIS ITEM IS CLEARLY A RECALL-WORTHY DEFECT THAT PLACES THE VEHICLE OWNER, AND THE CARS AROUND THEM, IN FORESEEABLE AND CONSIDERABLE DANGER. WE ARE VERY CONCERNED THAT OTHER CUSTOMERS ARE ALSO BEING TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP AND MANUFACTURER THAT THERE IS 'NOTHING WRONG WITH THEIR VEHICLE' IN SPITE OF THE TSB ISSUED IN JAN '14. A CYNICAL PERSON MIGHT CONCLUDE THAT AN EFFORT IS BEING MADE TO OBFUSCATE THIS SAFETY DEFECT UNTIL CUSTOMER'S WARRANTIES RUN OUT. SIMILARLY, THE MANUFACTURERS TSB LANGUAGE APPEARS TO OBFUSCATE THE DEFECT WITH EUPHEMISTIC LANGUAGE. TO BE CLEAR --- THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WHEN SLOWING DOWN FOR A STOP LIGHT OR STOP SIGN. IT WOULD APPEAR THAT AN EFFORT IS BEING MADE TO AVOID A RECALL. ACCORDING TO THE TSB, SUBARU MODIFIED PRODUCTION IN OCTOBER 2013 TO ACCOUNT FOR AND CURE THIS SAFETY ISSUE. AGAIN, CUSTOMERS HO WERE SOLD VEHICLES WITH THE SAFETY DEFECT HAV NOT BEEN NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #10903398 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
I PURCHASED VEHICLE BRAND NEW, OVER THE COURSE OF 4 YEARS HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS UNTIL BRAKE MASTER WENT BAD AFTER 2 AND A HALF YEARS, OIL NOT LASTING UNTIL THE NEXT OIL CHANGE AND FINALLY THE HEAD GASKET. THE VEHICLE'S A/C DIED AND WAS TAKEN TO THE MECHANIC, HE FOUND THE COMPRESSOR HAD GONE. WE ORDERED A NEW ONE. TOOK THE VEHICLE OUT THE NEXT DAY TO RETURN IT TO MECHANIC AND IN ROUTE, THE VEHICLE BEGAN SMOKING PROFUSELY AND DIED ON THE ROAD 2 MINUTES AFTER IT BEGAN SMOKING. THE VEHICLE IS THEN TOWED TO MECHANIC TO FIND THAT THE OIL AND COOLANT WERE MIXING, THE VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND DAMAGED HEAD GASKET. THIS MAKE & MODEL HAS ALSO BEEN FOUND TO HAVE ISSUES WITH "FAULTY BRAKE MASTERS & LEAKING OIL LEADING TO COOLANT AND HEAD GASKET" ISSUES. NO RECALL, SAFETY OR ADVISEMENT INFORMATION HAS EVER BEEN SENT OR CORRESPONDED TO US REGARDING THIS MATTER. THERE IS HOWEVER AN OPEN CLASS ACTION SUIT IN NEW JERSEY FOR THE ISSUE OF LEAKING OIL AND COOLING ISSUES.
NHTSA complaint #10876864 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES
ON MAY 15TH, WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET, DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON INDICATING "BRAKE" AND "CHECK ENGINE". TOOK IT TO A SUBARU DEALER IN BERLIN CT WHO FOUND THE FOLLOWING: "TROUBLE CODE P0171/SYSTEM TO LEAN BANK 1, FAULT TRACED AND FOUND VACUUM LEAK AROUND BRAKE BOOSTER CHECK VALVE. VACUUM VALVE CRACKED. RECOMMEND REPLACING BRAKE BOOSTER ASSEMBLY". THIS VEHICLE HAS ONLY 39,120 MILES. THIS PART IS WELL PROTECTED WITHIN THE ENGINE AREA. SERVICE REPAIR DESCRIBED THE PART AS A SMALL PLASTIC PIECE AND STATED HE'S NEVER SEEN THIS HAPPEN BEFORE. TO MY WAY OF THINKING, THE PART HAD TO BE DEFECTIVE WHEN THE ENGINE WAS BUILT. CAR WAS NEVER IN AN ACCIDENT AND HAS ALWAYS BEEN MAINTAINED BY SUBARU DEALERS. COST IS A LITTLE OVER $700.00. I HAVE THE WORK ORDER IF YOU NEED IT; BUT THE WORDING ABOVE IS DIRECTLY FROM THE ORDER. IS THERE A WAY TO START AN INVESTIGATION SHOWING THIS IS A MANUFACTURERS FAULT? IS THERE ANY WAY I CAN FORCE SUBARU TO PAY FOR THIS?
NHTSA complaint #10865341 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.