Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| SERVICE BRAKES | |||
| 11/28/2012 | 121100 | 1 | |
| The brake and gas pedals on automatic transmission subaru legacy models are so close together that a man of average shoe size, wearing boots of any kind, is liable to inadvertently apply pressure to both pedals at the same time. the fix is simple: subaru of america should hang the manual transmission brake pedal, with its smaller pad footprint, on all automatic transmission legacy models. problem solved. while driving my vehicle, and if wearing boots, i must maintain constant vigilance to avoid the potentially lethal consequence of applying pressure to both pedals at the same time. *tr | |||
| 11/28/2012 | 121100 | ||
| The brake and gas pedals on automatic transmission subaru legacy models are so close together that a man of average shoe size, wearing boots of any kind, is liable to inadvertently apply pressure to both pedals at the same time. the fix is simple: subaru of america should hang the manual transmission brake pedal, with its smaller pad footprint, on all automatic transmission legacy models. problem solved. while driving my vehicle, and if wearing boots, i must maintain constant vigilance to avoid the potentially lethal consequence of applying pressure to both pedals at the same time. | |||
| SERVICE BRAKES, AIR - DISC - ROTOR | |||
| 06/01/1996 | 03/19/1995 | ||
| Brake rotors warped, causing severe vibration upon braking. | |||
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | |||
| 02/01/2011 | 174278 | ||
| Tl* the contact owns a 1995 subaru legacy. the contact stated that the brake pedal froze and was resistant to engagement. the failure caused the contact to crash into the rear of another vehicle. the contact stated that the air bags did not deploy upon impact. the vehicle was towed to the contact place of residence and was not inspected for the failure or repaired. the failure and current mileage was 174,278. | |||
| 02/01/2011 | 174278 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 1995 subaru legacy. the contact stated when they tried to stop the vehicle the brake pedal was frozen and did not move. the failure caused the vehicle to run into the rear of another vehicle. the contact stated the air bags did not deploy during the crash either. the vehicle was towed to the contacts home and had not been inspected at the time of the complaint. the failure mileage and current mileages were 174,278.rl | |||
| 01/14/2011 | 113419 | ||
| Vehicle is a 1995 subaru legacy l wagon with auto. trans. gas pedal and brake pedal are too close together, and at the same height. one's foot can inadvertently apply both pedals at once, causing acceleration and braking simultaneously. also, clearance between pedals and lower dash panel just above, is minimal. this can cause foot (especially in a winter boot) to jam in the limited space, resulting in difficulty lifting foot from a pedal. in an otherwise praiseworthy car, these flaws are an accident waiting to happen. | |||
| 02/24/2009 | 1 | ||
| Car shakes and steering wheel vibrates when applying brakes. gives sensation of inability to brake. feeling of insecurity. have taken to dealer on several occasions and the following have been done: resurfaced front and back rotors at 17,002 miles. replaced front and rear pads and front rotors and resurfaced rear rotors at 29,154 replaced rear rotors and resurfaced front rotors at 42,325. now at about 53,000, front rotors need replacing again! a quick internet search found one reported failure of abs in 2005 legacy that potentially could have caused an accident. i am concerned and worried that this car could prove unsafe for my family if our brakes fail. *tr | |||
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - ANTILOCK | |||
| 07/15/2002 | 1 | 01/01/1995 | |
| Front right wheel abs module failed while pulling into driveway. dealer contacted. *akthe brake light is on because the abs module leaks. the abs module was replaced. *jg | |||
| 03/20/2001 | 1 | 01/01/2001 | |
| Newly-acquired abs/awd model of otherwise similar subaru wagon that had taken same described turn hundreds of times: descending wet gravel road in 2nd gear, while braking simultaneously and approaching a tight turn, the car actually began to speed up -- so, instead of slowing to point where brakes alone would take me around turn as usual, i pushed in clutch to downshift to 1st - which point i never reached, since the wagon swung around to outside of road, and slid down a steep 30' embankment, rolling over. although neither i nor passenger [dog!] were hurt, there was extensive glass and body damage. phone call from nearby neighbors to tow company had the wagon back up on the road within ca. 90 minutes, on second try [first try popped both tow hooks on rear, causing another 10-15' nosefirst dive that dented front fender on soft soil]. i called tow truck operator's attention to apparent lack of skid/braking marks, but the whole road had been graded by the time i returned with my camera the next day. after reinflating tire, i was able to drive it 1.5 mi. back up mountain road to house, but abs light and warning flashers remained on until i disconnected battery. glass replacement [windshield, hatch, rear quarter] alone over $1000, plus whatever body work [rear quarter clip, roof, hood, fenders] and paint needed. but mainly, i am afraid to drive this wagon downhill again, as awd/abs were the touted safety reasons for buying it: subaru's recent byline is because safety is not an option.*ak | |||
| 09/01/1996 | |||
| Abs braking system needlessly engages at moderate speed and light braking, drastically increasing stopping distance, on washboard surfaced roads (dirt or gravel or snow). loose material may or may not be present. this has caused many near accidents. a different non-abs equipped vehicle stops in a much shorter distance in identical conditions, with braking moderate enough to avoid lock-ups or loss of steering control. *ak | |||
| Intermittently when brakes are applied in icy conditions the pedal becomes hard, resulting in extended stopping distance. dealer and manufacturer have been notified. *ak | |||
| 07/20/1997 | 5 | ||
| While driving vehicle about 25 mph the comsumer stepped on the brake pedal and the vehicle did not stop; depending on the speed of the vehicle, the longer the vehicle will stop. the dealer did check the system and did not find anything wrong with the abs. comsumer had not contacted the manufacturer. *ak | |||
| 01/01/1995 | 3 | 03/01/1995 | |
| Abs brake failure, made a noise, corrosion and warped rotors in for replacement continues to make a noise. *ak | |||
| 02/29/1996 | 1 | ||
| Antilock brake system fails to stop vehicle in a reasonable distance on slippery road surfaces. | |||
| 05/31/1995 | 1 | ||
| Antilock brakes failed. *sd | |||
| In the snow and rain brakes lock up while drivng. please describe. tt | |||
| 12/14/1995 | |||
| Abs system failure, when driving on rough surface there is loss of braking. tt | |||
| Abs braking problems. please describe. tt | |||
| 04/11/1995 | |||
| Abs system failed when used in inclement weather causing a skid. please describe. tt | |||
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - ANTILOCK - ABS WARNING LIGHT | |||
| 05/21/1995 | 1 | ||
| Anti-lock brake light lamp comes on when ignition is turned on and remains on during the time engine is running. *skd | |||
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS | |||
| 07/14/1995 | 4 | ||
| Brakes respond slowly. *sd | |||
| 10/03/1995 | |||
| While driving with cruise control on, disengage cruise and vehicle accelerated, brake did not respond, turn ignition off, then lost steering, resulting in r/end | |||
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DISC | |||
| 07/01/1997 | 2 | 06/01/1995 | |
| Brake rotors warped twice, at 20000 and 36000 miles. dealer resurfaced rotors at 20855 miles, rotors have warped again within 17000 miles, no unusual driver brake applications have heated rotors, vehicle shudders heavily when coming to a stop. suspect defective/inferior rotor metals. | |||
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DISC - CALIPER | |||
| 12/30/2003 | 150000 | 3 | |
| When brakes are applied/tapped they suddenly tighten and get hot as time progresses. this makes it difficult to continue operating the vehicle. this failure resulted in a fire due to master brake cylinder failure. brake pads and calipers were replaced, but the failure recurred. *ak | |||
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DISC - PADS | |||
| 12/30/2003 | 150000 | 3 | |
| When brakes are applied/tapped they suddenly tighten and get hot as time progresses. this makes it difficult to continue operating the vehicle. this failure resulted in a fire due to master brake cylinder failure. brake pads and calipers were replaced, but the failure recurred. *ak | |||
| 01/18/1997 | 1 | 09/04/1995 | |
| Rear brakes failed at very low mileage. | |||
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - DISC - ROTOR | |||
| 06/17/1997 | 2 | 03/07/1995 | |
| When braking under normal conditions severe vibration occurs in front end due to excessive warping of all four brake rotors. *ak *ml | |||
| 06/01/1996 | 1 | 10/01/1995 | |
| Front and back rotors warped. yh | |||
| Extended stopping distance due to rear brake rotors corroding. dealer said rotors needed to be replaced. *ak | |||
| 01/01/1995 | 3 | 03/01/1995 | |
| Abs brake failure, made a noise, corrosion and warped rotors in for replacement continues to make a noise. *ak | |||
| 10/12/1996 | 1 | 07/01/1995 | |
| The front brake rotors vibrate while vehicle is in motion. *ak vehicle vibrates when brakes are applied to slow down from speed of 65 mph.*jb | |||
| 08/07/1995 | 7 | ||
| Brake rotors repaired. *sd | |||
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - FOUNDATION COMPONENTS - MASTER CYLINDER | |||
| 12/30/2003 | 150000 | 3 | |
| When brakes are applied/tapped they suddenly tighten and get hot as time progresses. this makes it difficult to continue operating the vehicle. this failure resulted in a fire due to master brake cylinder failure. brake pads and calipers were replaced, but the failure recurred. *ak | |||
| 09/01/1997 | 2 | 10/01/1995 | |
| Consumer was driving at approx 60 mph down a 10 mile long winding narrow hill road, went to change lanes but could not get in, had to apply brakes. pushed hard, almost to floor, had no response. had to re-apply again. this occurred twice within 5 minutes, received no warning light, mechanic's analysis was that master cylinder failed. *ak updated 01/05/10. *lj updated 01/05/10. *jb | |||