Subaru Crosstrek brake failure problems

Filed Oct 7, 2026 · Brakes, Driver assistance · NM · crash

2019 Subaru crosstrek brakes failed unintended acceleration crash into handicap metal post.

Filed Sep 22, 2026 · Brakes · 21,353 miles · MD · crash

The contact owns a 2024 Subaru Crosstrek. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to slow down during a turn, the brakes failed to function properly and caused a delay while braking. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but the technicians were unable to duplicate the failure or determine the cause of the failure. The contact stated that on another occasion while slowing down, the brakes failed to stop the vehicle, causing the contact to crash into the rear of another car. The vehicle was taken to a collision center to be repaired. The failure mileage was 21,353.

Filed Sep 21, 2026 · Brakes, Driver assistance · MA · crash

I was backing out of my driveway at 630 am this morning, September 21, 2026 when I heard what sounded like a loud crash. However, if anything had been in my car’s line of vision a beep would go off to alert me and that didn’t happen. I pulled back into my driveway to check if anything had somehow been behind me and then discovered I had no brakes! My driveway goes down a steep incline and I kept trying to apply my brakes to no avail and I crashed into some trees at the bottom of the driveway. I was not hurt and ran back up the driveway to make sure my car had not hit anyone or anything and there was nothing at all at the top of the driveway. I went back down and saw all the damage on my car: Front bumper and hood were smashed in as well as the driver’s side front and the passenger’s side front areas. I called the local police, my dealership where I leased this car, Patrick Motors in Shrewsbury, Ma, Subaru of American and my insurance agency, Liberty Mutual. At this time, I have nothing available to upload. I wanted to alert you to this situation because after I researched what happened to me and my 2024 Subaru Crosstek Wilderness Model this morning, I discovered that something called Reverse Automatic Braking (RAB) has frequently occurred with the Crossteks. I am fortunate that this happened to me in my own driveway and not going down any other street where I could have hit a person or vehicle or gone into a lake because the brakes stop working when RAB occurs!

Filed Aug 21, 2026 · Brakes · MN

We brought the vehicle in for routine maintenance. They reported that all brake hoses were bulging and at risk of failing at any time. They said that there was a related recall for a similar issue on other CrossTrek's but that ours was not included in the VIN list, so was not a part of the recall. This appears to be a serious component failure which could result in a fatal accident. The fact that this happened with all brake hoses indicates a defective component. We were lucky that we found it and were able to have it addressed before the brakes failed.

Filed Jul 29, 2026 · Driver assistance · NV

Adaptive cruise control did not disengage when brake pedal was pressed. The cars ahead of me on the highway were coming to a stop, so I tried to veer to the right since the brakes didn't work. The lane assist kept fighting me and wouldn't let me veer off to the right. Almost hit the car in front of me. Now the car is undrivable and needs to be towed

Filed May 11, 2026 · Electrical · VT

While driving 2020 Crosstrek Hybrid, the dashboard lights suddenly flashed and then engine stalled, leaving me with no brakes and no steering. I rolled through straight through an intersection with four stop signs and I could not stop. Luckily no one was driving or walking at the time. I couldn't start car, even with a jump start. I bought a new Interstate battery with higher specs. Three days later the same thing happened, the car stalled while driving just about to park. The dashboard lights also flashed and I saw Hybrid System this time. Car was towed to the dealer and there was a huge amount of corrosion with the electrical system underneath the car. Previously, four times this winter the car batter was completely dead after being parked in a garage and twice in a parking lot. I was told by a mechanic who gave me a jump start that there's a parasitic drain somewhere.

Filed Aug 26, 2025 · Brakes, Driver assistance · GA

I was driving on the highway in stop-and-go traffic when suddenly I found myself depressing the brake pedal to the floor and the car would not stop. Additionally, the eyesight function that prevents forward collisions did not alert for obstruction or stop the vehicle. I was able to put the vehicle in park and then tried to reengage the vehicle, but the brakes failed to respond. I was in the middle lane of a major highway. My vehicle could have harmed someone else, in addition to myself, and I was also at risk by being stopped in the middle of traffic. I could have died, had I been traveling at actual highways speed. No lights or warnings were on in the vehicle before, during, or after the incident. As of now, the dealership has been unable to replicate the issue, thought they still have the vehicle. They have not been able to identify the cause of the issue, but have also been unwilling to put the tests they have done in writing for me at this point. At this point, I have little confidence in my vehicle, despite it being a 2022 with low miles. I am terrified that this intermittent issue could happen again. The week prior, I had an experience where the acceleration and braking were not functioning as expected, but I had just pulled out of a parked position and this resolved after putting the vehicle in park and reengaging the vehicle.

Filed Jun 30, 2025 · Brakes, Wheels · NM

The affected component of this vehicle is the braking system. When rocks or gravel get stuck to, in, on, or around the brake pads/brakes the braking system is compromised. Yes, The vehicle is available for inspection. When gravel gets stuck in, on, and around the brake pads, the safe operation of the braking system malfunctions. If the vehicle braking system does not work as designed/intended, lives are at risk. When you need to brake, the braking system needs to be reliable. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes, upon taking the vehicle back to the dealer, the service manager confirmed this is a known defect by both sales and service teams. The service manager said this happens often and we should expect it to happen again. The service manager told me this vehicle is not to be driven on gravel. This was not disclosed at the time of purchase. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? The dealer service department inspected the vehicle when it was towed back to them for service related to this problem. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No, there was no warning. The brakes failed to operate properly, they did not completely fail.

Filed Jan 11, 2022 · Brakes, Electrical · OH

On Jan 7th, during rush-hour traffic on the highway, without any warning all of my vehicle lights began to dim. The power steering and brakes went out. I was able to steer to the side of the road. Then, all of the lights went out and the car shut off. I was unable to shift the vehicle into park, and as I was going up a hill at the time, I was forced to roll backwards slowly and engage the emergency brake. Only luck prevented a serious, perhaps fatal accident. It was also below freezing in Ohio so I had to sit in the frigid temperatures until a tow truck arrived. After being towed to two separate dealerships, the Subaru dealer believes this was caused by a faulty hybrid battery, alternator, or both. An inspection is available by request. The problem did flag multiple error codes (confirmed by the dealer) but it is very frightening that there was absolutely NO warning and I feel unsafe driving this vehicle, even after it will be repaired. Next time, myself or others, may not be so fortunate. The alternator is being recalled in 2017+ Subaru Crosstrek for this very issue, but not the 2016 (my vehicle).

Filed May 22, 2019 · Lights · MN

I received a subaru critical safety recall notice regarding the brake lights. The local dealership would not schedule work for over 6 weeks. Bloomington, mn subaru. See copy of email I sent following: [xxx] 9:46 am (1 hour ago) to bloomington "I left a message this morning with your service manager, registering my extreme displeasure and outrage that when I called your service desk over two weeks ago to schedule service on this "urgent critical safety recall", that the earliest date I could get was july 9. When I explained my concern with the dilatory scheduling to your service person, I was told I would receive a follow-ip call from you service manager. I never did. I'd called when I received the safety recall notice in the mail. Today I received this even more alarming safety recall by email, identifying several alarming dangers linked to the brake failure issue, including risks of a crash and failure of related safety systems. . My detailed voice mail message that I left this morning underscored my concern that this problem that could lead a crash and other serious safety outcomes is being handled in this way, interestingly, when I spoke to your service person two weeks ago and was given july 9 as the earliest date, he explained that there were other safety recall issues with airbags that had taken precedence. It is unbelievable to me that subaru would present this lackadaisical attitude at your local dealership where I bought this car. I am forwarding this subaru email to you with my accompanying concern, and registering my concern in writing to document the message that I also left with your service manager's voice mail. Yours truly, [xxx]" information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tt