2001 Subaru Forester: brake failure

5 of the 139 complaints about the 2001 Subaru Forester describe brake failure.

owner complaints: 5
of this car's complaints: 4%
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 4 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Brake failure by model year

2020
3
2019
1
2018
1
2017
3
2016
1
2015
4
2014
4
2013
1
2012
4
2011
1
2010
8
2009
4
2008
2
2007
1
2006
3
2005
1
2004
1
2003
1
2002
1
2001
5
1999
3
1998
3

What owners say

Filed Apr 23, 2013 · Electrical, Engine · 189,000 miles · OH

I was driving down the freeway at night when I heard a loud bang noise and looked behind me and saw black smoke and had lost all power, no power steering, no brakes and no lights I had to try to cross 2 lanes of traffic to get my car to the shoulder while it was decelerating. I got the car to the shoulder and noticed smoke coming from the engine compartment, and was worried of a possible fire. I got out and called a tow truck and had it towed. The result was a blown head gasket that had blown the rod through the back pillar and sprayed oil over everything causing the battery to short out which LED to the power loss. The whole engine on the car needed to be replaced for the second time. Bought car with a rebuilt engine from same problem at 141,000 miles.

Filed Apr 20, 2004 · Brakes · 40,000 miles · NC

Anti lock brakes failed to stop vehicle in a timely manner when the two right tires were on ice ,and the two left tires were on dry pavement. When this occurred it almost caused an accident. The dealership indicated that this problem was due to a design flaw. *ak

Filed Jul 24, 2002 · Acceleration · MD · crash · 1 injury

Sudden acceleration..car was idling few minutes in park in my driveway,before entering garage. When shifted to drive, with foot still on brake, car revved up, accelerated, crashed through garage wall into family room of home. Brakes did not work;only impact stopped car. Airbag did not open.

Filed Oct 10, 2001 · Acceleration, Transmission · MA

Was attempting to back into driveway when suddenly the car moved forward. Engaging the brakes failed to stop car and it went over an embankment. In previous years subarus were recalled for brake problems.also for problems with automatic transmission.

Filed Jan 24, 2001 · Airbags, Brakes · NY · crash · 1 injury

Brakes lightly applied due to slush on roadway,brakes did not work vehicle crashed, driver suffered concusion as head hit windshield and air bags did not depoly. Seat belt did not hold driver firmly. Subaru home office notified, chris, customer service rep appears not very concerned and almost callous in response to our concerns. Ins co has elected to further investigation the vehicle.