2002 Subaru Impreza: brake failure

Filed Nov 25, 2003 · Brakes · 26,000 miles · CA

Consumer applied the brake and the pedal went to the floor. The vehicle went through the intersection before consumer could apply the brake again to stop. The road was dry and even when this occurred. *ph

Filed Oct 28, 2003 · Brakes · 35,000 miles · FL

I have an 02 subaru impreza wrx. The ABS system activates prematurely and overly-agressively in a variety of conditions. Most often it happens when attempting to stop and driving over bumpy roads. Something as minor as a 1/2 inch dip in the pavement can set off the ABS. Once the system activates the pedal goes to the floor and there is momentarily a complete loss of braking ability. It can extend the braking distance by 1 or 2 full car lengths as compared to without ABS and has caused me to nearly crash into other cars several times.

Filed Sep 15, 2003 · Brakes · 10,000 miles · PA

My antilock brakes go off when I am braking (at any speed) over a bumpy road. Worse, at times when I have enough forward momentum going, when the ABS goes off, the pedal goes to the floor and I lose all braking ability. The first time this happened I was going maybe 20 MPH on a busy (strip mall) road, and almost rear ended the woman who'd braked in front of me to let someone turn. I had to let go of the pedal completely and re-hit the brakes and pump them to get it to stop, and I narrowly missed her. Now, I have to pump the brakes when I must stop short (since the roads these days are wavy from whatever asphalt they're using, it's rare to find a flat one). I don't bother stopping at yellow lights anymore unless I'm decelerating, and I have to drive very carefully on bumpy roads since I know I won't be able to stop. It's not a good thing. I was not aware that I could make a complaint until I read similar stories in a forum, so now I am doing it. I can replicate the ABS going off over bumps at very low speeds, faithfully, by my house. The pedal thing doesn't happen there, because I'm not going fast enough, but the ABS goes off even when I'm going 5 MPH. I drive a 2001 subaru wrx. Thanks, katie (the date is approximate)

Filed Jul 21, 2003 · Brakes · SC

The federal safety agency action number : pe03029, component : service brakes, hydraulic:antilock I have had this happen to me several times. The date included is not accurate, but I had to give one. I noticed on these 8 (or more) occassions that if I brake hard (ABS not on) that the car is fine. But, if I hit a surface were the front tire(s) lose traction or hit a bump the brake release and then the ABS will kick in for a very short distance. The surfaces include, potholes, uneven surface manhole covers, painted traffic lines, road cracks. I did notice that on one ocassion when the brakes release the brake pedal went to the floor. This was while braking going down hill my front right tire went over a recessed manhole cover. I came within 3 feet of hitting a car in front of me. I can name the city and street where this happened. And, I can repeat the occurrence with almost 90% accurancy at this spot if need be.

Filed Jul 16, 2003 · Brakes · 9,800 miles · CA

Approaching a toll-booth I began braking moderately from roughly 45mph. At about 15mph I went over some broken pavement with small pock marks. The pedal immediately went to the floor, or thereabouts, and a significant loss of braking power occurred. Upon releasing the brake and reengaging the vehicle's brakes, the brakes operately properly and stopped the car. By the time I stopped, however, I was already 20 feet beyond the tollbooth. Thank god there was not a car in front of me. I have also been able to repeat this scenario numerous times over rough, dry pavement with light to moderate braking. The bumps seem to confuse the ABS.(?) I brought the car into marin subaru, who confirmed a brake hydraulic failure and replace the offending parts.

Filed Apr 3, 2003 · Brakes · 12,385 miles · TX

While coming to a stop at about 30-35 MPH, the brakes stopped working for about 1-2 seconds. At the same time, the feel of the brake pedal seemed to indicate that the ABS system had been activated. Can't recall if this was over a bumpy road as mentioned in earlier complaints. Has occurred at least twice - very scary and dangerous.

Filed Jul 30, 2002 · Brakes · WA

Randomly while moderately braking on dry normal textured pavement ABS system will engage, this causes a major and dangerous loss of braking power and pedal pressure. In order to restore some braking power the brake pedal must be disengaged completely and then have pressure reapplied. This will result in about 3/4 of the normal braking power. If the ABS engages again the process must be repeated. This entire process causes braking distance to substantially increase from the expected amount.

Filed May 9, 2002 · Brakes · NC

When applying brakes while going over a bump at 25 MPH or less consumer can tell ABS system kicks in, but brake pedal goes to the floor, no braking ability for a few sconds. This happens intermittently. Dealer stated there was nothing he could do.

Filed Apr 25, 2002 · Brakes · NJ

When applying brakes lost all brake compression and pedal went to the floor.*akvehicle was braking fine until consumer lost compression after hitting a rough surface on the road.

Filed Feb 16, 2002 · Brakes · PA · crash

On 2/4/02 I was coming up to a stop light behind traffic. When I applied my brakes nothing happened. I had brake pedal but the car did not slow down at all. I immediately I geared down going about 20mph and applied the brakes again but no reaction. I hit the car in front at the rate of about 10mph and did considerable damage to my car. This was not the first time I had a problem with the brakes. In oct. 2001 I applied the brakes at about 55mph, the ABS system kicked in, but the vehicle didn't even slow down. I continued trying the brakes for at least 1 mile down the road with no slowing of the vehicle. Finally the brakes started to work and I continued on my way. In dec. When I took the car in for servicing, I stated this incident and was told that the ABS braking system isn't supposed to stop or slow down the car. From that point I decided to brake the car by gearing down so the ABS brakes would never kick in. In jan. I applied the brakes one day to turn into my driveway and nothing not even the ABS. A little further down the hill, the brakes worked and I stopped. It was a little slippery that day so I thought the failure to slow down or stop was related to the road conditions. Then on 2/4/02 the brakes failed to have any reaction once again and this time there was an accident. I do not intend to drive the car again until this problem is solved.