2013 Subaru Impreza: brake failure

Filed Aug 8, 2026 · Brakes · NY

The brakes failed due to a leak in the brake lines (pedal to the floor). Location of the leak is just after a union on the passenger side rear (just in front of the rear tire). Location is not well protected from corrosion similar to other recalls for the wrx and sti version of the impreza. Image shows the corroded area, and is taken after the protective coating was cut bqck to expose well maintained lines. The corrosion occurred where no protective coating was present. Both the left and right rear brake lines were found to be leaking. Luckily this was noticed in the driveway and did not result in a crash.

Filed Mar 16, 2022 · Acceleration · 95,000 miles · PA · crash · 1 injury

The contact owns a 2013 Subaru Impreza. The contact stated that while reversing she depressed the accelerator pedal, the engine revved and the vehicle accelerated in reverse crashing into the rear of the garage. None the air bags deployed. The contact attempted to depress the brakes however the brakes failed. The contact attempted to drive forward when the vehicle revved up again and accelerated independently. The contact attempted to depress the brake pedal however they failed to respond. The vehicle came to a stop at the opposite of the road blocking traffic. The contact managed to park the vehicle and activate the emergency brakes. The contact sustained injuries to their knee and chest area. No medical attention was not needed. There was damage to their home. There was no police report filed. The contact's insurance had the vehicle towed to a repair shop who was not able to find a cause for the failure. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer who was unable to identify the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage 95,000.

Filed Jul 26, 2021 · Brakes · ME

On Friday July 23, 2021 my 1013 Subaru Impressa experienced a failure of the hydraulic braking system, exhibited by the brake warning light and loss of braking ability. Fortunately I was able to safely get to the Subaru dealer (Bath Subaru in Woolwich, Maine) where they determined that the problem was corrosion of the 4 way joint connector which is totally exposed (no cover or protective shield). This is a particular hazard on my car because both hydraulic braking circuits pass through through this connector. Currently the dealer is preparing and estimate for repair but I am concerned that this issue is a design defect and serious safety hazard that should have been subject to recall. I have since noted that a June 27, 2014 letter from Subaru to the federal safety agency (Ref No.: GR14-042) identified this exact issue in many of the other Subaru models manufactured between 2005 and 2014. From my comparison of the descriptions and photos shown in the referenced letter, I believe that my car has the same identified defect and should also have been subject to this recall and the exclusion of my car from the original recall was an oversight. i am hopeful that Subaru will stand behind their product, provide a timely repair and provide assurance that the underlying cause has been corrected.

Filed Jan 28, 2014 · Brakes · 7,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 subara impreza. The contact was driving 30 MPH, the contact stated that the brakes failed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection where master cylinder was replaced however the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 7,000.

Filed Dec 30, 2013 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 13,700 miles · OH

Brake failure at low speed coming to stop at traffic light, traction control light came on,brake light came on and check engine light on. Returned to dealer to repair. Dealer took 2 days to repair . At witch it lasted till today(12/30/2013). The same thing has happened again. Very scary you wonder if the car is reliable and always afraid to travel now. Have grandchildren and cannot trust this car. I hope someone can help. Have to return to dealer (again) to have them look at it (again). Wonder if they know how to fix it.

Filed Oct 27, 2013 · Brakes · 8,000 miles · IN

In an outside parking lot with parking blocks started the car and moved forward toward and over the parking block at starting speed. The car leaped forward and lost braking power, with the brake pedal going to the floor. Car leaped ahead across the asphalt road to next parking row on gravel with driver turning right, to avoid a pole and standing cars ahead, and non-accelerating steady-speed movement continued over several parking blocks on gravel without ability for the driver to stop using brake pedal. The car could not be stopped, with brakes dropping, even when back on asphalt road. Movement only stopped when shift put in parking position. In total the braking power was lost for at least 5 seconds. The trigger for evidenced brake disfunction was low-speed front-wheel collision with the concrete below-bumper parking block, or pressing the brake pedal when going over the block, or a combination of these and possibly other factors. Dealer stated no brake failure, no fluid leak, no error codes. Driver hold responsible for the > $2400 cost to replace damaged exhaust system and scratched driver-side front wheel. However, most of the damage was caused not by the initial collision with the parking block, but the subsequent uncontrollable movement over several (4-6) parking blocks due to loss of brake pedal function. Had there been people, cars or bigger objects ahead of the car, the accident could have caused serious injury or extensive property damage. The height of the parking block was just slightly higher than the height of a standard speed bump. We encourage investigation on subaru impreza 2013 brake and ABS function when braking over speed bumps, curbs and other low obstacles or following a low-speed, low-obstacle front-wheel collision.

Filed Jun 14, 2013 · Transmission · 3,925 miles · GA

Was at a red light, stopped. Light turned green started to go, went to shift into 2nd gear and heard a loud pop and the car wouldn't go any more. Had it towed to gerald jones subaru dealer, where I bought it. Was told it was driver error and the clutch went out. An independent mechanic said he's seen it plenty of times in the wrx going back to 2008 and that subaru has defective welds on the vehicles' firewall, which results in clutch and/or brake failure.