2001 Subaru Outback brakes problems

Filed Feb 1, 2015 · Brakes · 230,000 miles · VA

Outside temperature was 25 degrees f. I was leaving from the parking lot at work. As I approached the intersection the brakes became so hard that I couldn't press them any farther. I sis some research and apparently lots of other subaru owners have experienced this problem. It appears that the check valve on the brake booster line freezes up. If I had been moving any faster I would have went into the intersection possibly causing an accident or worse.

Filed Jan 5, 2010 · Brakes · 112,000 miles · PA · crash

Vehicle does not brake properly when cold in sub-freezing weather conditions. Vehicle consistently has greatly increased stopping distances when it is very cold out and the condition resolves once the vehicle has warmed up.

Filed Jan 20, 2009 · Brakes · 80,000 miles · VT

When the weather is very cold out (it was -15 to -20 celsius when this happened) there is no vacuum assist for the brakes. This is a common problem (check at www.subaruoutback.org). The vehicle is a 2001 subaru outback and the problem seems to be a check valve in the vacuum line running to the brake booster. In cold weather, the check valve freezes and there is no vacuum to the brake booster. This makes the brake pedal extremely hard to push as the is no power assist when there is no vacuum to the booster.

Filed Feb 10, 2007 · Brakes · OH

We had excessive brake problems and after repeated attempts to the dealer, my husband found there is a pin that the calipers slide on and it was locked up. He took it apart, lubed with "never seize" and problem solved. Unfortunately, after much $$$$ paid to dealers without any help.

Filed Feb 5, 2007 · Brakes · 61,000 miles · CO

2001 subaru outback. When the temp falls below 20, and the car has sat for several hours, brakes will momentarily not work. Specifically, I apply the brakes to slow down, they will feel hard to push and will slow the car, I let up and push again, they feel even harder, and will not slow the car. Usually the fourth time I pump them they return to normal operation. This has happened in the past, I took the car to the shop, who said there was nothing wrong. Pads were fine, no water in the fluid. Fluid was changed and problem has recurred since then.

Filed Dec 17, 2006 · Brakes · 30,000 miles · MI

Within 4 years, my subaru outback vcd needed 3 sets of brakes and 4 sets of rotors (not including the "resurfacing" to extend the rotors). Everytime when I brought the car to the dealership, they attribute the problems to my driving pattern. But I owned three other cars before (all were less expensive), and never needed to replace brakes nor rotors. As posted in this website, there are 13 other complains, with virtually identical problems. I strongly recommend the federal safety agency engineers to analyze the 2001 subaru outback brakes and rotors. Not only it is a public safety issue, it is also a company responsibility issue: subaru should be responsible for all repair cost, not to mention the inconvenience, our time, emotional stress caused to the vehicle owners.

Filed Nov 15, 2005 · Brakes · 37,666 miles · VT

Brakes require frequent servicing. Front rotors and pads worn after 37,000 miles, needing full replacement. Rear rotors turned and rear pads replaced at 30,000 mile service check. Service mechanic indicated problem in the design of the rotors for weight and wheel size of vehicle.

Filed Jun 28, 2005 · Acceleration, Brakes · 4,000 miles · RI

Dt: unintended acceleration and braking, when depressing the gas pedal it takes right off, can take foot off the gas pedal and it still surges forward. It is hard to slow down the vehicle when hitting brakes. This problem got so bad that it wouldn't let consumer make a turn. Had to keep going forward inside. Railroads tracks were there and hit the mound. Had to replace brake pads and rotors. It was 1000.00 miles when it was done last june.

Filed Jun 4, 2005 · Brakes · 500 miles · OH

Shortly after I purchases a new 201 subaru outback (first 500 miles the brake rotors were warped. I was told by the dealere that the car had been sertting a long tiome and the rotors were rusted but it would clear up. It didn't and they turned the rotors and then replaced them stating that it was my driving that cuased the problem. I am still driving the car and the front brakes are defective and have been ever since it was new. Somw of my friends have had the same problem. I feel that the brakes are unsafe and are not as effective as they should be when stopping at freeway speeds. The brakes are noe out of warranty however, I feel that the manufacturer should correct the brake problem.

Filed May 16, 2005 · Brakes · 40,970 miles · MA

While parked in neutral, with the emergency brake on, and no occupants, our standard transmission vehicle rolled backwards out of our driveway, across the street & into the yard across the street. Our driveway has only a very slight grade (less than 5%), so I'm alrarmed with the ease with which this happened. There were about 8 children playing around the street & yards. My neighbor & I both confirmed that the emergency brake was in the upright position, which I always engage before exiting the car. We do not know if there is a problem with the emergency brake itself, or if I simply did not pull up enough on the brake; however, if this can happen to a safety hound like me, I'm assuming I'm not the only one & that it's a common enough occurence to warrant some kind of indicator to alert the driver as to whether the parking brake is actually engaged.