My 2011 subaru outback was brought in for a tire change and upon return, it was found that the brake lines were completely corroded and leaking fluid. Unfortunately, this was found out after I drove it out of the shop and I had no ability to stop whatsoever. Luckily the traffic in the area was light and I was able to pull to the side of the road after putting the car into neutral. The brake lines were corroded beyond belief in the center of the car. Coincidently this issue is known and recalls already occurred in 2014 with 660,000 subarus. However, my specific year was not a part of this recall. The rest of the undercarriage had minimal corrosions or at least the expected level after 8 years of service. The brake lines themselves had significantly more corrosion and this could have easily lead to an awful accident. This is poor engineering and I believe that subaru is to blame. I could have been killed because of this issue and subaru seems unsympathetic. There is no way a brake line in the center of the car should become corroded so quickly. It's reasonable to say that the front left and right or back left and right lines could have been pinched when the car turns, creating a leak of some kind. However, the center of the car and the fitments that piece the brake line together were beyond shot. I find it strange that 2005-2009 outbacks were covered under the recall but what changed with 2010 and beyond? My guess is that I'm not the only one whos ran into the same issue. The poor engineering with this model is most certainly a safety concern.
2011 Subaru Outback brakes complaints
Page 3 of 4: complaints 41 to 70 of 78, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Electric parking brake defective. Nothing happens when pushing in the button or pulling. The brake light continues to flash. This feature no longer works, and appears to also effect the hill holder as this no longer works either. Isn't safe to put onto a jack while changing a tire with this function not working as it will roll off the jack.
The traction, oil temp, brake sign turns on in my vehicle. The vehicle brake sign is a safety isssue.
I was driving home tonight and the car stalled everything quit working, the car jumped a few times and turned back on. I lost brakes and no steering coming down a 8 % grade. I turned the car back on and it kept doing it. I was out of cell service range so I could not call for help. It was scary. I got home and I see there was a recall but my car is out of that recall range at 100000 miles. I just paid 11,000 for this car. I believe I should not have to pay for this known issue.
In oct. 2018 subaru sent me a letter regarding the safety recall wtv-81 (the federal safety agency id 18v‑626). This recall states that the my vehicle's electronic parking brake (epb) may crack over time and that remedy parts are not yet available. It is now march, 2019 and a remedy still has not been found. I have a manual transmission and if my epb fails, this will cause my call to roll away and crash. This is not acceptable. I have repeatedly contacted the dealer and they have no answers for me. I am filing this complaint in hopes that it will push subaru to actively find a remedy for this recall.
Brakes fade and fail to stop vehicle. On more than one occasion causing near collisions with other vehicles.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 subaru outback. The contact stated that while driving and coming to a stop, excessive force had to be applied to the brake pedal, in order to bring the vehicle to a complete stop. The contact stated that the failure intermittently occurred. The cruise control, overheat, brake and check engine warning lights illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that when at a stop sign if the brake pedal was not steadily being depressed the brake would disengage and the vehicle would accelerate independently. The contact also stated that the electronic emergency brake failed to operate. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the torque converter and valve body needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact called continental subaru dealer (907) 562-2722, 4900 old seward hwy, anchorage, ak 99503) where it was recommended to replace the transmission and to schedule an appointment. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.
The green light illuminated and would not unlock . I was driving on a city street and the red brake light came on. After an attempt to release the green light it came off on its ow. The same thing has occurred, both the red and green light are on and not going off.
Takata recall" I was driving on the interstate hwy. The car in front of me slammed on brakes, so I stepped on my brakes, car turked to a stop while engine stalled. Dead stop on interstate. Not a good thing. I started it back up, kept driving, when , I came to a safer stop sign. I tried to step on brakes like I had done on interstate and it turked to a stop again stalling. It doesn't seem safe to me. I am glad no one was behind me on interstate or I am afraid it would not have ended well.
While braking at intersections, engine stalls causing dangerous situations for my wife and self. We are beginning to fear driving our subaru.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 subaru outback. While reversing the vehicle, the brakes failed. The contact attempted to shift and turn off the vehicle; however, it would not power down. The failure occurred without warning. As a result of the brake failure, the rear of the vehicle struck a tree. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. After restarting the vehicle, it was fully functional. The contact stated that the failure occurred once previously. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 40,000. The VIN was not provided.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 subaru outback. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the ABS, brakes, traction control, check engine, and cruise control indicators remained illuminated. The contact drove home and contacted an independent mechanic who performed a function test of the ABS pump/module and was able to clear all the codes. The failure recurred after one year. The contact called the independent mechanic and was advised to bring the vehicle back. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was 61,986.
I have 103.5k miles and my master cylinder is going out. I was told the 2012 outback had issues also. While driving the brake pedal went almost to the floor.
While driving, if you have to stop quickly and step on the brakes hard the car engine stalls. This puts the car in jeopardy of being hit from behind and injury to the passengers. This has happened multiple times over the past couple of months at various speeds - both low speed and highway speed.
Twice in july the electronic parking brake would not release. The car was stopped at the time. After about 15 minutes the parking brake would release. After the second occurrence the dash warning light for brakes flashed for about 50 miles. My local dealer diagnosed it as a failed electronic parking control module. This seems to be a problematic design if this were to engage while the car was in motion.
On 06/12/2016, I attempted to actuate the electronic brake, to no avail once again. Parking on a hill is rather risky with this vehicle as the parking brake does not function most of the time, something I have never experienced in 50 yrs of driving using a manual parking brake. So I have made my own parking brake (see attached).
Once again the electronic parking brake is non-functional. The 'brake' light is flashing on the instrument panel and the [xxx] parking brake does not function. My wife says "I need a dependable vehicle". Obviously this vehicle does not qualify. The australians and recalled this brake for year 2015 and will probably do same for other years. Attached you will see a list of the diagnostic trouble codes (dtcs) for this problem. It is a long list. This is faulty design, pure and simple. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
On 5/30/16 the electronic brake was non-functional again. It would not engage. The "brake" light was flashing on the dashboard. I was parked on a hill and could not engage the parking brake due to malfunction. What if the transmission cog could not hold the car? It would have rolled down the hill and done untold damage. This electronic parking brake should be recalled as it is dangerous as a critical safety element of the car. The 2015 outback has been recalled in australia for this very issue.
70% of the time I try to activate the electronic parking brake, the computer just 'chirps' and the 'brake' light on the dash blinks. The parking brake is not actuated thus the vehicle is at risk of rolling down a hill with noone at the wheel. This system should be recalled at least and redesigned to a higher standard of dependability. It is a brake for god's sake!!
The electronic parking brake on this vehicle does not work most of the time. Last evening is an example. Parked on slope in driveway and engaged the parking brake. When time to leave the brake could not be disengaged. It was locked up. Had to manually decouple the parking brake with special tool. Most of the time this brake cannot be engaged as electrical system is unresponsive. The "brake" dash light just flashes and a 'chirp' is heard when the button is pushed. Parking brakes are terribly important in hilly environs. This is a safety hazard and the vehicle should be thus recalled/redesigned to a more dependable system (ie. Manual lever/cable brake).
Driving on highway, approximately 55 MPH. Brake warning light came on, brakes applied, brake pedal went to floor. Vehicle pulled off road into parking lot. Vehicle towed to subaru dealer. Vehicle inspected, dealer states rear brake line separated from coupling, due to rust and corrosion. Dealer further states there are no replacement brake lines available anywhere in north america, nor do dealers have any inventory. D3aler is forced to craft brake line to return vehicle to service.
The battery was not producing power after 4 yrs. Service. Replaced battery without any complications other than the fact that the electronic parking brake is nonfunctional. Search for error codes using obdii was non-productive. A brake should work whenever needed, not when the computer (or other peripheral device) decides when it should work. The electric parking brake should be eliminated from automobile design. This should be a high priority safety concern as property and people are at risk from non-functional brakes.
2011 subaru outback. Consumer received vehicle repairs and would like reimbursement. *ta the consumer stated the left rear wheel brake had a locked caliper, damaged rotor and a missing brake pad. The consumer stated the brake warning light never illuminated on the dashboard.
When applying the brakes hard at the a stopping point of the car it kills the engine leaving you dead in the street. Emergency pressure hard! Other than that the brakes work great. Now if you push trans into neutral and brake hard as you will the engine is not effected and keeps on running. This is a automatic but it feels like you did not depress the clutch on stopping the car if it were a standard stick shift trans. There is a bucking at stopping then the engine is dead in the street. If you let up the brake before this kills the motor then it keeps running or if just light braking that is normal needed no problem. Other than that dangerous condition in city traffic the car runs great. This has to be a defect in design of the system never in 30+ years of auto mech trade have I run across this in any world brand name cars.
I was driving on the freeway when my check engine light, ABS brake light, traction control (all wheel drive) light and cruise control lights began flashing all at once. I called the dealership immediately and was told that all the lights flash because most drivers ignore just the check engine light. At the dealer the next day I was told the same thing with the addition of the facts that the ABS brake system and the traction control systems were actually disabled during this incident. During the conversation it was said that to correct the problem, a "reflash " of the computer system was needed and that this was a known problem on some outbacks. I asked why there was no recall if the problem was known and was told they just fixed the problem when it happened. This seems to me to be a significant safety problem since if the problem occurred while the driver was on ice or snow or wet road , vehicle stability would be compromised. I think subaru should at least be made to recall the suspected vehicles and fix the problem even though it is something that may not happen to all vehicles.
I pulled up into my driveway coming home from shopping as usual, it was approximately 5:45pm on jan 7, 2014. The road to my house and my driveway have an incline. I pulled in my driveway which was dry (the street was icy) stopped, turned off car, put my foot on the brake to use the emergency brake. My foot brake went to the floor, no tension, I tried it over and over as my car was rolling backwards, went to hit the electronic emergency brake, nothing happened my car was off rolling backwards out of control picking up speed, I thought the only thing that will stop this car is when it hits something, and thank god no one was hurt! It hit the electrical box and mailbox and knocked power out in my cul-de-sac. The electric box flipped over and caught my rear tire and stopped the car! This was a complete brake failure, no way to stop the car!! Very scary! I have been driving a manual transmission since I was a teenager and I am 59. I have video of the officer pushing the electronic brake not engaging!
My 2011 subaru outback exhibits brake failure intermittently upon first start of the engine. On numerous occasions, the car would not stop while I was applying heavy pressure to the brakes. After a series of actuations, the brakes begin to work normally. To date, this has not lead to an accident. I have taken the car to the dealer on several occasions and they have not been able to replicate the failure and as a result, have indicated there is nothing they can do. The failure does not occur everyday, so it is not surprising that the dealer cannot replicate. During the first visit, they indicated they found a leaking hose that was the cause, but then the issue returned. At my request, they replaced the brake fluid, but this issue returned once again. I have contacted subaru USA who also stated that there is nothing that can be done.
While traveling at 70 MPH on I-65 the car suddenly slowed down, the check engine and brake lights began blinking. And as we pulled into the emergency lane the car came to a complete stop, the brakes having seized. The car was started again but could not move. The check engine and brake light kept blinking. After about an hour, the brakes unlocked and the car was able to be towed to the subaru dealer in nashville. The service dept. Technician performed a diagnostic test. While the test showed that a "braking event" had occurred, there was no indication of a current problem. The technician drove the car 50 miles with a monitor, but everything worked fine. We did not want to drive this car anymore since the problem could not be detected, and bought a new outback to drive home. Needless to say, if our car had stopped in a middle or left lane of the expressway, with large truck traffic going 70 MPH., a terrible accident most likely would have occurred.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 subaru outback. The contact stated that while braking, the traction control and ABS system warning lights illuminated. The engine made a knocking noise and vehicle would not accelerate over 5 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times for the failure and a diagnostic was performed that was unable to generate a failure code. The dealer replaced the transmission drive belt however, the failure was not corrected. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer for further inspection. The approximate failure mileage was 55,000 and the current mileage was 60,000.
I purchased a subaru outback (2011). Since that time, I have complained to the dealer of "soft brakes." the car does not stop in a timely, or effective manner. I have to overcompensate for routine stopping distances; and, you cannot panic stop. There is at least 2 inches of play in the brake; it fails to stop adequately in a safe manner; and the brakes are simply unresponsive in an emergency stop.
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