July 4, 2025 car had about 4100 miles Severe dangerous phantom braking on highway CA 280 N just prior to foothill expressway exit at about 7:30 pm. Suddenly while traveling 60+ MPH on mid lanes of freeway car auto braking caused car to brake/slow to 1/2 speed with no visible obstacle seen by any of 4 adults in car. Multi[ple Dash lights up with eyesite failure and all red , green and yellow lights. Gas pedal ws unresponsive no power. Eminent crash danger. Driver responded trying to hit gas then brake to steer off freeway. After several seconds the car gas pedal eventually responded and I was able to exit freeway at next exit. Taken to dealer July 23, 2025 Reported to Subaru of Santa Cruz . Tech could not duplicate state"The cameras will pickup objects and may brake if the freeway or road turns sharply". Manager of Service also indicated that this can happen if sun is setting. Since that time had P1894 cv transmission code at 12,567 at regular maintenance, techs local and Subaru engineer unable to identify problem erased codes to see if it repeats. 16,034 miles Aug14,2026 Hi pitched engine noise. Dealer diagnosed head gaskets leaking, engine idler pulley failure, pct value and hose leaking. repaired. Lemon claim denied by Subaru 2x cases filed with manufacturer no repair of automatic braking forward or rear collision system or transmission. Engine repair at this mileage indicates defective vehicle. I was hoping to resolve this with the manufacturer . but the safety issues with phantom braking and power trains early failures are unacceptable.
Subaru Outback phantom braking problems
12 of the 9,791 owner complaints about the Subaru Outback describe brakes engage by themselves (phantom braking), most of them for the 2023 model year.
- owner complaints
- 12
- worst model year
- 2023
By model year
- 20261
- 20252
- 20243
- 20233
- 20221
- 20171
- 20161
Often reported together
Collision warning 6Adaptive cruise 3Stalling 1Lane assist 1Jerking 1Hesitation 1
Trouble codes mentioned
P1894 1
What owners say
I have owned this vehicle since January 2026. It's the first vehicle I have owned with a forward collision warning system and active emergency braking. And this is the first time this "failure" has happened, so far... On a 60mph 2 lane rural road with traffic behind me the forward collision warning system and active braking triggered of off a disabled vehicle parked safely on the side of the road on a sweeping left hand curve at 60 mph. There was nothing I could do as the vehicle actively emergency braked for no reason and unexpectedly, and the traffic behind me had to swerve into oncoming traffic to avoid colliding with me. With no automatic collision avoidance system, this situation would have NEVER occurred. In 45 years of driving I have never collided with anything in front of me and the closest to an accident I have been is due to the automatic "safety" system included in my new car. I am actively considering looking for a 10 year old replacement vehicle as these new safety systems appear to be VERY dangerous... So now I have a solution to a problem I have never had, and it has created problems I never expected and I have NO control over.
I own a 2024 Subaru Outback Limited XT, VIN [XXX]. While traveling approximately 45–50 mph on a four-lane road with Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) engaged, my vehicle suddenly and rapidly decelerated and automatically applied the brakes as I approached a police vehicle traveling in the lane immediately to my right. There was NOTHING in my lane for at least one mile ahead of me. The police vehicle was not in my lane. It was traveling in the adjacent lane to my right. As I approached the police vehicle, my Subaru unexpectedly began rapidly decelerating and automatically braking. I did not apply the brakes. There was no warning beep before the automatic braking occurred. The vehicle behaved as though it had detected an imminent collision or obstacle directly in its path, even though there was no vehicle, pedestrian, or other obstacle in my lane for at least a mile. The event occurred while Adaptive Cruise Control was engaged. I am concerned that the EyeSight/Adaptive Cruise Control and/or Pre-Collision Braking system incorrectly detected the police vehicle traveling in the adjacent lane as an obstacle or as being in my vehicle’s path. The sudden automatic braking at approximately 45–50 mph is a serious safety concern. A vehicle traveling behind me could have struck my vehicle because the deceleration was unexpected and there was no warning beep. This type of false or inappropriate automatic braking could cause a rear-end collision or other crash. I am requesting that the federal safety agency investigate whether 2024 Subaru Outback vehicles equipped with EyeSight and Adaptive Cruise Control are experiencing unintended or inappropriate automatic braking, phantom braking, or rapid deceleration when vehicles are traveling in an adjacent lane. I would like this complaint associated with other reports involving sudden braking, rapid deceleration, Adaptive Cruise Control, EyeSight, and Pre-Collision Braking in 2024 Subaru Outback vehicles. I am willing to provide additional informati INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION
I own a 2024 Subaru Outback Limited XT, VIN [XXX]. While traveling approximately 45–50 mph on a four-lane road with Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) engaged, my vehicle suddenly and rapidly decelerated and automatically applied the brakes as I approached a police vehicle traveling in the lane immediately to my right. There was NOTHING in my lane for at least one mile ahead of me. The police vehicle was not in my lane. It was traveling in the adjacent lane to my right. As I approached the police vehicle, my Subaru unexpectedly began rapidly decelerating and automatically braking. I did not apply the brakes. There was no warning beep before the automatic braking occurred. The vehicle behaved as though it had detected an imminent collision or obstacle directly in its path, even though there was no vehicle, pedestrian, or other obstacle in my lane for at least a mile. The event occurred while Adaptive Cruise Control was engaged. I am concerned that the EyeSight/Adaptive Cruise Control and/or Pre-Collision Braking system incorrectly detected the police vehicle traveling in the adjacent lane as an obstacle or as being in my vehicle’s path. The sudden automatic braking at approximately 45–50 mph is a serious safety concern. A vehicle traveling behind me could have struck my vehicle because the deceleration was unexpected and there was no warning beep. This type of false or inappropriate automatic braking could cause a rear-end collision or other crash. I am requesting that the federal safety agency investigate whether 2024 Subaru Outback vehicles equipped with EyeSight and Adaptive Cruise Control are experiencing unintended or inappropriate automatic braking, phantom braking, or rapid deceleration when vehicles are traveling in an adjacent lane. I would like this complaint associated with other reports involving sudden braking, rapid deceleration, Adaptive Cruise Control, EyeSight, and Pre-Collision Braking in 2024 Subaru Outback vehicles. I am willing to provide additional INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION
Phantom Braking of Pre-Collision Braking 2023 Subaru Outback Turbo Wednesday, July 29, 2026. 9:30 am, sunny day Driving south on local city street. Brakes slammed on, car stopped, flashing yellow lights on left Combination Meter stating that Pre-Collision Braking was activated. There was no vehicle/obstacle/animal in the road. No parked cars, no cars backing out of a driveway. Road was completely clear. No strange shadows, no cracks in street. Pre-collision braking system hallucinated an obstacle and activated, throwing me forward into steering wheel, and dog in the back seat thrown forward into back of driver’s seat. Restarted car and drove off. Turned off system every time I drove the car until I took it to the dealer 2 days later. Problem was not reproduced by dealer . No messages or warning lights prior to incident. The repair order stated that there was a "sticky" substance on the windshield, but I had just had the car washed. I didn't notice anything on the windshield.
Three primary issues of major concern on this vehicle: 1. Phantom emergency - braking at random, both low and high speeds. The most dangerous of the three. 2. Lane keep assist - unaware or unable to compensate for real driving conditions, construction areas, pedestrians walking a dog, heavy machinery on a semi-truck as examples. 3. Infotainment blinding - A large, HIGH GLOSS screen at a 45-degree angle, placing it in the direct reflective angle of three windows: Sunroof, passenger front, passenger rear. Absolutely blinding even with sunglasses on during the right time of day. The Sunroof can be pulled closed with a shade but the other two will still cause complete blinding. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? 1. Emergency braking at slow speeds is annoying for sure, but it has also occurred at 65MPH and almost caused an accident had the nice lady behind not forced herself off the road to compensate. It braked for no reason (Rain? Splash? Not sure) and nearly caused an entire row of cars to crash into me. 2. Lane keep is highly problematic because it simply doesn’t know really what it’s doing or aware of surroundings. Per the above, examples had I NOT intervened: it would have happily crashed me into concrete following the wrong lines in construction areas, run a woman’s dog over as we tried to cross the lines to give passing space. 3. The screen is set up so that it is directly in line to reflect the sun at different points in the day. When I say blinding, I mean REALLY blinding (It’s the SUN after all). You lose visibility on the road and become a danger to yourself and others. We carry a towel to toss over it during certain points in the day, it’s that bad. I have more detailed information, but the character limit is low on this form. Contact me if you want more.
When coming to a stop at a stop sign, the car jerks and the engine appears to stall. I have brought it to 2 dealerships and both have said that it is "normal". I have had dozens of cars and none have ever performed in this manner. The adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking frequently brakes for no reason or does not recognize cars in front of me. It regularly misses large objects directly in front of the car. The system also has a lot of failures and turns itself off randomly for unknown reasons. (again, "working as designed")
The Eyesight system will malfunction and turn off at random times. The Automatic Emergency Braking and Forward Collision Warning will activate when there is nothing in front of my car causing it to brake abruptly. I have almost been in numerous collisions due to the random safety systems malfunctioning.
While going 65-70 mph on the freeway the car began braking on its own with no cars nearby. It almost came to a complete stop but then started moving, then hesitated once more before releasing. I reported it to the dealership. They said they could try to recalibrate but otherwise I should contact Subaru of America because I no longer felt safe on busy California freeways.
Pulling into our home driveway at a slow rate of speed, the auto emergency braking engaged for no reason and came to an abrupt stop. This system now has be concerned that it will engage at random times while driving and potentially cause an accident. We are taking the car to the dealer for inspection
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages
- What is wrong
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2020 Outback and Legacy vehicles. The brake pedal mounting bracket may have a missing or insufficiently tightened bolt.
- Risk
- A missing or loose bolt may cause the brake pedal mounting area to deform over time, which can reduce braking performance and increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake pedal mounting bracket hardware and replace the hardware or brake pedal assembly, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1‑844‑373‑6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUL-97.
Recall number 19V664000 · Recall details
Parking brake
- What is wrong
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Subaru Legacy and Outback vehicles equipped with a manual transmission. The electronic parking brake (EPB) may not engage as intended, allowing the vehicle to rollaway if the transmission is not in the proper gear when parked.
- Risk
- A vehicle rollaway can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EPB actuator assembly, free of charge. The recall began July 19, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1‑844‑373‑6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WTV-81.
Recall number 18V626000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper
- What is wrong
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2017 Outback vehicles manufactured June 20, 2016, to June 23, 2016. The affected vehicles may have improperly tightened attaching bolts for the front left and right brake calipers, wheel hubs, and the right stabilizer clamp.
- Risk
- If any of the front brake caliper, wheel hub or stabilizer clamp attaching bolts loosen or detach, the related components would also become loose and may detach possibly making the vehicle unstable and reducing the braking capability. These conditions would increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Subaru has notified owners, and dealers will inspect the bolts for proper torque, and replace any loose bolts, free of charge. The recall began on August 8, 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1‑800‑782‑2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTE-66.
Recall number 16V576000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Outback and Legacy, 2008-2011 Impreza and 2008-2014 Impreza WRX/STI, and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, currently, or formerly, registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. Salt water could splash on the brake lines through a gap in the fuel tank protector, resulting in excessive corrosion of the brake lines. Note that affected vehicles not currently, or formerly registered, in the salt belt states identified above are eligible for repair, at no cost to the customer, upon request.
- Risk
- Brake line corrosion may result in brake fluid leakage. Fluid leakage may result in longer distances being required to slow or stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will test the brake system by depressing the brake pedal and inspecting for brake fluid leaks. If no brake fluid seepage is observed, the affected areas will be rustproofed with anti-corrosion wax. If brake fluid seepage is observed, the brake lines will be replaced followed by rustproofing with anti-corrosion wax. These services will be performed free of charge. The recall began July 2014 and second notifications will run through November 2014. Owners may contact Subaru at 1‑800‑782‑2783. Subaru's recall campaign number is WQK-47. Note: This recall supersedes recall 13V‑110 which applied to certain 2005-2009 Legacy/Outback vehicles. Vehicles that were remedied under the previous campaign still need additional areas rust-proofed.
Recall number 14V311000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- Subaru is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Outback and Legacy vehicles manufactured from December 2003, through April 2009 and currently, or formerly, registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. Salt water could splash on the brake lines through a gap in the fuel tank protector, resulting in excessive corrosion of the brake lines.
- Risk
- Brake line corrosion may result in brake fluid leakage. Fluid leakage may result in longer distances being required to slow or stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles. If no brake fluid seepage is observed, the affected area will be rustproofed with anti-corrosion wax. If brake fluid seepage is observed, the brake lines will be replaced followed by rustproofing with anti-corrosion wax. These services will be performed free of charge. The recall began on May 30, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1‑800‑782‑2783. Subaru's recall campaign number is WQG-43.
Recall number 13V110000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages
- What is wrong
- Subaru is recalling certain model year 2012 impreza sedans and wagons (except wrx/sti models), manufactured from april 21, 2011, through november 15, 2011, and legacy and outback vehicles manufactured from october 17, 2011, through november 23, 2011. These vehicles may be equipped with a brake master cylinder that could malfunction and cause an increase in the amount of brake pedal travel distance required to slow or stop the vehicle.
- Risk
- The driver might misjudge the amount of brake pedal travel required to achieve the desired stopping distance. This could occur unexpectedly and without prior warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake master cylinder and if necessary, replace it, free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during december 2011. Owners may contact subaru at 1‑800‑782‑2783.
Recall number 11V562000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder
- What is wrong
- On certain passenger vehicles, the brake master cylinders may not function properly in ambient temperatures below freezing 32 degrees fahrenheit and lower).
- Risk
- At these temperatures, the brakes may not release after being applied, even when the driver's foot is no longer on the brake pedal. This can occur withour prior warning, possibly resulting in a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the master cylinders. Owner notification began march 21, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact subaru at 1‑800‑782‑2783.
Recall number 02V079000 · Recall details
Questions about the Subaru Outback phantom braking
Which Subaru Outback years have brakes engage by themselves (phantom braking) problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2023 (3 complaints), 2024 (3 complaints) and 2025 (2 complaints).
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