NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Service Brakes complaints
23 reportsClear category filter67,404 miles · Jul 18, 2020
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower TrainService Brakes
MY CARS BREAK LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING. MY CAR WILL LOSE POWER ON THE ROAD TO WHERE IT WILL COMPLETELY DIE AND I HAVE TO TURN THE IGNITION OFF AND TURN IT BACK ON TO KEEP GOING. MY EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHT IS ON MY TIRE SENSOR LIGHTS ARE ON EVEN THOUGH TIRE PRESSURE IS CORRECT THERE ARE TIMES WHEN I CANNOT GET MY CAR INTO GEAR. IT WI…
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MY CARS BREAK LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING. MY CAR WILL LOSE POWER ON THE ROAD TO WHERE IT WILL COMPLETELY DIE AND I HAVE TO TURN THE IGNITION OFF AND TURN IT BACK ON TO KEEP GOING. MY EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHT IS ON MY TIRE SENSOR LIGHTS ARE ON EVEN THOUGH TIRE PRESSURE IS CORRECT THERE ARE TIMES WHEN I CANNOT GET MY CAR INTO GEAR. IT WILL MAKE A VERY LOUD CLUNKING NOISE AND THEN A WHIZZING NOISE WHEN YOU TURN THE AIR CONDITIONER ON AND THEN YOU GET NO POWER AT ALL TO THE CAR. I CANNOT GO UP A STEEP HILL ON THE HIGHWAY BECAUSE IT WILL ONLY GO UP TO 35 MILES AN HOUR. WHEN IT LOSES POWER ON THE HIGHWAY AND I HAVE TO THE RESTART THE CAR THAT'S VERY DANGEROUS.
NHTSA ODI #11340075
Mileage unknown · Oct 10, 2019
EngineService Brakes
I RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF 2 SAFETY RECALLS FOR MY VEHICLE: SUBARU RECALL WTY-84 (NHTSA ID 18V-772) AND SUBARU SAFETY RECALL WUE-90 (NHTSA RECALL ID 19V-149.) I PURCHASED MY CAR ON THE ISLAND OF O'AHU AND LIVE ON THE ISLAND OF MOLOKA'I. SERVCO SUBARU WILL NOT PAY FOR MY CAR TO BE SHIPPED BY BARGE FOR REPAIRS. SINCE THE VALVE…
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I RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF 2 SAFETY RECALLS FOR MY VEHICLE: SUBARU RECALL WTY-84 (NHTSA ID 18V-772) AND SUBARU SAFETY RECALL WUE-90 (NHTSA RECALL ID 19V-149.) I PURCHASED MY CAR ON THE ISLAND OF O'AHU AND LIVE ON THE ISLAND OF MOLOKA'I. SERVCO SUBARU WILL NOT PAY FOR MY CAR TO BE SHIPPED BY BARGE FOR REPAIRS. SINCE THE VALVE SPRINGS AFFECTED ARE A DEFECT IN THE ENGINE UPON MANUFACTURE, I FEEL THAT I SHOULD RECEIVE REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE COST OF SHIPPING. MY BUDGET IS TIGHT AND THIS WILL BE A HARDSHIP.
NHTSA ODI #11267766
80,000 miles · Oct 1, 2019
Service BrakesUnknown Or Other
SPOT WELDS TO THE FIREWALL FAIL/BREAK FOR THE CLUTCH AND BRAKE PEDALE ASSEMBLY SO ITLLL HAVE A DELAY IN ACTUATION OVER TIME DUE TO THE WELDS BREAKING AND BECAUSE OF THAT THE ASSEMBLY BAR WILL FRACTURE AND BREAK OVER TIME WHICH WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED OR ELSE BRAKING ACTUATION WILL BE DELAYED WHEN PRESSED, THIS IS ALL WHILE IN M…
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SPOT WELDS TO THE FIREWALL FAIL/BREAK FOR THE CLUTCH AND BRAKE PEDALE ASSEMBLY SO ITLLL HAVE A DELAY IN ACTUATION OVER TIME DUE TO THE WELDS BREAKING AND BECAUSE OF THAT THE ASSEMBLY BAR WILL FRACTURE AND BREAK OVER TIME WHICH WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED OR ELSE BRAKING ACTUATION WILL BE DELAYED WHEN PRESSED, THIS IS ALL WHILE IN MOTION OVER TIME OF PRESSING AND DEPRESSING, POPULAR COMPLAINT AND ISSUE KNOWN THAT OUTSIDE COMPANIES SELL BRACKETS TO HELP WITH THE WELDS FAILING AND THE ASSEMBLY CRACKING
NHTSA ODI #11265287
15,996 miles · Mar 12, 2019
Service Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUBARU IMPREZA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT IT FAILED TO ENGAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,996.
NHTSA ODI #11186289
2,000 miles · Feb 25, 2019
Service BrakesVehicle Speed ControlCrash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN TWO CRASHES IN 2013. FOR BOTH CRASHES, WHILE THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE VEHICLE IN TRAFFIC, IT UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED AND REAR ENDED THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED IN BOTH CASES. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN TWO CRASHES IN 2013. FOR BOTH CRASHES, WHILE THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE VEHICLE IN TRAFFIC, IT UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED AND REAR ENDED THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED IN BOTH CASES. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN EITHER CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVING 35 MPH AND TOWED AFTER THE FIRST CRASH. THE CONTACT SUSPECTED THAT SHE WAS SOLD A VEHICLE WITH MULTIPLE FAILURES IN 2013. THE CONTACT FOUND OUT THAT SOMEONE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE AND RETURNED IT PRIOR TO IT BEING PURCHASED BY THE CONTACT. THE CONTACT THOUGHT THE VEHICLE WAS BRAND NEW. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED FROM AUTONATION SUBARU WEST (16351 W COLFAX AVE, GOLDEN, CO 80401, (303) 578-6120). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,000.
NHTSA ODI #11182394
48,000 miles · Jan 18, 2018
Power TrainService Brakes
TAKATA RECALL: PLEASE NOTE SHIFT LEVEL GEAR CONTROL LOCKS WHEN CAR IS TURNED ON, IN PARK, FOOT ON BRAKE. THE TRACTION CONTROL SENSORS, EMERGENCY BRAKE SENSORS, AND HILL SENSORS TURN ON WHEN THIS HAPPENS. THE GEAR LOCKS AND THE CAR WILL NOT TURN ON OR OFF COMPLETELY WHEN THESE SENSORS ARE ON. IT WILL ONLY TURN OFF WHEN THE BRAK…
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TAKATA RECALL: PLEASE NOTE SHIFT LEVEL GEAR CONTROL LOCKS WHEN CAR IS TURNED ON, IN PARK, FOOT ON BRAKE. THE TRACTION CONTROL SENSORS, EMERGENCY BRAKE SENSORS, AND HILL SENSORS TURN ON WHEN THIS HAPPENS. THE GEAR LOCKS AND THE CAR WILL NOT TURN ON OR OFF COMPLETELY WHEN THESE SENSORS ARE ON. IT WILL ONLY TURN OFF WHEN THE BRAKE HAS BEEN APPLIED FOR SO LONG. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS AND PLACES, PARKING LOTS, DRIVEWAYS, AND IN AREAS WHEN CHANGING GEARS NEEDS TO OCCUR AND SIMPLE WILL NOT
NHTSA ODI #11063414
27,000 miles · Dec 26, 2017
Service BrakesVehicle Speed ControlCrash
DRIVING UP A SLIGHT GRADE INTO HOME GARAGE I DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR VERY SLIGHTLY . THE CAR SHOT SUDDENLY FORWARD AND FOOTBRAKE DID NOT RESPOND. CAR SIDESWIPED OTHER CAR AND BROKE THRU REAR PANEL OF GARAGE BEFORE I COULD STOP IT WITH HANDBRAKE. MAJOR DAMAGE TO FRONT END OF CAR.
NHTSA ODI #11056599
60,000 miles · Nov 2, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesCrash
THE BRAKE SENSOR SWITCH FAILS TO REPORT POSITION OF THE BRAKE AND TURNS OFF ANTI LOCKING BREAKING SYSTEM. IF FAILS YOU CAR TURNING THE CAR APPLY BRAKE AND THE FOLLOWING LIGHTS TURN ON. HILL ASSIST,ABS,SKID CONTROL. WHEN THIS COMES ON ABS DOES NOT WORK. IT SOMETIMES LOCKS THE CAR IN PARK. THIS HAPPEN THEN TRIED TO STOP QUICKLY I…
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THE BRAKE SENSOR SWITCH FAILS TO REPORT POSITION OF THE BRAKE AND TURNS OFF ANTI LOCKING BREAKING SYSTEM. IF FAILS YOU CAR TURNING THE CAR APPLY BRAKE AND THE FOLLOWING LIGHTS TURN ON. HILL ASSIST,ABS,SKID CONTROL. WHEN THIS COMES ON ABS DOES NOT WORK. IT SOMETIMES LOCKS THE CAR IN PARK. THIS HAPPEN THEN TRIED TO STOP QUICKLY IN THE RAIN AND BRAKING SYSTEM DID NOT WORK CORRECTLY. REAR-ENDED A CAR. REPORTED THIS TO A DEALER YEAR AGO THEY DID NOT KNOW WHAT CAUSED IT. I FOUND IT QUICKLY WHEN SEARCHING THE WEB. COMMON ISSUE THAT COULD BE DEADLY.
NHTSA ODI #11042830
50,000 miles · Dec 12, 2016
Service BrakesCrash
ON TWO OCCASIONS OF A REAR END COLLISION ON DRY PAVEMENT, WHILE TRYING TO AVOID COLLISION AND APPLYING THE BRAKES EXTREMELY HARD, I FELT LIKE THE VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. INSTEAD THE VEHICLE DIDN'T STOP BUT SLID INTO VEHICLE AHEAD OF ME. I KNOW IT SOUNDS LIKE I'M BLAMING THE CAR FOR MY ACCIDENT BUT I HAVE HAD…
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ON TWO OCCASIONS OF A REAR END COLLISION ON DRY PAVEMENT, WHILE TRYING TO AVOID COLLISION AND APPLYING THE BRAKES EXTREMELY HARD, I FELT LIKE THE VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. INSTEAD THE VEHICLE DIDN'T STOP BUT SLID INTO VEHICLE AHEAD OF ME. I KNOW IT SOUNDS LIKE I'M BLAMING THE CAR FOR MY ACCIDENT BUT I HAVE HAD CARS STOP ON A DIME. THIS CAR DID NOT STOP ON A DIME. I HAD THE BRAKES APPLIED HARD ENOUGH THAT IT SHOULD HAVE STOPPED INSTEAD IT CONTINUED TO MOVE FORWARD HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. BOTH INCIDENCES OCCURRED DURING STOP AND GO TRAFFIC UNDER THE SPEED OF 10-15MPH. I FELT LIKE THE CAR JUST CONTINUED TO MOVE SLIDING INTO THE OTHER CAR WHILE ON DRY PAVEMENT.
NHTSA ODI #10934581
8,777 miles · Jul 31, 2015
Service Brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SUBARU IMPREZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,777.
NHTSA ODI #10745224
Official recalls
4Feb 28, 2019
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Forester, 2008-2016 Impreza sedans, 2012-2016 Impreza station wagons, 2008-2014 WRX sedans (including STI), and 2013-2017 Crosstrek vehicles. Exposure to certain contaminants may cause the brake light switch to malfunction, preventing the brake lights from illuminating and also preventing keyless ignition vehicles from starting and CVT/automatic transmissions from being able to be shifted out of Park.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Brake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake light switch, free of charge. The recall began April 15, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WUE-90.
Nov 1, 2018
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Subaru Impreza, 2012-2013 Impreza Stationwagon, 2013 Subaru BRZ, XV Crosstrek and Toyota Scion FR-S vehicles. The engine valve springs in these vehicles may fracture causing an engine malfunction or a possible engine stall.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify their owners. Toyota will notify the FR-S owners. Dealers will replace the valve springs, free of charge. The recall began December 26, 2018. Subaru owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614, Toyota owners may contact the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-888-270-9371. Subaru's number for this recall is WTY-84.
Oct 13, 2016
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2007-2009 model year Legacy and Outback vehicles, 2008-2014 Impreza vehicles and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, all equipped with turbo-charged engines. The relay that controls the secondary air injection pump may fail, causing the pump to continuously operate and overheat.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the air injection pump overheats, it may melt and increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the secondary air injection pump relay, free of charge. The recall began December 2016. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WTM-73.
Feb 25, 2013
Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Legacy and Outback vehicles equipped with an automatic or CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory, certain model year 2012-2013 Impreza vehicles equipped with a CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory, and certain model year 2013 XV Crosstrek vehicles equipped with a CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory. Additionally included are certain model year 2013 Legacy and Outback vehicles that may have received replacement RES fobs. If the RES fob is dropped, the fob may malfunction and randomly transmit an engine start request without pressing the button.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: The engine may inadvertently start and run for up to fifteen minutes. The engine may continue to start and stop until the fob battery is depleted, or until the vehicle runs out of fuel. If the vehicle is parked in an enclosed area, there is a risk of carbon monoxide build-up which may cause headaches, dizziness or, in extreme cases, unconsciousness and/or asphyxiation.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the RES key fobs, free of charge. The recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783 for more information.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Equipment
Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Legacy and Outback vehicles equipped with an automatic or CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory, certain model year 2012-2013 Impreza vehicles equipped with a CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory, and certain model year 2013 XV Crosstrek vehicles equipped with a CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory. Additionally included are certain model year 2013 Legacy and Outback vehicles that may have received replacement RES fobs. If the RES fob is dropped, the fob may malfunction and randomly transmit an engine start request without pressing the button.
Consequence: The engine may inadvertently start and run for up to fifteen minutes. The engine may continue to start and stop until the fob battery is depleted, or until the vehicle runs out of fuel. If the vehicle is parked in an enclosed area, there is a risk of carbon monoxide build-up which may cause headaches, dizziness or, in extreme cases, unconsciousness and/or asphyxiation.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the RES key fobs, free of charge. The recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783 for more information.
Electrical System
Subaru is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Legacy and Outback vehicles equipped with an automatic or CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory, certain model year 2012-2013 Impreza vehicles equipped with a CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory, and certain model year 2013 XV Crosstrek vehicles equipped with a CVT transmission and an Audiovox remote engine starter (RES) accessory. Additionally included are certain model year 2013 Legacy and Outback vehicles that may have received replacement RES fobs. If the RES fob is dropped, the fob may malfunction and randomly transmit an engine start request without pressing the button.
Consequence: The engine may inadvertently start and run for up to fifteen minutes. The engine may continue to start and stop until the fob battery is depleted, or until the vehicle runs out of fuel. If the vehicle is parked in an enclosed area, there is a risk of carbon monoxide build-up which may cause headaches, dizziness or, in extreme cases, unconsciousness and/or asphyxiation.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the RES key fobs, free of charge. The recall began on April 22, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783 for more information.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗