Brake complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 3% | — |
| 2025 | 6 | 6% | 3,000 miles |
| 2024 | 1 | 3% | — |
| 2023 | 6 | 8% | — |
| 2022 | 11 | 11% | 17,000 miles |
| 2021 | 7 | 3% | 10,000 miles |
| 2020 | 14 | 2% | 10,000 miles |
| 2019 | 26 | 3% | 23,000 miles |
| 2018 | 14 | 3% | 35,000 miles |
| 2017 | 15 | 3% | 24,000 miles |
| 2016 | 29 | 7% | 32,000 miles |
| 2015 | 36 | 6% | 38,000 miles |
| 2014 | 31 | 8% | 42,000 miles |
| 2013 | 9 | 12% | 22,000 miles |
| 2012 | 15 | 14% | 30,000 miles |
| 2011 | 20 | 14% | 32,000 miles |
| 2010 | 37 | 14% | 44,000 miles |
| 2009 | 16 | 9% | 45,000 miles |
| 2008 | 1 | 2% | 1,000 miles |
| 2007 | 4 | 5% | 3,000 miles |
| 2006 | 2 | 2% | 25,000 miles |
| 2005 | 7 | 8% | 42,000 miles |
| 2004 | 5 | 2% | 56,000 miles |
| 2003 | 10 | 5% | 18,000 miles |
| 2002 | 11 | 13% | 173,000 miles |
| 2001 | 16 | 12% | 40,000 miles |
| 1999 | 19 | 15% | 80,000 miles |
| 1998 | 15 | 15% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2025 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while pulling into a parking space, the brake pedal was slightly released to move the vehicle forward; however, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated, failed to respond upon depression of the brake pedal, and crashed into a brick wall. The impact resulted in damages to the front bumper and caused a body panel to detach. No warning light was illuminated before or after the crash. The air bags did not deploy. There was no property damage, no reported injury, and no Police report was filed. The vehicle was driven to the dealer, where Subaru field technicians inspected the Event Data Recorder (EDR) and informed the contact that no data was recorded. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that data was not logged because the vehicle was traveling at a significantly slow speed. …
The contact owns a 2025 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while the contact's wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed, however the vehicle failed to stop. The vehicle crashed into a nearby residential garage. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local tow yard. The vehicle was condemned as a total loss by the insurance company. The contact's wife was the only occupant in the vehicle. The contact's wife was taken to the local hospital in a personal vehicle. The contact's wife sustained injuries to her pelvic area and right shoulder rotator cuff. A police report was filed. The contact stated that the damage to the residential garage had not yet been determined by the insurance company. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. In addition, the contact stated awaiting inspection of the vehicle. …
I see black/gray spots on the headlights and sometimes I cannot detect if it is something in the road. Especially if it is raining. I called today for my maintenance and I am going to address this. Another issue that scared me to death. I was backing out of my garage, I was clear to continue backing but it kept beeping. Again I checked and nothing there, I began to continue and all of a sudden the car braked on its on hard. It was so alarming. I'm glad I was not in traffic. I am addressing this as well at my dealership. Another issue, I am feeling a hesitation when I accelerate, like it is not getting gas, then it starts going without hesitation. I am addressing this as well at my dealership. Another issue all of a sudden the eye sight crossed through came on. No reason for it to come on. I will address with the dealership.
Eyesight collision braking system engaged as I was rolling up my driveway to go into garage. Garage door was rolling up and was about 5 feet off the ground when Anti Collision system engaged and slammed the brakes on. I was going under 1 mph and would not have hit the door. It beeped right before brakes engaged. This is the second time it has engaged when it shouldn't have. The first time was in a right lane, a car about 6 car lengths in front of me was and did turn right as I was driving down the road. It almost caused an accident with the car behind me. The brakes slammed on so hard my back and neck are now sore and it bent my fingernail backwards somehow on the steering wheel.
The contact owns a 2022 Subaru Forester. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, the brakes inadvertently activated. The contact was unaware whether any warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that there was an abnormal sound coming from the brakes, and the brakes locked up during the failure. The contact regained control of the vehicle and continued driving after the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but it was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was opened. The approximate failure mileage was 16,764. The VIN was not available.
I was pulling into the garage at home on 4/3/23 tapping the brakes to get a few inches farther inside and the car accelerated, instead of stopping, crashing into a table positioned in front of the passenger side of the car and our home. The car has damage to the light, number, fender, and hood. We were lucky no one was in front of the vehicle, they would have been pinned between the car and the wall of our home. I have an appointment with Subaru on 4/13 to examine the vehicle, but they are requesting the EDR readings, but refuse to share a copy with me. Therefore, I am declining their assistance.
The contact owns a 2021 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while depressing the brake pedal and attempting to park in the driveway, the vehicle excessively independently accelerated in speed. The brake pedal failed to stop the vehicle and the vehicle was shifted into Park in order to come to a stop. The vehicle caused damage to the door and garage. There were no injuries reported. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The dealer was contacted, and they stated they were not aware of any recalls or complaints for the failure. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 10,000.
on 7/9/22 @ 6:00p I was with my wife & 2 grandsons going into a diner parking lot. as I was slowly going into a spot the car suddenly and without warning accelerated causing the car to drive over a cement parking stop, over a 1foot high cement wall, through a chain linked fence which had privacy covering, down into a 12 deep ravine. after shutting off the car my grandsons, wife & myself had to crawl out through the rear hatch. when things quieted down we realized that none of the safety features were activated (anti-collision warning, anti-collision braking) I thank God no one was hurt. Subaru needs to look into this so in the future no one ever experiences this.
Related recalls (3)
Service brakes, hydraulic
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Impreza, 2008-2014 WRX and 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,…
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will apply an anti-corrosion wax to the four-way joint connector area of the brake line system, free of charge. The recall began on January 27, 2015.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
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…
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will test the brake system by depressing the brake pedal and inspecting for brake fluid leaks.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Master cylinder
Vehicle description: passenger and sport utility vehicles equipped with anti-lock braking system (ABS). (the 1999 2.2 liter legacy vehicles are excluded). In extremely cold weather, the brake pedal goes to the floor and the vehicle stopping distance is increased.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder.
Frequently asked questions
Which Subaru Forester years have brake problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2010 (37), 2015 (36), 2014 (31), 2016 (29) and 2019 (26) model years. Brake complaints make up 14% of all complaints for the 2010.
Is there a recall for Subaru Forester brake problems?
Yes — 3 recalls, including 14V-830 (service brakes, hydraulic, Dec 31, 2014); 14V-311 (hoses, lines/piping, and fittings, Jun 10, 2014); 99V-040 (master cylinder, Mar 3, 1999). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Subaru Forester brake problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 35,000 miles; 71% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (27 mentions), followed by the foundation components (14).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.