2005 Subaru Outback Brake Problems

Which parts fail

• Foundation components › Disc › Rotor
  3
• Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
  1

Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  417%
• 25k–50k
  00%
• 50k–75k
  14%
• 75k–100k
  14%
• 100k–150k
  28%
• 150k+
  1667%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2005 Subaru Outback owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2005 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard. The brake warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to drive home where he inspected the vehicle and discovered severe corrosion at a connection point on the brake line. The contact stated that the brake line was leaking brake fluid. Upon investigation, the contact linked the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V311000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle had already been serviced previously under the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

The contact owns a 2005 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the brake warning light remained illuminated and the brake pedal extended to the floor while depressed. Upon inspection, the contact discovered brake fluid had leaked from the rear passenger's side wheel area. Further inspection revealed rusting and corrosion of the brake lines. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the NHTSA campaign number: 13V110000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The failure mileage was 150,000.

puddle of brake fluid under car no brakes after looking at it 4way joint connector at rear of car is leaking . online says recall was done but specifications for the repair are ludacris to spray wax over corrosion ! the lines are already damaged and that would just seal the corrosion in and continue to deteriorate! that recall in itself is a safety hazard and needs to be reevaluated!

Vehicle experienced sudden complete brake failure while driving due to a rupture in brake system in the exact area of a known defect / recalls NHTSA SUBARU RECALL WQG-43 and WQK-47 (both completed) which had been issued to inspect and repair the defect. Safety of driver / occupants were immediately put at grave risk due to inability to slow or stop vehicle. Car was traveling on a two way high traffic road at a speed of approximately 30+MPH. I was able to stop slowly using the emergency hand brake though only after attempting to pump the brakes which became absolutely unresponsive (this took approximately 7-10 seconds while pumping the Brake pedal). It was pure luck that there was no one directly in front of me at the time. …

Vehicle brakes failed while driving, the brake pedal went to the floor and almost caused a serious car accident. Yes, vehicle and brake lines are available for inspection upon request. My safety, the safety of others and more importantly my life and the lives of others were severely threatened because of the major break failure that occurred. It is terrifying to think that I was unknowingly driving around this vehicle with an imminent accident that could happen anytime, without any warning, which could have killed me. After taking pictures of my brake lines, recording videos and doing some quick research, I called a local to inspect my brake lines. I told them the scenario that I experienced and reported to them that my brake lines were covered in rust. I told them that I found out my vehicle had a recall remedy done on the brake lines in 2017, which is before I owned the vehicle. …

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Subaru Outback. While pulling out of the driveway at 10 MPH, the brake pedal traveled to the floor when it was depressed. The parking brake had to be applied to stop the vehicle. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact looked under the vehicle and noticed that all four brake lines failed. The vehicle was serviced per NHTSA campaign number: 14V311000 (service brakes); however, the remedy failed to repair the recall. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer. The local dealer (cascade auto group, 4149 state rd, cuyahoga falls, oh, 44223) diagnosed that the brake line was leaking where the recall repair was performed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and provided case number: 1-25871335589. …

I was driving home from work on the highway when I pressed the brake pedal as normal to slow down and the pedal went soft and I had no brakes. I was able to make it home using the emergency brake to stop. Upon inspection the lines were leaking from the same place repaired in recall wqk47, NHTSA campaign 14V311000. Visual inspection could confirm that the initial recall wqk47 repair completely failed causing serious danger to my life. I researched complaints about wqk47 recall and came to the conclusion that I am not the only Subaru owner with this serious life threatening issue. I called my dealership and even spoke with corporate Subaru and both said since recall was performed once repair/replacement will cost me. …

Purchased used October 2018 . Received recall notice in mail and took to dealership November 2018 . Recall was for driver airbag and rear brake line corrosion. Airbag was replaced at that time and brake line was alledged to be inspected and coated . Apr 2019 car pulled in front of vehicle and brakes were applied hard and rear brake line blew . No accident . Car was towed to local mechanic and due to their knowledge of previous recall repairs was advised to car Subaru directly . Subaru was called and they advised to take back to dealership . The car was again towed . Subaru reference number 1-43591235818. Dealership claimed repairs were allegedly done and that Subaru would not contribute to current situation . I contest that repairs were not properly done . It was easier to allegedly spray coating than to do repairs that were needed . …

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 MPH and pressing the brake pedal to slow the vehicle down, the brake pedal extended to the floorboard and the vehicle did not immediately stop. The driver had to use the emergency brake to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the brake lines had failed do to excessive corrosion. The brake lines were replaced and the failure was remedied. The manufacturer and local dealer north town Subaru of buffalo, new york were notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The contact indicated that the vehicle was serviced in the January of 2015 under the NHTSA campaign number: 14V311000 (service brakes, hydraulic) and the brake lines were rustproofed with anti-corrosion wax but the failure still occurred. The failure mileage was 183,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 14V311000 (service brakes, hydraulic); however, the remedy failed. When the brake pedal was depressed, the brake light fractured and brake fluid was leaking. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who stated that the brake line was corroded. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was towed to byers dublin Subaru (2455 billingsley rd, columbus, oh 43235, [phone]), but no assistance was provided. The contact had been calling the dealer, but was not getting a response. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was inspected by an independent contractor. All brake lines were replaced. The failure mileage was 255,081.

Related recalls

Brake complaints in other Outback years