2011 Subaru Outback Brake Problems

Which parts fail

• Pedals and linkages
  1

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

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  37%
• 25k–50k
  1226%
• 50k–75k
  613%
• 75k–100k
  715%
• 100k–150k
  1328%
• 150k+
  511%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2011 Subaru Outback owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2011 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving approximately 30-35 MPH and approaching a truck, the brake pedal was depressed and travelled down to the floorboard, causing the vehicle to fail to respond. The contact stated that the truck that was in front of the vehicle made a turn, which prevented the vehicle from crashing into the truck. The contact stated that he was able to pull into a parking lot, where the vehicle rolled until it stopped. The brake warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that his wife who had just undergone a spinal surgery was occupying the front passenger's seat when the failure occurred. The contact was able to drive to the residence. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the brake lines had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. …

The contact owns a 2011 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, extra brake travel time was needed upon the depression of the brake pedal while attempting to stop the vehicle. The contact stated that the brake pedal would depress to the floorboard during the failure without warning. An independent mechanic inspected the vehicle and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V562000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, only the 2012 model was included in the recall. The dealer was then notified of the failure and the contact was informed that her vehicle was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 173,000.

The contact owns a 2011 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that the brake pedal went to the floorboard while depressed. The contact stated that the brake warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that subframe was severely corroded. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 165,000.

1. Propulsion, acceleration, brakes, transmission- no longer available for inspection 2. The vehicle went completely out of control; I stood on the brakes as hard as I could but would not stop or slow the car at all. We careened down a hill and head on into a large tree 3. not reproduced or confirmed 4. Vehicle was inspected by insurance company and was declared a total loss 5. no signs of any malfunction prior to wreck

Upon application of the brakes approaching a stoplight, the vehicle pulled sharply to the right, entering the right lane from the left and was rendered unsafe to operate due to this condition. Had a vehicle been present at this time in the right lane, a collision would have likely occurred. Upon inspection by the mechanic, the front engine frame had broken on the right side. The broken area has two (2) large rust holes on the top and bottom sides of the box frame. Directly above the two (2) rust holes the drain for the air conditioning condenser is located. Illinois, like 22 other states in the U.S., uses road salt to combat icy road conditions. The combination of road salt with the location of the air conditioner drain tube directly above the frame failure point leads ut to reasonably conclude that this model has a design defect that led to the failure. …

I have maintained my 2011 Outback well, and in August of 2023, while driving the vehicle, I lost the brakes. I had to fully depress the brake pedal to the floor in order to stop, fortunately not hitting the car in front of me . I brought the car to my local mechanic who advised me that the brake line rusted and failed as a result. As he was making the brake line repair, he advised me that there is SEVERE rusting to my underbody of my car and it's not normal. I then contacted Subaru Corporate Customer Service who asked me to bring the car into a Subaru Repair facility to have the car inspected. I brought the car into Ramsey Subaru, and with a charge of $150 to inspect the car, they advised me that the rust is significant and is unsafe to drive. They proceeded to quote me an estimated repair bill of over $6,000 to correct the rust issues. …

The parking brake actuator has failed. A recall already exists for this exact component but only extends to manual transmission vehicles. The recall for manual transmission vehicles is # 18V626000; the latest version of the part in question is Subaru part #26002AJ01E. The recall refers to a manufacturer defect. The quoted repair price for this issue is over $1300; the part alone is $850. At that price, many people (including me) simply cannot afford the repair and will have to forgo the added layer of safety provided by the parking brake. It is clear Subaru is aware of a manufacturer defect impacting a safety critical part but has minimized their costs by restricting the recall to a small subset of vehicles. Additionally, given that Subaru is charging $850 for a relatively simple component, Subaru may be seeking to profit from their own mistake. …

The brake system had a total failure. Driving down the road and the brake pedal went completely soft and was not providing any brakes. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road where the brake fluid resivor was empty and the underneath of the car was wet with brake fluid. The vehicle then was towed to a nearby mechanic to be inspected where they have come to the conclusion that the brake line box has become coroted. During the brake failure there were no warning signs and the only thing that prevented the vehicle from being involved in an accident was the use of engine braking and going up hill. …

I was driving and suddenly loss almost all brake pressure. The brakes just went to the floor. Fortunately I was driving on a 30mph roadway near my home and was able to safely get the vehicle home. The mechanic said is it the brake lines corroded. Sudden loss of brake fluid. I see Subaru has recalls on earlier years for this. You need to get them to recall 2010 and 2011 Subaru Outbacks for this brake line issue. I see all over the internet other folks have the same problem with the 2010 and 2011. This is going to cause a major accident and people could. be killed. Had I been on the highway and this happened, I know this could have caused a terrible accident. Subaru is clearly aware of this brake line problem and you have not informed the customer that this is happening with the 2010 and 2011 Outbacks! Please take action immediately to inform owner of this problem. We have a right to know.

The Brake line on 2011 Subaru Outback are leaking in the rear. This vehicle is not listed under the " WQK-47 - Brake Line Corrosion - 2005-2014 Subaru", recall. But is exhibits the same problems. When Subaru USA was contacted, Customer Service said they was nothing they could do because the vehicle is not listed in the recall, regardless of it showing the same issues. The brake caution light was on. Brake fluid in reservoir was a minimum, I filled it to max level with Dot 3 brake fluid. Two days later the light came on with fluid level at minimum again. This is the family car and I do not want my wife or kids to have brake failure while driving. The above mentioned recall seems to be exactly what I am experiencing. When looking form below the vehicle fluid is leaking form the 2-2way connection area. Onset 5/15/2021. Vehicle is not currently being driven due to safety concerns.

Related recalls

Brake complaints in other Outback years