Brake complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 | 7% | 0 miles |
| 2023 | 2 | 25% | — |
| 2022 | 1 | 4% | — |
| 2020 | 2 | 12% | 14,000 miles |
| 2018 | 1 | 2% | — |
| 2017 | 2 | 4% | 37,000 miles |
| 2016 | 2 | 6% | 10,000 miles |
| 2014 | 3 | 50% | 42,000 miles |
| 2013 | 2 | 29% | 11,000 miles |
| 2011 | 1 | 25% | 11,000 miles |
| 2010 | 1 | 100% | 160,000 miles |
| 2009 | 11 | 27% | 76,000 miles |
| 2008 | 25 | 38% | 85,000 miles |
| 2004 | 1 | 2% | 3,000 miles |
| 2003 | 20 | 33% | 11,000 miles |
| 2002 | 80 | 19% | 22,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
While depressing the clutch or brake pedal in the vehicle I see excessive flex at the firewall and noticeable movement of break and clutch cylinders. My spot welds do not appear broken at this time however they are likely to fatigue and break. This appears to be a major defect which is a safety concern as it affects breaking and shifting. Subaru should be held accountable and correct the problem.
In *extremely* cold weather - below of - the vehicle will start successfully however the stability/traction control, anti-lock brakes, and "hill-assist" (part of the ABS system) trouble indicator lights will light and stay lit. Based on the instruction manual if this occurs, I should cycle the ignition to see if the code clears. This is an unacceptable solution because the car's battery is already extremely stressed due to the cold temperature and May not restart the vehicle. However, on one occurrence I did cycle the ignition and the problem remained. While I recognize that a more vicious brake fluid is needed in a performance vehicle of this type, if the ABS pump's orifices were larger this issue might not occur. …
My car has been experiencing a loud squeaking and clicking when shifting and brake pedal moves when clutch is depressed. This is a know defect in the firewall in which the firewall is very thin and flexes when the clutch is depressed causing the spot welds that hold the clutch/brake bracket to separate frome the firewall. This causes the brake pedal to move. It also can potentially prevent the clutch from disengaging while driving. Subaru is not recalling this known defect but they did acknowledge the issue as it was the mechanic that informed me of this issue.
Failed welds connecting pedal panel to the firewall. Results in loud squeaking when clutch pedal is depressed/released and car is extremely difficult to get in or out of gear. Causes movement of brake pedal as well which could cause major issues. This happens moving and parked
The welds that attach the brake and clutch peddle to the vehicle brake and allow the whole peddle assembly to move. Because of this, braking efficiency and drive gear engagement become compromised. In the event that a hard stop is needed, the whole assembly could brake and keep the driver from being able to stop. This issue is a huge hazard! This is not a convenience issue, this is a life and safety issue to not only the occupants of the Subaru but everyone on the road! I have contacted soa, and they informed me that I would have to take care of the repair myself. This repair is not just some nuts and bolts coming loose or something like that. This is a huge repair that is structural to the vehicle. At costs of well into the thousands! Soa knows of the issue and refuses to do anything about it! …
The clutch pedal on my 2009 WRX makes a loud creaking noise every time it's depressed. When I investigated the noise, I noticed that the entire clutch pedal bracket assembly (attached to the forward firewall) shifts approx 1/4 inch every time the clutch pedal is depressed. I found that the three spot welds securing the clutch pedal bracket to the forward firewall were broken. From the outside of the firewall, just under the windshield wipers, I saw the spot welds pulling away from the firewall every time the clutch pedal was depressed. This allows the entire clutch pedal bracket assembly to move, causing the creaking noise. If the bracket completely separates from the firewall, the clutch May become completely inoperative - especially dangerous while driving. I eventually fixed it myself with a custom made brace and some bolts. Updated 12/21/2015
I just had the car in with 6600 miles for an oil change and they performed the 7500 mile check up and found nothing wrong with the car. That afternoon I first notice the brakes feel soft and not slow the car I shook it off thinking I felt it wrong. I noticed it 2 days later again and decided I should get it back to the dealer but before I could I lost the brakes as I was turning a corner and went over a curb through a sing before I got in control and turned out of the grass I was in. I had body work done and some front suspension components replaced but nothing done to brakes no one found anything wrong. My insurance company said they would have it inspected and I never heard anything from them. That was October of 2003 and the problem is happening again. I haven't had it back to dealer yet I am waiting til I can cause the problem consistently so they know there is a problem. …
I was driving to work this yesterday (2/12/04) morning, and was just crossing an intersection. I was going about 15mph, and saw the car in front of me hit there breaks. I pushed down the pedal, and to my horror, it seemed to go all the way to the floor without my car stopping at all. Next thing I knew, I had rear-ended a Buick (which as an aside suffered nothing worse than a scratched bumper, compared to my folded hood, ruining front bumper, and other twisted metal).I have about 15K miles on the car, and have not experienced this problem before. This is my first accident in almost 15 years of driving, and don't really know how to procede. I called my local Subaru dealer, who said he had no idea of such a problem. When the police officer was asking me what happened just after the accident, I describe the pedal to the floor for him, and hopefully he'll include my statement in the report.
Related recalls (2)
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.
NHTSA investigations
Braking system/ABS
Subaru's supplemental response of September 29, 2003, identified that the 2002, 2003 Subaru wrx models areequipped with the Bosch 5.3 ABS system, and identified that other model Subaru vehicles are also equipped with the Bosch 5.3 ABS system, but have different calibrations than the wrx model vehicles.Subaru identified that changes were made in the ABS ECU to address a calibration logic issue when driving the…
Extended stopping distances
During the ea, odi and vrtc performed the following activities:1.conducted a mail survey of 246 subject vehicle owners todetermine the roadway surface that caused owners' concern;2.interviewed complaining owners;3.conducted field inspections of seven (7) complaint vehicles;4.instrumented testing at vrtc of complaint and peer vehicles;5.reviewed Subaru's response to our information request;6.met with Subaru for…
Frequently asked questions
Which Subaru WRX years have brake problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2002 (80), 2008 (25), 2003 (20) and 2009 (11) model years. Brake complaints make up 19% of all complaints for the 2002.
Is there a recall for Subaru WRX brake problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 14V-830 (service brakes, hydraulic, Dec 31, 2014); 14V-311 (hoses, lines/piping, and fittings, Jun 10, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Subaru WRX brake problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 38,000 miles; 69% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (73 mentions), followed by the antilock (13).
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.