2012 Subaru Forester Brakes Problems

The contact owns a 2012 Subaru Forester. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the brake pedal was inoperative. The contact then discovered that there was brake fluid leaking underneath of the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the brake lines needed to be replaced. The vehicle was serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V311000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

NHTSA ID

11655060

Incident

Apr 8, 2025

Mileage

80,000 mi

My 2012 Subaru Forester suddenly accelerated as I was making a right hand turn from a parking lot onto a major street. My brakes failed and I could only steer at high speed off the street, over a curb on to a parking strip between trees, and through a motel parking lot. The car finally came to a stop as I had blown the front right tire going over the curb. The car has been towed to my auto repair shop where the cause(s) of the mechanical failure(s) as well as any possible associated damage(s) are still unknown. It is available for inspection upon request at this point in time. Although no injuries, fatalities, or property damage resulted from this incident, the sudden acceleration and brake failure of the car could have resulted in major injuries or fatalities if pedestrians had been on the sidewalk or in the motel parking lot. I could have also hit staff and/or guests in the motel office if I had not been able to steer away in time. I, as the driver, and my dog, as my sole passenger, could also have been seriously injured or killed if my car had hit the motel office or if my car had collided with any cars in motel lot. At this point in time, the cause of my car’s mechanical failure(s) remains unknown so the problem has not been assessed or confirmed by my independent auto repair service shop. The car has not been been inspected by any representative of the manufacturer (Subaru). Because no other vehicle was damaged nor person injured (miraculously) , I did not initiate a police report. Because the accident co-incidentally occurred next door to my insurance agent, where I had just been, the agent's assistant visually inspected my car immediately following the accident. I did not see any control panel signs or other signs prior to nor during the failure (although during the failure I was so focused on where the car was headed that I was unable to look at the control panel at the same time). There were no signs of the failure when I came to a stop.

NHTSA ID

11557253

Incident

Nov 21, 2023

A STUCK BRAKE CALIPER PISTON EXTENDED FAR ENOUGH TO RELEASE BRAKE FLUID RESULTING IN COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKES.IT FAILED A FEW BLOCKS FROM HOME ON CITY STREETS AND NO DAMAGE OCCURRED.REQUIRED TOWING TO A REPAIR SHOP.NO PHOTOS BUT ATTACHED IS A RECEIPT FOR REPAIRS.

NHTSA ID

11337880

Incident

Nov 13, 2019

Mileage

75,000 mi

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE THAT PROGRESSED FROM THE BRAKE LINES. THE DEALER (PUTNAM SUBARU OF BURLINGAME, 85 CALIFORNIA DR, BURLINGAME, CA 94010, (650) 558-5628) WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE WHEN THE WARRANTY WAS AVAILABLE; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. INITIALLY, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO REPLICATE AND DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE SECOND TIME, THEY CLEANED THE BRAKE SYSTEM. THE THIRD TIME, THE DEALER FURTHER DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AND INDICATED THAT THE BRAKE LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE BRAKE LINES WERE REPLACED, BUT THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN IF MOISTURE COULD RE-ENTER THE BRAKE SYSTEM AND CAUSE THE FAILURE TO RECUR. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V014000 (AIR BAGS). THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE REMEDY AND PARTS MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR MORE THAN 1.5 YEARS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE BRAKE LINE FAILURE AND HAD THE DEALER REPLACE THE PART. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID

11054031

Incident

Feb 1, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE REVERSING INTO A CAR PORT IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE SURGED AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED, CRASHED INTO ANOTHER CAR PORT IN THE DRIVEWAY, AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION FAILURE CAUSED DAMAGE TO TWO CAR PORTS AND THE OTHER VEHICLE. WHEN THE CONTACT APPLIED FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, IT DID NOT RESPOND. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V830000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) AND 14V311000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10881254

Incident

Jun 25, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE COMING TO A STOP, THE VEHICLE MADE AN INTERMITTENT CLUNKING SOUND WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A LOT OF ELECTRICAL ISSUES. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, ALL THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED AND A WHINING NOISE WAS HEARD. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING FUEL ISSUES. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS FUELED, THE FUEL GAUGE READING WAS INACCURATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,330.

NHTSA ID

10824963

Incident

Jan 8, 2012

Mileage

3,330 mi

ON JUNE 9, 2015 I BROUGHT MY 2012 SUBARU FORESTER (MILEAGE 41184) INTO THE SUBARU DEALER FOR A "BRAKE PIPE INSPECTION RECALL" AND TO REPLACE A BROKEN PLASTIC MOLDING IN THE FRONT OF THE CAR. INSPECTION BY THE MECHANIC AT THIS TIME STATED THAT ALL THE BRAKES WERE IN GOOD SHAPE ACCORDING TO THEIR RATING SYSTEM. ONE MONTH LATER, ON JULY 8, 2015, I BROUGHT MY 2012 SUBARU FORESTER (MILEAGE 42513) BACK TO THE SUBARU DEALER BECAUSE OF VIBRATION AND NOISE EMANATING FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR. INSPECTION BY THE SERVICE MECHANIC SHOWED THAT THE FRONT BRAKES HAD LOCKED UP, WERE NOT RELEASING, AND HAD WORN OUT THE BRAKE PADS AND SCORCHED THE FRONT ROTORS FROM THE HEAT GENERATED BY THIS MALFUNCTION. IT WAS NECESSARY FOR THEM TO REPLACE THE ROTORS AND PADS. IN A PERIOD OF 30 DAYS AND 1329 MILES THE AUTOMOBILE WENT FROM GOOD BRAKES TO WORN-OUT BRAKES WITH SCORCHED ROTORS FROM THE HIGH HEAT GENERATED. SUBARU IS FORTUNATE THAT I WAS AWARE SOMETHING WAS WRONG -- SOMETHING WHICH IF NOT FIXED COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE OR BRAKE FAILURE WHILE ON BUSY HIGHWAY AND POTENTIALLY RESULTED IN BODILY INJURY OR DEATH TO THE OCCUPANTS. THIS IS NO WAY "NORMAL" BRAKE WEAR. THE PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE ACKNOWLEDGED AND CORRECTED BY SUBARU BEFORE SOMEONE GETS INJURED.

NHTSA ID

10734163

Incident

Jul 8, 2015

Mileage

42,513 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUBARU FORESTER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL STIFFENED AND FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE BRAKE HOSE WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE MALFUNCTION. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,600.

NHTSA ID

10726755

Incident

Jul 16, 2014

Mileage

11,600 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V830000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE RECALL REMEDY WAS PERFORMED BUT, DUE TO THE INCOMPLETE REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED CORRECTLY. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED AND SANK TO THE FLOORBOARD FAILING TO STOP THE VEHICLE. A CRASH OCCURRED AND THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED RIB CAGE BRUISING, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,055.

NHTSA ID

10691111

Incident

Jan 17, 2015

Mileage

33,055 mi

I WANT TO ALSO SUBMIT A STATEMENT ABOUT THE PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD WITH MY BRAKES,I ALSO NOTICED OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS,AS SOON AS I GOT THE CAR I NOTICED THE BRAKES WERE VERY SOFT.I TOOK THE CAR IN,I WAS TOLD THEY WERE FINE.A COUPLE WEEKS LATER I WAS IN LINE AT STARBUCKS AND THE BRAKES WENT RIGHT TO THE FLOOR,I PULLED THE EMERGENCY UP NARROWLY MISSING THE PERSON IN FRONT OF ME.I CALLED THE DEALER AGAIN,BEFORE I GOT THE CAR BACK IN AGAIN AT DUNKIN DONUTS IT DID THE SAME THING.IT HAD ALSO STARTED MAKING A HORRIBLE SMELL AND HAD NO POWER.AND A FEW OTHER MINOR THINGS.I TOOK IT IN THEY SAID THE BRAKES WERE FINE,I ARGUED THEY WERE NOT.THE SMELL WAS SUPPOSEDLY SOME KIND OF FLUID LEAKING ON THE MUFFLER.TOOK IT HOME BRAKES STILL KEPT DOING THE SAME THING,CALLED BACK WENT BACK IN THE CAR WAS LOW ON OIL AND THE BRAKES WERE STILL DOING THE NON EXISTENT THING,PLUS IT STILL SMELLED BAD AND I HAD A LIST FOR THEM,THEY GAVE IT AN OIL CHANGE,AND SAID THIS TIME THE BRAKES WERE FINE BUT MAY NEED PADS IN 6,000 MILES OR SO NOW THE SMELL IS NORMAL THOU,PLUS I TOLD THEM IT WAS NOT GETTING GOOD GAS MILEAGE AND HITCHING,THEY SAID UNLESS THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON THEY CANT DO ANYTHING.WELL NOW LASTLY THE REAR SEAT BELT WORKS ONLY OCCASIONALLY,MY BRAKE LIGHT IS ON ALL THE TIME AND THEY ONLY STOP ABOUT HALF THE TIME MY TIRES ARE ALL WORN OUT,AT LESS THAN 10,000 MILES WHICH THEY SAY IS NORMAL (OK) AND IT STALLS DOESN'T LIKE TO START,AND IS UNDER RECALL IT STILL SMELLS BAD,THE CRUISE CONTROL ONLY WORKS WHEN IT FEELS LIKE IT,IT USES OIL,EATS GAS,AND STALLS DOESN'T LIKE TO START,AND THE BRAKES ACT LIKE THE ANTI LOCK FEATURE IS CONSTANT EVEN WHEN IT SHOULDN'T BE?NOW AFTER AN ACCIDENT AND MY AIR BAGS DON'T DEPLOY I THINK IT SEEMS LIKE A REAL TREND HERE AND I REPORTED MY ACCIDENT TO SUBARU OF AMERICA THEY DON'T SEEM TO CARE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10672594

Incident

Apr 8, 2014

Mileage

29,600 mi

ME AND MY 12 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WERE DRIVING 20MPH DOWN A SMALL HILL,A LADY PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF US,I HIT THE BRAKES,WHICH LOCKED UP AND WE SLID SO I LET OFF THEM IMMEDIATELY,THE ROADS WERE ICY AND SNOWY,SO WE GAINED A LOT OF VELOCITY,WE MISSED HITTING HER BUT WENT SIDEWAYS,A LITTLE AIRBORN AND HIT A TELEPHONE POLE.I VIOLENTLY STRUCK MY HEAD OFF THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW,AND MY SHOULDER AND ARM WERE PINCHED BETWEEN MY BODY AND THE DOOR.THE TIRES POPPED,THE FRONT BUMPER CLIPS BROKE.WE BOTH SUFFERED SEAT BELT BRUISES,AND MY DAUGHTER SLAMMED HER KNEE.I HURT MY SHOULDER PRETTY BAD AND MY HEAD STILL HURTS THEY ARE DOING CAT SCANS.MY AIR BAG ON MY DRIVERS SIDE DOOR,WHERE IT STRUCK THE POLE NEVER DEPLOYED.I JUST THANK GOD IT DID NOT HIT ON HER SIDE.BUT WE WERE DEFIANTLY GOING FAST ENOUGH TO DEPLOY THAT SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG IT BENT THE DOOR AND THE ROCKER SILL THE THOUGHT OF IT NOT GOING OFF IS VERY SCARY AND A BIG MALFUNCTION,I'VE BEEN HAVING ENOUGH PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES,SEATBELTS,CAR NOT RUNNING PROPERLY,AND A BUNCH OF OTHER ISSUES I REALLY DID NOT NEED THIS AND I REALLY FEEL THAT THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY PROBLEM THAT CAN KILL SOMEONE AND WE WERE VERY LUCKY,WHEN I CONTACTED SUBARU I GOT THE USUAL RUN AROUND.NOT A HAPPY CUSTOMER.NEEDS SOMEONE TO INTERVENE LIKE YOU. *TR

NHTSA ID

10672580

Incident

Jan 3, 2015

Mileage

40,000 mi

2012 SUBARU FORESTER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE RECALL NOTICE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED FROM THE DAY SHE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, THE BRAKES DID NOT SEEM RIGHT. THE BRAKE PEDAL SEEMED TOO SOFT AND THERE WAS EXTENDED PEDAL TRAVEL. SHE HAD TO PUMP THE BRAKES IN ORDER TO STOP IN TIME. ALSO, WHEN SITTING AT A LIGHT WITH HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE PEDAL WOULD SUDDENLY JUST SINK DOWNWARD AN INCH. ALSO, AT APPROXIMATELY, 17,000 IN MAY 2014, THE BRAKES BEGAN PULSATING. THE DEALER MACHINED THE ROTORS AND STATED IT WAS NORMAL. THE CONSUMER EVEN THOUGH THE HER YEAR, WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, SHE STILL EXPERIENCED THE SAME SYMPTOMS. *JB

NHTSA ID

10621645

Incident

Aug 1, 2012

TL* I RECEIVED AN IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL NOTICE (1ST NOTICE) FOR MY 2012 SUBARU FORESTER REGARDING POTENTIAL BRAKE LINE CORROSION. IT COULD LEAD TO LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID IMPAIRING THE DRIVER'S ABILITY TO STOP THE CAR BY INCREASING BRAKING DISTANCE. IN THE 1ST NOTICE SUBARU AGREED TO INSPECT AND REPAIR THE BREAK LINES FREE OF CHARGE. SUBARU STATED THAT IT WAS IN THE PROCESS OF ACQUIRING ANTI-CORROSION MATERIALS AND REPLACEMENT PARTS TO PERFORM THE NECESSARY REPAIR. THEY WOULD RE-CONTACT THE OWNER BY MAIL WHEN THE MATERIAL WERE AVAILABLE. WHEN THE 2ND WAS RECEIVED THE OWNER WAS TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE LOCAL DEALER FOR THE INSPECTION AND ANY NECESSARY REPAIRS. UNTIL THEN THERE WERE SEVERAL IMPORTANT PRECAUTIONS THAT SHOULD BE TAKEN INCLUDING, MONITORING BRAKE FLUID LEAKS, BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL AND PRESSURE, STOPPING DISTANCE, AND BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT. SHOULD ANY OF THESE CONDITIONS BECOME APPARENT THE OWNER SHOULD CONTACT THE DEALER IMMEDIATELY. THE DRIVER SHOULD MAINTAIN SAFE BRAKING DISTANCE AND TAKE EXTRA CARE WHEN PARKING AND IN TIGHT SPACES. THE CONSUMER WAS ADVISED IT WOULDN'T BE UNTIL NOVEMBER 2014 UNTIL THE 2ND NOTICE WAS TO BE RECEIVED (3 MONTHS AWAY FROM THE 1ST NOTICE). THE OWNER THEN CALLED THE DEALER WHO, WITHIN A WEEK, INSPECTED, CLEANED, AND APPLIED ANTI-CORROSION MATERIALS TO THE BRAKE LINES. THE OWNER HAVING TO TAKE THE PRECAUTIONS IS UNACCEPTABLE IN MY OPINION. SUBARU SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS AND INSPECTION. THE BRAKING SYSTEM SHOULD BE INSPECTED IMMEDIATELY TO DETERMINE IF THERE IS A RISK OF A BRAKE MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE DOES HAVE DUAL BRAKING SYSTEM, BRAKELINE MATERIALS AND EXPOSURE TO THE ELEMENTS IS LIKELY THE SAME FOR BOTH SYSTEMS. COULD BOTH SYSTEMS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM SIMULTANEOUSLY? IF THERE IS A LARGE ENOUGH LEAK IN 1 SYSTEM THAT GOES UNDETECTED COULD IT EMPTY THE MASTER CYLINDER RESERVOIR AFFECTING THE 2ND SYSTEM'S CAPABILITY? SUBARU CAMPAIGN WQK-47 RECALL NO. 14V-311 JULY 2014. UPDATED 11/20/14 *JS

NHTSA ID

10617907

Incident

Jul 30, 2014

Mileage

28,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SUBARU FORESTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. THE CONTACT APPLIED REPEATED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED INTO THE FLOORBOARD ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT THEN APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS SAFELY DRIVEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,800.

NHTSA ID

10467617

Incident

Jul 24, 2012

Mileage

2,800 mi

OUR FORESTER HAS AN INCONSISTENT BRAKE PEDAL. SOMETIMES THE PEDAL IS FIRM AND RESPONSIVE. SOMETIMES THE PEDAL GOES TOWARDS THE FLOOR BEFORE IT RESPONDS. WE NEVER KNOW HOW FAR IN THE PEDAL WILL GO. THUS FAR THE BRAKES HAVE ALWAYS WORKED BUT EXTRA TIME AND DISTANCE ARE NEEDED TO STOP. THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT AND HAS BEEN THERE EVER SINCE WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THE FOLLOWING FROM SUBARU'S RECALL OF OTHER 2012 MODELS EXPLAINS ALMOST EXACTLY HOW THIS MANIFESTS FOR US. PRESSING THE PEDAL LIGHTLY AND SUBSEQUENTLY HAVING TO HIT THE PEDAL HARDER WITHOUT LETTING UP SEEMS TO BE A TRIGGER. THE PEDAL HAS ALSO GONE ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR ON 2 OCCASIONS WHICH OCCURRED AT VERY LOW SPEEDS IN PARKING LOTS. MANIFESTATIONS PER THE PARAGRAPH BELOW ARE MOST COMMON AND CAN HAPPEN AT ANY SPEED INCLUDING ON THE HIGHWAY. IN THE RECALL LETTER SENT TO SUBARU OWNERS IT NOTED THAT "IN VEHICLES EXPERIENCING THIS CONDITION, THE DRIVER WILL INITIALLY ENCOUNTER A SOFT PEDAL FEEL AND MAY MOMENTARILY PERCEIVE A SENSE OF LOSS IN BRAKING POWER WHILE THE PEDAL IS BEING PRESSED LIGHTLY. THIS WILL ONLY CONTINUE UNTIL THE PEDAL IS PRESSED DOWNWARD APPROXIMATELY 2 MORE INCHES. EFFECTIVE BRAKING FUNCTION WILL BE ACHIEVED AT THAT POINT, MAKING IT POSSIBLE TO SLOW OR STOP THE VEHICLE." WE HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO 2 DEALERSHIPS AND THEY BOTH TOLD US THERE IS NO PROBLEM. WE RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO ONE OF THE DEALERSHIPS AND THEY ROAD TESTED IT FOR 3 DAYS AND TOLD US NOTHING IS WRONG. WE APPEAR TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM THAT TRIGGERED A RECALL OF MILLIONS OF OTHER 2012 MODELS AND WE DO NOT APPEAR TO BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY. THIS PROBLEM IS POTENTIALLY LIFE THREATENING, AND IT NEEDS TO BE DEALT WITH REGARDLESS OF WHETHER IT MANIFESTS FOR SUBARU TECHNICIANS OR NOT. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO MY MECHANIC AND HE BELIEVES THE MASTER CYLINDER IS BAD BUT HE HAS DONE NO WORK ON THE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10449990

Incident

Nov 21, 2011

Mileage

20 mi