2005 Subaru Legacy Brakes Problems

While driving to work, my brake pedal went to the floor and I lost 90% of braking power. After managing to get the car back home, and topping up brake fluid, I noticed a puddle of it right in front of the passenger rear wheel. After doing research, found that this was a problem for this car, covered under recall WQK-47. Having bought this car used a few months ago, I checked and apparently this recall had been performed, but was obviously not successful in preventing the failure of my brakes. After researching the recall, found that there were 2 remedies depending on the inspection performed by the dealer when the car was brought in for the original recall work. According to the service records, the application of a protective rustproofing wax material was performed, which was supposed to prevent the deterioration of the brake lines. The other remedy for the recall was to replace the brake lines, which was not done on my vehicle. After this issue happened, I brought my vehicle to my Subaru dealer, and contacted Subaru of America to open a case. After a week and minimal communication or information from Subaru of America, I received a call stating they would not cover my brake lines under the recall, even though they failed at the exact point specified by the safety recall, showing that the repair previously done was not effective in ensuring the safety of the vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11753193

Incident

Jul 17, 2026

Brake lines were definitely not replaced even though known to be defective and prone to corrosion and leaks. Almost got into a accident because the known recalled area let go on the highway

NHTSA ID

11736111

Incident

May 5, 2026

The contact owns a 2005 Subaru Legacy. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V311000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the dealer refused to perform the recall. The contact stated that the dealer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH, while braking for a traffic light, the brake pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard. The contact was able to stop the vehicle and had the vehicle towed to a dealer. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the rear passenger side brake line had corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired by the dealer since the dealer stated the vehicle was not registered in the listed states on the recall notification. The failure mileage was 229,126. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID

11617812

Incident

Sep 25, 2024

Mileage

229,126 mi

The vehicles brake lines have corroded and started to leak, resulting in the stopping distance increasing and the vehicle not being safe to drive. When getting the airbag recall performed at the Subaru dealership 3 years ago I mentioned the brake line recall. They stated they inspected the lines, and no issue was present. There is now an obvious issue with the brake line corroding and failing. Subaru is telling me there is no active recall.

NHTSA ID

11559656

Incident

Dec 7, 2023

I noticed a small puddle of fluid by the right rear wheel and immediately brought the vehicle over to Premier Subaru of Fremont, CA for an inspection. Premier Subaru diagnosed the problem as the right rear hard brake line failure and leak due to excessive corrosion. Premier Subaru provided a repair estimate of $3,997.17; stating that this issue needs immediate attention. Back in 2014, there was a service campaign to address this issue; #14V311000 and my car received this service. I've contacted Subaru of America (SOA), Customer Advocacy, about this issue and they are not willing to provide any assistance to address this current issue, even though it is directly related to the 2014 campaign. I am the second owner of this car purchasing it in 2011. The car is in excellent mechanical condition having only 135,000 miles (averaging ~7,100 miles/year) and has spent the last 7 years in the San Francisco, CA area. Pictures of the undercarriage of the car are available should you need them.

NHTSA ID

11538103

Incident

Aug 5, 2023

The contact owns a 2005 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that the hydraulic brake lines were leaking. The brake warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and the contact was informed that there was rust covering the subframe of the vehicle and fuel tank. The dealer declined to complete a recall repair under NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V311000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The manufacturer was contacted but no additional assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000.

NHTSA ID

11500294

Incident

Nov 19, 2022

Mileage

115,000 mi

The rear brakes on the above referenced vehicle failed due to environmental corrosion. This is aligned with recall WQK47-2 which was open for the effected vehicle. The vehicle was transported to Suburban Subaru of Vernon CT for recall resolution. The dealership service department was not willing to complete the repair for different reasons. The vehicle was returned to me, with the rear brakes inoperable, but upon review of NHTSA.gov and Subaru's recall lookup, the recall was marked as Completed. The Service Writer communication with me and the provided Service Invoice from Suburban Subaru of Vernon CT clearly state that the recall was not completed. This is in direct conflict with the reporting to Subaru and NHTSA with regards to Recall Compliance. I reached out to Subaru Customer Advocacy for resolution of this documentation compliance but there was no direct path to re-open the recall and rectify the situation.

NHTSA ID

11484674

Incident

Aug 25, 2022

Car is a Subaru Legacy GT 2005 Brake lines were corroded and burst and almost caused major accident on highway. Subaru is not taking responsibility of the recall since the car is in Florida now. Originally it was in New Hampshire which was designated as a recall state I called their customer recall line and they refused to repair it. this was part of a 200,000 + recall. Car only has 20,000 miles. Subaru is putting everyone’s safety at risk by not taking care of their recalls.

NHTSA ID

11477426

Incident

Aug 3, 2022

The contact owns a 2005 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated while driving 30 mph and approaching a red light, the brake pedal was depressed and went to the floor. The brake warning light was illuminated. The contact continued driving to the residence. The contact checked the brake fluid reservoir and noticed that the brake fluid was low. The brake fluid was topped off however, several days later the warning light reappeared. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the brake lines above the gas tank were leaking. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed that the vehicle was previously repaired in 2014 under NHTSA campaign number: 14V311000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but declined to offer a second free repair. The failure mileage was 160,000.

NHTSA ID

11427055

Incident

Jun 29, 2021

Mileage

160,000 mi

The contact owns a 2005 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated while driving 60 mph, the brake pedal would go all the way to the floorboard while depressed. The contact became aware that there was brake fluid leaking onto the floor from the brake line near the rear passenger’s side tire. The dealer and manufacturer were made aware of the failure. The contact was informed that there was a recall repair performed on the service brakes, hydraulic in 2014, where the affected areas were rustproofed with anti-corrosion wax. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The failure mileage was 180,000.

NHTSA ID

11419330

Incident

Jun 1, 2021

Mileage

180,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE BRAKE PEDAL FAILED AND DEPRESSED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO DRIVE WITH THE PARKING BRAKE APPLIED. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED ABOUT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V311000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ID

11396801

Incident

Feb 12, 2021

Mileage

130,000 mi

PREVIOUS RECALL ISSUE WITH BRAKES WAS NEVER FIXED CORRECTLY, RESULTING IN A LARGE LEAK IN THE REAR RIGHT SIDE BRAKE LINE THAT CAUSED MY BRAKES TO ALMOST COMPLETELY GO OUT. PREVIOUS ISSUE, WHICH WAS SUPPOSEDLY FIXED IN 2014, WAS ONLY A STOPGAP MEASURE THAT DIDN'T PREVENT THE BRAKE LINE FROM COMPLETELY CORRODING AWAY.

NHTSA ID

11350031

Incident

Jul 30, 2020

Mileage

249,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 SUBARU LEGACY AND WAS APPROACHING A TURN. WHILE BRAKING AT MAYBE 30% BRAKE FORCE I FELT A SLIGHT LOSS OF BRAKE PRESSURE. I KNEW RIGHT AWAY SOMETHING WAS VERY WRONG AND TRIED TO LIGHTLY FEEL FOR BRAKE PRESSURE TO SEE IF I WOULD BE ABLE TO EMERGENCY STOP IF NECESSARY. I WAS ABLE TO DOWNSHIFT AND KNEW THE ROADS VERY WELL TO DECREASE SPEED. ONCE STOPPED I WAS ABLE TO MODULATE THE BRAKE AND LOOK UNDER THE CAR. I OBSERVED BRAKE FLUID POURING FROM THE UNDERBODY TRAY DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL. THESE BRAKE LINES WERE TREATED BY SUBARU AS A PART OF A PREVIOUS RECALL APPROX. 2 YEARS PRIOR WITH A ANTI-CORROSIVE RUST SOLUTION. I'M LEAD TO BELIEVE THERE WAS A SECOND RECALL NOTICE REGARDING THE SAME ISSUE, BUT WHETHER IT WAS COMPLETED BY THE DEALERSHIP AT THAT TIME I DON'T KNOW FOR SURE. I DON'T BELIEVE IT WAS THOUGH. I TOOK MY SUBARU TO THE DEALERSHIP 6 DAYS AGO AND THEY HAVE ORDERED PARTS TO FIX THE ISSUE, AND I'M LEAD TO BELIEVE IT'LL BE PAID IN-FULL BY THE DEALERSHIP. THIS WAS A SUDDEN AND BAD SITUATION, STOPPING DISTANCE WAS GREATLY AND QUICKLY REDUCED. I'M CERTAIN THERE ARE OTHER DRIVERS WOULD NOT HAVE NOTICED THE ISSUE UNTIL MUCH LATER.

NHTSA ID

11256385

Incident

Sep 11, 2019

Mileage

191,000 mi

2005 SUBARU LEGACY. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO BRAKE FAILURE. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKES FAILED WHILE DRIVING. THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO CORROSION. *JS

NHTSA ID

11231299

Incident

Jul 11, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE STRUCTURALLY UNSOUND AND CONTAINED EXTENSIVE RUST AND CORROSION. DAY APOLLO SUBARU (5450 UNIVERSITY BLVD, MOON, PA 15108, (412) 264-9222) INSTALLED A COATING AND PERFORMED THE REMEDY FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V110000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC), BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED SOON AFTERWARDS. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN DUE TO THE RISK OF THE BRAKE LINES FRACTURING. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE MANUFACTURER NEEDED TO DEVELOP A MORE ROBUST METAL AND REMEDY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,948.

NHTSA ID

11183887

Incident

Dec 8, 2014

Mileage

88,948 mi

DEALER (SUBURBAN SUBARU VERNON, CT) PERFORMED BRAKE LIKE RECALL WQK-47R IN SEPTEMBER 2014 AND "APPLIED ANTI CORROSION WAX" IN JANUARY 2019, THE REAR BRAKE LINES RUSTED THROUGH AT THE JUNCTION BOX NEXT TO THE FUEL TANK WHICH IS A KNOWN FAILURE LOCATION IN THE RECALL. THIS RESULTED IN A FLUID LEAK, I WAS ABLE TO NOTICE THE LEAK BEFORE THE RESERVIOR FULLY EMPTIED AND THE BRAKES WOULD HAVE FAILED COMPLETELY. DEALER/SUBARU REFUSED TO COVER UNDER THE RECALL AND TRIED TO CHARGE ME FOR LOOKING AT THE CAR.

NHTSA ID

11180472

Incident

Jan 28, 2019

Mileage

130,000 mi

HYDRAULIC BRAKE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. UPON BRAKE APPLICATION, PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR, HAD TO USE PARKING BRAKE TO STOP VEHICLE. INADEQUATE, INEFFECTIVE PREVENTIVE RECALL DONE TO BRAKE LINES AS A RUST PROOFING MEASURE WAS DONE TWICE AND LINES STILL RUSTED THROUGH AND PERFORATED IN REAR NEAR FUEL TANK. NO EVIDENCE OF WAX SEALANT APPLICATION PRESENT ON AREAS OF BRAKE LINES SPECIFIED IN RECALL. DEALERSHIP IS REFUSING TO PERFORM RECALL REPAIR PROCEDURE FOR BRAKE LINE REPLACEMENT . MANUFACTURE CUSTOMER RELATIONS REPRESENTATIVE CONTACTED

NHTSA ID

11163826

Incident

Dec 4, 2018

Mileage

121,824 mi

TAKATA RECALL,WAS TALKING TO DEALERSHIP,BUT LIGHTS STILL INDICATE AIRBAG ,CRUZ CONTROL , CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON.WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR AND RESET.BUT I DON'T THINK IT WAS DONE. OTHER RECALLS ON BREAK LINE COATING'S NOT DONE , I LOST BREAK LINES WHILE DRIVING,AT THREE DIFFERENT TIMES.SUBARU ISSUED A SECOND RECALL , WITH EXPLICIT ATTENTION TO THE AREA WHERE THE LINE CONNECTS TO THE BREAK FOR RUST.THE DEALER WAS TO TO REPLACE ANY BREAK LINES SHOWING DAMAGE IN THIS AREA.THIS RECALL WAS TAKEN IN AND AGAIN WAS NOT REPLACED . THEY COATED MAYBE ON TOP OF THE RUST. I HAD THE REMAINING BREAK LINE REPLACE ASA PERCAUSETION MEASURE ,ALL COST TO ME.SEAT BELT NOT RETRACTING , WHEN RELEASED.,THIS WAS REPLACED TWICE .IT STILL DOES IT AND THE WEBBING I COUGHT UP IN THE DOOR CLOSESING. THE RUG HOOK DRIVES SIDE REPLACE THREE TIMES WARNING LIGHTS STILL ON ,FOR CRUZCONTROL,DOES NOT FUNCTIONING. I USED IT MAYBE 3 TIME'S SINCE L BOUGHT THE CAR NEW.WENT THROUGH THE FIRST SET OF TIRES,CUBBING DO TO WARPED RODTORS IN NOT EVEN 700 MILES.STILL DOESN'T STAY IN ALINEMENT.EATS TIRES ,4SETS BY 67'00 MILES.DASH ELECTRIC ,CD ,HEAT RADIO, SECURITY SYSTEM DEFO ALL ONE COMPUTER PANEL, WOULD WEAR BATTERY DEAD OVER NIGHT. I HAD TO PLUG IT IN TO SLOW CHARGERTHAT SHUT DOWN WENT BATTERY WAS CHARGED.UNTILL A CORRECT REPLACEMENT ,UNIT COULD BE FOUND.TOOK AWHILE, VERY LIMITED LEGACY WAGON. I HAVE A BRIEF CASE AF PICTURE S AND WORK ORDERS IN PLASTIC SLEEVES.WHEN TIME FOR WARRANTY WAS UP , I HAD LESS THEN 20'000 MILES ON THE CAR.SUBARU CORPORATE,PAID SOME OF THE SERIOUS FUEL ISSUE IT HAD. I HAVE NOT HAD A COLLISION WHAT DOES VEHICLE. I T HAS BEEN MAINTAINEDREGULARL A PEICE OF RUBBER TRIM WAS COMING OF THE DAY L BROUGHT IT HOME, I PHOTOED THIS, IT'S FIRST PICTURE IN MY BOOK.THE DEALERSHIP TRYED GLUEING IT ON.IT NEVER STAYED ON . I SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED AS METAL CLIP'S IN TRIMRUSTNOWONFENDER.

NHTSA ID

11149797

Incident

May 13, 2005

Mileage

56,000 mi

WQK-47 BRAKE LINE CORROSION RECALL WORK WAS DONE TO "RUSTPROOF" THE LINE ONLY 3 YEARS AGO. THE LINE IS CURRENTLY RUSTED THROUGH IN THE BACK ABOVE THE FUEL TANK AFTER STOPPING AT A LIGHT ON 7/21/18. SEARCH ONLINE SHOWS THE SAME ISSUES REPORTED BY OTHER DRIVERS. LINES NEED TO BE REPLACED AND RECALL OF RUSTPROOFING DOES NOT HOLD.

NHTSA ID

11113347

Incident

Jul 21, 2018

Mileage

199,475 mi

EXCESSIVE REAR BRAKE LINE RUST EVEN AFTER NHTSA RECALL #14V311 (SUBARU RECALL ID WQK-47) . THE CLEANING AND AND WAX SPRAY DIDN'T STOP THE BRAKE LINES FROM DETERIORATING MORE AND WILL SOON FAIL.

NHTSA ID

11033864

Incident

Oct 15, 2017

Mileage

139,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU LEGACY. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE BRAKE SENSOR SUDDENLY ILLUMINATED. MOMENTS LATER, THE BAKES FAILED AND THE BRAKE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LINES POSITIONED ABOVE THE FUEL TANK WERE CORRODED AND CAUSED THE BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK OUT. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V274000 (SERVICE BRAKES). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,500.

NHTSA ID

10935889

Incident

Dec 8, 2016

Mileage

129,500 mi

THERE WAS A RECALL ISSUED FOR MY CAR FOR BRAKE LINES THAT WOULD RUST IF THEY WERE NOT PROTECTED. I WENT TO A DEALER TO HAVE THE RECALL PERFORMED AND 6 MONTHS LATER THE BRAKE LIKE HAD ALREADY BUSTED. THE LINES WERE NEVER INSPECTED!! THE RECALL INFO IS 13V-110 THE CAR WAS MOVING AND I WAS COMING TO A STOP WHEN THE BRAKES GAVE OUT ON ME!

NHTSA ID

10883042

Incident

Jul 6, 2016

Mileage

58,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BE SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V311000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THAT PRIOR TO THE RECALL REPAIR THE THE REAR SUSPENSION, THE REAR PASSENGER SPRING, BOTH REAR LATERAL LINKS, AND THE REAR SUSPENSION SUBFRAME NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED DUE TO CORROSION AND BUILD UP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 169,000.

NHTSA ID

10671311

Incident

Dec 26, 2014

Mileage

169,000 mi

WHEN HAVING NEW TIRES PLACED ON THE CAR THERE WAS SO MUCH CORROSION ON THE WHEELS AND BRAKE HOUSING THE SERVICE PERSON HAD TO BREAK OFF THE CHUNKS OF RUST TO GET THE TIRES OFF. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME THE TIRES ARE CHANGED. THEY ADVISE EACH TIME THAT THIS NOT KNOWN TO HAPPEN ON A NEWER CAR. AT THE TIME THAT THIS WAS FOUND THERE WAS A RECALL FOR CARS IN OTHER STATES FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT WHEN I CALLED SUBARU ABOUT THIS I WAS TOLD THAT THE RECALL DID NOT EXTEND TO OUR STATE. THE MECHANIC I TAKE MY CAR TO SAID IT IS JUST A MATTER OF TIME UNTIL THE WHEELS WILL FALL OFF DUE TO FAILURE FROM THE CORROSION. *TR

NHTSA ID

10651546

Incident

Aug 3, 2009

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V110000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) IN MAY OF 2013. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT AND THEY STATED THAT HER VEHICLE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO BE REPAIRED FOR ANOTHER THREE MONTHS. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT BE REPAIRED WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. ..UPDATED 08-07-13 *BF

NHTSA ID

10522306

Incident

May 16, 2013