RoadVitals

2010 Subaru Legacy Brakes Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the brake system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Brakes reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
13
Latest Feb 22, 2024
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
9%
of 150 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2010 Subaru Legacy submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 13 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming brake

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Brakes
Filed Feb 22, 2024

4 WAY REAR BRAKE LINE JUNCTION BOX IS SEVERELY CORRODED/RUSTED AND LEAKING BRAKE FLUID, WHICH COULD LEAD TO BRAKE FAILURE/CAUSE ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ID
11573406
Incident
Feb 21, 2024
BrakesEngine
Filed Jun 2, 2022

Three identical instances. 1. Was driving down road came to stop light pushed brakes and car stalled out. 2. Was approaching roundabout pushed brakes to wait for traffic and car stalled out. 3. Was on incline at stop pressing brakes, went to push gas and car stalled out. In each instance the car dies completely. You have to take key out, put back in and turn on the vehicle again.

NHTSA ID
11467174
Incident
Apr 11, 2022
BrakesEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Apr 3, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 SUBARU LEGACY. WHEN THE CONTACT PURCHASED THE USED VEHICLE, SHE HAD IT INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC DID NOT FIND ANY FAILURES AT THE TIME; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE KEPT STALLING WHEN DRIVING. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION AND HARDLY HAD ANY FLUIDS. IN ADDITION, THERE WERE A MULTITUDE OF FAILURES WITH THE VEHICLE, INCLUDING THE BRAKES, ENGINE, AND TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE DEALER FROM WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED (RAD AUTO SHOP, 101 N MAIN ST, SHARPSBURG, PA 15215, (412) 782-2886). THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO HER STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER BANK WOULD FILE A CLAIM ON HER BEHALF IF THE DEALER DID NOT REFUND HER MONEY. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,000.

NHTSA ID
11193593
Incident
Apr 1, 2019
Mileage
141,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Mar 4, 2019

MY CAR WAS SITTING OVERNIGHT AND WHEN I STARTED THE CAR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, STABILITY SKID LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT, AND CRUISE LIGHT ARE ON. I REPLACED THE GAS CAP AND THESE LIGHTS ARE STILL ON. CRUISE AND BRAKE LIGHTS ARE FLASHING WHILE OTHER LIGHTS ARE JUST ON.

NHTSA ID
11183929
Incident
Feb 5, 2019
Mileage
136,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Nov 21, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 SUBARU LEGACY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V626000 (SERVICE BRAKES) WAS RECEIVED IN JUNE OF 2016. AFTER CONTACTING THE MANUFACTURER, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT A REMEDY WAS NOT EXPECTED UNTIL THE SECOND QUARTER OF 2019. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
11153115
Incident
Jun 1, 2016
Brakes
Filed Oct 5, 2018

THE ELECTRONIC PARKING BREAK DOES NOT WORK ON MY AUTOMATIC WHEN I PARK ON AN INCLINE IT JUST BEEP'S AND FLASHES BREAK ON DASHBOARD

NHTSA ID
11133627
Incident
Aug 1, 2017
Mileage
70,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 5, 2018

THE BRAKE PIPES HAVE BEEN RUSTED THROUGH ON MY CAR. THE LOCATIONS IS JUST FORWARD OF OF THE PASSENGER REAR TIRE. SUBARU HAD PLACED A PLASTIC COVER THERE, BUT I BELIEVE IS FAILED TO STOP THE PROBLEM WHICH HAS PLAGUED THEIR CARS SINCE THE 90'S. I AM AWARE OF OTHER RECALLS FOR THIS PROBLEM IN THE SUBARU LINE, BUT CURRENT RECALL STOPS OF 2009 ON THE LEGACY. THE BRAKES STARTED LOSING PRESSURE WHEN I WAS ON MY WAY HOME FROM A STORE A 1/4 MIKE FROM HOME. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR HOME SAFELY.

NHTSA ID
11115840
Incident
Aug 3, 2018
Mileage
122,600 mi
BrakesPowertrain (other)
Filed Sep 12, 2017

CAR DROPS RPM AND STUMBLES TO ALMOST STALLING DURING BREAKING AT CITY SPEEDS ALSO DOES THE SAME IN LOW SPEED REVERSE SITUATION LIKE PARKING. DASH LIGHTS UP BUT NO CODE STORED. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THIS ISSUE HAS PRESENTED ITSELF. I SPOKE TO A DEALER REFERENCE THE REVERSE ISSUE AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. SUBARU CLAIMS TO BE ONE OF THE SAFEST VEHICLES ON THE ROAD? THIS IS NOT SAFE. THE CHANCE OF BEING REAR ENDED AT HIGHWAY SPEED COULD BE DEADLY!

NHTSA ID
11022895
Incident
Sep 12, 2017
Mileage
145,000 mi
BrakesOther / unspecified
Filed Jul 7, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 SUBARU LEGACY. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING OPERATED ON A STEEP INCLINE, THE TRACTION CONTROL INDEPENDENTLY ENGAGED AND CAUSED THE BRAKES TO FAIL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 72,000.

NHTSA ID
11003559
Incident
Jan 2, 2017
Mileage
72,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jul 12, 2016

PARKING BRAKE , ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE NOT WORKING HAS FLASHING BRAKE LIGHT, HAS THIS BEEN A RECALL.

NHTSA ID
10884430
Incident
Jul 1, 2016
Mileage
91,000 mi
BrakesElectricalEngine
Filed Oct 29, 2015

CAR SHUTS OFF WHILE BREAKING. USED TO HAPPEN WHEN STOPPED BUT NOW HAPPENS A FEW TIMES A DAY WHEN JUST TRYING TO BREAK. IT ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT A FEW TIMES. THE CAR SHUTS OFF WHILE IN DRIVE, LIGHTS FLASH ON THE DASH, I HAVE TO PUT IN PARK AND TURN THE KEY OFF. IT STARTS UP FINE, BUT HAPPENS AGAIN AND AGAIN. IT'S BEEN GOING ON FOR ABOUT HALF A YEAR AND IS GETTING WORSE. NO ONE CAN SEEM TO FIND ANY FAIL CODES OR ANYTHING.

NHTSA ID
10786944
Incident
Oct 29, 2015
Mileage
60,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 6, 2013

INCIDENT HAPPENED YESTERDAY 9AM, EXTREME HOT WEATHER. I WAS PARKED ON A HILL- STEEP PARKING. LEFT MY SISTER INSIDE TO GET A PARKING TICKET TO PLACE ON MY DASH BOARD THEN I CAME BACK TO PUT IN THE DASHBOARD, IT WAS STILL ON PARKED- MY SISTER WENT AT THE BACK OF THE CAR THIS TIME AND AS SOON AS I REMOVED THE KEYS FROM IGNITION IT STARTED SLIDING BACK AND IT WOULDN'T STOP- ALMOST RUNNING OVER MY SISTER. I WAS STEPPING ON THE BREAKS BUT SINCE THE KEYS ARE NOT ON THE IGNITION IT WAS NOT WORKING ANYMORE. THEN I PLACED BACK THE KEY THAT STOPPED THE CAR THIS TIME. THE DOOR ON THE DRIVER SEAT SAVED US FR FURTHER SLIDING DOWN AND RUNNING OVER MY SISTER AT THE BACK. IT IS A SAFETY CONCERN GIVEN THAT IT SHOULDN'T BE SLIDING WHEN IT'S PARKED. I WON'T BE ABLE TO REMOVE MY KEYS WHEN IT'S NOT PLACED ON PARK. *TR

NHTSA ID
10533828
Incident
Aug 5, 2013
Mileage
40 mi
BrakesTransmission
Filed Jun 9, 2010
Crash reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 SUBARU LEGACY. WHILE IN REVERSE AND ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE VEHICLE ROLLED DOWN A HILL AND CRASHED INTO AN EMBANKMENT. THE BRAKES HAD NOT ENGAGED WHEN APPLIED. THE FAILURE WAS THE SECOND OCCURRENCE OF THE BRAKES NOT WORKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP BUT THE DEALER COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 2,000.

NHTSA ID
10335466
Incident
May 31, 2010
Mileage
2,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .