2010 Subaru Outback Brakes Problems

This car is a very well-maintained, low-use vehicle with regular oil changes and routine maintenance performed on schedule. Early in this drive, I noticed an unusual hissing sound as I approached a stop. When I tried to brake, I realized my brakes didn't seem to be responding. I pressed the brake pedal harder and realized that with 50-100 pounds of pressure (guess), I could slow the car down. As I came to a stop, the engine died. I restarted the car, and it died again immediately. After the following restart, I realized I could manually keep the RPM up in neutral while at stops, and press with significant force to get the car to stop. Had I not been comfortable two foot driving or understood the issue, this surely would have resulted in a crash of some sort. The car indicated a check engine light, loss of traction control, a flashing BRAKE light, and a flashing cruise control light. I took the car immediately to a local shop where they identified the problem as a vacuum leak at the brake booster. The plastic piece that the hose clamps onto had cracked off, leading to this problem. This make and model does not seem to have a check valve downstream of this component.

NHTSA ID

11723980

Incident

Mar 9, 2026

On Saturday, August 9, 2025, my brakes failed at highway speed. My vehicle's stopping distance was severely increased, forcing me to perform an emergency swerve into the leftmost lane to avoid rear-ending a truck. The maneuver was extremely hazardous, as it occurred in a construction zone with concrete barriers and no shoulder, leaving no safe escape path and endangering myself and others. I confirmed the cause was a catastrophic failure of the four-way brake line union block due to severe corrosion. There were no warning lamps or symptoms prior to the incident; the failure was sudden and total. I found that this defect is difficult to spot during inspections because the part is hidden by a plastic panel. The failed union block and corroded lines were removed and are available for inspection upon request. My research shows this is a widespread issue and the exact failure mode covered by Subaru Recall WQK-47R for 2005-2009 models. This known safety defect persists in the 2010-2014 generation, which is not covered by the recall. Prohibitive dealer repair costs are forcing unsafe workarounds. This defect presents an unreasonable risk to public safety, and I urge the NHTSA to investigate.

NHTSA ID

11688669

Incident

Aug 9, 2025

Brake pedal went to the floor while applying the brake. Pulled car back up driveway and parked and noted almost zero ability to brake the car, pedal goes to floor when applying pressure to the pedal, almost zero ability to come to stop. Checked fluid - was still in reservoir but not at max. level (b/n max and min.). Checked under hood at and no signs of any leaks in engine compartment or on any lines in engine compartment (all good). Looked under car and no signs of leaking. Opened reservoir to top off to max. and by time I went into garage and came back with brake fluid the reservoir was empty, reexamined and found brake fluid leaking from a plastic cover on passenger side rear of car. Placed cover to soak up all fluid dripping/ streaming down to the ground. Called my local mechanic, and he indicated car may need to be towed to be serviced. In looking online, I have found many accounts of this issue with 2010 Subaru outback owners in northern areas where corrosion at the 4-way connector of the brakes lines causes immediate loss of braking and loss of all fluid. Not sure of cost, but I am thinking once it is examined the 4-way connector and all 4 brake lines may need to be replaced. This appears to be a widely known issue and for some reason this was never included or changed from 2005-2009 Subaru recalls to change for 2010 models, so I would like to know why this and the cost for repairs are not covered by Subaru as a RECALL. This could have caused a major accident and severe injury or death if traveling at speed on highway or in area needing hard braking to come to immediate stop. This is now the third major issue I have had in less than 12-months and 2nd from corrosion on my 2010 Subaru. Last summer my front frame had corrosion damage and required replacement. This brake issue with corrosion at the lines to the 4-way connector had recalls in earlier models, but why not in 2010 Subaru Outbacks? Very Unsafe and No Warning Light prior to brake loss !

NHTSA ID

11664459

Incident

Jun 2, 2025

The contact owns a 2010 Subaru Outback. The contact stated while driving at 5 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and failed to respond. The brake warning light was illuminated. The contact attempted to contact the manufacturer and was informed that the vehicle would not be covered under a recall. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle with catastrophic brake line failure due to corrosion. The vehicle was repaired. The dealer was not made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

NHTSA ID

11653417

Incident

Mar 24, 2025

Mileage

100,000 mi

I noticed my brake pedal suddenly sink to the floor, and I have to press the pedal all the way to the bottom to get a little bit of brake. Was able to make it back home. Upon inspection, I noticed brake fluid dripping from rear passenger side brake pipe, I took off a plastic cover that covers the brake line, and noticed heavy rust on a "Manifold" where two brake lines coming from front of the car and two lines going to two side of rear brakes. The brake line is leaking right from there. I feel sudden failure of this part can lead to fatal accident, luckily I was very close to home and on a local road when I experience this. And Subaru should 1. make it more easy for inspection. 2. notify the public. 3. get more rust proof measures, 4. get it fixed for the current owners. Thanks.

NHTSA ID

11640199

Incident

Feb 1, 2025

Complete brake failure due to leakage at 4 way b8rake line junction located above the gas tank on right side rear of vehicle. Known and reported issue due to rust and corrosion of brake lines in this UNPROTECTED area of vehicle. It has been a known problem on these 4th generation vehicles...no recall instituted. Wife and I lucky to be alive. Ridiculous that Subaru America has not been SUMMONED to conform to a NTHSA recall and make repairs on those vehicles affected. Absolutely NO indication failure was about to occur resulting in complete brake failure. Amazingly, this happened in such an area where I was able to roll to a stop and take action to transport the vehicle to my home where it is officially grounded in my garage. Condition was confirmed by a Subaru Master Technician.

NHTSA ID

11640122

Incident

Jan 31, 2025

The brake system failed when the brake lines burst at the four way connector on the right, rear side of the vehicle. There were no indicator lights lit on the dash until after losing all braking. Luckily I was traveling slowly and was able to roll to a stop safely. This is due to corrosion on the brake lines in the area of the four way connector. There is a small inspection door on the cover for this connector, so the issue is easily seen. This has been an issue for Subarus in the past with many recalls for this issue on similar models. Unfortunately the recalls end in 2009 for Outbacks while mine is a 2010. Obviously this issue has not been corrected by the manufacturer.

NHTSA ID

11615546

Incident

Sep 19, 2024

Brake failure - after inspecting vehicle 6/20/2024 noted brake fluid leaking from underneath the vehicles right hand side. Removed splash guard and noticed the brake lines had extensive corrosion in a small section with no protective coating. Brake fluid noted leaking from the unprotected area. The rest of the brake lines were fully intact.

NHTSA ID

11595552

Incident

Jun 19, 2024

Brake line corrosion, I noticed it about 10 months after buying the car. they finally broke five days ago I called Subaru. They told me it’s just regular wear and tear and there is no recall for the corroded brake lines and the junction box.

NHTSA ID

11537594

Incident

Aug 5, 2023

The brakes completely gave out while the vehicle was being driven, without warning. The BRAKE light did not turn on until after the car had been stopped and restarted and the brakes had already gone out. Fortunately, the vehicle was being driven on a side street, and it was able to coast into a parking lot. Had the brakes given out before then, when it was on the highway, the outcome could have been far worse. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic. The mechanic stated that once they removed the cover over the rear junction box near the fuel tank, they found the junction box to be corroded away. The vehicle has been to several mechanics over the past several years, and none of them have ever identified any issues with the brakes or brake lines. Subaru had issued a recall for the same issue but for model years 05 to 09.

NHTSA ID

11527618

Incident

Jun 13, 2023

Mileage

177,000 mi

I have a 2010 Subaru Outback that has significant corrosion on the rear four-way brake joint connector that can lead to a serious accident. There was a campaign that addressed this very issue (NHTSA ID: 14V-311) but it did not include 2010 Outback even though it had the same design. This issue is very serious.

NHTSA ID

11476025

Incident

Jul 26, 2022

Failure of rear hydraulic braking system (brake lines) due to corrosion. Steady loss of fluid due to corrosion around the double brake line union underneath rear passenger side. Plastic cover prevents corrosion issues from being spotted prior to it becoming a catastrophic failure. Vehicle has been inspected by a service center. The "brake" warning lamp illuminated in the dash to alert the drivers of a possible problem, but a significant amount of fluid was lost.

NHTSA ID

11440801

Incident

Nov 16, 2021

The abs system failed at 117K miles and rendered the ABS inoperative. The Electronic parking brake recall could not be completed because of this. We were quoted $1600 to replace the abs pump and computer so that the recall could be completed. The vehicle was dangerously difficult to stop and almost caused a crash.

NHTSA ID

11426621

Incident

Jul 19, 2021

CODE C0251 ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE MALFUNCTION/INOPERATIVE; SOMETIMES EPB WILL ENGAGE WHEN DRIVING AT A SLOW PACE <10MPH NO ACCIDENTS ASSOCIATED

NHTSA ID

11408183

Incident

Feb 22, 2021

Mileage

150,000 mi

2010 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHEN MY WIFE WAS ENTERING A 4-WAY STOP, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. WAS ABLE TO GET HOME WITHOUT INCIDENT. UPON INSPECTION, FOUND THE BRAKE LINES AT A JUNCTION BLOCK NEAR THE GAS TANK SEVERELY CORRODED AND LEAKING. WHY WAS THIS NOT PART OF THE RECALL WHICH WENT FROM 2005-2009. CAR WAS MFG'D IN 2009, ABOUT 150000 MILES

NHTSA ID

11397188

Incident

Feb 15, 2021

Mileage

150,000 mi

MULTIPLE TIMES OVER THE PAST 6 YEARS I WILL BE DRIVING AND IF USING MY CRUISE IT STOPS WORKING AND I HAVE FLASHING LIGHTS , BRAKE AND CRUISE LIGHT FLASHES ON AND OFF, CHECK ENGINE AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT STAY ON. THESE LIGHTS STAY ON FROM 1 DAY TO ALMOST 2 WEEKS BEFORE THEY GO OUT. I HAVE HAD THEM CHECKED MANY TIMES BY SUBARU DEALER AND OTHER MECHANIC SHOPS WITH NO RESOLUTION EXCEPT TO CLEAR THE CODES

NHTSA ID

11389164

Incident

Jan 20, 2021

Mileage

121,000 mi

I LOST THE BRAKES GOING DOWN OUR STEEP DRIVEWAY INTO THE PRIVATE ROAD. WE DISCOVERED THAT THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR WAS EMPTY. WHEN MY HUSBAND REMOVED THE PLASTIC FUEL TANK COVER TO CHECK FOR A LEAK, HE DISCOVERED THAT THE HARD BRAKE LINES WERE HEAVILY CORRODED RIGHT AROUND THE BRAKE LINE JUNCTION BOX, SIMILAR TO THE 2005-2009 OUTBACKS. THE CAR HAD ONE OWNER BEFORE US, IN MASSACHUSETTS. WE ARE IN MAINE. .

NHTSA ID

11385423

Incident

Dec 27, 2020

Mileage

143,200 mi

I WENT OUT TO START MY CAR AND LET IT WARM UP. I GOT IN SET THE ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE STARTED THE CAR AND PUT THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL. I WENT IN THE HOUSE TO FINISH GETTING READY, WHEN I LOOKED OUT THE WINDOW THE CAR WAS IN THE DITCH AT THE BOTTOM OF THE DRIVEWAY. I HAD THE PARKING BRAKE RECALL DONE IN MARCH AT THE LOCAL SUBARU DEALER

NHTSA ID

11377704

Incident

Oct 29, 2020

Mileage

265,000 mi

11/21/2020 AT OIL TEMP LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT, AND VEHICLE DYNAMICS CONTROL LIGHTS COME ON WHILE DRIVING AFTER AROUND 30 MINUTES ON A MAJOR ROUTE (NOT HIGHWAY) AFTER ALREADY BEING "FIXED" BY A DEALERSHIP. AT THE END OF AUGUST I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER BECAUSE ALL 3 LIGHTS HAD COME ON AFTER I HAD ARRIVED NEAR MY PLACE OF WORK. I HAD DRIVEN FOR 35 MINUTES ON THE HIGHWAY AND CRUISING LOCAL STREETS FOR A SPOT WHEN THEY CAME ON. WHEN I FIRST GOT BACK TO MY VEHICLE AFTER WORK (I HAD PARKED AND WAS WAITING UNTIL END OF DAY TO DEAL WITH IT) AND TURNED ON MY CAR - NO LIGHTS. I WAS NEARLY HOME WHEN ALL 3 CAME BACK ON (35 MINTUES OF HIGHWAY DRIVING). TOOK TO DEALER THAT WEEKEND WHERE THEY REPLACED ENGINE AIR FILTER, CABIN AIR FILTER, CVT- VALVE BODY AND BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FOR $1934.97 ON 9/21 THE LIGHTS CAME BACK ON AFTER DRIVING FOR AROUND 20 MINUTES ON A 2 LANE ROUTE. DEALER HAD THE CAR FOR 1 WEEK AND ALL THEY COULD FIND / DO WAS CHANGE A BRAKE LIGHT BULB.

NHTSA ID

11375796

Incident

Nov 21, 2020

Mileage

74,870 mi

REAR BRAKE LINES ARE RUSTED AND ONE OFF THE PIPES HAS BUSTED I NOW HAVE NO BRAKES. HAPPENED ON MONDAY 7/6/2020.

NHTSA ID

11338305

Incident

Jul 6, 2020

Mileage

104,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING THE FOLLOWING WARNING LIGHTS HAVE COME ON: BRAKE, VEHICLE DYNAMICS CONTROL, AND AT OIL TEMP. IT HAS HAPPENED TWICE NOW AND LIGHTS GO AWAY ONCE CAR IS TURNED OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN.

NHTSA ID

11317822

Incident

Mar 13, 2020

Mileage

70,715 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT CALLED WHITE RIVER SUBARU (429 SYKES MOUNTAIN AVE, WHITE RIVER JUNCTION, VT 05001, (802) 526-9810). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 1-50024654201. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS SIMILAR TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V311000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.

NHTSA ID

11279984

Incident

Oct 31, 2019

Mileage

190,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING THE CHECK ENGINE, CRUISE CONTROL, ABS, AND VEHICLE DYNAMICS CONTROL LIGHTS ALL CAME ON. I LATER LEARNED THAT A BAD O2 SENSOR WAS THE CAUSE. IT WAS RAINING AND WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES MODERATELY FIRMLY DUE TO ANOTHER CAR STOPPING HARD IN FRONT OF ME, MY CAR'S BRAKES LOCKED UP AND I SLID ON THE WET PAVEMENT. FORTUNATELY NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED. AFTER REPLACING THE 02 SENSOR, THE LIGHTS WENT OFF. WEEKS LATER THE SAME LIGHTS CAME ON AGAIN DUE TO WHAT TURNED OUT TO BE A BAD GAS CAP. WHEN IT WAS REPLACED, THE LIGHTS WENT OUT. NOW THE OTHER 02 SENSOR IS INTERMITTENTLY GOING OUT, AND IT TRIGGERS THE SAME LIGHTS. HOWEVER I HAVE BEEN VERY SURPRISED TO LEARN THAT WHEN THESE LIGHTS ARE ON, THOSE SYSTEMS ARE DISABLED. IT IS ASTOUNDING THAT SAFETY IS INTENTIONALLY REMOVED FROM A CAR DUE TO A LOOSE GAS CAP OR BAD 02 SENSOR.

NHTSA ID

11233607

Incident

Jul 12, 2019

Mileage

120,000 mi

WHEN COMING TO A STOP ON ANY ROAD THE VEHICLE STALLS, UPHILL OR DOWNHILL. THE CAR THEN NEEDS TO BE RESTARTED AFTER PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN PARK THEN TURNING THE KEY TO RESTART, AS VEHICLES ARE COMING QUICKLY FROM BEHIND. THIS COULD BE A POTENTIALLY DEADLY VEHICLE FAILURE AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AND RECALLED. IT STARTED ABOUT A WEEK AGO AND CONTINUES TO HAPPEN.

NHTSA ID

11194402

Incident

Mar 29, 2019

Mileage

157,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 SUBARU OUTBACK. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AND DRIVE NORMALLY, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED HERITAGE SUBARU CATONSVILLE AT (844) 224-1954 (LOCATED AT 6624 BALTIMORE NATIONAL PIKE, CATONSVILLE, MD 21228) AND WAS INFORMED TO SCHEDULE A DIAGNOSTIC APPOINTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,204. *DT CONSUMER STATED DEALER FIXED THE TRANSMISSION.*JB

NHTSA ID

11156857

Incident

Sep 18, 2018

Mileage

129,204 mi