2009 Subaru Outback Brakes Problems
6 owner-reported brakes complaints from NHTSA data
Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.
Brakes Recalls (2)
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 Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. Salt water could splash on the brake lines through a gap in the fuel tank protector, resulting in excessive corrosion of the brake lines. Note that affected vehicles not currently, or formerly registered, in the salt belt states identified above are eligible for repair, at no cost to the customer, upon request.
Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will test the brake system by depressing the brake pedal and inspecting for brake fluid leaks. If no brake fluid seepage is observed, the affected areas will be rustproofed with anti-corrosion wax. If brake fluid seepage is observed, the brake lines will be replaced followed by rustproofing with anti-corrosion wax. These services will be performed free of charge. The recall began July 2014 and second notifications will run through November 2014. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's recall campaign number is WQK-47. Note: This recall supersedes recall 13V-110 which applied to certain 2005-2009 Legacy/Outback vehicles. Vehicles that were remedied under the previous campaign still need additional areas rust-proofed.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Subaru is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Outback and Legacy vehicles manufactured from December 2003, through April 2009 and currently, or formerly, registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. Salt water could splash on the brake lines through a gap in the fuel tank protector, resulting in excessive corrosion of the brake lines.
Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles. If no brake fluid seepage is observed, the affected area will be rustproofed with anti-corrosion wax. If brake fluid seepage is observed, the brake lines will be replaced followed by rustproofing with anti-corrosion wax. These services will be performed free of charge. The recall began on May 30, 2013. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's recall campaign number is WQG-43.
Owner Complaints (6)
Your brake pedal became extremely soft and spongy, requiring much longer distance to slow down or stop completely. Your brake warning light came on, and the dealer found brake fluid leaks in your braking system. This is a known issue affecting some 2009 Subaru Outbacks. Fixing this will likely involve locating and sealing the fluid leaks, and possibly replacing damaged brake lines or seals.
Parts you may need:
As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.
While driving 65 MPH, your brake pedal went all the way to the floor and the brakes didn't work, forcing you to swerve and use the parking brake to stop. Before this incident, you noticed the airbag warning light flickering on and off for weeks, and when the brake failure happened, neither the driver nor passenger airbags deployed. You also smelled gasoline coming from the engine area for several weeks before the brake failure occurred.
Parts you may need:
As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.
Your rear brake line on the passenger side rusted through at the junction box near the rear wheel, causing you to lose about half your brake fluid while driving. This made your brakes nearly ineffective, which created a serious safety risk. Even though Subaru had recalled this issue years ago and applied a wax coating, the brake lines apparently continue to corrode and fail. The fix will likely require replacing the affected brake lines rather than just applying a protective coating.
Parts you may need:
As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.
Your brake pedal went all the way to the floor without stopping the car when you tried to brake, and your ABS warning light came on. A mechanic diagnosed the problem as a faulty junction box and brake lines that need replacement. This issue may be related to a known Subaru brake system recall.
Parts you may need:
As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.
While driving downhill, your brake pedal suddenly lost all pressure and went soft, forcing you to stop using only the handbrake. You discovered the brake master cylinder was empty with fluid pooled near the rear passenger wheel, and found severe corrosion on the brake line union block at the rear of the car. Although Subaru performed a recall repair in 2014 intended to prevent this exact problem, the corrosion and brake failure happened anyway, and Subaru has refused further repairs since the recall was marked complete. The fix will likely require replacing the corroded brake lines and union block, and possibly inspecting the entire brake system for additional corrosion damage.
Parts you may need:
As an Amazon Associate, MyCarTSB earns from qualifying purchases.
CONTACTED DEALER (MIKE SHAW SUBARU, NORTHGLENN, CO) PER THE NHTSA RECALL 14V-311 -- RECALL STATES INSPECT AND REPAIR. INSISTED ON INSPECTION ONLY AND REPLACEMENT IN THE EVENT OF VISIBLE CORROSION ONLY. DID NOT OFFER THE APPLICATION OF ANTI-CORROSIVE MATERIAL IN THE EVENT THAT LINES ARE DEEMED ACCEPTABLE. *TR