THE BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON TWO DAYS PRIOR. CHECKED FLUID AND WAS A BIT LOW. I HADN'T NOTICED AND FLUIDS UNDER CAR SO DID NOT GIVE IT A SECOND THOUGHT. I WAS DRIVING ON SUNDAY AND HAD LOSS OF PEDAL AND THE BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AND I NURSED IT HOME. I ADDED FLUID AND PUMPED PEDAL IN DRIVEWAY. THE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR. I PULLED IT UP ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND SOME SUBARU VEHICLES SAME AGE HAD BRAKE…
2005 Subaru Forester brakes problems
moderate 6 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450
Complaints
6
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$450
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
DT: THE ABS STUCK ON THE VEHICLE ON SEPTEMBER 27, 2005. THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING DOWN HILL SLOWLY AND HAD TO STOP TO WAIT ON ANOTHER VEHICLE. IT TOOK A WHILE, SHE PUT ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. WHEN THE OTHER VEHICLE MOVED THE CONSUMER STARTED THE ENGINE, THEN PUT VEHICLE IN FIRST GEAR, AND RELEASED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. WHEN STARTING TO GO DOWN HILL AND TRYING TO…
Common questions
How serious is the brakes problem on the 2005 Subaru Forester?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 6 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $450 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $450 for brakes repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
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