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. DEALERSH…
2005 Subaru Legacy brakes problems
moderate 23 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450
Complaints
23
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$450
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
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 V…
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. …
Common questions
How serious is the brakes problem on the 2005 Subaru Legacy?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 23 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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