This bulletin provides diagnosis and procedure information to be applied when diagnosing potential fluid leaks on front and rear brake calipers. This information has been developed to reduce unnecessary brake caliper replacement.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2008 Subaru Legacy brakes problems
moderate 11 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
When does it fail?
Of the 11 brakes complaints filed for the 2008 Subaru Legacy, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 150,000+ mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Among the 9 model years of Subaru Legacy in our records for brakes problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
No new NHTSA brakes complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 6 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering brakes on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This Service Information bulletin announces instruction for application of additional lubrication between the brake caliper support and pad clips. This will prevent the pad from dragging due to corrosion buildup which may result in uneven or premature wear of the replacement brake pads. This additional instruction applies to all models with brake pads using the upper and lower pad clips and has been added to the brake pad installation procedures found in the related Service Manuals.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗WQK-47R - BRAKE LINE CORROSION
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Brake Line Corrosion
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗WQK-47R - BRAKE LINE CORROSION
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe sudden, total loss of braking power on the road—pedal goes flat to the floor with no resistance. The brake warning light comes on, fluid level drops below minimum, and inspection reveals corrosion and rupture of brake lines, usually on the rear passenger side near the fuel tank or at unprotected clip attachment points. This happens repeatedly to owners even after Subaru performed recall service (WQK-047, campaign 14V311000) that applied anti-corrosion wax coating.
The timeline is damning: one owner had recall work done in October 2018, then lost brakes in November 2019 at the exact spot the recall supposedly fixed. Another had recall service in January 2021, then experienced brake failure by 76,877 miles. A third had recalls done in 2015 and 2017, yet failed on highway. In every case, dealers inspected post-failure and found corrosion or rupture in the unprotected areas the recall was meant to address.
Owners who looked at their vehicles post-recall report the anti-corrosion coating was applied unevenly—good coverage on connectors but missing from the critical clip-hold areas near the fuel tank where corrosion actually started. Dealership repair quotes run $1,100–$1,300 per brake line. Subaru denies warranty coverage on out-of-warranty cars, calling corrosion "wear and tear," and offers only partial credits toward repairs.
Same Subaru Legacy brakes reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2011
Failure modes owners describe
Brake line corrosion and rupture
Brake lines, particularly rear passenger side lines near the fuel tank and at clip attachment points, corrode through and rupture, causing brake fluid loss and catastrophic brake failure. Owners report the lines have no protective sleeve at clip points where salt exposure and moisture accelerate corrosion. The problem occurs even after recall repairs that applied anti-corrosion wax coating.
When: Between 76,877 and 183,000 miles; in multiple cases occurring 1–11+ years after recall service (October 2018 recall, failure November 2019; January 2021 recall, failure after 76,877 miles; 2015 and 2017 recalls followed by failures on highway and city streets)
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal depresses all the way to the floor with no resistance; Soft or spongy brake pedal feel; Loss of braking power requiring emergency brake or engine braking to stop; Brake warning light illumination on dashboard; Visible brake fluid leakage from rear passenger wheel area or near fuel tank; Brake fluid reservoir drops below minimum line; Brake pressure loss after initial braking attempts
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership replacements quoted at $1,100–$1,300 for single brake line replacement. One owner received a $350 credit (out of $1,100 repair cost) and a $1,000 voucher toward a newer vehicle when repair was deemed impossible. One owner performed recall service in October 2018, yet failed again in November 2019 and was quoted $1,300 for a single line.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recalls WQK-047 (brake line corrosion, 2013–2014, also referenced 2015 and 2021), NHTSA Campaign 14V311000 (service brakes, hydraulic). Remedy involves spraying anti-corrosion wax on connectors and exposed lines. Subaru denied coverage on out-of-warranty vehicles, claiming corrosion is 'wear and tear' even when it occurs on exact areas the recalls addressed. One owner's vehicle VIN was not included in recall coverage despite matching failure profile. Manufacturer offered $200 diagnostic fee on one vehicle and $350 credit toward $1,100 repair on another.
Inadequate or failed recall remedy application
Anti-corrosion wax coating applied during recall service does not adequately protect brake lines; corrosion and failure occur in the same unprotected areas the recall was supposed to address. One owner inspected the vehicle post-recall and found the four-way connector covered in wax but the actual failure area had no coating at all.
When: 1–3 years post-recall service (October 2018 recall failed November 2019; January 2021 recall failed by 76,877 miles; 2017 recall failed on highway driving thereafter)
Symptoms owners cite: Brake line corrosion visible at clip points and fuel tank line routing areas; Leakage from same brake line segments identified in recall literature; Brake fluid loss despite previous anti-corrosion treatment
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers reportedly applied anti-corrosion wax as per recall procedure; however, coverage was incomplete or omitted in critical areas. Full brake line replacement remains the only durable fix, quoted at $1,100–$1,300.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recalls WQK-047, NHTSA 14V311000. Subaru claimed remedy was performed and offers no further action. One owner noted the dealer's work order stated 'no signs of leakage' and anti-corrosion spray was applied, yet failure occurred shortly after. Manufacturer denied warranty coverage, citing wear and tear.
Brake line damage from rodents
One owner's brake line was chewed through by rodents. The damaged line was not part of the recall repair scope, and the manufacturer declared the vehicle unrepairable.
When: At 76,877 miles after January 2021 recall service
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal to floor; Brake fluid dripping near rear passenger tire below fuel tank
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership found rodent chew damage on brake line; vehicle not repaired under warranty.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer stated vehicle was not repairable and offered $1,000 voucher toward a newer vehicle purchase.
Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
This is in reference to Subaru recall wqk-47: while driving vehicle, brake indicator on dashboard illuminated and within a few minutes of driving, I could feel something was a bit different with the brake pressure. Within a few moments of that while attempting to stop, I noticed the pedal went all the way down to the floor and on subsequent pumps of the brakes I got some pressure. Attempting…
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Subaru legacy. The contact stated while inspecting the vehicle, he became aware of corrosion around the brake line. There was fluid leaking from the brake line. The contact stated that while driving, the brake pedal felt soft when depressed. A dealer was not contacted. There was no warning light illuminated. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure however,…
While driving the vehicle and trying to brake it lost the ability to apply the brakes almost causing an accident. After further inspection found this was a recall for this vehicle. I called the manufacturer and they said it was performed and they could not do anything further. The exact area pertaining to the brake lines failing as described in the recall is where it has failed. Their is no…
I saw the brake light come on while driving on city street, I tapped the brakes lightly and checked if my ebrake was up a few times and the light went away for a bit before it finally stayed on while driving after doing that. I thought maybe it was a sensor since light taps and braking seemed fine. I guess when I was tapping and testing the brakes over and over, I was just pumping all the brake…
Upon cold start, vehicle engine ran extremely rough, placed transmission in drive while applying brake, vehicle lunged forward while applying brake with both feet initially had little effect.
Had brakes trouble with your 2008 Subaru Legacy?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the brakes problem on the 2008 Subaru Legacy?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 11 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?
Across the 9 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 125,765 and 183,000 miles, with the median around 149,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 125,765; a quarter make it past 183,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
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.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2008/Subaru/Legacy.
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. Some links on this page are affiliate links.