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2009 Subaru Forester brakes problems
moderate
Owners of the 2009 Subaru Forester have filed 10 NHTSA complaints about the brakes at roughly $450 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.See brakes across all vehicles →
Complaints
10
Recalls
2
Avg fix
$450
brakes complaints on the Subaru Forester, by model year
Brake line corrosion may result in brake fluid leakage. Fluid leakage may result in longer distances being required to slow or stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Brake fluid may leak due to the brake line corrosion and may result in longer distances being required to slow or stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will apply an anti-corrosion wax to the four-way joint connector area of the brake line system, free of charge. The recall began on January 27, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQQ-52. Notes: This recall is specific to affected Forester, Impreza, WRX, and STI customers who had their car remedied under NHTSA recall no. 14V-311 prior to December 23, 2014. Subaru has determined that this remedy was inadequate due to incomplete repair instructions provided to dealers. Affected Forester, Impreza, WRX, and STI vehicles that were not repaired under NHTSA recall no. 14V-311 prior to December 23, 2014 will continue to be processed under NHTSA recall no. 14V-311. Affected vehicles not currently, or formerly, registered in the salt belt states identified in this recall are eligible for repair, at no cost to the customer, upon request.
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.
Service BulletinWQQ-52RMay 2025
"The repair instructions previously provided in the WQK-47 recall bulletin as been updated, the WQQ-52 recall will involve applying additional anti-corrosion material to the four-way (2-2 way) joint connector area of the brake line system on Forester, Impreza, WRX, and STI vehicles previously repaired under the WQK-47 (14V-311) brake line corrosion recall prior tothe December 23, 2014 WQK-47 recall bulletin revision."
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.
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.
THIS RECALL IS BEING ISSUED AS A RESULT OF INCOMPLETE REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED IN THE IMPREZA AND FORESTER REPAIR PROCEDURE FOR THE WQK-47 BRAKE LINE CORROSION RECALL.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Ten 2009 Forester owners describe recurring brake system failures centered on corrosion and weak hydraulic response. The most serious issue involves brake line rust leading to fluid leaks and complete brake failure. One owner lost rear brakes while driving at an unknown speed; another heard a popping sound going downhill in reverse before the pedal dropped to the floor. A mechanic found no rust-prevention sealant applied during the recall (NHTSA 14V-311), despite that being the stated remedy. Subaru's recall explicitly refuses to replace corroded lines unless actively leaking at inspection—owners correctly identify this as inadequate, since corrosion can progress to failure within days.
Rear calipers seize from corrosion, destroying pads and scoring rotors by 22,555 miles in one case. Wear sensors failed to warn the driver. One owner paid $900 for repairs after a recall existed; Subaru refused reimbursement.
Five owners independently report excessive brake pedal travel from purchase or early ownership—needing to push the pedal much farther than normal to stop. Dealers consistently inspect and declare the brakes normal. One owner suspects weak hydraulics rather than pads; another notes this is unique among all vehicles they've driven. Owners feel unsafe but haven't experienced accidents.
One early narrative mentions replacing brakes three times in a few years, consistent with the caliper corrosion pattern.
Same Subaru Forester brakes reports on nearby years: 2010 · 2011
Failure modes owners describe
Brake line corrosion and failure
Brake lines develop rust and corrosion, leading to leaks or complete hydraulic failure. Owners report that the recall (14V-311) only applies anti-corrosion coating if an active leak is present; corroded lines that haven't yet failed are not replaced, leaving vehicles at risk.
When: 76,340 miles reported in one case; failures occur well within typical vehicle lifespan
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal goes to floorboard without stopping the vehicle; Abnormal popping sound when depressing brake pedal; Loss of rear brakes while driving; Brake fluid leaks; Visible rust and corrosion on brake lines and calipers
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reported spending at least $900 on brake line and caliper replacement; Subaru refused reimbursement despite recall existing. Independent mechanic found no evidence rust prevention sealant was applied per recall procedure.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall NHTSA 14V-311 (WQK-47, July 2014) and Campaign 14V830000 for Service Brakes, Hydraulics. Recall limits replacement to lines with active leaks; corroded but intact lines are only sprayed with anti-corrosion material. Manufacturer declined assistance in case #3; advised brake pads not covered under warranty in case #4.
Excessive brake pedal travel
Brake pedal requires abnormally firm and deep pressure to apply brakes. Dealer inspection finds no defect. Multiple owners describe needing to push the pedal much farther than in other vehicles they've driven.
When: Present from purchase or early ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal must be pushed too far down to apply brakes; Reduced braking responsiveness; Drivers feel unsafe despite no accidents occurring; Straight stops from all speeds affected
Repairs/costs cited: One owner speculates weak hydraulics rather than worn pads; dealers have not offered repairs and claim brakes are normal upon inspection.
Rear caliper corrosion and seizure
Rear brake calipers corrode and hardware seizes, preventing disengagement. Corroded calipers destroy brake pads and score rotors, requiring pad and rotor replacement.
When: 22,555 miles in one documented case
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pads destroyed prematurely; Brake rotors scored and damaged; Wear sensor design failed to alert driver to problem; Caliper hardware corroded and stuck
Repairs/costs cited: Rotors and pads required replacement due to caliper hardware corrosion.
Synthesized from 10 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer
allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting
0 most recent
Had brakes trouble with your 2009 Subaru Forester?
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 2009 Subaru Forester?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 10 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?
Based on the 10 complaints filed, brakes issues most often appear around 42,983 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
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?
Yes — 2 active recall(s) cover brakes issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.
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/2009/Subaru/Forester.
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.