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2009 Subaru Legacy brakes problems
severe
Owners of the 2009 Subaru Legacy have filed 8 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
8
Recalls
2
Avg fix
$450
brakes complaints on the Subaru Legacy, by model year
Of the 8 brakes complaints filed for the 2009 Subaru Legacy,
here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
0 (0%)
25-50k
0 (0%)
50-75k
1 (50%)
75-100k
0 (0%)
100-125k
0 (0%)
125-150k
0 (0%)
150k+
1 (50%)
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
All 2 active brakes recalls on this vehicle land at critical or severe — none classified moderate.
No new NHTSA brakes complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 4 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
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.
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
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 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.
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 Bulletin06-90-24Jun 2024
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.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting
4 most recent
brakes
· filed 11/04/2021
Following traffic and under heavy braking due to lead vehicle braking hard and making turn without turn signal, brake pedal went to floor and vehicle continued traveling forward resulting in rear end collision with vehicle in front. Upon inspection at dealership both rear brake lines found to be corroded badly and sever leakage from both left and right rear brake lines. Corrosion & weeping also…
brakes · 56,000 mi
· filed 10/26/2023
The contact owns a 2009 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard. The vehicle failed to stop immediately. The brake warning light was illuminated. The contact activated the parking brake to stop the vehicle. The contact was able to drive to the residence. Upon inspection, the contact noticed that the…
brakes · 174,000 mi
· filed 09/30/2020
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Subaru legacy. The contact stated that while approaching a stop sign, the brake pedal was depressed and went to floorboard. The vehicle was coasted to the side of the roadway. The vehicle was towed to ed reilly Subaru (150 manchester st, concord, nh 03301) to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the brake line was corroded. The contact was informed that the…
brakes
· filed 08/31/2024
Under Subaru campaign WQK47, which supersedes an earlier campaign, 05-09 Legacy/Outback and other models are known to undergo accelerated brake line corrosion due to sub-par materials and design. Subaru of America's "fix" for this issue is to inspect the lines: if the lines are compromised, they replace them. If the lines are corroded but not yet compromised, the lines are coated with an…
Had brakes trouble with your 2009 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 2009 Subaru Legacy?
It's a meaningful issue. 8 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Based on the 8 complaints filed, brakes issues most often appear around 121,250 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/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.