Should I buy a 2011 Subaru Forester with documented brakes problems?

Depends on the price and the specific vehicle. Documented brakes issues should be priced into the purchase — if the seller is asking full retail, negotiate down by the expected repair cost. A pre-purchase inspection from an independent shop tells you whether THIS specific vehicle has already shown the symptoms or not.

2011 Subaru Forester brakes problems

severe Owners of the 2011 Subaru Forester have filed 12 NHTSA complaints about the brakes, typically surfacing around 37,000 miles at roughly $450 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See brakes across all vehicles →

Failure mileage

Complaints

Recalls

Avg fix

$450

brakes complaints on the Subaru Forester, by model year
Model year	brakes complaints
2007 Forester	3
2009 Forester	10
2010 Forester	29
2011 Forester (this page)	12
2012 Forester	9
2013 Forester	7
2014 Forester	9
2015 Forester	14

2crashes

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 14 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.

Related recalls

severe NHTSA 14V311000 June 10, 2014

Subaru of America, Inc

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.

severe NHTSA 14V830000 December 31, 2014

Subaru of America, Inc

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 Bulletin WQQ-52R May 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."

full bulletin at NHTSA ↗

Service Bulletin 06-90-24 Jun 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.

full bulletin at NHTSA ↗

Service Bulletin 06-68-19R Jul 2019

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 ↗

Service Bulletin WQQ-52 Apr 2015

Annoucment to UPDATE ? Subaru Recall Campaign WQQ?52 Brake Line Corrosion

full bulletin at NHTSA ↗

Service Bulletin WQQ-52RA Jan 2015

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS TO ADVISE OF RECALL WQQ-52 BEING ISSUED AS A RESULT OF INCOMPLETE REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS PROVIDED IN THE IMPREZA, WRX, STI, AND FORESTER REPAIR PROCEDURE FOR THE WQK-47 BRAKE LINE CORROSION RECALL.

full bulletin at NHTSA ↗

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.

The failure pattern owners describe

Owners of 2011 Subarus Forester report brake problems across a wide range of failure modes. Several owners describe brake pedal that goes soft or travels all the way to the floor when pressure is applied—a serious safety issue. One owner's master cylinder was replaced under warranty after brake fluid service triggered the problem; it recurred. Another owner had a master cylinder and vacuum booster replacement authorized but reported parts delays.

Poor stopping power is documented repeatedly: one owner needed a collision after brakes wouldn't stop the car quickly enough at 25 mph, and the dealer dismissed the issue as normal operation requiring hard pedal pressure. Another reported a 5-foot overshoot at 20 mph and increased engine RPMs during braking—dealer could not diagnose.

ABS malfunction on snow or wet roads caused at least one accident where the system kicked in inappropriately and sent the car into a skid. The owner had two mechanics inspect and both said brakes tested fine, but the computer record showed no problem.

One owner discovered a rusted brake line at 108k miles that triggered a complete loss of braking; this corresponded to a manufacturer recall (14V311000). Dealers cited recalls but in some cases did not perform repairs.

Unexplained engine surges during braking or parking maneuvers appear in two narratives, with one owner unable to reproduce the condition for diagnosis.

Same Subaru Forester brakes reports on nearby years: 2009 · 2010

Failure modes owners describe

Poor brake response / inadequate stopping power

Brake pedal requires excessive pressure or pumping to achieve normal stopping, resulting in longer-than-normal stopping distances or failure to stop within expected range.

When: Early in ownership (shortly after purchase); recurring throughout ownership

Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal requires hard pressure or pumping to stop vehicle; Increased stopping distance (approximately 5 feet beyond intended stop point at 20 mph); Vehicle will not stop quickly enough or in timely fashion

Repairs/costs cited: Dealer at 30,000-mile service stated this was normal operation requiring hard pedal pressure; no repair performed. Vehicle not repaired in other cases despite dealer visits.

Brake pedal goes to floor / loss of braking

Brake pedal travels completely to the floor during braking while engine is running, indicating air in system or master cylinder failure. Pumping pedal restores pressure temporarily.

When: After brake fluid service/maintenance at dealership; intermittently thereafter

Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal travels to floor while engine running; Loss of brake pressure requiring pedal pumping to restore function; Pedal hits floor/carpet and cannot go lower; Pedal goes to floor intermittently

Repairs/costs cited: Master cylinder replaced under extended warranty; problem recurred. Vacuum booster pump replacement ordered but not completed within documented timeframe. Bleeding performed at wheels; owner noted this does not remove air from master cylinder or ABS system.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru representative inspection requested; Subaru of America notified 9-15-16 with no action reported.

ABS malfunction causing skidding

Anti-lock brake system activates inappropriately on snowy/plowed roads, causing vehicle to skid uncontrollably rather than allowing normal braking. Front brakes appear to function while rear brakes do not engage properly.

When: On snowy/plowed downhill road conditions; mid-day

Symptoms owners cite: ABS engages inappropriately when light brake pressure applied; Vehicle skids on snowy/plowed roads despite attempts to slow down; Uneven brake application (front brakes working, rear brakes not engaging); Vehicle continues to skid at low speeds (10 mph) after incident; ABS malfunctions multiple times under similar conditions

Repairs/costs cited: Two mechanics (one independent, one dealer) inspected brakes and stated they are fine. Dealer stated no computer record of problem.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall or TSB mentioned. Owner noted online discussions about disconnecting ABS on Subarus in winter.

Rusted/failed brake line

Brake line corroded and developed leak, resulting in loss of hydraulic pressure and complete brake failure. Requires replacement.

When: At approximately 108,000 miles

Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle failed to respond to brake pedal pressure; Service brake warning light illuminated; Brake fluid leak under hood; Driver used parking brake to stop vehicle

Repairs/costs cited: Brake line diagnosed as rusted and required replacement. Vehicle not repaired per narrative.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign Number 14V311000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); Manufacturer Recall Number WQK-47 issued. Manufacturer notified; case number provided.

Unexpected engine surge during braking / loss of brake response

When brake pedal applied, engine suddenly revved to high RPM and vehicle surged backward uncontrollably. One instance involved apparent stuck throttle; another involved sudden acceleration while parking.

When: At 145,000 miles (one incident); during parking maneuvers (other incident)

Symptoms owners cite: Engine revs to high RPM when brake pedal applied; Vehicle surges or accelerates backward uncontrollably; Engine gets stuck at high RPM for several moments; Brake pedal appears unresponsive during acceleration event; Sudden acceleration during parking maneuvers

Repairs/costs cited: One owner suspected mechanical issue with gas pedal or floor mat; found no evidence. Incident not reproducible. Other owner pumped brakes to regain control and stop vehicle.

Soft brake pedal / inadequate pedal resistance

Brake pedal continues down to floor with applied pressure, particularly when engine is cold or vehicle on an incline. Indicates air in brake system or vacuum booster failure.

When: Especially when engine cold or on incline; recurring over months

Symptoms owners cite: Soft brake pedal that continues down to floor after pressure applied; Pedal presses to floor more readily when engine cold; Pedal presses to floor more readily on inclines; Recurrent issue despite repairs

Repairs/costs cited: Brake fluid replaced (August 2016); problem continued. Master cylinder replaced under extended warranty (September 2016); problem persisted. Service manager agreed with complaint and noted same issue on 2015 model tested. Master cylinder and vacuum booster pump replacement authorized (September 27, 2016); parts on order as of October 11, 2016.

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Extended warranty covered master cylinder replacement. Subaru of America (Cherry Hill, N.J.) notified 9-15-16 with no reported action.

Synthesized from 12 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.

What owners are reporting 2 most recent

brakes · filed 11/22/2011

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Subaru forester. The contact stated that she applied the brakes at 20 MPH and the vehicle experienced an increased stopping distance. The contact stated that the vehicle stopped approximately five feet beyond where she intended to stop. The failure recurred approximately two months later while driving at a low speed. During the second failure, there was an increase in…

brakes · filed 11/11/2024

I have a single-owner 2011 automatic-transmission Subaru Forester [145k miles]. In a parking lot, I started the car as usual and shifted into reverse. I immediately noticed another car was approaching behind me and reflexively pushed on the brake to give the oncoming vehicle the right of way. As I pushed on the brake, the car suddenly and without warning surged backwards as the engine revved and…

Had brakes trouble with your 2011 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 2011 Subaru Forester?

It's a meaningful issue. 12 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.

At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?

Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 30,295 and 90,000 miles, with the median around 37,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 30,295; a quarter make it past 90,000. 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?

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/2011/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.