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 ↗2011 Subaru Legacy brakes problems
moderate 10 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Complaints
10
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
When does it fail?
Of the 10 brakes complaints filed for the 2011 Subaru Legacy, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 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 #3 by owner-complaint volume.
No new NHTSA brakes complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 10 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 bulletin announces availability of a new front disc brake pad, shim, grease and clip kit designed to reduce customer concerns of excessive brake squeal. This new kit eliminates the âslottedâ shim which previously was installed between the rubber-coated outer shim and the brake pad.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗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 ↗This bulletin announces a design change to the front brake caliper supports to address customer concerns of a rattling sound heard while driving. The change involves a reduction in the amount of clearance between the caliper support mounting bolt holes and the mounting bolts. NOTE: This information is applicable to models using 16? front brakes ONLY.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin announces a design change to the front brake caliper supports to address customer concerns of a rattling sound heard while driving. The change involves a reduction in the amount of clearance between the caliper support mounting bolt holes and the mounting bolts. NOTE: This information is applicable to models using 16? front brakes ONLY.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe a range of brake failures across 10 complaints. Several report intermittent brake-pedal collapse—the pedal goes to the floor with little resistance, often triggered by hitting bumps or rough road surfaces while braking. In wet conditions, ABS engagement occurs briefly before pedal failure. Dealers have inspected these vehicles and found nothing obviously wrong.
A distinct group describes stalling and power loss during braking or coming to stops, sometimes with RPM fluctuations during acceleration and braking cycles. One owner notes a throttle body service didn't resolve it; online discussion points to torque converter issues, with replacement quotes around $2,000. This stalling/power-loss pattern endangered drivers in traffic.
Physical brake-system failures also appear: one owner found a rusted brake line at a four-way junction block that broke and caused fluid loss. The brake warning light came on, but by then braking was severely compromised. Another reports a master cylinder (part number AJ000) that failed, allowing the pedal to travel to the floor with no brakes; Subaru's recall apparently didn't include this unit's VIN.
An electronic parking brake failed to engage or disengage properly after several years, requiring over $800 to repair while the vehicle was stationary. One owner cites an existing recall for electronic parking brake issues, unresolved as of their complaint date.
Same Subaru Legacy brakes reports on nearby years: 2008
Failure modes owners describe
Brake pedal collapse / loss of braking pressure
Pedal travels to floor with little or no resistance, sometimes triggered by hitting bumps during braking. Dealer inspection finds no obvious fault.
When: Multiple instances over 2 months; one complaint dated 18 Nov 2015
Symptoms owners cite: Pedal goes to floor with little resistance; ABS kicks in briefly before pedal failure; Occurs during wet-road braking and on bumpy surfaces; Brake fluid warning light may illuminate
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer unable to diagnose; owner suspects CVT torque converter involvement
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru customer satisfaction program exists for torque converter issues in 2010–2012 Legacy CVT models (TSB applicability noted), but some owners denied coverage due to salvage title or VIN exclusion from recalls
Stalling and power loss during braking
Engine stalls or loses power when rolling to a stop or braking hard. RPMs fluctuate during braking and acceleration. Online forums and owners attribute this to CVT torque converter design fault.
When: Recurring over 2 months; one complaint mentions Service #16-90-30
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls when braking to a stop or at red lights; Loss of power during hard braking; RPM fluctuation during braking and acceleration; Brake light on solid; oil temp light flashing; paddle shifters disabled
Repairs/costs cited: One dealership performed throttle body service without resolution. Torque converter replacement estimates around $2,000.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru TSB 2010–2012 Legacy CVT; customer satisfaction program available but may not cover all VINs or title conditions
Rusted brake line and fluid leak
Brake line rusted at four-way junction block connections. One line broke, causing significant brake fluid loss and loss of braking.
When: No specific mileage or date given; owner describes as common issue
Symptoms owners cite: Very little braking due to fluid loss; Brake fluid visible on ground; Brake warning light came on when fluid low, but braking already compromised
Repairs/costs cited: Owner diagnosed and identified rust at junction block; no repair cost stated
Master cylinder failure
Master cylinder failure allows brake pedal to travel to floor with no braking. Part number AJ000 mentioned. Some Subaru Legacy master cylinders are under recall, but complainant's VIN not included.
When: At intersection; no mileage or date given
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal travels to floor with no brakes
Repairs/costs cited: Owner retained the failed master cylinder (part AJ000) after repair
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Some master cylinder recall exists for this generation; complainant's VIN excluded
Electronic parking brake malfunction
Electronic parking brake mechanism fails to engage or disengage properly after several years of ownership. Separate recall issued as of September but remained unresolved at complaint date.
When: After several years of ownership; approximately 105,000 miles noted in one complaint
Symptoms owners cite: Brake will not engage ('turn on'); Brake will not release ('switch off'); For manual transmission vehicles, unintended disengagement poses safety hazard
Repairs/costs cited: Repair cost over $800; one complaint mentions vehicle was stationary when failure occurred
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall issued September (prior to complaint); remedy not yet available or applied as of complaint date
Brake warning light with no diagnosed fault
Brake warning light illuminates; independent mechanic scheduled diagnostic but dealer not contacted. Manufacturer stated VIN not in recall or warranty.
When: Approximately 105,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Brake warning light flashing
Repairs/costs cited: Not diagnosed or repaired at time of complaint
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer stated VIN not covered by recall or warranty
Synthesized from 10 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
About 2 months ago I was braking for a stop light. While I was braking (from about 35mph) I ran over some bumps in the road, at that time the pedal suddenly went to the floor. Luckily there was no one in font of me. I drove to a parking lot to park the car. The brake pedal had little resistance going to the floor as I pumped on the pedal. I had the car towed to the dealer to be serviced. The tow…
Had brakes trouble with your 2011 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 2011 Subaru Legacy?
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 101,125 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?
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/2011/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.