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 ↗2013 Subaru Impreza brakes problems
severe 12 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Complaints
12
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
1crash
When does it fail?
Of the 12 brakes complaints filed for the 2013 Subaru Impreza, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 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
Of the 13 model years of Subaru Impreza we track for brakes problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 12.
No new NHTSA brakes complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 9 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 availability of a new front brake pad shim kit to specifically address customer concerns of a squeaking or squealing sound on the models listed above.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin announces a design change made to the rear wheel / brake backing plates.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗"Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain Crosstrek, Forester, Impreza, and WRX vehicles to replace the brake lamp switch. A total of 1,303,530 U.S. vehicles will be affected by this recall."
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin announces a design change made to the rear wheel / brake backing plates. Under certain circumstances, some customers may have a concern regarding a howling-type sound from the rear of the vehicle later diagnosed as a faulty hub / bearing assembly. Unevenness of the backing plate surfaces may affect the concentricity (roundness) of the hub / bearing after torqued during assembly and over time, cause the howling -type sound to develop. Production changes for the backing plates have been implemented to optimize their mounting surface quality.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Brake system failures in the 2013 Impreza fall into several distinct patterns. The most serious complaints involve total loss of braking power—pedal drops to the floorboard and the vehicle coasts uncontrolled until the driver engages park gear or uses the emergency brake. These failures occur from 7,000 to 138,000 miles. In one case, a brake assist system activated forcefully without driver input, causing unintended deceleration on the highway. Pedal hesitation and delayed response appear alongside vibration, particularly during hard braking, with some vehicles requiring extended stopping distances.
A design vulnerability surfaces in multiple complaints: an unprotected 4-way joint connector where both hydraulic brake circuits converge. Owners in salt-heavy areas (upstate New York, coastal regions) report this connector corrodes, reducing braking capacity. Subaru issued a June 2014 letter to NHTSA identifying this exact defect in 2005–2014 models, yet the 2013 Impreza was reportedly excluded from the recall—an omission one owner disputes as oversight.
Dealer inspections sometimes find no codes, fluid leaks, or visible problems despite active brake failure. In cases where repairs were completed—master cylinder replacement, rotor and pad changes—failures recurred. Several owners never pursued repairs or were not notified of recalls. The problem appears independent of mileage, occurring at startup, low speed, and highway speeds.
Failure modes owners describe
Complete brake loss / pedal to floor
Total loss of hydraulic braking pressure, pedal drops to or near floorboard with no stopping power. Vehicles coast or continue moving uncontrolled until park gear is engaged or emergency brake applied.
When: 7,000 to 138,000 miles; can occur at startup, during low-speed operation, and highway speeds
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal falls to floorboard; Complete loss of braking ability; Vehicle coasts without deceleration; Brake warning light illuminated; Yellow fluid drops under vehicle (brake fluid leak)
Codes mentioned: ABS warning light, Traction control warning light
Repairs/costs cited: Master cylinder replacement performed on one vehicle; failure recurred. Dealer and independent mechanic inspections found no fluid leaks or error codes in other cases. No repairs completed on most vehicles.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru issued June 2014 letter (Ref No. GR14-042) identifying corrosion of 4-way joint connector in models 2005–2014, but 2013 Impreza was reportedly excluded from recall despite identical defect.
Brake pedal hesitation and delayed response
Brake pedal does not respond immediately when depressed, causing extended stopping distance (3 feet reported). Pedal vibrates and travels to floorboard without proper braking action.
When: 138,000 miles; recurring episodes during normal driving
Symptoms owners cite: 3-second to 3-foot stopping distance delay; Brake pedal vibration; Pedal rests on floorboard when depressed; ABS warning light illuminated; Traction control warning light illuminated
Codes mentioned: ABS warning light, Traction control warning light
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer replaced front rotors, pads, and calipers; problem persisted. Independent mechanic found no issues. Vehicle not repaired; failure continued recurring.
Corrosion at 4-way joint connector
Unprotected 4-way hydraulic brake line connector exposed to road salt and moisture corrodes, reducing braking system integrity. Both brake circuits pass through this single connector, creating a critical single-point failure risk.
When: Typically develops progressively in salt-heavy environments (upstate NY, coastal areas); one complaint at 125,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Brake warning light illuminated; Loss of braking ability; Extended stopping distance and increased pedal pressure required; Yellow fluid drops under vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: Brake line rust at rear distribution block requiring replacement. Dealer estimated repair cost pending (not completed in narrative).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Subaru June 2014 letter (Ref No. GR14-042 to NHTSA) documented this defect in many 2005–2014 Subaru models but excluded 2013 Impreza from recall; owner disputes exclusion as oversight.
Brake assist system unintended activation
Brake assist system activates forcefully without driver intent or proportional to brake pedal pressure, causing aggressive deceleration and loss of vehicle control during normal highway driving.
When: Occurs during cruise control operation at highway speeds (65 mph reported)
Symptoms owners cite: Unintended forceful braking while cruise control active; Vehicle slows against driver will; Driver must struggle with accelerator to regain speed; Loss of control during normal driving
Brake pedal vibration during hard braking
Pedal vibrates excessively when brake pressure applied hard, particularly during emergency braking or collision-avoidance situations. May indicate ABS malfunction or rotor/caliper issue.
When: Low-speed collision avoidance (10–15 mph) and highway speeds (70 mph); early mileage (8,777 miles)
Symptoms owners cite: Uncontrolled vibration of brake pedal; Vehicle vibrates uncontrollably; Inadequate stopping power during hard braking; Vehicle slides or drifts rather than stopping straight
Repairs/costs cited: No diagnosis or repair performed in narratives.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified in one case; no response documented.
Synthesized from 12 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
On two occasions of a rear end collision on dry pavement, while trying to avoid collision and applying the brakes extremely hard, I felt like the vehicle should have come to a complete stop. Instead the vehicle didn't stop but slid into vehicle ahead of me. I know it sounds like I'm blaming the car for my accident but I have had cars stop on a dime. This car did not stop on a dime. I had the…
Had brakes trouble with your 2013 Subaru Impreza?
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 2013 Subaru Impreza?
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?
Based on the 12 complaints filed, brakes issues most often appear around 50,396 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/2013/Subaru/Impreza.
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.