NHTSA Complaint #11530400 — 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK

SERVICE BRAKES issue reported to NHTSA

Check any vehicle history by VIN - Free vehicle history report
Fire

Complaint Details

ODI Number 11530400
Vehicle 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK
Component SERVICE BRAKES
Date of Incident
Date Filed
Mileage N/A miles
Crash No
Fire Yes
Injuries 0
Deaths 0
Vehicle Towed No
State OH

Consumer Description

I had a fault/issue with the Electronic Parking Brake on my 2020 Subaru Outback that resulted in a vehicle fire. I had set the electronic parking brake, and received a warning light. I retracted the electronic parking brake and the warning light disappeared. I did this twice. The warning light stayed off. I drove the car and the passenger rear brakes caught on fire, damaging the brakes, the electronic parking brake motor, the brake caliper, the wheel bearing, the ABS sensor and all wiring to that wheel. I had the vehicle towed to the dealer. The dealer had the vehicle for over 2 months. In that time, my insurance inspected the vehicle. The dealer inspected the vehicle. The dealer had a Subaru (Subaru of America) factory tech visit and inspect. Subaru factory sent out a second tech (from quality control) to inspect the vehicle. The dealer tech and both Subaru factory techs could not determine the root cause of the failure. Subaru replaced all components damaged in the fire (at my cost) and sent me on my way without a determination of what caused the issue. Issue was well documented here... https://www.subaruoutback.org/threads/parking-brake-fault-caught-on-fire.551030/ I have attached a scan of the Subaru Dealer repair order.

Related Complaints for the 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK

Other SERVICE BRAKES Complaints

#11686503 I was driving to a medical appointment in Ann Arbor Mi, and was in the area where [XXX] has a few big turns in the ro...
#11666216 While in a Dairy Queen drive-up lane, I stepped on the brake pedal and it went right to the floor. The car did not st...
#11599179 Hi: When I was driving yesterday, the engine warning light and brake warning light both turned on. The car was like ...
#11556399 On November 21th, 2023, we were driving on a 30 mph street at 8:00 pm with no traffic and our automatic emergency bra...
#11499232 the car brake, with the foot on the gas all the lights came on and it stopped on the street (traffic being stuck) it'...

Recent Complaints for the 2020 SUBARU OUTBACK

#11719700 POWER TRAIN I'm writing to request assistance with my recall. This recall was first reported to the local dealership over one ye...
#11718035 FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM No warning lamps or messages. A driver in a pickup truck behind me came up close and signaled me to pull over. He go...
#11714318 POWER TRAIN On December 28, 2025, my 2020 Subaru Outback lost the ability to engage any gear (Drive, Reverse, or otherwise) while...
#11713606 AIR BAGS I am reporting a safety-related defect involving the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) on my 2020 Subaru Outback wi...
#11710788 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM The contact owns a 2020 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH on the highway, the contact was ...
Check any vehicle history by VIN - Free vehicle history report