NHTSA Complaint #11683186 — 2012 SUBARU OUTBACK

SERVICE BRAKES issue reported to NHTSA

Check any vehicle history by VIN - Free vehicle history report

Complaint Details

ODI Number 11683186
Vehicle 2012 SUBARU OUTBACK
Component SERVICE BRAKES
Date of Incident
Date Filed
Mileage N/A miles
Crash No
Fire No
Injuries 0
Deaths 0
Vehicle Towed No
State NJ

Consumer Description

I took my Outback to my local highly respectable mechanic on August 20, 2025 as I needed the oil changed and the concern I had about having to add brake fluid twice in the past 4 months. He inspected my car immediately and he refused to let me drive it out of his shop as there is a dangerous brake line leaking issue that could result in brake failure. He told me that my Outback is not the first that he had to repair this “Subaru manufacturing defect”. I had to get it repaired. I checked to see if there was a NHTSA recall on my Outback year and there was none, only prior years. Yet when I went online searching more, I found an article that stated that Subaru was going to recall the 2012 Subaru as well? The repair shop owner said to us that my wife is a "gentle driver" and that was good, because, if she had to apply the brakes very hard to avoid a collision, they probably would have failed. Please understand that I read the recall for previous years of Outbacks and other Subaru models, and my Subaru Outback had the exact same defect. I did contact Subaru of America and they responded that my Outback does not have a recall, only prior years. Unbelievable!!! The exact same make and model with the exact same defect and they just blow me off! I was lucky that we did not reach the point of a serious accident. I hope that NHTSA will evaluate my, and I am sure other safety issues with Subaru brakes, and take some action to give other owners the opportunity to make this very serious safety matter right, and avoid an accident. In a related question, can NHTSA somehow require auto manufacturers to inspect their vehicles that are still on the road after say 12 years to helpfully provide some safety assurance to the drivers of their vehicles?

Related Complaints for the 2012 SUBARU OUTBACK

Other SERVICE BRAKES Complaints

#11688694 The brake pedal suddenly went almost to the floor while attempting to stop. Researching I found there was a recall. N...
#11589508 Rear four way brake junction is completely corroded and leaking fluid causing a complete loss of braking. This appear...
#11527494 The rear brake lines sprung a leak in a well-known trouble spot with Subarus. The junction area underneath the passe...
#11475052 My Subaru Outback, at roughly 110,000 miles, displayed a dash indicator suggesting low brake fluid. After investigati...
#11453573 The contact owns a 2012 Subaru Outback. The contact stated she starting the vehicle and there was an abnormal noise c...

Recent Complaints for the 2012 SUBARU OUTBACK

#11646326 AIR BAGS The contact's girlfriend owns a 2012 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated while starting. In...
#11646326 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM The contact's girlfriend owns a 2012 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated while starting. In...
#11646326 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR The contact's girlfriend owns a 2012 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated while starting. In...
#11631701 POWER TRAIN When coming to a stop, the car shudders and often stalls just like if you didn't press in the clutch on a manual tran...
#11628345 ENGINE Vehicle stalls when stopping. This is a huge safety issue because stalling at intersections can cause accidents. Deal...
Check any vehicle history by VIN - Free vehicle history report