NHTSA Complaint #736334 — 2000 SUBARU LEGACY

WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR LAST YEAR I ASKED ABOUT THE BRAKES. TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES THE PEDAL HAD TO BE DEPRESSED ALMOST ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. THE SALESMEN STATED THATS THIS WAS NORMAL. SINCE THE PURCHASE, I HAD AN ACCIDENT WHERE I REAR ENDED SOMEONE. IN SEPTEMBER THE ROTORS ON THE CAR WERE RESURFACED AT 16,000 MILES. AT THE SAME TIME THE DEALER TOLD ME ABOUT THE SEVICE BULLETIN "LOW BRAKE PEDAL PERCEPTION". THE SERVICE PEOPLE ADJUSTED THE BRAKES PER BULLETIN 06-29-00. THERE IS A MAJOR DIFFERENCE IN THE WAY THE BRAKES OPERATE SINCE THE ADJUSTMENT. THE BULLETIN STATES IT IS A PERCEPTION PROBLEM. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR 30 YEARS. THIS IS A REAL SAFETY ISSUE NOT A PERCEPTION. IN THE 2001 MODELS THE BRAKES OPERATE VERY DIFFERENTLY. THEY ENGAGE VERY QUICKLY WHEN YOU PUSH THE PEDAL DOWN!*AK