This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
I own a 2000 Subaru Outback wagon. While driving approximately 20mph I attempted to make a routine stop in traffic. The car would not slow down, so I depressed the brake to the floor. The antilock brakes seemed to engage (I could feel the stuttering) but the car did not slow quickly enough at all. Notably the temperature was about 8degrees Fahrenheit without windchill. I have since discovered that Subaru has recalled older (1999) and later (2002) models for this exact situation (hydrolic master cylinder brake failure at low temperatures). I plan to contact Subaru to find out what their position is on this. I do not feel the consumer should be held responsible for a known design flaw.
Brake pedal goes 1/2 way down before brakes engage at all. Pedal can be pushed to floor without much effort by my 120lb wife. ABS did not engage. Neither airbag deployed - impact speed was 30 to 35 mph. Dealer insists brakes are ok. 2001 model has 13 inch discs and it stops great! (our rental is a 2001 Outback wagon). We love the car, it just worries us that it doesn't stopproperly and the airbags don't go off - apparently the 'computer' deemed it "unecessary" although it was a head-on, smack in the middle of the front, collision!
When the brake pedal is depressed on this vehicle, the pedal travel is so long and spongy that when the pedal is fully depressed it is below the level of the gas pedal. The incident I am reporting occurred when I had to make an emergancy stop. My foot (being a wide shoe size) ended up not only in contact with the brake pedal but also the accelerator pedal. Consequently, I was unable to stop the vehicle and struck a road sign. I contacted Subaru and my dealer and their response was that all of the cars they manufacture have the same brake feel and pedal travel. Just because all of the vehicles are like this dosen't make it right. The car is fine under normal driving conditions because you have time to think about where your feet are, but in an emergency situation it can be deadly.
Experenicing brake problem when applying brakes.too much force is needed to get vehicle to stop properly. Dealer /manufacturer notified, and informed consumer that nothing can be done.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Natick, MA, USA