This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Subaru dealer.
9.5
really awful
brakes problem
The Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) will not disengage and the warning lights flash with the message EPB failure, "contact dealer". With the wheels locked-up, we were forced to have the vehicle towed to the dealer. Some internet research indicates this is NOT a NEW issue and there is a manual disconnect method available on previous Subaru Outbacks through generation 4 but not the 2016 generation 5. Extensive online investigation determined that Subaru no longer has any "owner capable" method to disengage the EPB other than disconnecting the rear brake calipers, which is not a simple task.
Thankfully, we were still in the city.
I believe this scenario could occur if your EPB were engaged and the battery died, too. This is a potentially dangerous issue and represents unsatisfactory engineering and design by Subaru of America (SoA).
BTW - The 2015 Outback has a "Service Program Bulletin" WTB-63 to address re-programming. Our VIN did not qualify.
- Mark B., Virginia Beach, VA, US
Electronic parking brake failed to disengage. I had to have the car towed to the dealership on a special tow truck, since it's AWD. They checked it and said there was no problem and re-set the computer and sent me home with the EPB working.
- kcraig, Cayucos, CA, US
Electronic parking brake failed to disengage for the second time in four days. Again, waiting for a tow truck with dollies, since it's AWD. Finally got towed into the dealership at 4:30 Friday afternoon. My friend had enough wits to remind me to ask for a loaner car (duh!). I don't think they were planning to give me one. I had to ask for it. It's all covered under warranty. So, now I'm researching failure of EPB. If anyone else has experienced this, I would appreciate some guidance. I thought I paid mucho bucks for a reliable vehicle. This is not reliable, if one is unable to disengage the parking brake.
- kcraig, Cayucos, CA, US
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Dealer says there is no way to deactivate the electronic parking brake. Vehicle is not operational, it will start and you can shift into drive but wheels are locked up and it will not move. I had it towed to a local repair shop and they said it is the computer and they cannot repair it. Now I am faced with having to transport it to a dealership and they say it is not covered under warranty and will charge me 165 dollars to look at it.
- mbeal511, Shelbyville, US