Subaru WRX brakes problems
188 complaint narratives mention brakes terms.
Key facts
974 owner complaints analyzed
23 distinct recall campaigns
45,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 to 2025 model years. Data snapshot: . 692 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Braking behavior evidence
188 of 974 complaints match this topic (19.3%). The keyword filter can include complaints that mention a transmission without reporting its failure. View matching rules.
Owner report 10003788 · 2003-01-14 (January 14, 2003)
CONSUMER STATES, VEHICLE'S ABS IS INEFFECTIVE ON SLIPPERY AND GRAVEL SURFACES. DEALER NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS
Owner-reported narrative. 44,040 miles reported. Look up ODI 10003788 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10006478 · 2002-02-16 (February 16, 2002)
THE ABS ON THIS CAR HAS ACTIVATED 3 TIMES ON 100% DRY ROADS AT LOW TO MODERATE SPEED. THE ACTIVATION SEEMS TO BE CAUSED BY BUMPS OR EXPANSION JOINTS IN THE PAVEMENT. THIS RESULTS IN LOSS OF MOST OR ALL BRAKING POWER. 2 OF THESE OCCASIONS WOULD HAVE CAUSED ACCIDENTS HAD THERE BEEN ANYONE IN FRONT OF US.*** *AK DIMS 11 IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS***758325.
Owner-reported narrative. 1,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10006478 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10013693 · 2003-03-30 (March 30, 2003)
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN LOSS OF BRAKE PRESSURE: [I HAVE SUBMITTED ONE PREVIOUS COMPLAINT, BUT I CANNOT FIND IT HERE. SINCE THIS PROBLEM HAS YET TO BE RESOLVED (AT LEAST 18 MONTHS AFTER IT WAS FIRST REPORTED) I WOULD LIKE TO POST MY COMPLAINT AGAIN.] ON TWO (2) SEPARATE OCCASIONS I HAVE LOST ALMOST ALL BRAKING FORCE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP ABRUPTLY ON SMOOTH, DRY_ PAVEMENT. IN BOTH INSTANCES I HIT THE BRAKES QUICK AND HARD, LET UP MOMENTARILY, THEN REAPPLIED. IN BOTH CASES IT WAS ON THE SECOND APPLICATION THAT THE PEDAL WENT TO THE …
Owner-reported narrative. 29,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10013693 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10013811 · 2003-04-01 (April 1, 2003)
I OWN A 2002 SUBARU WRX. THE ABS ON THIS CAR IS EXTREMELY SENSITIVE. IT'S SO SENSITIVE THAT IT ACTUALLY IS INSTRUSIVE. IT COMES IN WAY TO EARLY AND SOMETIMES EVEN WHERE THERE SHOULDN'T BE ANY PROBLEM BRAKING. DURING ROUTINE BRAKING, THE ABS WILL ENGAGE RESULTING IN A LOSS OF BRAKE POWER AND THUS A LONGER BRAKING DISTANCE. I HAVE DRIVEN MANY CARS WITH ABS AND THIS CAR'S SYSTEM IS NOT NORMAL. I BELIEVE THIS IS A "NORMAL" PROBLEM WITH WRXS AND THE PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE FIXED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 12,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10013811 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10016308 · 2003-04-22 (April 22, 2003)
DURING A RATHER LOW SPEED STOP ON A HIGH FRICTION SURFACE, I APPLIED THE BRAKES COMING TO A STOP SIGN. THERE WAS A SMALL AMOUNT OF SAND AND SOME POTHOLES AT THE INTERSECTION. I FELT THE ABS BRAKES ENGAGE AND BEGIN PULSING...AND ALL BRAKING POWER WENT AWAY, I DID NOT CONTINUE TO SLOW DOWN AND LITERALLY COASTED OUT INTO THE INTERSECTION. MY FOOT WAS FULLY DEPRESSED AND DROPPED TO THE FLOOR. THE CAR IS A 2002 SUBARU WRX WITH LESS THAN 13K MILES ON IT. THE BRAKES ARE IN EXCELLENT. SHAPE. I HAVE HEARD THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM, THE ABS REMOVING…
Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10016308 at NHTSA ↗