1998 Subaru Forester Brakes Problems
15 owner-reported brakes complaints from NHTSA data
Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.
Brakes Recalls (1)
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS). (THE 1999 2.2 LITER LEGACY VEHICLES ARE EXCLUDED). IN EXTREMELY COLD WEATHER, THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR AND THE VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE IS INCREASED.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER.
Owner Complaints (15)
VIBRATION IN STEERING WHEEL, DEALER RESURFACED 2 FRONT ROTORS, ALSO 2 REAR DRUMS AND BRAKE SHOES WERE SANDGLAZED. *YH
DEALER HAD TO DISASSEMBLE AND RESURFACE 2 FRONT ROTORS TO ELIMINATE EXCESSIVE RUNOUT. *SLC
CONSUMER HAS HAD TO HAVE ROTORS TURNED ON A 'VERY' FREQUENT BASIS. DEALERSHIP/MECHANIC WERE SAYING THAT DRUMS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*AK
WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT AND WHEN DRIVER ACCELERATES ENGINE WILL REV. CONSUMER HAS ALSO CHANGED ROTORS, AND IT'S TIME TO CHANGE THEM AGAIN AFTER 3000 MILES.*AK
GRADUAL BRAKE PULSATION EXPERIENCED TWICE. DEALER RESURFACED FRONT ROTORS (9/13/99 @ 21,156 MILES & 4/4/2000 @ 29,928 MILES), WHICH TEMPORARILY CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. *AK
VEHICLE ACCIDENT DUE TO POSSIBLE RECALL COMPONENT FAILURE (MASTER CYLINDER) PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE. MJS
POSSIBLE FAILURE OF RECALL COMPONENT PRIOR TO NOTICE, RESULTED IN VEHICLE COLLISION DUE TO LOSS OF CONTROL. (99V-040) YH
ERRATIC PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE BRAKING SYSTEM: DEALER TURNED ROTORS FOR THE SECOND TIME, INSTEAD OF REPLACING THE.; SEEKING NHTSA HELP OR PROVIDE ADDITIONALINFORMATION.*AK
BRAKES FAILED CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL AND COLLISION WITH ROCKS, BUSHES AND TREES. MJS
THE BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTION, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. ONCE HAD NO BRAKING ABILITY AT ALL WHICH ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. DEALER NEVER REPLACED ANY PARTS, JUST REMOVED A PEBBLE FROM THE BRAKE PADS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
BRAKES MALFUNCTION.
SECURITY SYSTEM GOES OFF WHEN HAZARD LIGHTS ARE ENGAGED/ABS BRAKES SQUEAK. IN ADDITION, WHILE PULLING OUT OF PARKING SPOT, VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD UNEXPECTEDLY, AND ENGINE CHECK LIGHT COMES ON.
BRAKES ARE SO WEAK THE ABS CAN BE ACTIVATED ON DRY PAVEMENT.
WHEN APPLYING THE ABS BRAKES ON WET OR DRY PAVEMENT THE PEDAL TRAVELS TO THE FLOORBOARD, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM, BUT REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES ON DRY PAVEMENT THE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE WHICH RESULTED IN A COLLISION. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK