1997 Subaru Legacy Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 27about this part
- Share
- 19%of 139 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 70,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 27 complaints about the brakes of the 1997 Subaru Legacy, 19% of the 139 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 70,000 miles. 6 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“In cold weather (zero or below), the brake pedal on my 1997 Subaru Legacy sedan becomes hard, and when I put it any gear, forward or reverse, the idle speed will cause the car to move and the brakes will not stop the car-I have to shift into neutral. I have learned that pumping the brake pedal while the car is at idle in n or p will usually help, at -20 degrees, I have to let the car idle for 5 to 10 minutes and then try it. The dealer indicated that this is not uncommon, but that there is no easy fix for this. This has happened every winter since I bought the car in 2001.”
NHTSA complaint #10226565, filed 2008-05, 70,000 miles“Vehicle lurches forward after brakes are applied. Vehicle jumps forward a few feet before stopping completely. Happens when vehicle is stopped. Last incident resulted to impact with another car in parking lot. Dealer could not find fault on two occasions. Says it may be due to air conditioner coming on.”
NHTSA complaint #10105986, filed 2005-01, 44,000 miles“The brakes malfunctioned when the weather started to get cold. The brakes seem to freeze up. Dealer had to bleed the lines. However the problem recurred.”
NHTSA complaint #10109548, filed 2005-03, 80,000 miles“Right front brake has failed to operate properly on at least four occasions. The brakes have gotten very hot and could possibly cause a fire or cause the brakes to lock up. The dual piston design results in one piston doing most of the work so the other piston becomes stiff and does not release. We have had the brakes grab and become extremely hot to the point that we are now on our fourth set of calipers with just over 36,000 miles on the car. Our mechanic advises this problem is quite common on Subaru's for at least the 1996 through 1998 model years. …”
NHTSA complaint #10133120, filed 2005-08“When traveling at any speed and upon attemting to make a normal stop on wet pavement or in cold weather conditions, brake pedal traveled to the floorboard, causing extended stopping distance, and resulting in an accident. Consumer has contacted dealer. Dealer wa sunable to determine the cause of the problem. Please provide any further details.”
NHTSA complaint #855154, filed 2000-01Related service bulletins
- 10163525Jul 11, 2019This Service Information bulletin announces instruction for application of additional lubrication between the brake caliper support and pad clips. This will prevent the pad from…
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 17% |
| 2024 | 1 | 6% |
| 2022 | 1 | 3% |
| 2021 | 2 | 6% |
| 2020 | 2 | 2% |
| 2019 | 2 | 2% |
| 2018 | 6 | 5% |
| 2017 | 5 | 4% |
| 2016 | 8 | 5% |
| 2015 | 13 | 8% |
| 2014 | 2 | 4% |
| 2013 | 4 | 6% |
| 2012 | 7 | 8% |
| 2011 | 18 | 11% |
| 2010 | 13 | 9% |
| 2009 | 9 | 14% |
| 2008 | 13 | 20% |
| 2007 | 3 | 9% |
| 2006 | 10 | 11% |
| 2005 | 31 | 17% |
| 2004 | 3 | 6% |
| 2003 | 4 | 7% |
| 2002 | 7 | 13% |
| 2001 | 7 | 9% |
| 2000 | 7 | 7% |
| 1999 | 12 | 13% |
| 1998 | 14 | 12% |
| 1997 | 27 | 19% |
| 1996 | 18 | 15% |
| 1995 | 29 | 16% |
| 1994 | 6 | 10% |
| 1993 | 7 | 9% |
| 1992 | 1 | 2% |
| 1991 | 10 | 13% |
| 1990 | 4 | 5% |
Other parts of the 1997 Subaru Legacy
31 complaintsElectrical system
17 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
17 complaintsAir bags
10 complaintsFuel system
9 complaintsSuspension
9 complaintsVehicle speed control
9 complaintsSteering
7 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
6 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaintsSeat belts
5 complaintsEquipment
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Subaru Legacy
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology