2003 Subaru Legacy Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 7%of 60 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 97,900miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the brakes of the 2003 Subaru Legacy, 7% of the 60 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 97,900 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Traveling west on i90 near mentor ohio I attempted to stop my 2003 Subaru Legacy wagon on a snow covered portion of the road. My speed was about 45 MPH. Traffic stopped suddenly, and when I applied the brakes, the car would not stop. Also, the ABS brake system did not activate. Further, upon impact with the truck in front of me, the airbags did not deploy.”
NHTSA complaint #10313651, filed 2010-02, 79,800 miles“Service was done at 60,000 kilometers and brake rotors had to be replaced which in my opinon was premature on a 3 year old vehicle. I have owned jettas and hondas which have gone 5 years and 125,000 kilometers without any major brake work required.”
NHTSA complaint #10122186, filed 2005-05, 60,000 miles“Brake line at rear wheel connector rusted through and literally broke a hole through the very rusted metal while driving at about 30 MPH, but luckily this was on empty road and it eventually stopped, but the brake pedal lost effectiveness and the usability is now dangerous, so it is parked at home, while my registration, tax and inspection lives are only half used.”
NHTSA complaint #11361474, filed 2020-09, 154,000 miles“For the last 2 years the front brakes stalled 4 times on the high way. I had to pull over, wait 20 minutes and the brakes are working again. The mechanic's computer doesn't find anything wrong.”
NHTSA complaint #11406860, filed 2021-04, 116,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11002725Jun 25, 2024This bulletin provides diagnosis and procedure information to be applied when diagnosing potential fluid leaks on front and rear brake calipers. This information has been…
- 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…
- 10015704Mar 1, 2005Brake pad wear indicator removal. Subaru tech tips.
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 2003 Subaru Legacy
16 complaintsEngine cooling
9 complaintsFuel system
9 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaintsEngine
4 complaintsTires
4 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsElectrical system
2 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaintsWheels
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 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