2008 Subaru Legacy Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 20%of 65 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 141,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the brakes of the 2008 Subaru Legacy, 20% of the 65 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 141,000 miles. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
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.
“I had the recall done in 2017 and I was recently driving on the highway when my brakes had no pressure, I nearly crashed my car. Pulled over and realized my brake lines were leaking from where they said it had been fixed during the recall. I called the Subaru Stealership that did the recall and they informed me when I brought the vehicle in “it showed no signs of leakage” so they sprayed “anti corrosion” on the lines. I called Subaru of America and they want me to pay $200 to diagnose the issue and pay for the repair since the lines busted from “wear and tear”. …”
NHTSA complaint #11515278, filed 2023-04, 149,000 miles“I saw the brake light come on while driving on city street, I tapped the brakes lightly and checked if my ebrake was up a few times and the light went away for a bit before it finally stayed on while driving after doing that. I thought maybe it was a sensor since light taps and braking seemed fine. I guess when I was tapping and testing the brakes over and over, I was just pumping all the brake fluid out of the corroded brake line in the back and could barely stop when I actually had to use the brakes to come to a complete stop. …”
NHTSA complaint #11350930, filed 2020-08, 125,765 miles“This is in reference to Subaru recall wqk-47: while driving vehicle, brake indicator on dashboard illuminated and within a few minutes of driving, I could feel something was a bit different with the brake pressure. Within a few moments of that while attempting to stop, I noticed the pedal went all the way down to the floor and on subsequent pumps of the brakes I got some pressure. Attempting to drive the vehicle further (slowly), resulted in very little, if any, braking power. I checked brake fluid reservoir and noticed it was below the min mark. …”
NHTSA complaint #11289575, filed 2019-12, 180,000 miles“I got off the highway on a secondary road on my way home, when after the second stop sign trying to cross the intersection the car stalled ,losing its gears with the engine running, but no acceleration. The check engine light went on,the mode driving light and the cruise lights blinking. I turned the engine off ,then on and I proceeded with the only gear left to a safe location. Luckily I was on a secondary road or I could have been rear ended and hurt or worse. …”
NHTSA complaint #10318429, filed 2010-03, 3,420 miles“Driving car and had complete loss of brakes. Vehicle has had issues or random consumption of brake fluid. Passenger rear brake pipe burst open and failed due to corrosion not addressed by previous recalls. Subaru of america will not honor replacement and services cost because the Legacy model is not specific to the recall and out of warranty. Soa did honor $350 credit for repairs that cost $1100.”
NHTSA complaint #11331442, filed 2020-06, 200,000 milesRelated recalls
- 14V311000Jun 10, 2014Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Outback and Legacy, 2008-2011 Impreza and 2008-2014 Impreza WRX/STI, and 2009-2013…Covers: Subaru Legacy 2005–2009, WRX 2008–2014, WRX STI 2008–2014 +3 more
- 13V110000Mar 27, 2013Subaru is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Outback and Legacy vehicles manufactured from December 2003, through April 2009 and currently, or formerly…Covers: Subaru Legacy 2005–2009, Outback 2005–2009
Related 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…
- 10233105Dec 23, 2014Brake Line Corrosion
- 10094206Dec 23, 2014Wqk-47r - brake line corrosion
- 10233104Dec 22, 2014Brake Line Corrosion
- 10094201Dec 22, 2014Wqk-47r - brake line corrosion
- 10234896Jul 1, 2014Brake Line Corrosion
- 10232540Jul 1, 2014Brake Line Corrosion
- 10068331Jul 1, 2014Summary to be provided on a future date.
- 10234895Jun 10, 2014Subaru Recall Campaign WQK47: Brake Line Corrosion
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 2008 Subaru Legacy
25 complaintsElectrical system
9 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
6 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaintsEngine
4 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaintsFuel system
3 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaintsWheels
3 complaintsTires
2 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaintsEquipment
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2008 Subaru Legacy
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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