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BrakesPart report

2017 Subaru Legacy Brakes Problems

Complaints
5about this part
Share
4%of 119 total for the year
Median mileage
16,504miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the brakes of the 2017 Subaru Legacy, 4% of the 119 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 16,504 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.

“Two week old vehicle with 980 miles. This problem has occurred since delivery. The brakes are soft and go all the way to the floor with no further pedal travel after coming to a complete stop. This is repeatable and occurs every time you come to a complete stop at a light or stop sign and maintain the pressure on the brake pedal. The pedal will slowly sink to the floor if pressure is maintained. Subaru of america is aware of this issue and is unable to fix problem at this time. They have assigned a case number to my issue with this vehicle and are working on it. …”

NHTSA complaint #10898435, filed 2016-08, 8 miles

“I drove into the parking lot of Walgreens, then drove around and pulled into a parking spot facing the south side of the building and put my foot on the brake to stop and park. Instead of stopping, the car suddenly lurched forward violently and slammed into the brick wall of the building. My wife called 911 since I told her my chest really hurt. When the police came, I told them my foot must have slipped off the brake and hit the accelerator, since I had no idea what else might have caused the car to accelerate like that. …”

NHTSA complaint #11713752, filed 2026-01

“The contact owns a 2017 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked in the driveway on a hill and when he started to exit the vehicle it started to roll backwards down the driveway. The contact had to quickly turn the steering wheel in to a backwards u turn to turn the vehicle back into his yard. The contact avoided the vehicle crashing into the neighbor's yard. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and drive it back in to the driveway and put on the parking brakes. He also placed stones behind the two rear wheels to help prevent another backward roll. …”

NHTSA complaint #11373821, filed 2020-11, 33,000 miles

“The car had been going on several local stops. Car was in the middle of a main thoroughfare ready to turn on to interstate ramp when the car completely stopped functioning. Battery light came on briefly before the vehicle became completely non-responsive. Among other things non-functioning, Emergency lights would not work, electric park brake would not engage. Could not get out of car to flee danger as car would freely roll and no way to stop except to hold brake with foot pressed. Ultimately car was chocked and jumped by AAA tow truck. …”

NHTSA complaint #11527627, filed 2023-06

Related service bulletins

Brakes: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2025117%
202416%
202213%
202126%
202022%
201922%
201865%
201754%
201685%
2015138%
201424%
201346%
201278%
20111811%
2010139%
2009914%
20081320%
200739%
20061011%
20053117%
200436%
200347%
2002713%
200179%
200077%
19991213%
19981412%
19972719%
19961815%
19952916%
1994610%
199379%
199212%
19911013%
199045%

Other parts of the 2017 Subaru Legacy

Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
35 complaints
Electrical system
30 complaints
Other or unknown
21 complaints
Steering
9 complaints
Air bags
7 complaints
Body and structure
6 complaints
Engine
5 complaints
Fuel system
4 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
4 complaints
Back-over prevention (rear camera)
2 complaints
Suspension
2 complaints
Vehicle speed control
2 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2017 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