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BrakesPart report

2018 Subaru Legacy Brakes Problems

Complaints
6about this part
Share
5%of 117 total for the year
Median mileage
13,496miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the brakes of the 2018 Subaru Legacy, 5% of the 117 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 13,496 miles. 3 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.

“Car was at a turning intersection. Car was completely stopped, foot was applied to brake with normal pressure. Within a few seconds, car started to progress forward, I lifted foot off brake and reapplied. The brake did not sense pressure, I put the car in park. These actions did not stop the car. Last effort attempt was to lift the emergency brake applied. This stopped the car. I turn off the engine and restarted the car.”

NHTSA complaint #11221454, filed 2019-06, 3,800 miles

“I front passenger window stop working and does not roll up and down. I had this issue and reported the issue since I bought it brand new from the lot. I main main audio console has been replacement 2 times already from defectives. My tires TMPS is flashing now but my tire pressure are fine. My incline break button comes on by itself from time to time and does not allow for me to move the car.”

NHTSA complaint #11682969, filed 2025-08

“The contact owns a 2018 Subaru Legacy. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the headlights failed to illuminate, and the rearview camera was intermittently flashing and displaying a blank image. The contact stated that on various occasions when the vehicle was parked, the parking brake failed to activate as needed. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the head unit software needed to be updated; however, the part for the repair was on backorder. The vehicle was not repaired and occasionally failed to start. …”

NHTSA complaint #11513614, filed 2023-03, 23,191 miles

“Vehicle proceeded from a stop at intersection when it unexpectedly decelerated and holding the brakes down seem to do nothing, tried turning corner at next stop sign to maybe slow it down and hit utility pole and parked car in driveway. A resident that was outside on porch by stop sign said they heard it just loud exceleration. This was a short street block in a residential area. No warnings, vehicle undrivable and waiting on insurance. Police accident report filed. There were no skid marks, although there was wet pavement.12/6/2022”

NHTSA complaint #11496852, filed 2022-12

“The car (#1) came to a sudden stop on a freeway without the driver stepped on the brake pedal. Front dash cam video on car #1 is available. Car #1 was then hit from behind by another car (#2) which could not stop in time. However, the impact was not significant because car #2 was able to partially switch lane and only the corners of the bumpers of both cars made the contact. The sudden stop problem could NOT be reproduced afterward by the driver. No dealer/car shop has been contacted on this issue. Warning light(s) status on dashboard of car #1 was UNKNOWN . …”

NHTSA complaint #11432159, filed 2021-09

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 2018 Subaru Legacy

Electrical system
40 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
32 complaints
Other or unknown
29 complaints
Engine
10 complaints
Fuel system
8 complaints
Lane departure
4 complaints
Steering
4 complaints
Body and structure
4 complaints
Air bags
3 complaints
Back-over prevention (rear camera)
3 complaints
Suspension
3 complaints
Vehicle speed control
3 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2018 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