2005 Subaru Outback Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 31about this part
- Share
- 11%of 273 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 165,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 31 complaints about the brakes of the 2005 Subaru Outback, 11% of the 273 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 165,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“4way connector brake line leaking causing no brakes. Could of got in serious accident hazzard to drive called about recall on this but the said my car VIN number was not listed and we're very rude and she hung up on me. Had to put car in nutral to slow diwn”
NHTSA complaint #11045877, filed 2017-11, 170,000 miles“My Outback developed a brake line leak. The leak was located is the same location that was inspected and rust proofed per NHTSA campaign: 14v-311000, service campaign wqk47. The leak was discover after my 16 son lost most of brakes while in motion. Luckily there was not a serious crash as a result of the brake pedal going all the way to the floor board. The brake lines were repaired for $336. This recall was ineffective and the brake lines should have been better protected against corrosion.”
NHTSA complaint #11231998, filed 2019-07, 191,000 miles“Brake system failure due to brake line corrosion ; driving vehicle and brakes failed, leaving me without ability to stop. Luckily I was on a hardly-traveled road and getting home was uphill.”
NHTSA complaint #11173314, filed 2019-01, 192,000 miles“I have a 2005 Subaru Outback that had a recall for break line rusting. Recall #wqk-47. The breaks no longer work do to being completely rusted out. The dealer tells me the repair is impossible to complete and therefore the car is inoperable. The dealer and corporate Subaru claim that they have no obligation to repair, replace or reimburse for this car. I believe the rusted breaks are covered by the recall and the car is inoperable solely because of the breaks. Is Subaru legally obligated to correct this issue or not?”
NHTSA complaint #11254750, filed 2019-09, 158,000 miles“I was driving home from work on the highway when I pressed the brake pedal as normal to slow down and the pedal went soft and I had no brakes. I was able to make it home using the emergency brake to stop. Upon inspection the lines were leaking from the same place repaired in recall wqk47, NHTSA campaign 14v311000. Visual inspection could confirm that the initial recall wqk47 repair completely failed causing serious danger to my life. I researched complaints about wqk47 recall and came to the conclusion that I am not the only Subaru owner with this serious life threatening issue. …”
NHTSA complaint #11324327, filed 2020-05, 152,730 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 Outback 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 Outback 2005–2009, Legacy 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
- 10233104Dec 22, 2014Brake Line Corrosion
- 10234896Jul 1, 2014Brake Line Corrosion
- 10232540Jul 1, 2014Brake Line Corrosion
- 10068331Jul 1, 2014Summary to be provided on a future date.
- 10234827Jun 10, 2014New Subaru Recall Campaign: Brake Line Corrosion WQK?47
- 10084243Jun 10, 2014New subaru recall campaign: brake line corrosion wqk]47
- 10234887May 30, 2013Subaru Recall Campaign WQG43: Brake Line Corrosion
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 5% |
| 2025 | 7 | 8% |
| 2024 | 4 | 4% |
| 2023 | 7 | 8% |
| 2022 | 11 | 2% |
| 2021 | 8 | 3% |
| 2020 | 15 | 2% |
| 2019 | 22 | 2% |
| 2018 | 18 | 2% |
| 2017 | 25 | 3% |
| 2016 | 19 | 3% |
| 2015 | 28 | 5% |
| 2014 | 22 | 11% |
| 2013 | 31 | 10% |
| 2012 | 40 | 14% |
| 2011 | 78 | 12% |
| 2010 | 40 | 11% |
| 2009 | 8 | 8% |
| 2008 | 31 | 14% |
| 2007 | 8 | 6% |
| 2006 | 19 | 7% |
| 2005 | 31 | 11% |
| 2004 | 3 | 3% |
| 2003 | 7 | 8% |
| 2002 | 31 | 22% |
| 2001 | 30 | 18% |
| 2000 | 12 | 6% |
| 1999 | 9 | 8% |
| 1998 | 15 | 12% |
| 1997 | 9 | 11% |
| 1996 | 7 | 15% |
Other parts of the 2005 Subaru Outback
56 complaintsVehicle speed control
40 complaintsAir bags
38 complaintsExterior lighting
30 complaintsElectrical system
28 complaintsFuel system
19 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
17 complaintsEngine cooling
16 complaintsOther or unknown
13 complaintsSteering
13 complaintsEngine
10 complaintsWheels
9 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 Subaru Outback
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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