VehicleVerdict

2011 Subaru Outback brakes problems

The 2011 Subaru Outback has 78 brakes complaints filed with NHTSA — 9% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

78

Brakes complaints

9%

Share of year

11

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Brakes complaints by year

Outback brakes complaints by model year78 complaints1995: 2 complaints1996: 7 complaints1997: 9 complaints1998: 18 complaints1999: 9 complaints2000: 14 complaints2001: 38 complaints2002: 33 complaints2003: 7 complaints2004: 3 complaints2005: 32 complaints2006: 21 complaints2007: 8 complaints2008: 31 complaints2009: 8 complaints2010: 40 complaints2011: 78 complaints2012: 38 complaints2013: 31 complaints2014: 23 complaints2015: 28 complaints2016: 18 complaints2017: 25 complaints2018: 18 complaints2019: 21 complaints2020: 16 complaints2021: 8 complaints2022: 11 complaints2023: 6 complaints2024: 3 complaints2025: 5 complaints
Outback brakes complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

18V626000BrakesSeptember 13, 2018 · 27,175 units

Defect

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Subaru Legacy and Outback vehicles equipped with a manual transmission. The electronic parking brake (EPB) may not engage as intended, allowing the vehicle to rollaway if the transmission is not in the proper gear when parked.

Consequence

A vehicle rollaway can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EPB actuator assembly, free of charge. The recall began July 19, 2019. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-844-373-6614. Subaru's number for this recall is WTV-81.

What owners report

“2011 SUBARU OUTBACK. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE BRAKE PEDAL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE BEHIND ANOTHER VEHICLE, THE BRAKES FAILED CAUSING A CRASH. THE BRAKE CONTROL MODULE FAILED CAUSING THE ANTI-LOCK SYSTEM TO MALFUNCTION. *JS”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · December 9, 2019 · crash

Common questions

How many brakes complaints does the 2011 Subaru Outback have?

NHTSA has 78 complaints about the 2011 Subaru Outback brakes — 9% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2011 Subaru Outback brakes?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the brakes: 18V626000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.