Power brakes fail to function immediately and shortly after (within about 5 minutes) after cold start in temperatures below 10 degrees F. brake pedal remains high and stiff with little to no travel distance indicating no power to power brake system but brake pedal apparently travels enough distance to allow shifting out of park. User remedy is to allow more than 5 minutes to warm and verify brake pedal travels normal distance indicating power brake system is functioning before shifting out of park. Other remedy is to sharply depress brake pedal several times until the brake pedal travels normal distance indicating power brake system is functioning before shifting our of park. This remedy works fine for me when I remember to follow this procedure during temperature below 10 degrees F. other family members that do not drive my vehicle as often as I do are prone to forgetting to follow the remedy procedure. For anyone, including myself, that is either unaware of this defect in vehicles operation or forgets to follow the remedy procedure finds them self in a very surprising situation if traveling at a speed to fast to allow for braking with a failed power brake system. I have actually noticed this problem for the first time during the winter of 2002 - 2003 and have noticed this once again this winter with the recent onset of frigid weather here in the northeast portion of Massachusetts. I have yet to bring my vehicle in for specific service on this matter, however, I do plan to contact a local Subaru dealer for assistance.

- Woburn, MA, USA