My 2011 Subaru Outback exhibits brake failure intermittently upon first start of the engine. On numerous occasions, the car would not stop while I was applying heavy pressure to the brakes. After a series of actuations, the brakes begin to work normally. To date, this has not lead to an accident. I have taken the car to the dealer on several occasions and they have not been able to replicate the failure and as a result, have indicated there is nothing they can do. The failure does not occur everyday, so it is not surprising that the dealer cannot replicate. During the first visit, they indicated they found a leaking hose that was the cause, but then the issue returned. At my request, they replaced the brake fluid, but this issue returned once again. I have contacted Subaru usa who also stated that there is nothing that can be done.

- Park City, UT, USA

While traveling at 70 mph on I-65 the car suddenly slowed down, the check engine and brake lights began blinking. And as we pulled into the emergency lane the car came to a complete stop, the brakes having seized. The car was started again but could not move. The check engine and brake light kept blinking. After about an hour, the brakes unlocked and the car was able to be towed to the Subaru dealer in nashville. The service dept. Technician performed a diagnostic test. While the test showed that a "braking event" had occurred, there was no indication of a current problem. The technician drove the car 50 miles with a monitor, but everything worked fine. We did not want to drive this car anymore since the problem could not be detected, and bought a new Outback to drive home. Needless to say, if our car had stopped in a middle or left lane of the expressway, with large truck traffic going 70 mph., a terrible accident most likely would have occurred.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

The contact owns a 2011 Subaru Outback. The contact stated that while braking, the traction control and ABS system warning lights illuminated. The engine made a knocking noise and vehicle would not accelerate over 5 mph. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times for the failure and a diagnostic was performed that was unable to generate a failure code. The dealer replaced the transmission drive belt however, the failure was not corrected. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer for further inspection. The approximate failure mileage was 55,000 and the current mileage was 60,000.

- Amherst , NH, USA

I purchased a Subaru Outback (2011). Since that time, I have complained to the dealer of "soft brakes." The car does not stop in a timely, or effective manner. I have to overcompensate for routine stopping distances; and, you cannot panic stop. There is at least 2 inches of play in the brake; it fails to stop adequately in a safe manner; and the brakes are simply unresponsive in an emergency stop.

- Santa Clarita, CA, USA

I believe my anti-lock brakes malfunctioned on my 2011 Subaru Outback and if this is the case then someone in auto safety data collection needs to know about it. I was driving down an off ramp during snowy conditions. I applied my brakes at around 35 mph and they abruptly locked up. There was no shutter/shimmer effect that I might expect with anti-lock brakes as they go on and off while trying to grip the road. I applied them again with the same jolt followed by sliding. I tried this several times as I approached the intersection. Though the long off ramp did slow me down, at about 15 mph (I think) I plowed the left front of my car into the Ford Ranger in front of me. This impressively crushed the left front side of my car and my air bags did not deploy. The point of impact was the left side of the front bumper, but it hit at the upper 2-3 inches of the bumper. I'm not sure if the airbags should have deployed with this type of impact, but if they were supposed to deploy then someone needs to know about it too.

- Sparks, NV, USA

As brakes were stepped on car was slow to respond to braking pressure. The car continued to roll but finally came to a stop but the brake pedal went to the floor. On subsequently stepping on the brake pedal I had brake response, but if I kept pressure on the brake pedal it would go to the floor. This is unusual as up until this incident there was a very solid brake feel and the brake pedal would stop and hold about halfway to the floor. Also of note and reported is that at 1500 mile this car had steering vibration and steering control issues, which were finally addressed at 11,500 miles.

- Concord, NH, USA