2011 Subaru Forester Brakes Problems
NHTSA lists 21 brake complaints for the 2011 Subaru Forester, 14% of that year's 147 total complaints, with 8 crashes and no fires. Two brake-related recalls (14V830000 and 14V311000) cover corrosion and hydraulic brake line issues on this model year.
- Brakes complaints
- 21
- 14% of 147
- Crashes reported
- 8
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 0
- Median mileage
- 32,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 2
Typical brake symptoms owners report
- Owners describe increased stopping distance when braking at low speeds, with the vehicle traveling several feet farther than intended before stopping.
- Some report sudden unintended acceleration while the brake pedal was fully depressed, resulting in collisions at parking lots, intersections, or while backing up.
- Anti-lock brakes reportedly engaged unexpectedly on snowy or slick roads, causing the vehicle to skid off the road.
- A failed brake switch left the brake lights, tail lights, and hazards inoperative during a nighttime trip.
- Owners who had recall 14V311000 repairs performed said the fix did not stop a later crash into another vehicle while braking at a stop light.
- Some describe confusion or frustration when dealers said the anti-corrosion brake line recall was not being applied to their vehicle.
When 2011 Subaru Forester brake complaints were filed
First complaint Nov 22, 2011, latest Nov 11, 2024.
Brakes recalls for the 2011 Subaru Forester
- NHTSA 14V830000Dec 31, 2014Brakes200,064 vehicles
Service brakes, hydraulic
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Impreza, 2008-2014 WRX and STI, and 2009-2013 Forester vehicles, currently, or formerly, registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia that were remedied under recall 14V-311 prior to December 23, 2014. The brake lines may experience brake line corrosion due to salt water splashing on the brake lines through a gap in the fuel tank protector.
Risk: Brake fluid may leak due to the brake line corrosion and may result in longer distances being required to slow or stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will apply an anti-corrosion wax to the four-way joint connector area of the brake line system, free of charge. The recall began on January 27, 2015. Owners may contact Subaru customer service at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's number for this recall is WQQ-52. Notes: This recall is specific to affected Forester, Impreza, WRX, and STI customers who had their car remedied under NHTSA recall no. 14V-311 prior to December 23, 2014. Subaru has determined that this remedy was inadequate due to incomplete repair instructions provided to dealers. Affected Forester, Impreza, WRX, and STI vehicles that were not repaired under NHTSA recall no. 14V-311 prior to December 23, 2014 will continue to be processed under NHTSA recall no. 14V-311. Affected vehicles not currently, or formerly, registered in the salt belt states identified in this recall are eligible for repair, at no cost to the customer, upon request.
- NHTSA 14V311000Jun 10, 2014Brakes461,338 vehicles
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Subaru 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 Forester vehicles, currently, or formerly, registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. Salt water could splash on the brake lines through a gap in the fuel tank protector, resulting in excessive corrosion of the brake lines. Note that affected vehicles not currently, or formerly registered, in the salt belt states identified above are eligible for repair, at no cost to the customer, upon request.
Risk: Brake line corrosion may result in brake fluid leakage. Fluid leakage may result in longer distances being required to slow or stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Subaru will notify owners, and dealers will test the brake system by depressing the brake pedal and inspecting for brake fluid leaks. If no brake fluid seepage is observed, the affected areas will be rustproofed with anti-corrosion wax. If brake fluid seepage is observed, the brake lines will be replaced followed by rustproofing with anti-corrosion wax. These services will be performed free of charge. The recall began July 2014 and second notifications will run through November 2014. Owners may contact Subaru at 1-800-782-2783. Subaru's recall campaign number is WQK-47. Note: This recall supersedes recall 13V-110 which applied to certain 2005-2009 Legacy/Outback vehicles. Vehicles that were remedied under the previous campaign still need additional areas rust-proofed.
Brakes complaints by Forester model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How many brake complaints does NHTSA have for the 2011 Subaru Forester?
- NHTSA lists 21 brake complaints for the 2011 Forester, which is 14% of the 147 total complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a brake recall for the 2011 Subaru Forester?
- Yes. Recall 14V830000 covers anti-corrosion wax application to the brake connector area, and recall 14V311000 covers testing and inspection of the brake system for leaks. Both apply to the 2011 Forester.
- Did the 2011 Forester brake problems cause crashes?
- NHTSA data shows 8 crashes tied to brake complaints for this model year, with no fires or injuries reported.
- At what mileage do brake problems typically appear on the 2011 Forester?
- The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for brake complaints on this model year is 32,000 miles.
- How does the 2011 Forester compare to other years for brake complaints?
- The 2011 Forester's brake complaints made up 14% of its total complaints, close to 2010's 15% and 2012's 18%, but higher than later years like 2020 at 2% and 2021 at 3%.