2011 Subaru Outback Service Brakes Problems

NHTSA component category: SERVICE BRAKES · data through 07/12/2026

67Service Brakes complaints

10.3%Of all 649 complaints

#4Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How service brakes ranks on this vehicle

POWER TRAIN209 · 32.2%

EXTERIOR LIGHTING115 · 17.7%

ENGINE85 · 13.1%

SERVICE BRAKES67 · 10.3%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM66 · 10.2%

Share of the 649 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2011 Subaru Outback overview page.

What owners report

“I PULLED UP INTO MY DRIVEWAY COMING HOME FROM SHOPPING AS USUAL, IT WAS APPROXIMATELY 5:45PM ON JAN 7, 2014. THE ROAD TO MY HOUSE…”NHTSA complaint 10559000 — filed 01/08/2014

“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…”NHTSA complaint 10550668 — filed 11/03/2013

“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…”NHTSA complaint 10492057 — filed 01/09/2013

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Service Brakes complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2011 Subaru Outback have service brakes problems?

Service Brakes is the #4 most-reported problem area on the 2011 Subaru Outback: 67 of 649 complaints on file (10.3%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2011 Subaru Outback have in total?

649 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Across all categories, 23 involved a crash, 6 involved a fire, 6 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's service brakes category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the SERVICE BRAKES category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.