Are you serious? How can you expect any 'free' coverage on a 13 year old car with over 150K miles?

Brake lines rust through over time. Especially if you drive on salted roads in the winter. There will be other unexpected repairs too. You need to decide if it is time to keep fixing your car.... or upgrade to something less likely to need repairs.

I like to replace brake lines with "Copper-Nickel" alloy. It is MUCH more resistant to corrosion. European vehicles have been using "Copper-Nickel" alloy for many years right from the factory.

 

Recalls | NHTSA

Use our VIN lookup tool to check for recalls on your car, or search by make and model. Also, get recall information on car seats, tires and equipment.

www.nhtsa.gov

Input your vin and it will tell you if there is an open recall for this vehicle. If it does, it means it was never done and they should honor it. If not then I would be calling subaru of america. While the previous post is factually correct subaru made good on this serious safety issue. I have a 2009 and the dealer just did my brake like recall. the lines weren't blown but they would have done it if they were. I believe they were legally obligated because of the recall If not and you don't want to pay the dealer to correct it i believe there are posts on this site to fix it without having to dig into the car.

 

Thanks I was researching last night and found the vin check. It has been done before. I will go about replacing the line today, I think my plan is to cut where it comes in under the rear passenger seat and screw it out of the coupling. (if it will come out)

 

There was a case here not too long ago where a brake line that had been inspected during the original recall had begun to leak. In that case, the recall records showed the inspection had been done, but the photos the OP posted looked as if the lines had not been sprayed, or not been sprayed adequately, in accordance with the recall. If I recall correctly, Subaru paid for the replacement, which was for the complete line(s) from the engine compartment to their ends at the back.

 

Yes, if you can get photos of it and send to SOA and tell them the recall wasnt done correctly, they may cover it. As far as the post of these things happen, while that is true, a manufacturer has legal obligations to perform recalls on any Safety related items. Hence all these cars with air bag recalls. Gone are the pinto days where it was cheaper for a manufacturer to pay small lawsuits then to fix the problem. Since this is a generation problem it is a legal obligation. If it was some 1 off toyota camry, then you would need to pay for it yourself.
Edit: Here is a link to the other post

Rear Brake Pipe (Goes around fuel tank)

Would anyone know if it is possible to replace the factory rear steel brake lines without dropping the fuel tank? Which includes the driveshaft, rear subframe, etc... I ordered the part before I realized how difficult this was going to be. If I have to pull all that stuff out, I guess I should...

www.subaruoutback.org

 

I purchased my car as the 3rd owner. I was driving on the road and brakes gave out. It was the same area and issue you mentioned. The dealer reported the recall was “done” a year prior, meaning they sprayed it. I’m in the rust belt and they honoured the repair under goodwill at their cost. Downtime was about 2 weeks. It’s a big job. You are correct, if you do it yourself, you’ll save a LOT more time if you cut into and jig something to replace that coupling. Good luck.

I’d suggest as much as possible, even if difficult, to be as polite as you can when dealing with SOA/SOC and the dealer.

 

I purchased my car as the 3rd owner. I was driving on the road and brakes gave out. It was the same area and issue you mentioned. The dealer reported the recall was “done” a year prior, meaning they sprayed it. I’m in the rust belt and they honoured the repair under goodwill at their cost. Downtime was about 2 weeks. It’s a big job. You are correct, if you do it yourself, you’ll save a LOT more time if you cut into and jig something to replace that coupling. Good luck.

I’d suggest as much as possible, even if difficult, to be as polite as you can when dealing with SOA/SOC and the dealer.

The dealer sprayed mine with whatever it is they use. I've read its some kind of wax. When I picked up the car I specifically asked how long the coating will last. They said "...the life of the vehicle." I haven't gotten under to look at the job but I if it seems hinky I'll probably try to strip it off and shoot it or brush it with some por15. I have only read about a few cases where the coating didnt last. But that's a few too many.

 

That’s the thing. When I bought the car and heckled for recalls, all were done except the Takata airbag recall. I didn’t even know about the brake line recall until the failure and I spoke with my mechanic. Very thankful the kids were not in the car.

 

I patched the bad section today and the cars back to normal. The other line still looks awful. Did I hinder my chance of them touching it at all by fixing it?

 

If there was any obligation of Subaru to again replace the failed brake line, given it had been already recalled once and had a lifetime warranty, there would likely be process where you might reclaim the cost you bore repairing it again outside of Subaru.

Mind you, these are both big "ifs".

 

Thanks for the info, I got the ball rolling with Subaru of America. Just waiting for a reply.

 

FWIW, I had that recall done 3 years ago. The dealership in Plattsburgh, NY only applied that spray.

One year later, those brake lines ruptured...

Plattsburgh dealership wanted big $$ to repair.

Called SOA (in New Jersey somewhere); they said nothing they could do as the recall was "properly" accomplished for my car.

I told them that their recall instructions to dealerships were faulty / or that my dealership did not do the job properly... SOA still would not pay.

I told SOA I was going to lodge a complaint to the NHTSA about this SOA faulty recall process... Was put on hold for 2 minutes and they agreed to pay for the job, and provide a free car rental while on repair...

2008 Outback Base 5MT, bought new at SaintJ Subaru, Vt (great dealership) on December 2007

(Excuse my french-glish )

 

This is a terrifying recall. Where do you look to know if it was done, or done correctly? I've tried looking around, but don't know that I've seen any coating.

 

I'd first call SOA with your VIN and ask about the completion of that recall. If it's been done, they will have either replaced the brake lines (should look clean, dark green coating, likely new junction block on the RH side) or coated in this thick, white-yellow goop along the exposed sections.

There's a small (2 x 4 in.) access hatch underneath the car, RH side, just in front of the rear tire. Pop that open and it should provide a decent view of the infamous junction block. You should be able to see enough to determine if it was completed correctly (or at all).

 

Thank you. Yeah, the Carfax and vin check only says it needs airbag recall which is scheduled next week. I'm assuming that means it was checked at some point for the brake lines since it's not an open recall.

Will definitely check after it gets out of the shop, hopefully today. Noted a CV boot broken (grumble) after just getting the thing, but that's off topic a little.

With this recall, really hope it's okay. Looks like their fix with coating may also still be scary, due to plastic clips getting corrosion under them. Hopefully it's all stainless or really well coated. If not, I'll definitely take pictures and try to take it up with Subaru. Things are supposed to be safe and all

Hope the op got them to fix too. Really should be owned by Subaru on this. It's not like they didn't know this was a major safety concern.

 

Thank you. Yeah, the Carfax and vin check only says it needs airbag recall which is scheduled next week. I'm assuming that means it was checked at some point for the brake lines since it's not an open recall.

Will definitely check after it gets out of the shop, hopefully today. Noted a CV boot broken (grumble) after just getting the thing, but that's off topic a little.

With this recall, really hope it's okay. Looks like their fix with coating may also still be scary, due to plastic clips getting corrosion under them. Hopefully it's all stainless or really well coated. If not, I'll definitely take pictures and try to take it up with Subaru. Things are supposed to be safe and all

Hope the op got them to fix too. Really should be owned by Subaru on this. It's not like they didn't know this was a major safety concern.

Unfortunately, it's more of the same. The real issue was the original anti-protective finish on the brake lines were worn-off by the retaining clips and once rust starts, it spreads like an infection. The replacement is also supposed to be coated after install to prevent future issues. Some people have had them replaced with alternative materials (like stainless or the copper-nickle stuff) on their own dime.

Luckily, there have been several success stories of owners having the lines replaced after "recall completion" and they still fail. It's likely to be more of a battle, but it sounds like Subaru is still owning the issue than passing it off.

 

Thank you. Yeah, the Carfax and vin check only says it needs airbag recall which is scheduled next week. I'm assuming that means it was checked at some point for the brake lines since it's not an open recall.

Will definitely check after it gets out of the shop, hopefully today. Noted a CV boot broken (grumble) after just getting the thing, but that's off topic a little.

With this recall, really hope it's okay. Looks like their fix with coating may also still be scary, due to plastic clips getting corrosion under them. Hopefully it's all stainless or really well coated. If not, I'll definitely take pictures and try to take it up with Subaru. Things are supposed to be safe and all

Hope the op got them to fix too. Really should be owned by Subaru on this. It's not like they didn't know this was a major safety concern.

 

Well just fell victim to brake line failure. Driving down the freeway, brake light came on pedal got mushy and lost most braking action. Always carry around brake fluid so topped it up and made it home. This is really a potentially lethal flaw.

The recall was done in 2015 just the coating not the replacement. I am going to have towed to dealer on Monday. The dealer agreed to have a look at it to see whether it was recall related. That would imply that they might be inclined to repair it under the recall OR they just want to lure me in for an expensive job.

Does anyone in Canada have any experience with Subaru Canada on this issue?

 

@oxygen

I don't have that experience, nor do I recall anyone reporting they had a post-spraying leak and how it went in Canada. However, the dealer's tone does sound positive. I hope you will let us know the outcome on Monday.

Here's a clip from an SOA notice showing the areas of concern. It might be helpful to compare with the actual failure area if the dealer will let you into the shop to see it. If the leak is in the area that was inspected and sprayed back in 2011, then I really do hope the dealer and/or SCI will cover the repair.

 

thanks for the info. the recall was done in 2015. below a shot of the leak area.

 

Looks bad enough. I don't see much, if any, of the Rust-Nox spray in those areas. If the lines were sprayed in 2011, it might not have been adequate, or was somehow washed off.

Looks as if there's liquid on the pipe in the lower photo. Could be where it's leaking.

Please let us know what the dealer says . .

 

Looks worse than mine did late last year when it started leaking again. There were two steps to the recall (I think both involved adding protective wax, the second step may have expanded the coverage area) - per Subaru of America records, my 2006 Outback had the second step done in late 2014 shortly before I bought the car. In late 2020 it started leaking again at the clip rearward of the fuel tank without any visible rust. My local dealer said since the recall had been done, I would have to pay $1700. I called Subaru of America - it took three rounds of calling and escalating to a supervisor and then waiting for them to contact me before they finally agreed to cover 50% of the cost as "goodwill." I took their offer and had the tank dropped and sections of the lines replaced. To me, a recall "fix" that fails after 6 years is not a fix. Imagine if the recalled airbags started killing people 6 years after replacement. But at least Subaru covered part of the repair on a 15 year old car, not all companies would do that.

 

I had a similar situation happen but thankfully not when driving. Line ruptured just aft of the 4way joint at one of the plastic line clips as I was getting ready to pull out of my driveway. Talked to the local dealer which said the recall had already been performed in 2016 before I owned the car (the spray on wax fix not the line replacement). I didn't see any sign of undercoating/wax in the area they were supposed to spray it... There are probably a lot of vehicles out there which claim to have had the recall performed but never saw action to prevent further rusting. Never got the dealership to help with my repair. Ended up doing it myself over a weekend and used copper nickle brake lines. Some more info about my experience in this thread if curious: Brake Line Diameter?

 

Dropped off my car at a Subaru dealer in Montreal. They agreed to look into having the brake lines repaired under recall WQK-47. They said it would take a few days for them to get an answer from Subaru Canada.

While I was waiting I went to another dealership in Montreal where I bought the car used to get copies of the services records as I was gearing up for a fight.

Recall WQG-43 was done in Jan. 2014. Anti-corrosion compound on lines.

Recall WQK-47 was done in Oct. 2015 just before I bought the car. Again anti-corrosion compound on lines. Work order says no corrosion present.

I spoke to the service manager there and he said that in the past Subaru Canada had regularly agreed to redo WQK-47 and change the lines even if the recall had been done in the past in the form of anti-corrosion treatment.

Armed with info, I went back to dealer where I left my car. Lo and behold Subaru Canada had already agreed to do the recall WQK-47 and the car was ready. The rear brakelines were redone completely from under the front hood all the way to both rear wheels. Amazing! They even readjusted the parking brake.

I never had to contact Subaru Canada. The dealer did all the liaison and work. Subaru Canada did not try and argue that they had done the recall and that the failure was normal wear and tear. There may be a different legal obligation in Canada once a defect/recall has been registered with Transport Canada which makes them responsible for the life of the car.

So I am pleased with outcome except that as I was driving home the airbag light came on and will no longer extinguish. Arghhhhhh!

 

good to know that you didn't need to fight!

For the airbag light, @oxygen , it's (probably!) either the seatbelt tensioner or this: 2006 OBW - Airbag Light On - My fix

 

thanks. will update in other thread.

 

I thought the seat belts have a life time warranty. Look in your owners manual. It may be in one of the small booklets with the owners manual.

I found it there after my Body Shop buddy told me about it and SOA told me it wasn't covered. So I told SOA to look at a page in the owners manual...The replay was, "Oh". My drivers belt was fraying.

 

@Max Capacity

1. Not in Canada it doesn't apply.
2. It's not the seat belt, it's the seat belt tensioner; if this is compromised and codes, it makes the airbag light go on and the airbags won't deploy in case of an accident.

I asked SoC about a month ago, as this happened to mine in February. My mechanic knows how to get it done, but I need a seat belt assembly and the best bet is to just get one at a scrapyard... and I don't have the tools to remove one

 

Just had this issue this morning. Pedal goes to the floor, I get out and check the master, it's OK. Keep going a bit and check the master again. It's lower than the previous check. I turn around and go home. I put the rear up on jackstands (just decided to start with the rear 50/50 chance), refill the master and pump the pedal. I hear a noise, but sitting in the driver's seat I can't pinpoint it other than "rear" somewhere. I have my wife pump the pedal, and I can see brake fluid dripping from the plastic cover on the passenger side. I try to unbolt the cover to see what's what, but one of them is stuck and I need an extractor (which I don't have) now because I rounded it off. Anyway, there's a massive leak from somewhere above the fuel tank. I hop on the Internet and discover there's a recall for corrosion in this location.

I called the Subaru recall line and apparently it's already been done on this car for a PO; the only recall available is the airbag one (just been procrastinating on that one). I've been on hold with SoA for half an hour now to see if I can, a) find when and where the recall was previously done, and b) if I can get them to re-do the recall.

Any advice?

I assume if I have to do this repair myself I'll have to drop the tank.

Update: well, I finally reached alive human being and of course they told me I'd need to have my local retailer (why don't they just call it a dealer?) inspect it, and if they find an issue with how the recall was done, the "retailer" would need to contact SoA. What BS.

Any other options here? Is there an easier way than dropping the tank? Some research here indicates that's an 8 hour job.

 

I responded with more details here. But basically what guys on legacy GT forums did is what I went for (routed left line under rear bench and only then I dropped it under the car).

 

same thing happened to me - they did the recall then my brakes failed with my kids in the car. I had started tearing into it myself before I thought about escalating to SOA. Seems like a lot of folks who do escalate to SOA are taken care of.