2005–2009 Subaru Legacy: Brake line corrosion (salt-state recall)
Likely causes, ranked
- Corroded brake lines near the 4-way connector (inspected, treated or replaced under recall)$0–$0Shop
Real-owner fix counts will appear here as reports come in.
DIY or shop: See DIY or shop section
Parts to check
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Symptom: A soft or sinking brake pedal, a brake warning light, or fluid drips near the rear of the car.
Likely causes
- Corroded lines. Subaru recalled cars registered in salt-belt states. Dealers inspect the lines, apply anti-corrosion treatment and replace leaking lines. Cars serviced under the first campaign still need the second one.
DIY or shop?
Dealer for the recall. Brake line replacement elsewhere is a shop job.
Useful steps
- Check your VIN for 13V110 and 14V311.
- Have the lines inspected yearly if you live where roads are salted.
Vehicle focus: 2005–2009 Subaru Legacy.
Safety / mechanic note
Brake line failure can mean a sudden loss of braking. Verify with a mechanic right away if the pedal feels soft.
Recalls & service bulletins
Recalls
- 13V110000 2005–2009 Outback/Legacy in salt-belt states: brake lines can corrode and leak. Details
- 14V311000 Expanded brake line corrosion recall (WQK-47), including vehicles previously serviced under WQG-43. Details
NHTSA complaints: 57 keyword-matched complaints (of 433 unique complaints filed under NHTSA model names LEGACY, 2005–2009; NHTSA complaints API by model year, queried 2026-10-15).
Always check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Sources
What actually fixed it?
Had this problem? Tell other owners what the real fix was. Reports are counted above; we never show made-up numbers.