I just had to have all four brake discs resurfaced due to some slight
I was glad to see Consumer Reports rate Subaru the most reliable brand, and
include ratings for the past few years. When I saw that 01 Outbacks (i.e. mine)
had brake problems, I googled this group and asked my dealer. Both said that
brakes that year were squeaky, which was repairable at one stop. So as far as
that particular CR rating for that particular goes, problem or weak spot might
be too strong a term.
John Rethorst
jrethorst at post dot com
Based on my experience, and that of several others that I have talked to,
"problem or weak spot" is *not* too strong a term. I also had brakes that
pulsated in my 2001 Outback, and had to have work done of them at somewhere
between 20,000 and 25,000 miles. The warranty took care of that. Then they
began pulsating again, and additional work was done at 35,000 miles. I had
to pay for that. At 50,000, they had to replace the front rotors and pads,
which of course I had to pay for. Quite expensive. I am not hard on my
brakes at all, and have not had this problem with other makes of cars. The
Subaru service techs said that the brakes don't last as long as they used to
since manufacturers were required to stop using asbestos in them. Hence the
overheating and scoring.
I love my Outback, and plan to get another one eventually - but I hope they
succeed in making better and longer lasting brakes.