I am hoping to find someone who may be able to help me figure out what's going on with my wagon. 2002, Automatic, 68k if that helps. In temperatures below freezing, after starting the engine and putting the car in reverse, when I try to brake after backing out of a parking spot, garage, etc., the brake pedal will not go down. Luckily, I have not backed into anything, but I feel it will happen eventually. My husband bled the rear brakes, and this didn't help. Is the next step to bleed the front brakes? And what would be the next step or two if the problem isn't solved? After the car has been running for longer than 5 minutes, or if the temp is above freezing, braking in reverse is fine. Since it's an intermittent problem, it's something that we didn't deal with last winter, then no problems spring, summer, autumn, but now it's back again. I'm new around here, but am very impressed by the knowledge these members have, and am hoping someone may have some insight. In the 30 or so times this has happened, I would also say that 2 or 3 of those times, the car did the same thing when moving forward--creeping from idle, and the brake pad wouldn't go down, then after 3 or 4 tries, it finally works and no problem.

 

Thanks so much,

Karen

but there was a recall for cold weather braking (master cyl). It might be good to check with your dealer to see if you have a recall out.

Otherwise I would suspect the vacum booster and fixing it might be cheap compared to an accident.

Wow, perhaps because we purchased our vehicle in May of 02, we never heard of this. Interesting.

 

 

2002 Subaru Outback L.L. Bean Edition NHTSA Recall ID Number: 02V079000

Recall Date: MAR 12, 2002

Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

Potential Units Affected: 1252

Summary: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDERS MAY NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY IN AMBIENT TEMPERATURES BELOW FREEZING 32 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT AND LOWER).

Consequence: AT THESE TEMPERATURES, THE BRAKES MAY NOT RELEASE AFTER BEING APPLIED, EVEN WHEN THE DRIVER'S FOOT IS NO LONGER ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THIS CAN OCCUR WITHOUR PRIOR WARNING, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE MASTER CYLINDERS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 21, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SUBARU AT 1-800-782-2783.

Notes: SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.,

 

I'll look into this, and thank you!

That's not the only car affected. If I recall there were a number of others, perhaps including my 99 Forester.

 

I am sure you will get this fixed free.

there was a recal. All you have to do is release the pedal once and it wont do it again.. if i remeber right. Take it to subaru asap.nipper