Subaru Legacy BN/BS (2015-2019) Owners Manual: Brake system warning light

NOTE

•  Even if the brake system warning light illuminates, if the warning light behavior is as described in the following examples, the electronic parking brake system is not malfunctioning.

•  The warning light turns off when the electronic parking brake is applied or released.
•  The warning light turns off when the ignition switch is turned to the "ON" position again.

•  The brake system warning light may illuminate immediately after the engine is started. However, it is not malfunctioning if the warning light turns off after the electronic parking brake is released.
•  The brake system warning light may illuminate after the electronic parking brake is frequently applied and released.

  However, the electronic parking brake system is not malfunctioning if the light turns off after a short period of time.

•  When the engine is started while the electronic parking brake is applied/ released, the system may judge an abnormal situation and the warning light may illuminate. If the warning light illuminates, turn the ignition switch once to the "LOCK"/"OFF" position and then restart the engine. Then, apply/release the electronic parking brake. If the warning light turns off, the system will be restored.

This light has the following functions.

Brake fluid level warning

This light illuminates when the brake fluid level has dropped to near the "MIN" level of the brake fluid reservoir with the ignition switch in the "ON" position and with the parking brake fully released.

If the brake system warning light should illuminate while driving (with the parking brake fully released and with the ignition switch positioned in "ON"), it could be an indication of leaking of brake fluid or worn brake pads. If this occurs, immediately stop the vehicle at the nearest safe place and check the brake fluid level. If the fluid level is below the "MIN" mark in the reservoir, do not drive the vehicle. Have the vehicle towed to the nearest SUBARU dealer for repair.

Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) system warning

The brake system warning light also illuminates if a malfunction occurs in the EBD system. In that event, it illuminates together with the ABS warning light.

The EBD system may be malfunctioning if the brake system warning light and ABS warning light illuminate simultaneously during driving.

Even if the EBD system fails, the conventional braking system will still function.

However, the rear wheels will be more prone to locking when the brakes are applied harder than usual and the vehicle's motion may therefore become somewhat harder to control.

If the brake system warning light and ABS warning light illuminate simultaneously, take the following steps.

1.  Stop the vehicle in the nearest safe, flat place.
2.  Shut down the engine, apply the parking brake and then restart it.
3.  Release the parking brake. If both warning lights turn off, the EBD system may be malfunctioning. Drive carefully to the nearest SUBARU dealer and have the system inspected.
4.  If both warning lights illuminate again and remain illuminated after the engine has been restarted, shut down the engine again, apply the parking brake, and check the brake fluid level.
5.  If the brake fluid level is not below the "MIN" mark, the EBD system may be malfunctioning. Drive carefully to the nearest SUBARU dealer and have the system inspected.
6.  If the brake fluid level is below the "MIN" mark, DO NOT drive the vehicle.

   Instead, have the vehicle towed to the nearest SUBARU dealer for repair.

Electronic parking brake system warning

The brake system warning light illuminates when the electronic parking brake system is malfunctioning. If the warning light illuminates, promptly park in a safe location as soon as possible and contact your SUBARU dealer.

The brake system warning light remains illuminated when the parking brake cannot be released even if the parking brake switch is pushed. For details, refer to "Electronic parking brake" .

Frequent operation warning

The brake system warning light illuminates and a chirp sound will be heard if the parking brake switch is operated too frequently. In this case, the operation of the parking brake switch is restricted to protect the electronic parking brake system.