[Robert.Mauro]

This is something I strongly suggest you take to a dealership - this is not something I'd take to a non-dealership "troubleshooter".

The throttle and brakes are not just two different systems, but one is "drive by wire" (throttle), while the other is mechanical (brakes).

 

[Robert.Mauro]

To be clear: the brakes are only being applied when I press the brake pedal, it's the brake light indication on the car icon on the instrument panel that's acting odd.

Sorry, to be clear, that light is driven by the status/position the computer thinks the brake pedal is in. That's a very important data point to be wrong.

Do you two foot drive?

If not, I'd take it in - to a Subaru dealership.

 

[Robert.Mauro]

Fortunately, nothing you described is related to the transmission, and your mechanic friend has no idea what the inspection shows. This isn't a belt driven CVT by Nissan or others.

The boroscope literally shows the massive variators and chains, allowing visually detecting the scoring that would lead to metal in the fluid.

Because there's literally zero gears in the TR690 that engage or disengage, the variators & chain are virtually always the single source of metal flakes in a TR690.