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Don't forget that the 1,000 mile break in is restarted.
Rotors Undersized - Need to be Recalled!
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What is the break in process for brakes?
You need to do the same breakin as you did for the new vehicle...driving responsibly, operating the brakes normally without stomping on them (accident avoidance excepted, obviously) and without doing things like towing heavy loads, etc., for 1000 miles.
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Totally agree with you. I am in the midst of an email exchange with a representative from Subaru - offering a $500 coupon as compensation. I have a 2020 Ascent - with 14k miles and the vehicle has been to the shop twice for 1 rear rotor replace and once for front rotor resurface. Now we have a lot of braking noise, just waiting for the pulse/vibration to start again.
Subaru really needs to acknowledge that this is a problem that is NOT going to go away.
Agreed! We need a recall or something. Getting 8K-10K miles out of a set of brakes is absolutely unacceptable.
My ‘14 Forester XT had 58K on it when I finally replaced the brakes and I could’ve gone another 10K easily. The dealer in fact said I could wait and I did them anyway.
This is nonsense and is such a systemic issue with the Ascents, Subaru needs a redesign + recall.
Brakes are one thing that needs to be 100% straight on any vehicle.
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324 Posts
Damn dude, your heavy duty. That's some weight right there. Good 4 U Robert.
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324 Posts
On the 2013 Outback I traded in I never touched the brakes. At all.
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8 Posts
Hi. I have a 2019 Touring.
I have a question for all the folks that have done multiple replacements.
First my background:
It started having the gringing/pulsing/vibrating starting in less than 10,000. We mentioned it to the dealer a couple times and they kinda brushed it off. I never really pushed the issue because it only really has that feel at higher speed heavy braking and honestly I just started ignoring it.
I have 55k miles on those original brakes now and they still have life but they sure are noisy.
I just went in to get my noisy seat fan motor changed and asked the tech to turn the rotors and install the newest brake pads. I did this because the loaner Ascent shocked me in how smooth the brakes performed. It has less than 100 miles.
Question:
When folks need to replace after say 10k miles, it it because the materials are physically worn down, as if they have 60k miles of wear? Or is it because the vibration is so bad or warping is too much that they just install new parts?
I tolerated the annoying feel of the brakes but they have worked fine for 55k and are still going.
Challenge Quesiton:
Is there any chance this is front suspension geometry problem? What if under braking load, one or more of the ball joints / pivots become ‘neutrally’ loaded and rattles in place causing a shake similar to warped rotors? Possible right?
(If the idea of neutrally loaded needs explaining, imagine balancing your cell phone on end with your two fingers at the top and opening your fingers slightly shaking the phone to allow it to bounce between your fingers, you can try it right now, interesting eh?)
Thanks for all the information here! These forums are awesome for learning and sharing. I am excited to finally learn what is causing this issue.
-Kevin
I have a question for all the folks that have done multiple replacements.
First my background:
It started having the gringing/pulsing/vibrating starting in less than 10,000. We mentioned it to the dealer a couple times and they kinda brushed it off. I never really pushed the issue because it only really has that feel at higher speed heavy braking and honestly I just started ignoring it.
I have 55k miles on those original brakes now and they still have life but they sure are noisy.
I just went in to get my noisy seat fan motor changed and asked the tech to turn the rotors and install the newest brake pads. I did this because the loaner Ascent shocked me in how smooth the brakes performed. It has less than 100 miles.
Question:
When folks need to replace after say 10k miles, it it because the materials are physically worn down, as if they have 60k miles of wear? Or is it because the vibration is so bad or warping is too much that they just install new parts?
I tolerated the annoying feel of the brakes but they have worked fine for 55k and are still going.
Challenge Quesiton:
Is there any chance this is front suspension geometry problem? What if under braking load, one or more of the ball joints / pivots become ‘neutrally’ loaded and rattles in place causing a shake similar to warped rotors? Possible right?
(If the idea of neutrally loaded needs explaining, imagine balancing your cell phone on end with your two fingers at the top and opening your fingers slightly shaking the phone to allow it to bounce between your fingers, you can try it right now, interesting eh?)
Thanks for all the information here! These forums are awesome for learning and sharing. I am excited to finally learn what is causing this issue.
-Kevin
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2 Posts
I have the exact issue with my rotors, the breaks keep vibrating and didn't want to stop whenever my car down hill with no passenger or towing.
The Subaru dealer changed out my rotors and pad recently which has been driven less then 6k and the vibration is back again.
This is the second set of rotors and brakes on my car and they care now saying is my bad driving habits and heavy breaking.
I've had my Acura MDX for 18 years and never had to deal with vibration on brakes driving down hill.
The brakes seem fine when is on flat road, but once is heading downhill then it starts to vibrate and not wanting to stop.
Subaru dealer refuse to replace my rotors again because they say the last set of rotors they replace have been tested to fix the issue.
But if the issue was fix, then why would the vibration come back again when braking during downhill drive.
This is so unacceptable as so many ppl are having the same issue on their brakes with the Ascent.
I do feel this is a design flaw and their should be a recall to fix problem.
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3,200 Posts
@EK003 sorry to hear you're having brake issues. Sadly your description sounds like what mine did, though I only made it to rev B before I gave up and went with aftermarket rotors and pads; they've been smooth as butter since.
As far as the not wanting to stop whenever your car is going downhill, without trying to sound judgemental because this is just my experience, I think the brakes will stop just fine going downhill. However, with the vibration it made me mentally not want to hear it or have someone in the car feel it, so I didn't hit the brakes as hard.
I had to demonstrate the brake problem to a couple different dealers a couple times. Each time involved a ride along with me driving on the freeway and approaching an offramp at high speed. I warned the tech/advisor riding along I was going to brake hard on the offramp, so I did. I had no trouble coming to a stop since my intention was to actually cause the vibration, not hide it.
You're your best advocate and you can always contact SOA and let them know you're having trouble getting this resolved. Sometimes that little extra motivation makes things happen with the dealer.
As far as the not wanting to stop whenever your car is going downhill, without trying to sound judgemental because this is just my experience, I think the brakes will stop just fine going downhill. However, with the vibration it made me mentally not want to hear it or have someone in the car feel it, so I didn't hit the brakes as hard.
I had to demonstrate the brake problem to a couple different dealers a couple times. Each time involved a ride along with me driving on the freeway and approaching an offramp at high speed. I warned the tech/advisor riding along I was going to brake hard on the offramp, so I did. I had no trouble coming to a stop since my intention was to actually cause the vibration, not hide it.
You're your best advocate and you can always contact SOA and let them know you're having trouble getting this resolved. Sometimes that little extra motivation makes things happen with the dealer.
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3,200 Posts
I chose R1 Concepts eLINE cross drilled front rotors with their Optimum OEp pads. I didn't touch the rear yet. I've had them installed for about 6 months and 5000miles so far.
I just had the rotors and pads replaced under warranty. Warped rotors and cracked pads.
5800 miles on the odometer.
As soon as this Ascent is out of warranty, I am going aftermarket for pads and rotors. I had warped rotors, cracked pads and AWFUL stopping distance issues with my F250. The factory installed brakes (and subsequent warranty replacement "updates") were cr*p.
A post-warranty self-installed performance brake kit (rotors and pads front and rear) solved the problem.
Remember kids: Manufacturer's OEM suppliers are almost always the lowest bidders. My WAG is these rotors and pads are being made from Chinesium alloy.
YMMV.
5800 miles on the odometer.
As soon as this Ascent is out of warranty, I am going aftermarket for pads and rotors. I had warped rotors, cracked pads and AWFUL stopping distance issues with my F250. The factory installed brakes (and subsequent warranty replacement "updates") were cr*p.
A post-warranty self-installed performance brake kit (rotors and pads front and rear) solved the problem.
Remember kids: Manufacturer's OEM suppliers are almost always the lowest bidders. My WAG is these rotors and pads are being made from Chinesium alloy.
YMMV.
If this rotor and pad issue becomes more widespread, subaru may need to approachthis the same way they are with 2019 battery issue. That is to reimburse after market product. I just do not know how widespread it is.
I used PowerStop Z36 rotors and pads on my F250 and Z23 on the Honda Pilot. Had them on for over two years and 15K on the Ford, 32K on the Honda. The Ford weighed just under 7000 lbs. and the PowerStops cut my stopping distance by 70%.
The Z23s will be my choice for the Ascent when the time comes.
When I consider the lost time and vehicle use for dealer visits related to this, I'd probably come out ahead to just get the kit and install it come Spring.
Was it all 4 rotors that were warped? I am 99% certain my rears are warped, but the one time I took it to the dealer they said they could not replicate it. Fronts squeak intermittently, but it's not as annoying as feeling (and hearing) vibration when braking - especially on long road trips. My Ascent is a 2021 with 2020 build date.
Sorry. I should have been more exact. Front brake rotors and pads were replaced. Rears were deemed OK.
My front rotors vibrate with high speed or downhill stops. I'm at 24k miles. I ordered aftermarket rotors and pads to swap the fronts. I am of the opinion that turning rotors just sets you up for accelerated warping since the rotors are thinner after being turned. I also do not want to hassle with OEM rotors that will just warp again.
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