Subaru vehicles use a variety of warning lights to provide information about each system’s condition, from low fuel warnings to the dreaded check engine light. While you may already recognize some of the more common ones, others may leave you wondering what could be wrong with your vehicle.
One warning light that may not be so self-explanatory is the brake light, which can take the form of either a circle with an exclamation point inside or simply the word “BRAKE” written in all capitals. In this article, we’ll cover what the brake warning light means and what could cause it to appear on your dash!

What Does a Brake Warning Light Mean
An active brake warning light generally means there’s an issue or malfunction within your Subaru’s brake system. If you’re experiencing a brake warning light, you should have your vehicle inspected by a trusted professional as soon as possible to avoid dangerous circumstances due to a failing brake system.
It should be noted that the brake warning light may be illuminated while the parking brake is engaged. This does not mean you have an issue but rather is to remind you to disengage the e-brake before driving away.
Common Causes of a Brake Warning Light in Subarus
Low Pad Life
One of the most common reasons for your brake warning light to appear is brake pads that are in need of replacement.
Vehicles use these abrasive brake pads to create friction against the rotor while braking, which gradually wears down over time each time you use your brakes. When your brake pads are nearing the point of replacement, you may see an illuminated brake warning light letting you know that a brake service is necessary.
Continuing to drive with low brake pad life could result in lost braking performance, potentially landing you in a dangerous situation where your vehicle is not able to slow down in time. You should have your brakes inspected and serviced as soon as possible when your brake pads have reached this level of wear.

Low Brake Fluid Levels
Brake fluid is a hydraulic fluid used to transmit and amplify the force of pressing down the brake pedal, allowing the calipers to press the pads against the rotors with enough force to create adequate friction.
Like any fluid in a Subaru, brake fluid can both leak and/or degrade over time, depriving your brake system of the fluid it needs to function properly and causing your brake warning light to illuminate. When your brake fluid becomes contaminated with moisture build-up, this water will boil off at the high temperature and pressure, creating air pockets in the fluid and preventing it from building the proper amount of hydraulic pressure.
Leaking or degraded brake fluid is something that should be addressed immediately, as allowing the issue to get worse will only put further strain on your braking system.
Faulty Parking Brake
If your light is flashing rather than solid, it may be warning you of an issue with the parking brake (or e-brake) system. When the parking brake is engaged, the brake warning light will illuminate solid, letting you know not to drive away before disengaging the brake. However, a flashing brake warning light may mean you have a malfunction in the e-brake system that needs to be addressed.
This could occur for a variety of reasons, such as damaged or corroded wires, a glitch within the vehicle’s software, a broken cable, or a faulty sensor. In most cases, this will prevent you from driving the vehicle until it’s resolved.
Subaru Brake Services in Boulder
If you’re experiencing an active brake warning light, or notice any other issue with your braking system, trust the specialty Subaru technicians at Super Rupair in Boulder for diagnostics, service, and repair! Our team has extensive experience working on all makes and models of Subaru, so you can always have peace of mind that our shop understands your vehicle inside and out. Give us a call or schedule online today to secure an appointment at Boulder’s premier Subaru repair facility!