Component
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL
1,022 NHTSA complaints about parking brake:conventional issues across 38 makes and 245 models.
The parking brake:conventional is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 1,022 filings from 38 manufacturers and 245 distinct vehicle models, a footprint large enough that defect engineers can isolate part-family patterns across different platforms that share the same supplier or the same federal motor vehicle safety standard.
Among filings citing this component, owners have reported 228 crashes, 4 fires, 49 injuries, and 4 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the FORD MUSTANG with 75 filings, followed by JEEP WRANGLER and FORD RANGER. These severity counters are what separates a nuisance complaint trend from a pattern NHTSA is likely to escalate into a Preliminary Evaluation.
Component-level analysis is how the Office of Defects Investigation spots cross-manufacturer supplier issues — the same airbag inflator, the same takata-style ignition switch, the same brake hose material — before they become industry-wide recalls. When you see a single component accumulating large complaint volume across several unrelated nameplates, that is usually a signature of a shared supplier or a shared federal standard being stressed by real-world conditions. Use the affected-vehicles table below to see whether the pattern is concentrated on a handful of models or distributed evenly, and cross-reference each model's full recall and investigation history before drawing conclusions about any one nameplate.
Most Affected Vehicles
| # | Vehicle | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | FORD MUSTANG | 75 |
| 2 | JEEP WRANGLER | 74 |
| 3 | FORD RANGER | 55 |
| 4 | FORD EXPLORER | 43 |
| 5 | FORD F-150 | 39 |
| 6 | CHEVROLET SILVERADO | 25 |
| 7 | DODGE CARAVAN | 24 |
| 8 | FORD WINDSTAR | 17 |
| 9 | JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE | 16 |
| 10 | CHEVROLET CAMARO | 15 |
| 11 | JEEP CHEROKEE | 14 |
| 12 | CHEVROLET LUMINA | 14 |
| 13 | PLYMOUTH VOYAGER | 12 |
| 14 | FORD CROWN VICTORIA | 12 |
| 15 | FORD CONTOUR | 12 |
| 16 | DODGE GRAND CARAVAN | 12 |
| 17 | FORD TAURUS | 11 |
| 18 | FORD F-350 | 11 |
| 19 | CHEVROLET S10 | 11 |
| 20 | PONTIAC GRAND PRIX | 10 |
| 21 | MAZDA B-SERIES TRUCK | 10 |
| 22 | PONTIAC FIERO | 9 |
| 23 | FORD PROBE | 9 |
| 24 | FORD AEROSTAR | 9 |
| 25 | CHEVROLET SUBURBAN | 9 |
| 26 | CHEVROLET CORVETTE | 9 |
| 27 | PONTIAC FIREBIRD | 8 |
| 28 | HONDA CIVIC | 8 |
| 29 | GMC SIERRA | 8 |
| 30 | CHEVROLET CAVALIER | 8 |
Recent Complaints
The contact owns a 2019 Audi A7. The contact stated that while making a left turn in an intersection, the vehicle inadvertently came to a complete stop. Additionally, the contact stated that all safe
The contact owns a 2015 Ford Fusion. The contact while attempting to came to a complete , the contact stated felt a Boeing feeling coming for the brake panel before coming to a complete stop. The vehi
Thos vehicle has opened the rear hatch on two separate occasions, which was confirmed as an issue by both the local dealer, McLarty Volkswagen in North Little Rock, and Volkswagen Corporate. The airba
The contact owns a 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500. The contact stated while an employee was moving the vehicle out of the garage into the parking lot, the employee shifted the vehicle into PARK with
The contact owns a 2020 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while the vehicle was in park in the driveway idling and unattended with the emergency brake engaged, the vehicle rolled down the driveway
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD F-150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PARKING BRAKE WOULD NOT HOLD THE VEHICLE, WHICH CAUSES IT TO ROLL FREELY. SECONDLY, THE BUMPER IS ABNORMALLY LOOSE AND RATTLES. AS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD BRONCO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PARKING BRAKE DOES NOT HOLD. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, HE APPLIED THE PARKING BRAKE AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED IN THE DIRECTION OF THE HIL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 FORD F150. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON A HILL WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ENGAGED, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD BANG. THE VEHICLE ROLLED FORWARD INTO THE NEIGHBOR'S DRIVEWAY
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1985 PONTIAC FIREBIRD. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 91V055000 (PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL). THE DEALER INFORMED HIM THAT HIS VEHICLE COULD
PARKING BRAKE ASSEMBLY BUILDS UP WITH BRAKE DUST CAUSING REAR WHEELS TO MAKE A "HONING" SOUND. I HAVE BEEN TO THE SHOP 3 TIMES IN 2 MONTHS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. MY CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY (2006)
VARIOUS PROBLEMS WITH ELECTRICAL, HEATING AND COOLING, SUSPENSION, POWER STEERING, LIGHTING, AND PURGE VALVE SYSTEMS. SPENT 7K IN LAST 3 YEARS ALONE. HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEM WAS REMOVED AND REINS
BRAKES WERE PULSATING AND TOOK TO LOCAL BRAKE SHOP FOR CHECK. REAR BRAKE JOB COMPLETED. LEFT REAR ROTOR NEEDED REPLACING DUE TO DAMAGE FROM PARKING BRAKE. PARKING BRAKE ALSO REPLACED. SERVICE TECHNICI
EMERGENCY BRAKE FAILS ON INCLINES--THIS HAPPENED TO ME AND A WOMAN WITH THE SAME MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR CAR SITTING NEXT TO ME AT AN INSURANCE HEARING! IT CAUSED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO BOTH OUR CARS AND
TL*THE CONTACT'S CLIENT OWNS A 1999 FORD F-250 SD. THE CONTACT, WHO IS A MECHANIC, STATED THAT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE LEVER WOULD NOT ENGAGE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT BRAKE AT ALL. HE WAS IN
I READ ABOUT A RECALL FOR PARKING BRAKES FOR 1996 FORD MUSTANGS WITH MANUAL. I HAVE AN AUTOMATIC I BOUGHT ONLINE IN JANUARY 2007 THAT HAS PARKING BREAK ISSUES IT WONT KEEP THE CAR FORM MOVING. I HAD I
PARKING BRAKE DOES NOT HOLD VEHICLE. *TR
WHEN PARKING BRAKE IS ENGAGED WHILE IN NEUTRAL (MANUAL TRANSMISSION) ON A SLIGHT INCLINE. THE PARKING BRAKE WILL CLICK DOWN A FEW NOTCHES AND START ROLLING CAUSING PROPERTY DAMAGE OR EVEN DEATH OF AN
THE 2002 CHEVROLET TAHOE HAS FAILED INSPECTION BECAUSE OF THE EMERGENCY BRAKE.. IT WAS COMPLETELY USELESS. IT DIDN'T WORK. WHY I DON'T KNOW, BUT THE INSPECTION PLACE STATED THAT THEY HAD FAILED N
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1984 PONTIAC FIREBIRD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT REPAIR, REPLACE, OR PROVIDE REFUNDS ON RECALL REPAIRS PERTAINING TO HIS VEHICLE'S YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL.
PARKING BRAKE, FAILURE TO DISENGAGE OR INDICATE THAT THE BRAKE WAS ENGAGED, LEADING TO WEAR OF THE REAR ROTOR/DRUM, AND REQUIRING REPLACEMENT. REPLACED ONCE, ONLY TO HAVE IT HAPPEN AGAIN. PARKING BRA
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Data Sources
Vehicle complaint data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints database. Includes consumer-reported safety issues filed with NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Severity counts cross-reference NHTSA FARS (Fatality Analysis Reporting System) for fatal incidents where a corresponding FARS record exists.
Component categories are standardized by NHTSA. Crash-test ratings where shown are drawn from the NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Complaint counts, crash reports, fire reports, and fatality data reflect consumer-submitted reports and may not represent all incidents.
Disclaimer: This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for vehicle purchase decisions. NHTSA complaint data is self-reported by consumers and has not been verified or investigated. A high complaint count does not necessarily indicate a defect. Always consult a qualified mechanic and check official NHTSA recall notices before making safety-related decisions.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.