Component
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL:MECHANICAL:LINKAGE AND CABLE
329 NHTSA complaints about parking brake:conventional:mechanical:linkage and cable issues across 31 makes and 139 models.
The parking brake:conventional:mechanical:linkage and cable is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 329 filings from 31 manufacturers and 139 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 29 crashes, 6 fires, 13 injuries, and 0 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the FORD RANGER with 15 filings, followed by FORD F-150 and DODGE CARAVAN. 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 RANGER | 15 |
| 2 | FORD F-150 | 13 |
| 3 | DODGE CARAVAN | 11 |
| 4 | DODGE DAKOTA | 10 |
| 5 | FORD F-350 | 9 |
| 6 | FORD EXPLORER | 8 |
| 7 | CHEVROLET TAHOE | 8 |
| 8 | CHEVROLET SILVERADO | 8 |
| 9 | OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS | 7 |
| 10 | CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 | 7 |
| 11 | FORD F-250 SD | 6 |
| 12 | CHEVROLET SUBURBAN | 6 |
| 13 | CHEVROLET BLAZER | 6 |
| 14 | PONTIAC GRAND PRIX | 5 |
| 15 | KIA SEPHIA | 5 |
| 16 | GMC SUBURBAN | 5 |
| 17 | FORD TAURUS | 5 |
| 18 | FORD MUSTANG | 5 |
| 19 | FORD EXPEDITION | 5 |
| 20 | FORD CROWN VICTORIA | 5 |
| 21 | DODGE RAM | 5 |
| 22 | FORD F-450 SD | 4 |
| 23 | FORD CONTOUR | 4 |
| 24 | FORD AEROSTAR | 4 |
| 25 | DODGE GRAND CARAVAN | 4 |
| 26 | CHEVROLET S10 | 4 |
| 27 | BUICK REGAL | 4 |
| 28 | TOYOTA TACOMA | 3 |
| 29 | MAZDA 626 | 3 |
| 30 | JEEP CHEROKEE | 3 |
Recent Complaints
The contact owns a 2012 Honda Pilot. The contact stated that while the vehicle was getting a State Inspection, the inspector observed that the parking brake cable had seized and failed to operate as i
The contact owns a 2014 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated that the parking brake release failed to release as needed. The failure recurred several times however, the contact could not recall how
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 PONTIAC G6. WHILE INSPECTING THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE PARKING BRAKE CABLES FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE M
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY. AFTER THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ENGAGED, THE CABLE FRACTURED. AS A RESULT, THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND PARKING BRAKE BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 NISSAN ARMADA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE REAR DRIVER SIDE WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING AND PULLED THE VEHICLE TO THE LEFT. THE VEHICLE BEGAN SHAKING AND CAME
HAD TRUCK IN FOR OIL CHANGE WHOLE FRAME, DRIVE SHAFT PARKING BRAKE CABLE IS RUSTING THROUGH. *TT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN HE NOTICED THAT THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE WAS WEARING A HOLE INTO THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS
TL*HE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD MUSTANG. THE CONTACT STATED THE PARKING BRAKE BECAME STUCK AND COULD NOT BE ENGAGED OR RELEASED. THE MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THE CABLE WAS STUCK. THE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 JEEP COMMANDER. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD, HE HEARD A LOUD SHATTERING NOISE, AND DROVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE. WHEN HE LOOKED UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE THER
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 FORD F250 SUPER DUTY TRUCK(NA). WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED HE ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE PARKING BRAKE AND IT FAILED. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE F
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER. THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE AND WHEN HE PULLED THE BRAKE HANDLE UP, IT WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE TOP. THERE WAS NO BRAKING ABILITY. HE PURCHASED A P
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE REAR BRAKES ON THE DRIVER SIDE LOCKED, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO CRASH. THE DEALER STATED THA
BRAKES LOCKING UP WHEN APPLIED, EMERGENCY BRAKE HANDLE HAS NO RESISTANCE. PASSENGER SIDE REAR BRAKE CABLE FAILED. DEALER REPLACED. VEHICLE WAS WITH DEALER 23 DAYS (8/31/07-9/22/07). *TR
MY 2007 HONDA CIVIC RAN OVER A PIECE OF TIRE FROM A TRUCK. IT PASSED UNDER THE CAR AND BENT THE REAR MOST BRACKET HOLDING THE HANDBRAKE CABLE. IT APPLIED THE REAR BRAKES CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BECOME
LOSS CONTROL OF MY SUV, AND FOUND OUT MY SPINDLE, BEARINGS AND EVERYTHING WAS SHOT! *TR
MY 2005 FORD MUSTANG PARKING BRAKE CABLE HAS LOCKED UP EACH OF THE LAST TWO WINTERS. I HAVE READ SEVERAL SIMILAR INCIDENTS. THE 2ND TIME MY DEALER SUGGESTED I NOT USE THE PARKING BRAKE IN WINTER. W
IN DECEMBER THE TEMP. GOT DOWN TO 17 DEGREES, BECAUSE OF THE COLD WEATHER MY EMERGENCY BRAKE LOCKED MY BACK WHEELS UP. I TOOK IT INTO THE FORD COMPANY AND THEY UNLOCKED THEM. I WAS TOLD THAT THEY HA
THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON MY CAR FAILED TO RELEASE, RENDERING THE CAR INOPERABLE. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A DIRECT CONSEQUENCE OF NOT USING THE BRAKE FREQUENTLY, AND IT'S DESIGN CAUSES IT TO RUST OVER TIME.
ON FEBRUARY 3, 2008 AFTER RETURNING HOME FROM A TRIP TO THE GROCERY STORE, I PARKED MY CAR AS I NORMALLY WOULD AND ENGAGED THE EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE. AFTER GOING IN THE HOUSE, I NOTICED THE SMELL OF
EMERGENCY BRAKE FILL NOT HOLD TRUCK ON A HILL AND CABLE BREAKS EVERY YEAR. HAVE ADJUSTED, REPLACED PEDAL, CABLE, ETC. *TR
Related Vehicle Components
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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.