Component
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:CONTROLS:HAND CONTROL/VALVE
4 NHTSA complaints about service brakes, air:controls:hand control/valve issues across 4 makes and 4 models.
The service brakes, air:controls:hand control/valve is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 4 filings from 4 manufacturers and 4 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 1 crash, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the TOYOTA AVALON with 1 filings, followed by MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE and FREIGHTLINER FREIGHTLINER. 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 | TOYOTA AVALON | 1 |
| 2 | MITSUBISHI ECLIPSE | 1 |
| 3 | FREIGHTLINER FREIGHTLINER | 1 |
| 4 | CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY | 1 |
Recent Complaints
ON A 98 TOYOTA AVALON XLS: THE A/C AND HEATING SYSTEM SHUTS DOWN COMPLETELY OCCASIONALLY. THE FRONT AND REAR DEFOGGERS FAIL ALSO. WHEN THE SHUT DOWN OCCURS, THE AIR VENTS EMIT VERY HOT AIR, EVEN THOU
CAR WAS PARKED WITH EBRAKE PULLED UPWARDS TO HOLD CAR IN PLACE. THE 04 ECLIPSE GT ROLLED BACKWARDS OUT OF THE PARKING SPOT AND JUMPED THE CURB HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE. 04 ECLIPSE TAKEN TO MITSUBISHI
REPLACED THE MALFUNCTIONING HAND BRAKE CONTROLLER (FAILED).
AIR BRAKE CONTROL VALVE BODY CRACKED DUE TO BEING MADE OF PLASTIC. *DH
Related Vehicle Components
Learn More
Related Safety Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints involve service brakes, air:controls:hand control/valve issues? ▼
How dangerous are service brakes, air:controls:hand control/valve defects? ▼
Which vehicles have the most service brakes, air:controls:hand control/valve problems? ▼
Where does PlainCars get its safety data? ▼
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.