Component
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:CALIPER
145 NHTSA complaints about service brakes, air:disc:caliper issues across 25 makes and 83 models.
The service brakes, air:disc:caliper is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 145 filings from 25 manufacturers and 83 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 6 crashes, 2 fires, 3 injuries, and 0 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the FORD PROBE with 17 filings, followed by FORD TAURUS and CHEVROLET LUMINA. 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 PROBE | 17 |
| 2 | FORD TAURUS | 6 |
| 3 | CHEVROLET LUMINA | 5 |
| 4 | FORD FOCUS | 4 |
| 5 | CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO | 4 |
| 6 | CHEVROLET MALIBU | 4 |
| 7 | OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS | 3 |
| 8 | JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE | 3 |
| 9 | FORD EXPLORER | 3 |
| 10 | CHEVROLET SILVERADO | 3 |
| 11 | BUICK REGAL | 3 |
| 12 | WORKHORSE W22 | 2 |
| 13 | TOYOTA TUNDRA | 2 |
| 14 | TOYOTA SEQUOIA | 2 |
| 15 | PONTIAC GRAND PRIX | 2 |
| 16 | PONTIAC GRAND AM | 2 |
| 17 | NISSAN MURANO | 2 |
| 18 | MERCEDES-BENZ GLE350 | 2 |
| 19 | LINCOLN TOWN CAR | 2 |
| 20 | GMC SIERRA | 2 |
| 21 | FORD WINDSTAR | 2 |
| 22 | FORD RANGER | 2 |
| 23 | FORD MOTOR HOME | 2 |
| 24 | FORD F-250 | 2 |
| 25 | FORD F-150 | 2 |
| 26 | FORD EXPEDITION | 2 |
| 27 | DODGE DURANGO | 2 |
| 28 | DODGE DAKOTA | 2 |
| 29 | CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 | 2 |
| 30 | WORKHORSE W20 | 1 |
Recent Complaints
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the passenger's front caliper bolt fractured. The contact stated that the vehicle was undriveable. The veh
See attached document for complaint
The contact owns a 2010 Lincoln MKZ. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to slow as intended. The v
The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Gladiator. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, he heard a scraping sound inside the vehicle. The contact then stated that while he pulled into a service station, the
Iâve had my car for seven months now and since then itâs been problem Iâve spent way over money to fix problems both sides driver and passenger side axle popped twice my brake fluid keeps runnin
The contact owns a 2004 Workhorse W22 RV. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the brakes heated up and seized. The contact stated that the ABS warning light was illuminated. The con
The contact owns a 2013 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that the vehicle was running rough. Additionally, while the brake pedal was depressed, the vehicle was slow to respond. There were no warning
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that the brakes would squeak upon depression of the brake pedal without warning. The contact took her vehicle to an independent mechanic where
While stoped at a stop light there was A loud bang and a loud grinding sound. It turns out the break calipers and pads exploded and failed. Had to replace rear pads caliper and rotor.
The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLE350. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the contact felt a slight hesitation upon depression of the accelerator pedal without warning. Th
The contact owns a 2017 Mercedes-Benz GLE350. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the contact felt a slight hesitation upon depression of the accelerator pedal without warning. Th
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 KIA SORENTO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE CALIPERS WERE REPLACED EVERY SIX MONTHS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HATFIELD KIA LOCATED AT 1455 AUTO MALL DR, COLUMBUS, OH 432
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 GEORGI BOY CRUSE MASTER RV EQUIPPED WITH A 2004 WORKHORSE W22 CHASSIS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED TO ENGAGE, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO DRIVE THROUGH A RED TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL ME
TOOK VEHICLE INTO DEALER AND HAD CAMPAIGN NUMBER 04V019000 COMPLETED ON 10-26-04. NOW LESS THAN 10,000 MILES SINCE THEN, IT IS BACK AT THE SERVICE CENTER AFTER BRAKE FIRE AND PEDAL LOSS. VEHICLE IS IN
EXCESSIVE FRONT BRAKE NOISE. SOMETIMES ACCOMPANIED BY A GRINDING NOISE. I CAN NOT BEGIN TO DESCRIBE HOW LOUD THIS IS. IT IS NOT EVEN NEAR THE LEVEL OF NORMAL BRAKE SQUEALING. DEALERSHIP REPORTS TH
I HAVE A 2002 MINI COOPER WITH 52K MILES, THE TRANSMISSION HAS WENT OUT TWICE IN THE PAST 2 YEARS THE FIRST TIME AT 31K MILES. THE CLUTCH HAS ALSO WENT OUT AS WELL AS THE SUNROOF MOTOR, LEFT FRONT BR
AFTER REPLACING MY INTAKE GASKET 8 MONTHS AGO, MY CAR STILL OVERHEATS. ONE OF MY COOLING FANS IS NOT WORKING. MY AC LEVEL CONTROLS 1 & 2 DOESN'T WORK, ONLY 3,4, AND 5. AC SHUTS OFF ON ITS OWN. MY ENGI
I PURCHASED MY NISSAN TITAN IN JAN OF 2006, AND SINCE THEN HAVE BEEN PLAGUED BY REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE. THE MOST RECENT AND MOST ANNOYING HAS BEEN THE FRONT BRAKES. OVER THE COURSE OF A FEW WEEKS, MY
FRONT CALIPERS SEIZED SIMULTANEOUSLY ON MY 2002 X-TERRA 4X4. REPAIRS DONE AT PEP BOYS IN MARCH 2005. TEAM NISSAN STATED THERE WERE NO TSB'S OR RECALLS ON THE FRONT BRAKES, ALTHOUGH OTHER OWNERS HAVE
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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.