Component
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:BRAKE FLUID LOW WARNING: LAMP
231 NHTSA complaints about service brakes, hydraulic:brake fluid low warning: lamp issues across 32 makes and 124 models.
The service brakes, hydraulic:brake fluid low warning: lamp is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 231 filings from 32 manufacturers and 124 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 3 crashes, 4 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the FORD WINDSTAR with 12 filings, followed by DODGE CARAVAN and CHEVROLET BLAZER. 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 WINDSTAR | 12 |
| 2 | DODGE CARAVAN | 10 |
| 3 | CHEVROLET BLAZER | 10 |
| 4 | CHEVROLET SUBURBAN | 6 |
| 5 | DODGE DURANGO | 5 |
| 6 | CHEVROLET S10 | 5 |
| 7 | PONTIAC GRAND AM | 4 |
| 8 | JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE | 4 |
| 9 | JEEP CHEROKEE | 4 |
| 10 | DODGE RAM 1500 | 4 |
| 11 | CHRYSLER IMPERIAL | 4 |
| 12 | TOYOTA SEQUOIA | 3 |
| 13 | PLYMOUTH VOYAGER | 3 |
| 14 | MERCURY SABLE | 3 |
| 15 | HONDA ACCORD | 3 |
| 16 | FORD TAURUS | 3 |
| 17 | FORD F-150 | 3 |
| 18 | DODGE STRATUS | 3 |
| 19 | DODGE GRAND CARAVAN | 3 |
| 20 | CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY | 3 |
| 21 | CHEVROLET SILVERADO | 3 |
| 22 | CHEVROLET MALIBU | 3 |
| 23 | CHEVROLET IMPALA | 3 |
| 24 | BUICK PARK AVENUE | 3 |
| 25 | VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT | 2 |
| 26 | VOLKSWAGEN JETTA | 2 |
| 27 | VOLKSWAGEN GOLF | 2 |
| 28 | TOYOTA TACOMA | 2 |
| 29 | TOYOTA COROLLA | 2 |
| 30 | TOYOTA CAMRY | 2 |
Recent Complaints
The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH and attempting to depress the brake pedal, the vehicle slightly hesitated to stop. There were no warning light
2012 HYUNDAI GENESIS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO NHTSA SAFETY RECALL 13V-489. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS MAKING NOISE. WHILE BRAKING. ALL FOUR ROTORS WERE RUSTED AND REPLACED. THE VEHICLE
2017 FORD EDGE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO NHTSA SAFETY RECALL 20V-469. THE CONSUMER STATED THE RECALL REPAIR PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOU
The contact owns a 2018 Jeep Compass. The contact stated while driving 40-50 MPH, the check engine warning light, the brake warning light, and other unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact sta
The contact owns a 2015 GMC Sierra. The contact stated that while driving in stop and go traffic and attempting to depress the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to stop as anticipated instead the vehicl
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 PONTIAC G6. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXT
WITHIN ONE WEEK OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE IT STALLED AS I ENTER ONTO THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE ALSO FEELS AS IF IT'S OUT OF BALANCE AND SHAKES AT SPEED OF 65 TO 70 MPH. AND THE FORWARD EMERGENCY BRAKIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET MALIBU. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR A MANUFACTURER RECALL CONCERNING NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V252000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 HYUNDAI SONATA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE BRAKES BECAME INOPERABLE AND THE ABS AND ESC WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HONDA CR-V. AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE, IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO SHIFT THE GEAR LEVER OUT OF PARK. THE CONTACT HAD TO CONTINUOUSLY DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL AND FORCE THE GEAR OUT
LETTER FROM SENATOR NELSON RE CONSTITUENT REGARDING 2008 LINCOLN MKZ ( REFERENCE CONSTITUENT FOR THEIR RECORDS). *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED SLIGHTLY FOR MORE THAN A YEAR, THREE SAFETY WARNING LIGHTS IL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2002 DAMON DAYBREAK RV WITH A 2002 WORKHORSE P30 CHASSIS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH AND NOTICED A BURNING ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOST
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 HYUNDAI ACCENT. SHE DISCOVERED SAFETY RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V122000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:SWITCHES:BRAKE LIGHT). THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY. THE BREAK WARNING INDICATOR LOST PRESSURE; THEREFORE, THE WARNING LIGHT DID NOT INDICATE THAT THERE WAS A FAILURE AND CAUSED THE DRIVER TO CRASH.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, ALL OF THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATES AND DISPLAYS "SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM". THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON
THIS A COMPLAINT REGARDING MY 2004 NISSAN PATHFINDER ARMADA SE WHICH CURRENTLY HAS 23K MILES. IT STARTED ON 9/7/05, WHILE DRIVING OVER THE SPEEDS OF 55 MPH, WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THEY LOCK UP & DON
INTERMITTENT ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATION. THIS HAPPENS DAILY. VEHICLE HAS BEEN INSPECTED BY CERTIFIED MECHANIC. NO CODES ARE FOUND. *TR
ABS AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHT COMES ON RANDOMLY. *TR
1) ENGINE IDLES ROUGH, PROBLEM BECAME SO BAD THAT CAR STALLS AT LOW SPEEDS, LOST POWER STEERING & "ENGINE DIES" AT LOW SPEEDS (UNSAFE!). LOCAL MECH REFERRED TO ETM WARRANTY PROGRAM TO RE-P
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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.