Component

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FLUID

162 NHTSA complaints about service brakes, hydraulic:fluid issues across 29 makes and 98 models.

The service brakes, hydraulic:fluid is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 162 filings from 29 manufacturers and 98 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 5 crashes, 7 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the FORD WINDSTAR with 17 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.

162
Complaints
98
Models Affected
5
Crashes
7
Fires
0
Deaths

Most Affected Vehicles

# Vehicle Complaints
1 FORD WINDSTAR 17
2 FORD F-150 8
3 DODGE CARAVAN 7
4 TOYOTA CAMRY 4
5 LINCOLN TOWN CAR 4
6 CHEVROLET VENTURE 4
7 CHEVROLET BLAZER 4
8 JEEP CHEROKEE 3
9 FORD TAURUS 3
10 FORD ESCAPE 3
11 DODGE RAM 1500 3
12 TOYOTA TUNDRA 2
13 SATURN ION 2
14 JEEP LAREDO 2
15 HONDA ACCORD 2
16 FORD THUNDERBIRD 2
17 FORD MUSTANG 2
18 FORD E-450 2
19 FORD E-150 2
20 DODGE STRATUS 2
21 DODGE INTREPID 2
22 CHEVROLET S10 2
23 CHEVROLET HHR 2
24 CHEVROLET ASTRO 2
25 BUICK ROADMASTER 2
26 BUICK BUICK 2
27 WORKHORSE P320032 1
28 TOYOTA CAMRY HYBRID 1
29 TOYOTA AVALON 1
30 SUZUKI HAYABUSA 1

Recent Complaints

2012 KIA OPTIMA

The contact owns a 2012 Kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at 55 -60 MPH, the vehicle lost automotive power and stalled. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. The c

2024 FORD F-350 SD

Brake fluid leaking into cab from brake pedal making floorboard, brake pedal and gas pedal slippery.

2014 MERCEDES-BENZ AMG ML63

The contact owns a 2014 Mercedes-Benz AMG ML63. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated on the instrument panel with the "Low Hydraulic Flu

2014 FORD FUSION

2014 Ford Fusion Consumer referring to Recall letter that was mailed to them (Recall 23V162). Informing the right break line has already ruptured and both left and right break lines have already bee

2005 CHEVROLET CORVETTE

The contact owns a 2005 Chevrolet Corvette. The contact stated while driving approximately 20-25 MPH down a steep hill, he depressed the brake pedal however, the vehicle failed to stop as needed. Ther

1999 CHEVROLET P30

The contact owns a 1999 Chevrolet P30 Truck. The contact stated while driving approximately 20 MPH in stop and go traffic, the brake pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard. The contact was abl

2016 HYUNDAI TUCSON Crash

The contact owns a 2016 Hyundai Tucson. The contact stated while coming to a stop at approximately 2 MPH at a traffic light, the vehicle rolled forward, failing to come to a complete stop, and collide

2015 KIA SOUL

The brake hosed per the dealer rusted out at the connection to the brakes and leaked all the brake fluid. Clearly in my mind this is a safety hazard as the car could not be safely driven. I am uncerta

2021 FORD F-150

The contact owns a 2021 Ford F-150. The contact stated that from the time the vehicle was delivered to him, the brake pedal had been making abnormal loud clicking sounds when depressed. The contact al

2020 BMW R 1250 GS

The contact owns a 2020 BMW R 1250 GS. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20V476000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available

2015 FORD F-150

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 FORD F-150. WHEN THE CONTACT'S WIFE WAS DRIVING 45 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED. ALSO, THE LOW BRAKE FLUID WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMI

2016 FORD E-450

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 FORD E-450. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO HAVE THE BRAKE FLUID SERVICE PERFORMED, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE RESERVOIR CAP INDICATED DOT 3 BRAKE FLUID WAS IN THE VEHICLE. THE OWNER'S

2007 MERCEDES-BENZ C350

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES BENZ C350. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT RANDOMLY FLASHED. AS THE FAILURE PROGRESSED, THE WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICL

2009 KIA RONDO

EVERY TIME I WENT THROUGH A PUDDLE TODAY THE PARKING BRAKE/BRAKE FLUID LIGHT AND THE CHARGING SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT WOULD COME ON. IT ALSO LOST POWER STEERING WHILE THIS HAPPENED. IT LASTED ONLY A FE

2007 MERCEDES-BENZ CL550

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCEDES CL 550. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE BRAKE FLUID LOW MESSAGE SUDDENLY DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO

2012 DODGE JOURNEY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 DODGE JOURNEY. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE BRAKE FLUID

2013 HYUNDAI SONATA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HYUNDAI SONATA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP WHEN THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE EXCESSIVE FORCE SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THE VEHICLE HALTE

2009 TOYOTA CAMRY HYBRID

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA CAMRY HYBRID. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PARK POSITION, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WHEN THE CONTACT TURNED THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR

2011 DODGE CHARGER Fire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE CHARGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, SMOKE WAS SEEN FROM THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE BRAKES FAILED TO RE

1997 DODGE RAM 3500

POWER STEER/BRAKE FLUID MASTER CYLINDER LEAKED INTO CAB OF TRUCK SATURATING THE CARPETS BEFORE IT COULD BE DISCOVERED. SAFETY FEAR OF CARPET SOAKED WITH POWER STEERING FLUID. *TR

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints involve service brakes, hydraulic:fluid issues?
The NHTSA has received 162 complaints about service brakes, hydraulic:fluid problems across 98 vehicle models from 29 manufacturers.
How dangerous are service brakes, hydraulic:fluid defects?
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FLUID issues have been linked to 5 crashes, 7 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths according to NHTSA complaint data.
Which vehicles have the most service brakes, hydraulic:fluid problems?
The most complained-about vehicle for service brakes, hydraulic:fluid issues is the FORD WINDSTAR with 17 complaints.
Where does PlainCars get its safety data?
All vehicle safety data comes from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints database, which collects reports from vehicle owners about safety-related defects.

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.

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