Component

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DIFFERENTIAL PROPORTIONAL VALVE

104 NHTSA complaints about service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:differential proportional valve issues across 23 makes and 69 models.

The service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:differential proportional valve is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 104 filings from 23 manufacturers and 69 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, 2 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the GMC SUBURBAN with 6 filings, followed by DODGE GRAND CARAVAN and CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. 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.

104
Complaints
69
Models Affected
3
Crashes
2
Fires
0
Deaths

Most Affected Vehicles

# Vehicle Complaints
1 GMC SUBURBAN 6
2 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN 4
3 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 4
4 TOYOTA 4RUNNER 3
5 SUZUKI SIDEKICK 3
6 FORD EXPLORER 3
7 DODGE DAKOTA 3
8 DODGE CARAVAN 3
9 BUICK LESABRE 3
10 KIA SPECTRA 2
11 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE 2
12 JEEP CHEROKEE 2
13 HYUNDAI ELANTRA 2
14 GMC SIERRA 2
15 FORD F-150 2
16 FORD AEROSTAR 2
17 DODGE RAM 2500 2
18 DODGE RAM 2
19 CHEVROLET TAHOE 2
20 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2
21 CHEVROLET ASTRO 2
22 VOLVO XC90 1
23 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 1
24 TOYOTA TUNDRA 1
25 TOYOTA COROLLA 1
26 PONTIAC PHOENIX 1
27 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX 1
28 PONTIAC AZTEK 1
29 PLYMOUTH VOYAGER 1
30 NISSAN TITAN 1

Recent Complaints

2013 FORD EDGE

The contact owns a 2013 Ford Edge. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal depressed the floorboard intermittently. There were no warning lights illuminated. The

2000 TOYOTA TUNDRA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA TUNDRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR CROSS M

2006 BUICK RENDEZVOUS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 BUICK RENDEZVOUS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED SLOWLY WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. ALSO, THE ALL WHEEL DRIVE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED.

2004 NISSAN TITAN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN TITAN. THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. HE NOTICED THAT THE SEAMS NEAR THE ROTORS AND THE PLATES WERE LEAKING GEAR OIL, WHICH CAUSED HI

2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF, THE BRAKE LIGHT, REAR TAIL LIGHT, AND WINDSHIEL

2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 5 MPH AND ENTERING A GARAGE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND. THE FAILURE RECURRED WITHOUT WARNING.

2000 FORD WINDSTAR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD WINDSTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING OUT OF THE BRAKE PRESSURE DIFFERENTIAL ACTIVATION SWITCH. THE FAILURE CAUSED A FUSE TO BLOW, WHICH CAUSED TH

2007 CADILLAC V-SERIES Crash

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 CADILLAC CTS V-SERIES. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH IN WET CONDITIONS, THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE LOCKED UP. THE VEHICLE TURNED LEFT AND STRUCK A CURB. THE BRAKES

2001 CHEVROLET TAHOE

THE LEFT FRONT AND REAR CALIPER ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY ON MY 2001 TAHOE. THE LEFT REAR IS SHOT, AND THE PAD HAS WORN CLEAR TO THE RIVETS WITCH ATE UP THE ROTOR. THE COOLING SHIELD HAS ROTTEN AWAY

2003 VOLVO XC90

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLVO XC90. WHILE DRIVING 55MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER WHILE MERGING BETWEEN TWO LARGE VEHICLES. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WOULD NOT RESPOND WHEN HE TRIED TO ENGAGE I

2003 PONTIAC AZTEK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 PONTIAC AZTEC. ON OCTOBER 26, 2006, THE CONTACT HEARD A RATTLING NOISE AND NOTICED WATER ON THE FLOOR OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO T

1998 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT

MANY AUDI AND VW MODELS MANUFACTURED STARTING IN THE LATER '90S AND EALRY '00S, USE THE BOSCH 5.3 ABS CONTROLLER, WHICH IS PRONE TO CATASTROPHIC FAILURE, OSTENSIBLY DUE TO DEFECTIVE DESIGN. THIS MODUL

1996 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN

REAR BRAKE HYDRAULIC PROPORTIONING VALVE RUSTED THROUGH, LEAKING AGAIN. REPLACED THE SAME ITEM ON 2-21-01 FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. RESULTING IN LITTLE TO NO BRAKING. *NM

2003 KIA SPECTRA

THE BRAKE PROPORTIONING VALVE IS LEAKING AND THE CAR IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP HAVING THIS REPLACED. THIS IS A 2003 KIA SPECTRA. THIS PART APPEARS TO BE A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT AS THERE ARE OTHER COM

2003 KIA SPECTRA

MY DAUGHTER OWNS A 2003 KIA SPECTRA [XXX] WITH A BRAKE PROPORTIONING VALVE THAT STARTED LEAKING ABOUT A WEEK AGO AND IS SCHEDULED TO BE REPLACED. ARE THESE VALVES DEFECTIVE BECAUSE MY OTHER DAUGHTER W

2000 AUDI S4

MANY AUDI AND VW MODELS MANUFACTURED STARTING IN THE LATER '90S AND CONTINUING TO PRESENT, USE THE BOSCH 5.3 ABS CONTROLLER, WHICH IS PRONE TO CATASTROPHIC FAILURE, OSTENSIBLY DUE TO DEFECTIVE DESIGN.

1996 NISSAN PATHFINDER

TRIED CALLING NISSAN RE: RECALL FOR BRAKES AND STEERING, AND THEY WOULD NOT HELP ME. *AK

2001 GMC SIERRA

I TOOK MY TRUCK IN FOR THE STATE INSPECTION... KEPT FAILING DUE TO BRAKES AFTER CHANGING THE BRAKES IT FAILED ON THE E-BRAKE, THAT WE HAVE NEVER USED, WHEN CHECKED THE WAS NO E-BRAKE PAD ON ONE SIDE A

2000 CHEVROLET CAVALIER

THE 2000 CHEVROLET CAVALIER WAS PURCHASED IN JULY 2003 WITH APPROXIMATELY 32,000 MILEAGE. ON DECEMBER 25, 2003 WITH 34,016 MILEAGE THE BRAKE DASH LIGHT CAME ON, INDICATING A PROBLEM. THE FLUID WAS BAR

2002 FORD EXPLORER

WHILE DRIVING AT A SLOW SPEED THE REAR LEFT AXLE STARTED SMOKING AND BECAME RED HOT. THE PAINT ALSO PEELED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO INDICATED THAT THE REAR LEFT BRAKE HAD LOCK

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints involve service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:differential proportional valve issues?
The NHTSA has received 104 complaints about service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:differential proportional valve problems across 69 vehicle models from 23 manufacturers.
How dangerous are service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:differential proportional valve defects?
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DIFFERENTIAL PROPORTIONAL VALVE issues have been linked to 3 crashes, 2 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 deaths according to NHTSA complaint data.
Which vehicles have the most service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:differential proportional valve problems?
The most complained-about vehicle for service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:differential proportional valve issues is the GMC SUBURBAN with 6 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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