Component
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
2,517 NHTSA complaints about service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:master cylinder issues across 40 makes and 402 models.
The service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:master cylinder is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 2,517 filings from 40 manufacturers and 402 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 222 crashes, 82 fires, 217 injuries, and 3 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the FORD F-150 with 98 filings, followed by FORD EXPLORER and FORD WINDSTAR. 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 F-150 | 98 |
| 2 | FORD EXPLORER | 85 |
| 3 | FORD WINDSTAR | 63 |
| 4 | CHEVROLET SUBURBAN | 58 |
| 5 | HONDA ACCORD | 50 |
| 6 | DODGE CARAVAN | 46 |
| 7 | DODGE GRAND CARAVAN | 45 |
| 8 | CHEVROLET S10 | 41 |
| 9 | FORD TAURUS | 39 |
| 10 | CHEVROLET BLAZER | 38 |
| 11 | JEEP CHEROKEE | 34 |
| 12 | PLYMOUTH VOYAGER | 32 |
| 13 | FORD AEROSTAR | 32 |
| 14 | CHEVROLET TAHOE | 32 |
| 15 | BUICK LESABRE | 31 |
| 16 | GMC SUBURBAN | 28 |
| 17 | GMC JIMMY | 28 |
| 18 | FORD RANGER | 28 |
| 19 | DODGE NEON | 28 |
| 20 | CHEVROLET SILVERADO | 28 |
| 21 | TOYOTA CAMRY | 27 |
| 22 | FORD ESCAPE | 27 |
| 23 | CHRYSLER CIRRUS | 27 |
| 24 | DODGE STRATUS | 26 |
| 25 | DODGE RAM | 26 |
| 26 | CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 | 23 |
| 27 | JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE | 22 |
| 28 | HONDA CIVIC | 21 |
| 29 | FORD EXPEDITION | 21 |
| 30 | FORD ESCORT | 21 |
Recent Complaints
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the brakes failed to engage while the brake pedal was depressed. The message "Service Brake Assist" was display
The contact owns a 2021 Honda Civic. The contact stated that while driving approximately 37 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The check engine, master cylinder, and adaptive cruise control warning lights were
The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Prius. The contact stated there was a constant beeping sound while attempting to depress the brake pedal while slowing down. Additionally, the brake pedal was very firm,
The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle independently activated the brakes while the accelerator pedal was depressed. In
The contact owns a 2012 Cadillac SRX. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. No warning light was il
The contact owns a 2017 Ford Expedition. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, while depressing the brake pedal, there was no resistance, requiring the contact to depress the pedal
The contact owns a 2020 Cadillac XT4. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated o
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the brakes failed to function as intended. In addition, the c
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Fusion. The contact stated while driving at approximately 40 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the brakes failed to engage. The contact stated that the parking
The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while coming to a stop, the brake pedal was depressed but failed to respond as intended. The brake pedal traveled to the floorboard and seve
The contact owns a 2019 Volvo XC90. The contact stated while reversing out of a parking space, the contact depressed the brake pedal; however, the vehicle failed to stop. The contact pumped the brake
The contact owns a 2014 Toyota Prius. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to
The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH and depressing the brake pedal, the brake pedal collapsed, and the message "Brake Fluid Low Fault" was displayed. The contac
The contact owns a 2010 Ford Edge. The contact stated that while driving on multiple occasions at various speeds, she observed a hissing noise emanating near the brake pedal. Additionally, when the br
The contact owns a 2010 Ford Edge. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the brake pedal became stiff. The brake pedal was depressed to the floorboard. The brake pedal was dep
The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated while in reverse, the brakes failed to operate as designed. The parking brakes functioned as designed but there was no pressure on the brake peda
The contact called on behalf of her father who owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while her father was driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle
The contact owns a 2012 Ford Edge. The contact stated while attempting to stop the vehicle, the brake pedal was extremely firm while depressed, and the vehicle failed to stop immediately, causing the
The contact owns a 2010 Ford Edge. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to immediately stop. Additionally, the brake pedal felt spongy, with a hissing sound whi
The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. The contact stated th
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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.