Component

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES

1,243 NHTSA complaints about service brakes, hydraulic:pedals and linkages issues across 41 makes and 338 models.

The service brakes, hydraulic:pedals and linkages is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 1,243 filings from 41 manufacturers and 338 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 216 crashes, 4 fires, 101 injuries, and 2 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the FORD F-150 with 53 filings, followed by FORD TAURUS and MERCURY SABLE. 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.

1,243
Complaints
338
Models Affected
216
Crashes
4
Fires
2
Deaths

Most Affected Vehicles

# Vehicle Complaints
1 FORD F-150 53
2 FORD TAURUS 44
3 MERCURY SABLE 40
4 TOYOTA CAMRY 37
5 FORD EXPLORER 37
6 LINCOLN TOWN CAR 30
7 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE 24
8 MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS 23
9 HONDA ACCORD 21
10 FORD RANGER 18
11 CHEVROLET ASTRO 15
12 NISSAN SENTRA 14
13 FORD EXPEDITION 14
14 FORD WINDSTAR 13
15 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 13
16 CHEVROLET BLAZER 13
17 FORD MUSTANG 12
18 FORD ESCORT 12
19 FORD ESCAPE 12
20 JEEP WRANGLER 11
21 JEEP CHEROKEE 11
22 CHEVROLET S10 11
23 CHEVROLET LUMINA 11
24 TOYOTA TACOMA 10
25 FORD F-250 10
26 DODGE CARAVAN 10
27 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 10
28 CADILLAC DEVILLE 10
29 PONTIAC GRAND AM 9
30 MERCURY MOUNTAINEER 9

Recent Complaints

2025 MAZDA CX-30 Crash

The contact owns a 2025 Mazda CX-30. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 2 mph into his garage, his right foot had slipped between the brake pedal and the accelerator pedal, and he

2025 NISSAN SENTRA

The contact owns a 2025 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, the contact's foot slid off onto the accelerator pedal. There were no warning lights illuminated. The

2015 FORD MUSTANG

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Mustang. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH and attempting to depress the brake pedal, the clutch pedal detached from the brake pedal assembly. Neither an indepe

2016 LEXUS RX

The contact owns a 2016 Lexus RX 350. While the contact was inside the building where she worked, the hazard lights were flashing unintendedly. When the contact arrived at the residence, the hazard li

2014 FORD F-150

The contact owns a 2014 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at slower speeds, the vehicle hesitated while coming to a complete stop. In addition, the contact stated that the brake pedal

2015 MERCEDES-BENZ S550

The contact owns a 2015 Mercedes-Benz S550. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH and approaching a stop, the vehicle experienced a loss of automotive power. Several unknown warni

2025 HYUNDAI PALISADE

The contact owns a 2025 Hyundai Palisade. The contact stated while driving two times at an undisclosed speed on an uneven road surface, the brake pedal was depressed, but the brake pedal shuddered and

2024 GMC SIERRA 2500

The contact owns a 2024 GMC Sierra 2500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and approaching a stop, the contact simultaneously depressed the brake pedal and accelerator peda

2023 FORD F-150

The contact owns a 2023 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds or while in stop-and-go traffic, while depressing the accelerator pedal, there was an abnormally loud plasti

2018 CHEVROLET TRAX Crash

The contact’s parents owned a 2018 Chevrolet Trax. The contact stated that while a parent was driving 30 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the accelerator pedal was also simultaneously de

2025 HONDA CIVIC

The contact owns a 2025 Honda Civic. The contact purchased the vehicle with a manual transmission and stated that the vehicle came equipped with aluminum clutch, brake, and accelerator pedals. The con

2022 FORD EXPLORER Crash

The contact owns a 2022 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving at 20-25 MPH, the brakes were applied, and the brake pedal fell off. The brake pedal was not responding. The vehicle increa

2025 HONDA HR-V

The contact owns a 2025 Honda HR-V. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact stated that the accelerator pedal and brake pedal were extremely close, and the contact’s fo

2012 MERCEDES-BENZ E350

The contact owns a 2012 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated while driving at various speeds; when the brake pedal was depressed, the brake pedal failed to return to the original position. The conta

2015 FORD EDGE

The contact owns a 2015 Ford Edge. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle in for regular tire service, the contact was made aware that while attempting to move the vehicle, the brake pedal as

2020 ACURA MDX

The contact owns a 2020 Acura MDX. The contact stated while attempting to accelerate from a stop light, the engine did not restart after releasing the brake pedal. While attempting the restart the veh

2023 FORD F-150

The contact owns a 2023 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated. The brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to decelerate. The contact

2020 LINCOLN AVIATOR PHEV

Ever since buying my 2023 Lincoln aviator hybrid, I’ve been experiencing brake pedal issues, a constant pressure and a pulsating feeling when applying the brakes like the ABS is kicking on. I have t

2022 FORD RANGER

The contact owns a 2022 Ford Ranger. The contact stated that the brake pedal and accelerator pedal were too close together. While driving at various speeds, the contact’s foot slid off the brake ped

2021 CHEVROLET TRAX

The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Trax. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed and became stuck. The contact had to manually retract the brake pedal. T

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints involve service brakes, hydraulic:pedals and linkages issues?
The NHTSA has received 1,243 complaints about service brakes, hydraulic:pedals and linkages problems across 338 vehicle models from 41 manufacturers.
How dangerous are service brakes, hydraulic:pedals and linkages defects?
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES issues have been linked to 216 crashes, 4 fires, 101 injuries, and 2 deaths according to NHTSA complaint data.
Which vehicles have the most service brakes, hydraulic:pedals and linkages problems?
The most complained-about vehicle for service brakes, hydraulic:pedals and linkages issues is the FORD F-150 with 53 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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