Component
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST
612 NHTSA complaints about service brakes, hydraulic:power assist issues across 38 makes and 230 models.
The service brakes, hydraulic:power assist is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 612 filings from 38 manufacturers and 230 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 51 crashes, 6 fires, 26 injuries, and 2 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the CHEVROLET SILVERADO with 19 filings, followed by LEXUS RX330 and FORD TAURUS. 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 | CHEVROLET SILVERADO | 19 |
| 2 | LEXUS RX330 | 17 |
| 3 | FORD TAURUS | 14 |
| 4 | CHEVROLET SUBURBAN | 14 |
| 5 | FORD F-150 | 13 |
| 6 | GMC SAFARI | 12 |
| 7 | CHEVROLET BLAZER | 12 |
| 8 | DODGE RAM 2500 | 10 |
| 9 | DODGE RAM | 10 |
| 10 | VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT | 9 |
| 11 | FORD F-250 | 9 |
| 12 | DODGE NEON | 9 |
| 13 | CHEVROLET S10 | 9 |
| 14 | CHEVROLET ASTRO | 9 |
| 15 | GMC SIERRA | 8 |
| 16 | FORD WINDSTAR | 8 |
| 17 | FORD ESCAPE | 8 |
| 18 | LINCOLN TOWN CAR | 7 |
| 19 | HONDA ODYSSEY | 7 |
| 20 | GMC JIMMY | 7 |
| 21 | DODGE CARAVAN | 7 |
| 22 | CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 | 7 |
| 23 | AUDI A4 | 7 |
| 24 | TOYOTA CAMRY | 6 |
| 25 | MERCURY SABLE | 6 |
| 26 | FORD MUSTANG | 6 |
| 27 | FORD F-350 | 6 |
| 28 | DODGE DURANGO | 6 |
| 29 | SATURN SKY | 5 |
| 30 | KIA SPORTAGE | 5 |
Recent Complaints
The contact owns a 2021 Ford E-350. The stated while driving into the driveway, the vehicle made an abnormal popping sound. The vehicle lost power steering functionality, and the brake pedal became sp
The contact owns a 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH with a trailer attached, the âTrailer Brake Disabledâ message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the
The contact owns a 2022 Ford E-450. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The contact then stated that he had to apply pressur
The contact owns a 2021 Ford E-450. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V089000 (Steering, Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the de
The contact owns a 2022 Ford E-350. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the steering wheel became stiff and the vehicle would pull in either direction. Additionally, there was
The contact owns a 2021 Ford E-350. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V089000 (Steering, Service Brakes, Hydraulic) and the vehicle was inspected. During the
Regarding the recall #22S08 Hydroboost or Hydromax power steering pressure line. We took our Motorhome in to have the recall addressed and for service before a planned camping trip. Apparantly the rec
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH and approaching a stop sign, the brake pedal was depressed but failed to stop the vehicle immediately. The con
The contact owns a 2019 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle the Lane Departure, steering assist, and braking assist warning lights illuminated. During the failure the st
The contact owns a 2015 GMC Yukon. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, he had to depress the brake pedal with extra force to stop the vehicle. The contact stated that the brake assist warning lig
I have had to replace the brake booster in my car twice now. I have an hour commute to work and the last time, the brakes failed coming home from work. Luckily I was about 10 miles from home but I fai
There was a service board recall on the brake vacuum pump. It regularly gets corroded and seizes up. Ford said theyâd replace it up to 150,000 miles or 10 years. They know itâs a problem and wi
LINCOLN MKX SUDDENLY HAD A HARD PEDAL AND CHECKED FOR THE POSSIBLE FLUID LEAKS AND BLEED THE SYSTEM. NO BRAKE FLUID LEAKS WERE FOUND. IT HAS BEEN INCORMED THIS COULD BE A BRAKE BOOSTER OR ABS PUMP ISS
The contact owns a 2011 Lincoln MKX. The contact stated that at start-up of the vehicle, the brake pedal would intermittently depress to the floorboard without warning. Additionally, there was an abno
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HONDA PILOT. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE BURNED A QUART OF OIL EVERY 20 MILES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILS TO ACCELERATE OF 20 MPH, SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING F
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO CHANGE THE TIRES, THE PARK ASSIST BRAKES DID NOT WORK TO KEEP THE VEHICLE IN PLACE. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR I
POWER ASSIST FAILED, MAKING STEERING DIFFICULT, HAPPENED DURING LANE CHANGE ON FREEWAY AT 70 MPH, THIS HAPPENED IN CONJUNCTION WITH RANDOM SCREEN LOSS ON INFOTAINMENT SCREEN. ALSO RANDOM ERROR MESSAGE
2014 BMW X-1. ATTORNEY REPRESENTING CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO POWER ASSIST BRAKE FAILURE ACCIDENT. *SMD THE CONSUMER WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, WHEN THE STOP/START SYSTEM ON HER VEHICLE AUTOMA
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 JEEP CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL DID NOT PROPERLY RELEASE AND THERE WAS A LOOSE WIRE CONNECTION ASSOCIATED WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM NEAR THE BRAKE PEDA
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHRYSLER CROSSFIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE TERMINAL BATTERY WAS REPLACED, THE BAS AND ESP WARNING INDICATORS REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGN
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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.