Component
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM
733 NHTSA complaints about service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum issues across 31 makes and 207 models.
The service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 733 filings from 31 manufacturers and 207 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 54 crashes, 3 fires, 33 injuries, and 3 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the MITSUBISHI MONTERO with 40 filings, followed by CHEVROLET BLAZER and DODGE NEON. 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 | MITSUBISHI MONTERO | 40 |
| 2 | CHEVROLET BLAZER | 36 |
| 3 | DODGE NEON | 25 |
| 4 | CHEVROLET S10 | 22 |
| 5 | VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT | 20 |
| 6 | FORD EXPLORER | 18 |
| 7 | CHEVROLET TAHOE | 17 |
| 8 | CHEVROLET SUBURBAN | 15 |
| 9 | SATURN SKY | 13 |
| 10 | PLYMOUTH NEON | 13 |
| 11 | FORD F-150 | 13 |
| 12 | CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 | 13 |
| 13 | LINCOLN TOWN CAR | 12 |
| 14 | GMC JIMMY | 12 |
| 15 | MERCURY SABLE | 11 |
| 16 | DODGE RAM | 11 |
| 17 | CHEVROLET SILVERADO | 11 |
| 18 | FORD TAURUS | 9 |
| 19 | FORD CROWN VICTORIA | 9 |
| 20 | AUDI A4 | 9 |
| 21 | VOLVO S40 | 8 |
| 22 | TOYOTA COROLLA | 8 |
| 23 | MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS | 8 |
| 24 | LINCOLN CONTINENTAL | 8 |
| 25 | DODGE INTREPID | 8 |
| 26 | FORD RANGER | 7 |
| 27 | FORD E-350 | 7 |
| 28 | DODGE RAM 2500 | 7 |
| 29 | BMW 745LI | 7 |
| 30 | SAAB 9-5 | 6 |
Recent Complaints
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the message "Engine Power Reduced" was suddenly displayed. While attempting to stop, the brake pe
The contact owns a 2017 GMC Acadia. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the brake pedal was firm. The contact applied full pressure to the
brake booster
The contact called on behalf of her husband who owns a 2019 GMC Terrain. The contact stated that while her husband was driving approximately 50 MPH, the brakes seized, and the contact veered off into
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while exiting the highway at 50 MPH, the brake pedal had hardened and the contact could not depress the brake pedal. Several brake wa
Brakes locked up after turning off of an exit leading to an intersection and incident that could have killed myself and those around me. AAA towed my car to their garage and said it fits a safety re
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while approaching a stop sign, the contact depressed the brake pedal, but the brake pedal failed to function properly. The con
steering component that breaks, causing a driver to lose control.
The contact owns a 2018 GMC Terrain. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard without warning. The contact started driving to the dealer after
The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Prius V. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH and at various other speeds, the contact heard an abnormal whirring sound like an electric motor engaging
Dash board instrument panel and radio loses all power, May even cause vehicle to shut off not able to steer, If the cruise control is set it shuts it off. It mostly happens when you apply the brake or
The contact owns a 2013 Ford Edge. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH and depressing the brake pedal, the contact heard air coming from the brake pedal. The contact stated that the low brake air
The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 55 MPH, he depressed the brake pedal however, the vehicle failed to respond. As a result, the contact
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V645000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) and the
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH and depressing the brake pedal, the brake pedal was firm. The contact used the parking brake to slow and stop the vehi
The contact owns a 2015 Cadillac CTS. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH and attempting to stop, the braking system malfunctioned, and the brake pedal became very difficult to
Power brakes are not functional on startup when cold -- brake pedal is very stiff and takes a lot of pedal pressure to stop the car from moving while exiting driveway. Generally, braking improves w
2009 MERCEDES BENZ ML350. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO NHTSA SAFETY RECALL 22V-315.
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle shifted into Limp Mode. The contact stated that she pulled over and when the gear was shift
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH, the brake pedal depressed and it traveled to the floorboard as the vehicle failed to stop without warning. Af
Related Vehicle Components
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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.