Component

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

208 NHTSA complaints about service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings issues across 30 makes and 102 models.

The service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings is one of the standardized component categories NHTSA uses to classify consumer safety complaints. Across the public complaint database, it accounts for 208 filings from 30 manufacturers and 102 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 18 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injury, and 0 fatalities. The most complained-about vehicle in this category is the FORD F-150 with 20 filings, followed by HONDA CIVIC and DODGE RAM 2500. 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.

208
Complaints
102
Models Affected
18
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Deaths

Most Affected Vehicles

# Vehicle Complaints
1 FORD F-150 20
2 HONDA CIVIC 11
3 DODGE RAM 2500 7
4 DODGE RAM 7
5 DODGE CARAVAN 6
6 CHEVROLET VENTURE 6
7 PONTIAC TRANS SPORT 4
8 FORD WINDSTAR 4
9 FORD TAURUS 4
10 FORD E-350 4
11 DODGE NEON 4
12 CHEVROLET S10 4
13 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 3
14 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 3
15 TOYOTA CAMRY 3
16 SAAB 9-3 3
17 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX 3
18 MERCURY SABLE 3
19 FORD EXPLORER 3
20 FORD CONTOUR 3
21 DODGE INTREPID 3
22 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 3
23 CHEVROLET BLAZER 3
24 VOLVO S40 2
25 TOYOTA CAMRY SOLARA 2
26 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE 2
27 MITSUBISHI MONTERO 2
28 MERCURY MYSTIQUE 2
29 LINCOLN TOWN CAR 2
30 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE 2

Recent Complaints

2020 CHEVROLET MALIBU

The contact owned a 2020 Chevrolet Malibu. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the brake pedal became inoperable. There was a warning light illuminated. The contact stated that

2013 FORD F-150

The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed, and the vehicle failed to respond. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was

2017 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500

The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at speeds under 15 MPH and pressing the brake pedal, the vehicle would not immediately stop. The contact stated

2020 CHEVROLET EQUINOX

The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Equinox. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, she depressed the brake pedal to slow the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to

2017 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500

The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the brake pedal became firm while being depressed. The braking distance was extended while attemp

2014 BMW X1

The contact owns a 2014 BMW X1. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH and attempting to slow the vehicle, the braking system suddenly failed and the brake pedal extended to the fl

2018 TOYOTA CAMRY

The contact owned a 2018 Toyota Camry. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, a warning light and message appeared on the instrument panel stating brakes services required. The contact continued to

2015 FREIGHTLINER M2

The contact owns a 2015 Freightliner M2. The contact stated that overnight the braking system lost air pressure which activated the alert. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the lower brake air p

2010 MERCEDES-BENZ E350

The contact owns a 2010 Mercedes-Benz E350. The contact stated that while exiting a car wash, the brake pedal was engaged, and the brake pedal went to the floorboard. The contact drove the vehicle hom

2012 FORD F-150

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 FORD F-150. WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE, A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. FRANCOIS FORD (222 C

2015 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP EVEN BY DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SAME FAILURE OCCURRED MULT

2007 BMW X5

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 BMW X5. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE STOPPING DISTANCE INCREASED EXCESSIVELY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGN

2014 LAND ROVER LR2

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 LAND ROVER LR2. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS BECAME DIFFICULT TO DEPRESS. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICL

2014 FORD F-150

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 FORD F-150. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE W

2005 TOYOTA TACOMA

2005 TOYOTA TACOMA. CONSUMER STATED ISSUES WITH FRAME OF VEHICLE AND BRAKE LINES LEAKING. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE FRAME HAD RUSTED THROUGH AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HE WAS INFORMED, IT

2008 SAAB 9-3

INTERMITTENT BRAKE FAILURE AT START. DEPRESS BRAKES, EITHER FROM DRIVEWAY IN REVERSE OR STARTING FORWARD AFTER LEAVING DRIVEWAY, AND BRAKES DO NOT WORK. DEPRESSING BRAKES FEELS LIKE POWER BRAKING SY

2004 BMW 645CI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 BMW 645CI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V446000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM). THE CONTACT STATED THA

2012 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE

2012 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE BRAKES *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAD SEVERAL CLOSE CALLS WHEN HE SUDDENLY HAD TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO TAKE ADD

2002 VOLVO S40

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLVO S40. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED WHILE REVERSING AND THE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MEC

2000 GMC SIERRA 1500

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 30 MPH WHEN THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED. WHEN DEPRESSED, THE BRAKES WOULD FALL MUCH FARTHER INTO THE FLOORBOARD THAN USUAL. THE DEA

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints involve service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings issues?
The NHTSA has received 208 complaints about service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings problems across 102 vehicle models from 30 manufacturers.
How dangerous are service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings defects?
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS issues have been linked to 18 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, and 0 deaths according to NHTSA complaint data.
Which vehicles have the most service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings problems?
The most complained-about vehicle for service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings issues is the FORD F-150 with 20 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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