Complete brake failures dominate this complaint set. Owners describe the brake pedal going to the floor with no pressure or resistance while driving at normal speeds—some at 10 mph, others at 35–75 mph—and having to use the emergency brake or transmission to stop. The failures occur without warning lights or sounds, catching drivers off guard during traffic, at intersections, and on highways. Several resulted in near-misses or collisions.
The root cause most often cited is engine oil seeping into the brake booster from a leaking vacuum pump, sometimes triggered by an oil change. Owners report the brake booster fails within one to two years of purchase. One owner had the brake booster replaced under the 2015 recall but experienced failure again four days later with the brake-fail light returning.
Beyond complete failure, owners report soft or spongy pedals requiring excessive pressure or multiple pumps to stop, intermittent braking loss, loud popping or hissing noises, and inability to depress the pedal fully. Some describe the pedal as hard and difficult to push. Excessive rotor wear has been noted alongside braking loss.
The parking brake also fails repeatedly: rear calipers seize and don't release, allowing vehicles to roll freely. One owner replaced three calipers per side with recurrence.
The recall (Campaign 15V800000) has been slowed by unavailable parts and excludes some VINs that exhibit identical symptoms. Owners waiting for parts or recall repairs report manufacturers unable to provide timelines.
Failure modes owners describe
Complete brake failure
Brake pedal loses all pressure and travels to the floor, rendering brakes inoperable. Owners report no warning signs beforehand and must use emergency brake to stop.
When: Various speeds (10–75 mph); mileage range 23,969–144,751 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal goes to floor with no resistance; No warning lights or sounds before failure; Vehicle does not decelerate or stop when pedal depressed; Pedal feels stuck or immobilized
Repairs/costs cited: Brake booster replacement, brake line repair, fluid contamination identified in some cases
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 15V800000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); recall parts unavailable for extended periods; some owners report recurrence even after repair
Brake booster contamination from engine oil
Engine oil from the vacuum pump seeps into the brake booster, damaging internal components and causing loss of brake function. Owners report this occurs after oil changes or spontaneously.
When: 2012–2014 manufacture date; reported failures within 0–2 years of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Brake failure after oil change; Oil leak from engine into brake booster; Loss of all braking pressure; Check engine light appearance coinciding with brake failure
Repairs/costs cited: Brake booster replacement; one owner reported recurrence within one year
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 15V800000; covers vehicles manufactured Feb 27, 2012 to Jan 23, 2014 with 2.0L or 2.4L engine; some VINs excluded despite matching symptoms
Soft or spongy brake pedal with extended travel
Brake pedal loses firmness, requiring harder pressure or multiple applications to stop. Pedal may sink or require depression to the floor to achieve braking. Issue is intermittent or progressive.
When: 24,000–49,000 miles; reported from 2015 onward in the complaint narratives
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal soft or spongy, requires excessive pressure; Pedal must be pressed to the floor to stop; Inconsistent braking—sometimes normal, sometimes requires full pedal travel; Increased stopping distance
Repairs/costs cited: Fluid level checks show normal; independent mechanic diagnosed brake line issues in some cases; dealership repairs ineffective in repeat cases
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 15V800000; many affected cars not included in recall despite identical symptoms
Abnormal brake noise and air leaks
High-pitched squealing, hissing, or popping sounds from brake system. Owners hear air leaking or loud pop when brakes are applied, sometimes accompanied by brake light illumination.
When: Around 24,000 miles; reported Oct 2015–present in narratives
Symptoms owners cite: High-pitched air-leak sound when braking; Loud popping noise when depressing brake pedal; Hissing sound accompanying hard pedal pressure; Brake warning light illuminates after noise
Repairs/costs cited: Inspection by independent mechanic found brakes physically intact despite noise; brake pads and rotors reported new or minimal wear
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 15V800000; recall parts unavailable for months despite multiple dealer contacts
Seized emergency/parking brake caliper
Parking brake mechanism fails to engage or release properly. Rear caliper seizes and the arm cannot return to free position, allowing vehicle to roll freely.
When: Unknown mileage; reported as recurring issue across multiple model years
Symptoms owners cite: Emergency brake does not engage when pulled; Vehicle rolls freely despite engaging parking brake; Caliper arm seized in engaged position or unable to return to free position; Multiple calipers fail on same vehicle (3 on one owner's car)
Repairs/costs cited: Caliper replacement; owner reports replacing 3 calipers per side and experiencing recurrence; wife's 2015 Dart required 2 caliper replacements before being sold
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: 2013 model years have active recall for this issue; 2014–2016 model years do not
Excessive rotor wear with intermittent braking loss
Brake rotors wear excessively and braking becomes intermittent, requiring harder pedal pressure to achieve normal stopping.
When: Observed early July; specific mileage not provided
Symptoms owners cite: Excessive rotor wear noticed early; Intermittent braking issues; Vehicle sometimes has trouble stopping; Owner must push harder to achieve full stop
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer noted in shop notes; extended warranty status unclear
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer service center not concerned; did not suggest coverage under extended warranty
Brake hose rupture near crimp
Both front brake hoses rupture with parallel splits near the crimp at the holder bracket, resulting in complete brake failure.
When: 144,751 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal goes to floor; Complete brake failure
Repairs/costs cited: Both front brake hoses ruptured at crimp location near holder bracket
Synthesized from 46 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer
allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.